Busy weekend for Forres Harriers at North District Cross Country league race in Nairn and Scottish Masters Cross Country event at Balgownie Park, Aberdeen

There was many a red vest getting battered by some brutal conditions in the resort of Nairn, on Saturday for the fourth North District Cross Country league race, writes Susan McRitchie.

Even though the notorious river crossing was ruled out for safety reasons this year (risk of ending up on the Black Isle), this was the wettest Nairn XC that anyone had experienced.

The lucky Harriers up first were the Under 15 boys. Michael Bishenden managed another strong run to finish 3rd with Bill Symon not far behind in 10th.

In the Senior Ladies race, Moira Davie showed improving form with a 2nd place finish. Moira had a strong team of ladies supporting her with Frances Britain 12th, Kasia Klonowska 14th, Elizabeth Barr 18th, Ros Wright 21st, Marisa Christie 24th, Frances Russell 25th, Shona Spencer 26th and Nadine Williams 27th.

The ladies team finished 2nd behind Highland Hill Runners.

Grant Symon was the only male running in the Senior Men's race and finished 28th overall.

The last league race of the season is Saturday 19th February at Grant Park, with Forres Harriers the hosts.

Whilst the Nairn Cross Country League Race on Saturday was getting hit with some "challenging" weather, the five ladies that travelled through to Balgownie Park, Aberdeen, for the Scottish Masters Cross Country event, were faced with some blue skies and a wee bit of a headwind, but nothing too remarkable.

The course was a 6k, three-lap route and very runnable. First Harrier over the finish line was Susan McRitchie 38th overall and sixth F45, closely followed by Siobhan Evans seventh F45. Hilary Cameron had a strong run to finish sixth F50, with Jackie Nicol fourth F60.

The top performance of the day came from Anne Docherty taking the gold medal in the F75 category. The team of Cameron, Nicol and Docherty finished fifth team overall in the F50+.