National Cross Country Championships, Falkirk

Congratulations to Jo Zakrzewski and David Parrish, new DRC Cross Country  Champions for 2012.... 

Eight members of Dumfries Running Club raced in a record field (almost 800 competitors in the two senior races) at the National Cross Country Championships at Callendar Park, Falkirk. Not even a snowstorm that threatened to overtake the start of the ladies' race took away the fun of the day. The course consists of 4000m laps (2 for the ladies and 3 for the men) which tested the mettle of the runners with narrow paths, steep hills and descents, flat runnable grass sections, sandy path crossings and ankle deep mud with slippery cambers.

Jo Zakrzewski seemed to have profited from a plantar-fasciitis induced taper to perform well in this high class field, even managing to overtake another girl in a sprint finish for 17th place in a time of 32:05. Susan Gallagher was worried about a small injury from last week's race, but this held out well and she enjoyed the hills and terrain to finish in 163rd place. Gemma Leadbetter ignored the field around her and ran her own race, moving up positions all the way round the second lap for 194th, while Jo Needham did not show anyone that she was feeling slightly out of her depth and gritted in for a great performance in 233rd place. The ladies finished as 23rd team overall.

The men all supported the ladies at various points around the course and then headed to the start line for their race. David Parrish seemed at home on the muddy hills, despite the huge number of runners and drove home for a great 83rd place in 46:00. Alan Baxter's last run at the Nationals was as a youngster, but the years in between gave him the experience for the increased distance so he could run strongly for 226th place. Sandy Shankland and Alistair Bloxham started off together but Sandy moved ahead and completely anointed his new shoes with mud for 316th place, while Alistair came home for 332nd position.

Doug Brown may have run further than anyone, as he appeared to be everywhere on the course offering words of wisdom and support/encouragement to the whole squad.