INVERCLYDE Athletic Club were crowned Scottish National short course cross country champions after a determined team effort in the final competition the National 4K championship held at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow.

The event follows the series of five relay competitions and puts all athletes out from the gun in a race where all team members count.

As the ground vibrated under the pace of hundreds of runners charging at the start of the race, hitting the front early on was the Inverclyde trio of Dan Mulhare, Craig Ruddy and Jonny Glen.

The fierce pace continued which ensured the field was scattered early on, as Inverclyde fourth counter Mark Pollard was using his experience to pick off runners in front of him. At the front Dan powered through the muddy conditions shadowing the leader, with Craig flowing with seeming ease just behind. Jonny kept close order in the top 10 despite his junior years.

As the race approached the finish Dan and Craig were clear front counters with second and fourth positions secured, Jonny dug deep into his reserves to ensure a top 10 finish as Mark, the team’s final counter, powered through a few athletes to bring Inverclyde home victorious by a large margin and regain the title last won four years ago by the local team.

In the same race David Mulhare made his team debut and set his marker for future events. Greg Williams and Matthew Thompson are acclimatising to the distance and country conditions as both stamped their track ability over the course.

Ali Law continued his return to competition after some considerable years off and used that maturity in the sprint home.

In the junior age groups Ross Forbes was top performer with a strong run and a determined finish to hold off the chasing pack. In the girls’ race Sara O’Docherty took strides toward full competitive fitness, with a strong finish securing a few local scalps in the process. Meanwhile, Samantha Dunning has made huge strides forward in her recent races and has clearly benefited by her efforts in training which is showing rich rewards in her racing.

Full details and results can be found at www.inverclydeac.co.uk