Shettleston Harriers Senior Women’s team will compete in the European Clubs Cross Country Championships in Spain this weekend along with Central AC (men). The event will be held in Orepreso del Mar (Valencian Community, Southern Spain) Both clubs qualified at the British Cross Challenge trial event featuring Scottish, English, Northern Irish and Welsh representatives. Shettleston Harriers and Central AC following good performances at these trials in Liverpool last November will be the UK Athletics representatives in Spain. This again highlights the strength of Scottish athletics with two Scottish clubs competing against the cream of European clubs.
Shettleston Harriers are competing for the first time and will be represented by the team who qualified in Liverpool. Wearing the well-known blue and yellow vests will be Avril Mason, Aoife Carr, Hannah Terrence, Ruth Joss and Emma Baird. All girls work and train in Glasgow. They have already had several team successes this winter and competing at Liverpool at very short notice showed the strength and dedication of these girls. The picture attached shows how muddy this course was in Liverpool but the course in Spain is certain to be much different.
Shettleston has close links with the Central team with Derek Easton, the highly respected central coach being a member of the Shettleston club in the 1970/1980s winning many team medals. Current Scottish Country champion Jamie Crowe also cut his teeth with the Glasgow Club and his dad Des Crowe was a key member of the clubs’ success in the 1990’s. Shettleston club president Elaine Mackay who will travel with the lady’s team to Spain was Jamie’s baby sitter when he lived in Glasgow!
Clubs cannot compete at this level with the support of various people and both clubs are very grateful to Scottish athletics who have given financial support to make the trip happen.
Shettleston Harriers would also like to thank Councillor George Redmond, John Mason MSP, Alison Thewliss MP, Sam Alsop (Joma), Glasgow Sports Council and the Lord Provost Office, Glasgow City Council for their support. These individuals and organisations have been key to allow the club to compete at this level.