On Saturday, 22nd February 2025, over a dozen athletes from Team East Lothian lined up at the Scottish National Cross Country Championships, held at Callendar Park in Falkirk. The event, one of Scotland’s most prestigious cross-country races has been going since 1932, and saw more than 2200 athletes from over 100 clubs across the country take to the start line. This year marked the 19th consecutive time the championships were held at Callendar Park.

For 2025, the course was redesigned to better protect the historic Antonine Wall, ensuring the preservation of this ancient site while still providing a challenging route for the athletes. Both the start and finish lines were located in front of the iconic Callendar House, adding to the event’s historic atmosphere. The route incorporated sections of the adjacent golf course, offering a variety of terrains that tested the runners’ endurance and skill.

Weather conditions were ideal for cross-country racing, with mild temperatures, bursts of sunshine, and no wind — perfect for both athletes and spectators. The ground was firm and not overly muddy, making for a fast-paced and competitive event.

The competition kicked off with the under-13 girls race. Team East Lothian was well-represented, with Abi Campbell finishing in 60th place with a time of 15 minutes and 7 seconds, a solid performance in the tough field.

Next up was the under-13 boys 3.4k race. Team East Lothian’s Tom Ibbs had an outstanding race, finishing in an impressive 6th place with a time of 11 minutes and 48 seconds. Adam Connolly also delivered a respectable performance, finishing in 60th place with a time of 13 minutes and 55 seconds.

In the under-15 girls race, which featured a 4.3k route, Imogen Turner represented Team East Lothian with a strong finish in 9th place, crossing the line in 16 minutes and 25 seconds. Flora Lawson followed closely in 21st place with a time of 17 minutes and 25 seconds. Ava Rose Curtis also ran well, finishing 29th in 17 minutes and 40 seconds. Kate Douglas completed the course in 91st place with a time of 20 minutes and 51 seconds.

Frank Brown represented Team East Lothian in the under-15 boys category, completing the 4.3k route in 16 minutes and 28 seconds, securing 49th place.

The under-17 men’s race featured a 5.9k route, and Team East Lothian athletes showed their strength. Joe Smith finished in a fantastic 15th place, clocking a time of 20 minutes and 11 seconds. Thomas Gornall ran well, finishing 40th in 21 minutes and 42 seconds, while Leo Grilli crossed the line in 79th place with a time of 24 minutes and 16 seconds.