HELENSBURGH Amateur Athletics Club’s young cross-country runners put in another strong showing in the National Short Course Cross-Country event in Lanark on Saturday.

The event was held on a cold but dry day, on a fast and flat course over the old Lanark racecourse.

Helensburgh’s Iona Wilson kept up her good form of recent events in the day’s under-15 race, putting in a solid performance to finish in 14th place in the field of more than 90 runners – and crossing the line only 30 seconds behind the overall winner.

Jenny Scott and Evelyn Dennison, competing in the same race, finished in 30th and 86th positions respectively in a fast and frantic race which saw the field covered by less than 90 seconds at the end of the 2km course.

The Helensburgh girls’ performances earned HAAC sixth place overall in the team competition – an excellent outcome for the club, which was competing against some of the biggest in the country.

Meanwhile, Dillon Gray and Matthew Cameron ran well in a super fast U15 boys race.

With an entry of more than 110 runners the boys fought well for their positions and finished strongly in the middle of the pack.

William Wright tackled the longer U17 3km course, finishing well in under 12 minutes, while Sophie Monteith competed in the U20/senior women’s race over 4km, which was won by the Team GB athlete from Kilbarchan AAC, Jemma Reekie.

Last up was coach Gareth Wilson, who finished an excellent fifth in the V50 category in the men’s 4km race.

Next up, the runners return nearer to home with the Dumbarton AAA XC championships at Balloch Park.