North District Cross Country - Keith - 19/01/2008

CAAC athletes recently attended the fourth North District Cross Country League in the six race series. This fixture in Keith made for an early start for the athletes and coaches/parent helpers. This however did not deter from excellent results for the athletes on what was dry and windy conditions for the runners.

The course in Keith is predominantly flat with any hills being more a gradual climb than some of the hills provided at other fixture venues such as Fortwilliam and Strathpeffer. Howver with the exception of the Under 11 age groups, the distances run by the athletes were at their minimum for the League and so tested the athletes stamina and endurance at this point of the cross country season.

Caithness athletes in the Under 11 girl's age group came home in four out of the first six places with Stephanie Andre's top finisher in second place. Caithness took equal first place in the team placings and are holding onto the top spot in the runnings for the overall team gold in the League.

Ross Gollan in the Under 11 boys age group secured his victory in the overall League placings with a fourth win in a row. Lewis Holmes was second Caithness athlete home in second place and along with Alistair Cooper, took the team home in first place again leading the League standings with two races left.

In the Under 13 girls there was a return to form after a period of ill health with Emma Dunnett dominating the race from the start. This result means that Emma is guaranteed to retain her overall League gold from last year although the second and third placings are still open to a number of athletes. Oonagh Dunnett recorded her top placing of the winter with a confident second place ahead of third team member, Erin Mackay in fourth place. Again Caithness recorded a secure victory and are leading the League team positions.

Leanne Eyers in the Under 15 girls took fifth place and she is presently in third position overall. However this may change as some athletes in this age group have not completed the required four races which are used to count towards their points total. Regardless of the end result for Leanne, as a first year under 15 athletes, she has demonstrated a great deal of development in her endurance running and has impressed the coaches.

David Gardner and Duncan Patterson battled out for placings in the under 15 boys race which saw David coming out on top in third place. Along with Jake Anderson, who was struggling with a cold, the team finished second behind Moray Road Runners.

In the Under 17 Men, Graeme Taylor dominated the race and finished over a minute ahead of a good quality field of athletes. The Under 17 Men's team along with the younger age groups, is presently leading the League team positions.

The overall results for the Caithness athletes are as follows:-

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