WHILE THE rest of Scotland endured really bad weather, Forres enjoyed a mild, but breezy, day on Saturday as it welcomed the best of the North's athletes to the North District Cross-Country Championships.

A group of 54 Harriers contested the races over their home course, when the first event was the under-11 non championship race.

In the boys' race, Tommy McGrath came 10th, and in the girls' event, Anya Hayward was third, Erin Carpenter fourth and Lauren Cameron ninth.

Forres results: Under-13 girls - Anna MacFadyen (fifth); Boys - Jake Carpenter (17).

U15 Boys - Andrew Barr (18) and Craig McFadyan (21).

There was a gold medal run from the under-15 girls, when Lucy Massie came fourth, Zoe Hayward, fifth, and Molly Carmichael, 11th. This meant they were first team and claimed the honours.

Under-17 - Fraser Scott strong run to come ninth and he was well supported by Glen Fleetham in 18th place.

Moira Davie won the silver medal in the ladies' race, and along with Susan McRitchie (seventh) and Kirstie Rogan (eighth) won the silver team medal behind Inverness Harriers.

Rogan also won silver in the under-20 category. Norma Beaton came ninth, but won the silver medal by coming second in the F40.

Other placings: Frances Britain (13), Moraig Lyall (17), Ros Wright (20), Sue MacDonald (23), Nadine Williams (28), Elizabeth Watson (31) and Anne Docherty (32). Clare Nicholas injured her foot and was taken to hospital.

The Harriers men enjoyed their most successful day ever in the championships.

Scottish 1500 metres champion Mark Mitchell showed his class by gliding round the course to beat Kyle Greig by over a minute and a half. Greig in turn beat Robbie Paterson by another minute.

With a gold, silver and bronze in the bag, they were followed by Gordon Lennox (fourth), Simon Pride (fifth and first M40) and Graeme Bartlett (sixth and second M40). This ensured the Harriers of the gold team medal.

Next Harrier home was Paul Rogan (eighth and third M40). This made the Harriers first M40 team (Pride, Bartlett and Rogan). With Lloyd Gallantree (ninth), Geraint Watkins (13), Stan Mackenzie (14), Henry Archibald (16) and Andrew Morgan (21) the Harriers were also the second team.

Read the full story and see more pictures in this week's 'Gazette'.