Report from Arthur Smith ....

James Snodgrass won the Challenge Cup last weekend when he won Kilbarchan Athletic Club’s Cross Country Championship over a strength sapping 6 mile course round Milliken Estate. This was the 5^th time James has won the prestigious Trophy that dates back in the Club’s history to 1930. Time was 33 minutes 28 seconds and he finished around 400 metres ahead of Donald Petrie, with Dave Mewse just holding off Stevie Hards for third place. John Kynaston finished on his own in 5^th place, followed by Derek Brines who had a close battle with Ian Chisholm, to get in the top six. Ian was followed home by Gardner Masson and Eddie Lyons.

Kate O’Brien, who recently won the club’s 11mile handicap race on Hogmanay, maintained her good form to win the Ladies race over 4miles for the first time. In second place was Mags Meehan, doing well in her first ever cross country race and Wanda Phillips worked hard for third place.

Stephen Fleming was impressive in winning the under 17 boys race over 4 miles in 21.51and the 3mile under 15 boys race resulted in a good victory for Graham Evans in 17.58, ahead of Jack Lochans. Elaine Eadie was a clear winner of the under 15 girls 2mile race in 12.21, ahead of Sorcha Lynch and Emma Haddock with Ainsley Hards and Stephanie Bell filling the next 2 places. Vanessa Hogan won the under 13 girls race in impressive style, time 13.06 and the favourite, Russell Mountford had a good win in the under 13 boys race in 11.57 with Andrew Mitchell and Nicholas Love filling the medal positions, followed by Angus Bell, Andrew Campbell, Ryan Richards, Josh Penman, Kieran Hards, Daniel Meehan and Callum Ferry.

There was good competition in the under 11s races over 1mile. For the girls, Chloe Hardie had to work hard to finish in 7.18, just 25 metres in front of Gwen Gillham with Abigail Reilly a good third, Emily Campbell was next to finish, followed home by Megan Judge, Mhari Rundell, Caitlin Smyth and Mariska Meggatt. Euan Gillham was a clear winner of the under 11 boys race in 6.49, 80 metres ahead of Tom Thickpenny with David Richardson and good efforts also from Euan McKerral, Gordon Galbraith, Alan Sharp, Ryan Ballantyne and Greg Wilson.

The club is grateful to Mr and Mrs McIntyre and to farmer Iain Craig for permitting this historic event to be run over its traditional grounds.