IT is not just top Scottish athletes who are breaking records these days – the sport itself has reached new levels of participation for many events in cross country and track and field.
Governing body scottishathletics has confirmed that the overall entry tally for the Lindsays National XC at Falkirk this weekend is the highest since the men’s and women’s championships combined back in season 1993-94, when the competition was hosted in Irvine.
The 24th edition of the event in this format will feature a total of 2330 athletes entered – including a new record field in the women’s race, with 382 entrants up by four on last year.
There is a 10k race for senior men this year, with a similar event for women, and there has also been a significant increase in that event – with the entry number now edging towards 900, a figure which is closing in on the tallies recorded during the late 1980s. Indeed he current tally of 887 is the biggest for 20 years.
“Once again the National XC continues to be the crown jewel of our winter season,” said scottishathletics chief executive Mark Munro.
“I’m delighted to see the greatest number of entries in 24 years of combined championships for men and women. In particular, it’s fantastic to see the senior women’s race growing year after year – it’s not so long ago that figure was close to 200 and now it is almost at 400.
“However, for me, it is one of the greatest spectacles in sport when you see the senior races with club runners of all abilities from age 20 to 80 and over lining up against Olympians and Scottish Commonwealth Games athletes.
“In recent years we’ve seen Olympians like Beth Potter, Freya Ross, Andy Butchart, Callum Hawkins and Derek Hawkins all win this event. Laura Muir won the under-20 title five years ago.”
Olympic duo Callum Hawkins and Beth Potter appear to be the strong favourites for the senior gold medals – Potter having won it last year en route to appearing at her first Olympics over 10,000m.
Scottish half marathon record-holder Callum has one previous title to his name, with his sibling, Derek – who is not racing this year – having won it twice.
London 2012 Olympian Freya Ross – a six-time winner at the event – yesterday extolled the National XC, a contest at which she has raced for 20 years. “I think it is such an exciting event that clubs get behind it and support,” said Ross.
“There are people coming to Falkirk from every part of Scotland to race and that’s great for the sport. It is a focal point on the calendar.”
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