Saturday 25th October 2025, Cumbernauld House Park
In many ways, running can be a very individual sport – out on the course or the track, road running, or cross country. But there is something special with the feeling of team effort you get in relays, no matter the event, and it was no different at Lindsays National XC Relays in Cumbernauld for one of the most popular XC events of the season. The atmosphere was fantastic, as it always is, and the weather was absolutely perfect for a proper cross-country battle as the Greenock Glenpark Harriers teams put together some outstanding performances for the club.
The Lindsays National XC Relays in Cumbernauld House park doesn’t have a physical baton to pass around the mud and hills, but the responsibility of helping teammates certainly seemed to inspire everyone – both those running their individual legs and the team performance as a whole, with lots of personal bests achieved across hilly 4k route.
MENS RACE
The various complications of age groupings meant the Greenock Men fielded three complete teams, two teams of four going out in the Senior Category and one team of three representing the V50 category. The Senior A Team of Stephen Trainer (13:25), Lewis Khan (13:40), John Hampsey (15:21) and Lewis McCrae (13:16) put in an outstanding effort to finish 38th from 120 Senior Teams. The Senior B Team of Stephen Harrison (16:53 pb), John Stevenson (17:50), Alan O’Rourke (18:50) and Stuart Crawford (20:45 pb) also performed despite all men being in the V50 category.
The Men’s V50 runners had the best result of the day. Lead runner Gavin Morrison continues to perform well at his favourite event, with an excellent run of (16:17) which put the club in 9th at the handover. Second leg runner Steven Campell’s time of (15:05) pulled in six positions as he handed over to recent Scotland vest recipient Paul Monaghan. Paul put in his usual brilliant effort and recorded a fantastic (14:41), catching another four places and placing the club 5th from 28 teams.
LADIES RACE
Unfortunately the difficulties thrown up by age and team selection impacted on the ladies teams, with the Harriers unable to field a full Senior Team to accompany the Masters (V40) Team and V50 Team categories. Despite this, Ashleigh Anderson (17:27 pb) was the fastest female Harrier on the day – a great way to celebrate her birthday with a personal best on the course. New ladies Vice Captain Jill Turner (20:59) was next out, running her first XC for the club and handing over to the evergreen Charlotte McKay (27:25) to round off the senior team.
In the Masters category, Fiona MacFarlane (19:10), Helen Crawford (22:01 pb) and Lynsey Mooney (22:33) all had strong runs to put the team into 15th position.
Like the men’s team, the V50 ladies had the notable performance of the afternoon, with great running all round putting the club in 7th place at the end. Led of by Lorna Mitchell (19:03) – running her second event of the day after completing BoNess Parkrun in the morning, Lorna handed over to ladies Captain Lynne Harrison, who managed to take over a minute off her previous best on the course with a time just outside the 20 minute barrier in (20:05). Lynne was followed out by Vicki Smith, who pulled back one place with time of (19:50).
Add in a scramble to get the tent down and get everyone on the bus, and you have a memorable day for the club!
Next Club Race – Colin Shields 1st November
Next XC – Short Course XC Lanark
Click here for the full results.
