There was much to celebrate for Shettleston Harriers on Saturday as the club successfully hosted the 2025 Inter-District Cross Country Championship and British Cross Country Challenge at Alexandra Park in Glasgow. There were also some fantastic performances from our athletes in the freezing, wintry conditions, the stand out of which came from Lynn McKenna who won the Senior Women’s Inter-District title, only the second Shettleston Harriers female to do so in the history of the event.
Lynn dominated the race taking the lead early on and pushing the pace to win by over 7 seconds. The victory also meant she won the British Cross Country Challenge, the first female to win the title for the club since Fionnula Ross in the 2015-16 season. The strength our senior female athletes was cemented with two other Shettleston ladies finishing in the top 10. Rose Donaldson, who recently joined the club, was sixth, and Emily Carroll in tenth.
The Shettleston trio formed the backbone of the winning Scotland West team who brought home the Inter-District Championships team prize.
All the results along with a great post-race interview with Lynn on the Scottish athletics site.
Start Lists / Results | Inter District Champs
In the senior men’s race Jamie Burns was the top finisher for Shettleston Harriers amongst a very competitive field in seventh position. Jamie’s placing meant he was part of the Scotland West team that claimed a sliver medal.
It was great to see Jethro Lennox running nearly 20 years after winning the title, finishing 69th and 2nd M45 athlete in 2025.
The club has won this title on 4 previous occasions:
1958-59 -Graham Everett
2006-07 -Jethro Lennox
2009-10 Tsegai Tewelde
2018-19 Lachlan Oates
After being in the first group early on in the race Taha Ghafari dropped away as the race progressed. Taha had been suffering with flu in the weeks leading up to the event and that took it’s toll over the course of the race.
Senior Men Results:
Jamie Burns 7th (Silver – Scotland West team), Jonathan Moore 31st , Sam Lesley 33rd ,
Andrew Taylor 38th , Fred Davies 50th , Taha Ghafari 53rd , Jethro Lennox 69th (2nd M45)
Paul Sorrie 85th (5th M45)
A number of our young athletes also competed at Alexandra Park, representing the club well and gaining their first District vests for the Scotland West team.
U/13 Girls
Zoe Roberts 22nd (Silver – Scotland West team), Eilidh Stephens 44th
U/13 Boys
Euan Grant Pantry 35th
U/17 Men
Aidan McGongile 41st , Matthew Fox 51st
Well done to all the athletes in very cold conditions
Alongside our athletes recognition has to be given to our club Secretary John Mackay and board member Gary Woods for their hard work, over many months, on the planing and delivery of the event with Scottish Athletics. The event could not run, however, without a vast team of volunteer helpers. From setting up the course at 7am, athlete registrations, car park duties, catering, to breaking down the course at 3pm, John and Gary would like to thank all the helpers for their invaluable work in the freezing conditions.
We have had very positive feedback, adding to the club’s reputation for hosting excellent event such as Allan Scally Relay, Babcock Shettleston 10km, Goatfell Hill Race, Dumyat Junior Hill Race and our Open Graded Events.
Both John and Gary want to thank all the helpers who made the event such an success. This also includes the members of Cambuslang Harriers who, in a true co-operation between clubs, helped marshal the course and last but not least all the staff at Milnbank Sports Hub and Scottish athletics for their help.
Sunday saw the action move Indoors for the 3rd match of the SAIL League, no results so far
Parkruns Results
Tollcross Parkrun
Joanne Harkins 28.47, Ellie Ryan 48.23, Rebecca Ryan 48.23
Stirling Parkrun
Michael Paxton 2nd 17.57
