Stirling University hosted the first in the series of the East District Cross-Country League on Saturday.
Fiona Dalgleish led the Gala Harriers’ ladies home across the two 3km laps in an impressive 16th place out of 95 runners, in a 25 minutes and 38 seconds, ensuring that the team secured seventh place overall.
She was ably supported over the undulating grassy but muddy course by captain Rachel Fagan in 26.20, Fiona Shepherd (27.41) and Eileen Nicol (29.01).
Mud was everywhere by the time the 224 senior men lined up, but it didn’t deter Fergus Johnston leading the 10 Harriers home in a well-run 32.50, over an increasingly clarty course with another lap of 2km added for good measure.
Wayne McIntosh who had run so promisingly last week in his club debut in Dundee put in another excellent performance (34.19), with Mark Bryson hot on his heels in 34.40.
Sterling runs also came from Colin McCall (35.16) Graham Manczak (35.20) Sinclair Hill (35.39) Steve Martin (36.24) Dave Nightingale (38.09) Derrick Brydon (39.12) and Billy McCulloch (39.27).
Like their female counterparts, the men’s team were placed seventh and the masters (veterans) team were a spectacular second. Here’s hoping they can hold on to that or even better it over the next two rounds of the league.
Next outings for the Harriers are the Scottish Athletics National Cross-Country Relay Championships at Cumbernauld on Saturday, and the Jedburgh Running Festival on Sunday.