INVERCLYDE Athletic Club’s Jonny Glen has received an early Christmas present by being selected to join Mo Farah in the British team for the Great Edinburgh Cross Country event in January. Jonny will join arguably the greatest endurance athlete in the world, who has confirmed his place in the same GB team for Edinburgh. Jonny received his second selection for the British team after a fabulous performance at the European Cross Country Championship held last week in Bulgaria.

The Inverclyde runner was tasked with performing on the most demanding of arenas under the GB banner. As the race progressed the step up in class was evident, but with Jonny’s inbuilt determination, he was holding his own in the classy field.

Coping with the underfoot conditions well, Jonny was holding his own, making progress through the field at a steady rate. With the altitude starting to take effect, a final push to the finish saw Jonny move up the GB pecking order to secure a position in the top half of the field and a memorable debut.

In addition to recognition at GB level, Jonny has been selected to represent Scotland in Ireland at the Celtic Games again in January. Jonny paid tribute to his coaches Mark Pollard and Ian Cameron who have programmed Jonny’s rise from a raw talent to a GB athlete.

As Jonny was performing on the highest of stages, Inverclyde youngest athletes were starting their athletic journey at the Young Athletes Indoor League held at the Emirates Indoor Arena in Glasgow.

In the under-11 age groups Harris Morrison had a double celebration, taking victory in the 60m and the 600m. Joining Harris was Niamh McIntosh who recorded a fine victory in the girls’ 60m.

The under-13 girls’ 800m Leah Cameron transferred her endurance form, claiming victory with a late burst over the final 100m. In the boys’ 800 Andrew Winter went with a determined start and found his endurance training paying off as he moved through the field to claim a top position and a huge personal best.

Samantha Williams benefited from her training programme with a 200m win in the under-15 category. It was business as usual in the girls’ 300m, with Robyn Kelly striding to the front on the first bend and holding gold medal position till the finish line.

Drew McIntyre was crowned speed king for the day with victory and the fastest time of the weekend over 60m. The biggest personal achievement on the day was a personal best of two seconds by Andrew Hunter in the 400m.

With the winter season in full swing now being joined by the indoor calendar, a busy few weeks ahead are in store for all athletes in Inverclyde AC.

For full details visit www.inverclydeac.co.uk