Organisers of the Great Edinburgh International XCountry have confirmed that the victorious home team will have the opportunity to defend their title next year. The Scotland A team stormed to victory in the 4x1k mixed relay to win the Stewart International Relay trophy on 9 January in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.
The relay was staged as part of the BBC televised event. The trophy, which is named after two Scottish running legends Ian and Lachie Stewart, was awarded to the Scotland A team made up of Laura Muir, Steph Twell, Jake Wightman and Cameron Boyek.
The innovative format was popular with the crowds and gave local supporters the chance to cheer on athletes out on the course.
Laura Muir, who was recently named ‘Scottish Athlete of the Year’ said, “I raced this event last year but it was only two legs and fewer teams. The format today was ideal and the crowd seemed to love it. With four runners, two men and two women, and eight teams it was just about set-up perfectly.
“It was just brilliant to win the trophy in front of a home crowd and the atmosphere around the park was terrific. The Great Edinburgh International XCountry is such an exciting event.
“It was a really good team with I think good runs by all four athletes.”
The event also included an international team competition between G.B.&NI, Team USA and Team Europe, which featured senior men and women’s races around the park.
Team G.B.& NI were the overall winners, even though Double Olympic and World Champion Mo Farah just missed out on a win to experienced XCountry specialist Garrett Heath of the USA.
The event also includes the popular Pure Gym Great Edinburgh Winter Run 5k which had a record field of over 3000 amateur participants this year. It has been confirmed the event will continue to take place at Holyrood Park until at least 2018.
Great Run will be back in the city on Sunday 17th April for the 10 mile Great Edinburgh Run, which takes in some of the city’s most iconic sites. The event is open for entry now at greatrun.org/edinburgh.
