INVERCLYDE Athletics Club continued their impressive medal haul at the National Cross Country Championships in Falkirk.

The Lindsay's National Cross-Country Championships at Callendar Park, more than lived up to its reputation as being the most enjoyable event of the Scottish Athletics winter calendar.

Inverclyde Athletics Club were well represented in Falkirk (Image: campbell skinner) Club coaches were delighted to see Inverclyde’s under 13 girls’ team all fully committed and giving 100 per cent effort over the 3.4K course.

Rosie Callan was first to finish for the club closely followed by Frances McFadden, Rosa Currie and Annie Henry. The team were well chuffed with their 15th place overall finish.

Inverclyde Athletics Club's under 13's performed admirably (Image: Supplied) Louis Reid was the only under 13 boy taking part for the club, and he soon settled into the race, part of a large group chasing the leading pack.

Reid worked his way through this group and responded to his cheering support with a spirited finish to take 14th place in a field of just under 120 athletes.

Five of the seven strong team of Inverclyde under 15 girls produced great results over the earlier winter events, setting high standards of commitment and unity were hoping for a place on the team podium.

(Image: Peter McLaughlin) Despite Grace Barry, Olivia Lyne, Cara McDougall, Lucy Neilson, Molly Farish producing strong runs, they were just edged out finishing in a very creditable fifth place finish.

As a result of their individual performances, Barry and Lyne have been selected to represent the West of Scotland at the UK Inter-counties Championships being held at Woolaton Park, Nottingham on March 8.

Charlie Lyne also found himself the only male representative from Inverclyde in the under 15 boy's race over the same course as the girls.

Lyne rose to the challenge set by his coaches and was happy to have finished safe and sound.

The third junior male competing for Inverclyde was Reuben Ahlfeld in the under 17 Men’s race over 5.9K.

This was Ahlfeld's first race at this level and he was satisfied to have achieved his coaches’ goal of completing the race, enjoying the experience and gaining confidence.

The senior ladies were the next race involving Inverclyde athletes with Nynke Mulholland and Kay Greg on the start line.

(Image: Bobby Gavin)

In final preparation stages, for her first marathon in April, Nynke started off well and was in her usual position in the leading group, during the first of the three-lap course over 10k, however as the pace increased, she was unable to respond. And while disappointed to not finish in a top ten place, 12th is still very credible.

With last year’s under 17 Women’s champion moving up to the under 20 age group, this was another race which the club were anticipating a medal challenge and Millie McClelland–Brooks did not disappoint.

In a breakaway group of three going into the start of the first long lap of the course, Millie took the lead and opened a substantial gap over the switchback session towards the end of this lap.

She was still leading in the second and final lap but was unaware that a battle for 2nd place was taking place behind her.

This brought both athletes closer to McClelland-Brooks, closing the gap and overtaking her on the final hill of this section.

(Image: campbell skinner) She found it hard to respond initially before regaining her confidence to finish with a silver medal and maintain the gap between her and the bronze medallist Layla Todd.

The club’s senior men’s hopes of being on the podium again after last year’s silver medal performance were dashed with a couple of call offs on the day by key athletes.

Nevertheless, the six who were on the start line were all determined to give a good account of themselves. Andy Douglas was in the leading group from the start of the three lap race with Ross Gray in the next group and Elisha Demello not far behind. Rob Paterson had his own challenge further back as he finished second place behind Mark Hand of Law & District Amatuer Athletic Club.

Completing the team, it was great to see both Alun Myers and club captain Sean Gaffney returning to racing and helping the club to a commendable 12th place.

Inverclyde AC is accredited with Active Schools Inverclyde and supported by Diodes Inc, Inverclyde Council, Inverclyde Leisure, Inverclyde Warm Hands of Friendship, Smiths of Greenock, Succession Wealth and Tesco Stronger Starts.