National Success

I have now competed in cross-country events for nearly 29 years and over the years have known a few ups and a few downs. Yet in all those years I have never experienced such elation as experienced at this year’s Scottish National Championships. To see Craig Michie burst away from the field in closing half mile of the Junior Boys championship knowing that he was unbeatable and to celebrate the Youths team of Vincent MacPherson, Ian Wallace, Russell McFarlane and Derrick McGregor taking the team title brought me literally to tears of joy.

The day had started badly with Jonathan Seeley and Gavin Brown unavailable. It seemed as if the Junior Boys certain chance of team medals had rapidly evaporated. Team Manager Dave Francis, however, played an ace card with young Thomas Greene added to the squad. From the start, Craig allowed the leading pack led by Chris O’Brien to fight out the lead before striding majestically through the field at the halfway point. With a mile to go O’Brien and Jamie Goldie had been rapidly closed down and with the finish beckoning Craig upped the tempo and sped away. The luxury of being able to savour the advancing finishing line was fully experienced as Craig celebrated his way to the tape and the title. Meanwhile Andrew Cassells was running out of his socks to finish 8th and with another year in this age group will be a contender for the individual title next year. Owen Greene ran well to place 36th while brother Thomas ran the race of his life to finish 41st. Fife AC’s first ever team medals, silver, had been won but the day was far from finished.

In the Under 16’s Chris Seeley ran his best ever race to finish 27th leading the team of Ian Rough (41st), Donal Henretty (59th) and new recruit Stewart Latimer (84th) to a commendable 7th team place.

The Youths Under 18 race capped the day and the years of training, racing and determination to succeed. To see young men such as Russell MacFarlane and Ian Wallace come through the years of service to Fife AC, along with Derrick McGregor and Vincent MacPherson, loyal recruits over the past two years puts the icing on the cake. Just a few years ago Russell and Ian were the only youngsters competing for the club placing 88th and 50th respectively in the Junior Boys National at Irvine in 1990. While the youngster’s team was evolving others such as the Moonie brothers were busy resigning to join established team Pitreavie. How times have changed, our team has dominated competition in the East for the past two years and now reign as undisputed National Champions.

The race itself was not without incident as the early runners in the team race were North East of England outfit Cramlington. At the halfway point, however, Cramlington’s fourth scorer began to fade in the teeth of the strong winds blowing in from the sea. Vincent MacPherson led the charge of Fife AC vests through the field to finish a splendid 8th followed by Ian Wallace (17th), Russell McFarlane (21st) and Derrick McGregor (28th). The team had definitely won medals, but what colour? It was left to Referee for the day Ronnie Morrison who was only too happy to break the news later back in the Magnum Centre that the title belonged to Fife AC. A convincing 74 points win with Kilbarchan surprise runners-up on 97 and the previously all-conquering Cambuslang on 105.

The celebrations continued long into the night as the team coach wound its way back across the central belt to Fife.

An unparalleled day of achievement!

Graham Bennison