Mud and thunder

STIRLING PROVIDES STERNEST OF TESTS BUT ATHLETES DEFY THE WEATHER AND RISE TO THE CROSS COUNTRY OCCASION

- EUAN CRUMLEY

THE Run Stirling Cross Country International was the kind of athletics event which makes you grimace, yet leaves a broad grin on your face all at the same time.

Make no mistake, the relentless wind and torrential rain made conditions in Kings Park nothing short of brutal for those who were brave enough to toe what was the muddiest of start lines.

Yet to see so many carry on regardless and willingly battle against the elements – a good number of athletes even seemed to rather enjoy themselves in the process – was the kind of uplifting sight which reinforces why this is such a fine sport to be a part of.

Given the doses of bad news which are served up so regularly in the world of athletics, this was a much-needed tonic. This was to witness sport very much in the raw and at its most basic – yet compelling – best.

Little more could have been squeezed into what was an eventful programme. There were races within races within races in this latest stop on the British Athletics Cross Challenge, where Home Countries International, Celtic International, and Scottish Inter-District titles were also up for grabs.

The host nation rose to the occasion, winning the Home Countries International senior men’s team gold for the first time in eight years, as well as the under-20 women’s gold for the first time ever. Scotland, in fact, won seven of the 10 team gold medals available on the day.

There were no individual honours for local hero Andy Butchart, the Olympian’s fall whilst leading opened the door to Wales’ Kris Jones, who made light of the conditions, while senior women’s victory went to Kate Avery after a performance during which she looked in complete control as she led the England team to gold.

Perhaps the sun didn’t shine but this was a day when an athletic discipline was shown in perhaps its best light.