Cross-country relay attracts record field

AMATEUR athletes from far and wide descended on Cumbernauld House Park as the National Cross-Country Relay Championships returned to the town.

An incredible number of teams made up the strong field – 90 in the girls’ category, 97 in the boys’, 105 in the women’s and 156 in the men’s.

All the races produced fast times. The event was organised by North Lanarkshire Council and North Lanarkshire Leisure, in partnership with Scottish Athletics and Cumbernauld Athletics Club.

Councillor James Logue, the chairman of North Lanarkshire Leisure, said: “Attracting a record number of athletes from all over Scotland, Cumbernauld Park provides a fantastic and challenging cross-country venue with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.”

Blane Dodds, chief executive of North Lanarkshire Leisure, added: “It is important that our athletes are given such competitive outlets in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“It encourages more young people to become involved in sport by seeing the best athletes in Scotland compete right here in Cumbernauld which fits well with North Lanarkshire being awarded the prestigious European City of Sport for the UK for 2011.”