VIDEO: National cross country medal haul for Fife AC

It was the most successful championships for Fife AC in recent years, with the club bringing home three gold, a silver and two bronze medals.

The two individual gold medals came courtesy of talented juniors Tristan Rees and Stephanie Pennycook.

The tough, hilly course suited hill runner Tristan, who took the U17 men’s title in impressive style, cruising home in 22.59, a whole 20 seconds ahead of silver medallist Sol Sweeney of Perth Strathtay Harriers.

Stephanie, from Kirkcaldy, won her first ever national cross country title, winning the U20 women’s race by almost 30 seconds from silver medallist Louise Mercer of Edinburgh University Hares and Hounds.

Club mate Annabel Simpson, fresh from her silver medal in the 300m at last week’s British Universities Indoor Championships, also ran well to claim the bronze.

Along with Ailsa Cruickshanks in 16th place, the girls were also rewarded for their strong runs with a well-deserved team gold.

Scottish Inter District Champion Roberts Sparks was the silver medallist in the U15 boys’ race.

The race was one of the most closely contested of the day, with Robert battling out with Lewis Pentecoast of Falkirk Victoria Harriers over the last 400m.

A flat out sprint for the finish line saw the local athlete prevail, winning by a mere stride in 14.13 compared to Robert’s 14.14.

Scottish Inter District Champion and East District Cross Country Champion Anna Hedley was unlucky to just miss out on a medal, running well to place an excellent fourth in the U13 girls’ race.

Other notable individual performances included George Rees who placed eighth in the U17 boys’ race, Ben Sandilands who placed 13th in the U13 boys’ race, Angela Richardson who placed an excellent eighth in a strong senior women’s race and Helen Sharpe who placed 16th in the senior women’s race.

Along with club mates Halina Rees and Jennifer Spence, Angela and Helen also picked up a team bronze.