Runners win the cold war at Callendar Park

One had to be strong to survive at Callendar Park yesterday. And that was just if you were a spectator. To run through a sea of mud, to skip over frozen puddles to lean into a constantly bitter wind, one had to have the constitution and will of the sort of superhero who normally appears in a Marvel comic.

The changing weather - it was at times cold, windy, snowy, sleety, rainy and windy and at other times it was just cold and windy - did not deter the largest field for 21 years setting out on a variety of races that started for the under 13s and stretched upwards to elite level. More than 2000 runners gave their version of a bit of cheek to Mother Nature.

The national XC, as it is known to those in both welly boots and racing spikes, produces stories with the facility of the Brothers Grimm. Sponsored by Lindsays solicitors, it provides more twists and unlikely finshes than an episode of Perry Mason.

The major races - the senior men's and the senior women - produced two dramatic, quality races with breathtaking finishes. The major story of the men's race was the breaking of the Hawkins dynasty over 12,000 metres in Falkirk. Callum of that ilk was seeking to defend his title, giving the family the fourth individual win in five years, with brother Derek having won in 2011 and 2012.

He finished second, however, behind Andrew Butchart of Central AC who immediately declared the race was good fun, in the same spirit presumably as a First World War pilot would view a nerve-shredding crash as a wizard prang. He drew away from Hawkins about half-way around the course but had to stay strong to hold off the challenge of the Kilbarchan runner, winning in 38.06, 18 seconds ahead of his pursuer.

The most spectacular finish came in the women's race where Maddie Murray sprinted down the straight with a freshness that suggested she had just appeared from behind one of the trees to deny the long-time leader Rosie Smith. The 29-year-old looked to have the race in her grasp and she entered the final straight. She was left in the glaur beyond the finishing line to hold her head in her hands, wondering at how so much effort could be rewarded with a second place finish.

The Australian-born Murray said: "It was great running in such a good field and it was good to have such a strong run."

High-class runners such as Beth Potter, fourth, and Susan Partridge, ninth, were left trailing in a race Murray won in 28.54 over the 8000m course.

Murray, who has moved back to Scotland where she is studying podiatry at Queen Margaret University, qualifies for this country in terms of residence and may be open to donning a blue vest. "I have started to enjoy cross country," she said. This affection was given the strongest test in the mud but she emerged from the rigours of the cold to give a sunny smile and an assurance that there might be better to come.

There is certainly potential in Jonny Glen, who at 18, has already proved himself to be an extraordinary competitor. Once a relatively lowly rated junior, the Inverclyde AC runner pulled on an international vest for the Euro Cross in Bulgaria in December. A winner of the under 17 event at Callendar Park last year, he ran away with the under 20 event over 8000m in 25.47.

Glen, an apprentice electrician, admits he finds it hard to balance work and training but this is merely an observation, not an excuse. Mud-spattered and gasping for breath, he finished the race and immediately and unnecessarily spoke of how much athletics meant to him.

"I am so determined, I train my heart out. I would love to make a life out of this," he said. "It is hard to get to the elite level but I will give it everything."

His successor as under-17 champion has a similar mindset and is part of a story that testifies to the growth of a club that has to overcome particular challenges. Connor Maclean of the Stornoway club won his title convincingly as was followed home by fellow club mate Euan Campbell in third. Michael MacMillan and Hugh McKenzie comprised a Stornoway quartet that won the first team medal - a silver - for the club since it began in 1985.

Ross Munro, the club coach, was delighted after bringing 17 competitors from Lewis to the event.

"It is all down to having a good pack who are prepared to work hard," he said. Travel and accommodation costs for the club can sprint to more than £10,000 a year so Munro was grateful to Lewis and Harris and sports council, through Western Isles council, for financial assistance.

This aid allowed Stornoway to join the muddy mayhem of Callendar Park where the tents of clubs shook in the wind and their flags fluttered frantically as if to wave away the effects of a wind-chill factor that would have caused a huskie to call off with a sickie.

Instead, into the valley of the deathly draught sprinted the 2000. Each of them should have received a medal for gallantry, wherever they finished in the field.

There were rewards for some, even beyond that of first place. Calum Maclean, the under 17 champion, admitted that he had endured worst weather in Stornoway and casually pointed out he may have warmer weather in his sights.

"I may travel to Texas on a scholarship to study engineering if my exam results work out," he said.

Munro, his coach, said it was an opportunity that the best of his young runners could grasp. "They can take the challenge on and see what they can do it with it," he said. "It is hard to say they are going to do X,Y,or Z but there is no reason why they cannot set their targets high. You look at such as Chris O'Hare who has done so well in America and say why can't the same happen to those with some talent and plenty of hard work."

The big chill yesterday was outrun by big hearts and burgeoning talent. Texas beckons for one of the winners but others, too, deserve their day in the sun.