LASSWADE ATHLETIC CLUB

A call to arms.

Ruth Szymanski is after  6 additional helpers to assist make sandwiches and staff the Tea hut. You will be required to start on Sunday 1 March at 9am and will be tidied up by 3pm

Anyone that can assist is asked to contact Ruth at elkasaruma@hotmail.co.uk

A good time is had by all helping and of course you will be instrumental in ensuring that the successful reputation of Lasswade AC’s road race is maintained.

Please, if you can, give your time. After all, no helpers no food I’m afraid.

many thanks in anticipation

Brian , CDO

Due to a hectic semester and a busy season of racing, I fell behind on the monthly training updates. I will do my best to keep the club updated with training/racing in America!

I am flying back to New Mexico for what could be my last semester in the NCAA. The winter break did not go to plan, after picking up a cold then a chest infection resulting in my training suffering. We tend not to do much speed work in New Mexico given the extra time needed to recover from hard sessions at altitude. Therefor I was looking forward to getting some speed work at sea level over Christmas to get me set for the indoors season. I had planned on running the indoor 3k on the 3rd and the Portobello Promathon on New Years Day. Unfortunately I had to withdraw from both but managed to get a race at Holyrood in the International Relay at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country. I ran the 2x1km relay with Laura Muir and managed to get 3rd, a good result against a strong field.

Once I get back to New Mexico I will ease into training for a few days to allow the last of the chest infection to clear up. Also since I stayed an extra week at home to run Holyrood I will be straight back into classes. My first indoor race is on the 31st of January and I hope the lack of track work won’t have had too much of an affect on my performance. After that I have 2 more races within a month to conclude a short indoor season, giving me 5-6 weeks to prepare for outdoors.

I will have to make a decision soon as to whether I want to stay an extra year in America. I have an extra year of eligibility due to not running for my University in Scotland, however I am excited at the chance to come home and begin my career in Edinburgh. If indoors and outdoors go well, I may be inclined to stay, however the recent success in Scottish Distance running proves that there is nothing stopping athletes succeeding in Scotland.

The Great Edinburgh Cross Country and Inter District Championships took place in Holyrood Park,  Edinburgh on Saturday 10 January. The weather conditions made the course at Holyrood, which is very flat and open, extremely difficult.  There had been high winds and heavy rain over the last few days and the conditions hadn’t improved. It was very cold with strong winds and some sleet/snow just to add to the challenge!

Lasswade AC have regularly had athletes selected for this event and today was no exception with six athletes having been selected and four competing.

In the under 15 girls event Lauren Dickson and Sarah Tait were selected to represent the East of Scotland.  Sarah was on a school skiing trip to Italy so was unable to compete. Lauren did compete and was in the leading group of runners from the start of the race which was over three laps. Erin Wallace (West), Eloise Walker (East) and Kate Gallagher (East) started to open a slight gap towards the end of the second lap with Lauren in fifth place just behind another runner from the West team. Lauren ran strongly on the final lap to hold fifth position and help secure the win for the East team.

In the under 15 boys event Magnus Tait and Jamie Darling were both selected for the East of Scotland. Magnus was also away in Italy skiing so was unable to compete. However, Jamie Darling who has made a great improvement this year over the cross country was competing. This was the first time Jamie has been selected for this event and he ran strongly over the three lap course to finish in 25th place.

Our next runner was Ross Matheson who was competing in an event being held for the first time, which was a 2 x 1km international relay. Ross was teamed up with Laura Muir who ran an impressive first leg to hand over to Ross with a slight lead.  Ross looking strong held the lead to just over the half way point when James Bowness took the lead. Ross dug in and fought all the way to the finish just being pipped for second place by Ross Murray.

The final Lasswade athlete competing was Amy Frankland who was representing Scottish Universities in the senior and U20 women’s race . Unfortunately the timing of this race seemed to coincide with the worst weather conditions with sleet snow and very cold winds battering the ladies. Amy dug in and ran well to finish in 44th place (10th U20).

It was great to see Lasswade AC so well represented once again at this event.

Congratulations to all the athletes on their fine performances.

Ross, who is studying in America at present, has been selected to run for Scotland in an International Relay Race at the Great Edinburgh XC Event to be held on 10th January. Very best wishes go to Ross from all at the Club.

Guy Learmonth and Greg Louden have been selected for Scotland and will compete in this event on the 24th of January at the Emirates Arena.

Guy will run in the 800m and Greg in the 4x4oom relay.

Congratulations to both lads from all at the Club. Another outstanding achievement and credit to their hard work and commitment to athletics.