Series event leaves capital for Fife

In previous years, all four section of the series have been held in Edinburgh at Peffermill.

But this year, for the first time, one round is moving to the Kingdom and to the Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy on Wednesday, January 27.

Disability Sport Fife and Fife AC are working in partnership to host round three of the series which is organised annually by bodies Scottish Athletics and Scottish Disability Sport.

Almost 155 athletes with additional support needs from Fife, Lothian and Perth have registered to take part in 1k, 2K and 3K races.

Apart from Owen Miller and local racers Sam Fernando from Fife AC, who will compete as seniors over 3K, all other participants are school pupils.

Fife has a track record of entering strong school squads for the East Series but on this occasion the entry is exceptional.

There is added excitement in Rimbleton Primary in Glenrothes and Rosslyn School in Kirkcaldy because the pupils are taking part in their first cross country event.

Some 115 of the athletes entered are pupils at Madras College, Buckhaven HS, Woodmill HS, Balwearie HS, Lochgelly HS, Bell Baxter HS, Rimbleton Primary and Rosslyn School.

In addition to a small squad from Perth, the Lothian representation comes from Woodlands School, Pilrig Park, Cedarbank and West Calder HS.

Over the four rounds of the East Series the athletes accumulate points to determine the overall year group winners.

Fife AC and Disability Sport Fife officials will join forces with sports leaders from Kirkcaldy High School to deliver a high quality cross country event at the Beveridge Park.

On May 25 athletes will return to the same venue for the Disability Sport Fife Cross Country Championships.

The National Championships organised by Scottish Athletics and Scottish Disability Sport are held later in the year at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow and the final round of the East Series will be held at Peffermill on Thursday, February 25.