East Lothian's Open Cross Country Champion Murray Strain (HBT) opened the IAAF World Cross Country events with an exciting race when in the Welcome the World 5k challenge he led for most of the way only to be outsprinted by Scottish U-23 international David Bishop in the last 100 metres.
Murray finished in 15m 48s — just three seconds behind the winner.
Whilst several other East Lothian runners were taking part from Musselburgh ADAC and Dunbar RC including Karen Page (24m 36s) and Yvonne Allan (31m 54s), a host of HELP runners wer
e giving up their weekend to act as officials and marshals for the international events.
It was the only the third time in 90 years that the event was held in Scotland since its inauguration at Hamilton Racecourse, and 30 years since it was held at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow.
Auld Reekie gave its best with nearly 20,000 colourful flag waving spectators lining the course.
TorrentialOn Saturday, Midlothian's Freya Murray flew the flag for Scotland finishing third in the senior women's home countries event, and on Sunday it was three Dunbar young athletes who carried the flags of three of the competing nations at the opening ceremony of the World Cross Country Championships.
Nicole Smith, Joanne and Bruce Lindsay had to stand in torrential rain whilst the speeches and anthem was played.
Full report in East Lothian News,April 4, 2008The full article contains 239 words and appears in East Lothian News newspaper.
