Two Scotland teams will compete for a new trophy at the Great Edinburgh International XCountry event on Saturday.
The ‘Stewart Cup ‘has been put forward by event organisers Great Run for the 4 x 1K International Relay which will feature eight teams in what should be an exciting race.
Named after Scottish running legends Ian and Lachie Stewart, the cup will be presented for the first time to the winning team in the International Relay at Holyrood Park.
Ian and Lachie (no relation) both won Commonwealth Games gold medals over 5000m and 10,000m at nearby Meadowbank in 1970 and Ian will be in attendance on Saturday to present the new trophy.
“I think this a terrific idea by Great Run and we’re looking forward to a very exciting programme of cross country racing on Saturday,’ said Nigel Holl, scottishathletics chief executive.
“The International Relay gives eight athletes the chance to compete for Scotland, with A and B teams taking on GB, England, Europe, the United States, Wales and Ireland. There are two men and two women in each team.
“That follows Inter-District and Celtic Nations XC action and the event will culminate in the main traditional match between GB, America and Europe – so there will be plenty for spectators to enjoy in Edinburgh on Saturday.”
Mo Farah will be back at the event for the first time in five years and there are five Scots set to represent Team GB. Callum Hawkins and Andrew Butchart are with Farah for the Men’s 8K race with Josephine Moultrie and Beth Potter in the Senior Women’s 6K race. Kilbarchan AAC’s Euan Gillham represents GB in the Men’s U20 race.
There was good news over the Christmas and New Year break for two emerging Scottish athletes as they landed call-ups to the International Relay selections.
Josh Kerr won the European U20 title at 1500m last summer prior to a move to study in the United States – and the former Edinburgh schoolboy will now line up for Scotland B.
And 17-year-old Carys McAulay, who won silver in the 800m at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa, has stepped up to the B team following the withdrawal of Lynsey Sharp, with Twell now in the A team alongside Laura Muir.
The elite event takes place alongside the increasingly popular Pure Gym Great Edinburgh Winter Run, which is set to reach record numbers with an expected 3000 people taking part this year. The hardy amateur participants will take on a New Year challenge of a 5k course that loops around one of the capitals most iconic locations, Arthur’s Seat. For more information or to enter visit ww.greatrun.org/winter
Relay Teams:
Scotland A: Laura Muir, Steph Twell, Cameron Boyek, Jake Wightman
Scotland B: Emily Dudgeon, Carys McAulay, Neil Gourley, Josh Kerr
Great Britain: Charlie Grice, Kate Holt, Michael Rimmer, Charlene Thomas
USA: Riley Masters, Nicole Bush, Cory Leslie, Melissa Salerno
Europe: Pieter-Jan Hannes (BEL), Margherita Magnani (ITA), Jakub Holusa (CZE), Claudia Bobocea (ROU)
England: Dale Clutterbuck, Alex Bell, James Bowness, Naomi Taschimowitz Wales: Elliot Slade, Rachel McClay, Tom Marshall, Melissa Courtney
Ireland: John Travers, Laura Crowe, Eoin Everard, Kerry O’Flaherty
