If running in cold, wet, muddy and hilly conditions is your thing then race 2 of the North District League at Keith had it all.  Fortunately, Keith and District had served up a cracking course in the hinterland of the Keith Power Station and provided a great selection of cakes for afters.  However, to earn these cakes runners had to negotiate a tricky course encompassing track, field, road and plenty of hills.  There were some 71 club runners who endured the horrendous weather conditions with everyone running very well and doing the Club proud.  Age group winners for the club were Catriona Jarvie U11 girls,James Geddes U15 boys and Lauren Fraser U17 women but there were plenty 2nd and 3rd place finishes and 3 team wins as well. A big thanks to the parents and coaches who supported the team all day and the great team spirit felt throughout the day despite the terrible conditions.

In the senior races the ladies team of Roma Shepherd, Paula Ross, Caroline Marwick and debutant Lisa Macrae battled well finishing only 5 points behind winners Forres Harriers.  In the Mens senior race no fewer than 17 senior men proudly wore the gold and maroon colours.  This is a huge step given that only 3 seasons ago the club were struggling to field the minimum 4 runners.  At the head of the field Donnie Macdonald and Stephen Mackay finished 3rd and 4th after battling valiently with the Forres duo of Kyle Grieg and Gordon Lennox.  Andy Macrae and Paul Miller made up the counting places but it was the number of club athletes who made the effort including Decathlon specialist Derek Glasgow, sprint specialist (in the 80s) Keith Geddes and especially XC debutants Hugh Marwick and Alan Brown who made the day.

With only 3 weeks to go until the North XC Championships in Nairn the club is in a great position to take some silverware back to the Queens Park.