By Peter Jardine, Head of Communications
National XC course same as 2025
The two words ‘The National’ were trending on Twitter across the UK earlier this week.
And, even if that strand of social media attention was apparently centred on an impending horse race on Merseyside, the athletics audience in Scotland could be forgiven for thinking the focus was on Falkirk.
The Lindsays National XC for 2026 is now only a couple of sleeps distant and, for many athletes, coaches, clubs, parents and volunteers, that prospect makes this an exciting week.
Preparations for the annual ‘family gathering’ at Callendar Park are well underway and medal battles across mud and hills are imminent.
More than 2000 athletes are entered for races from U13 to the cavalry charge of Seniors/Masters later on Saturday afternoon.
We expect more than 75 clubs to be represented with athletes travelling the length and breadth of Scotland to race in what we regard – in numbers and age group – as one of the most inclusive national championship events in Scottish Sport.
At this juncture we thank everyone planning to attend; our sponsors Lindsays; host club Falkirk Victoria Harriers; volunteers from numerous clubs; the Road Running and Cross Country Commission and indeed scottishathletics staff in various roles.
Here’s the race schedule and approximate distances for Saturday:
U13 Girls: 11am 3.4k
U13 Boys: 11.16am 3.4k
U15 Girls: 11.32am 4.3k
U15Boys: 11.53am 4.3k
U17 Men: 12.13pm 5.9k
U17 Women: 12.18pm 5.9k
Senior Women: 12.50pm 10k
U20 Men: 1.50pm 7.6k
U20 Women: 1.55pm 7.6k
Senior Men and Non Binary: 2.40pm 10k
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National XC Archive on RR and CC Commission website
Individual and team medals are up for grabs across ten races at Falkirk.
But there are a couple of other on-going features to the competitive element for athletes and for clubs.
*Senior athletes are racing for points in our Scottish Cross Country Grand Prix.
Falkirk is the finale across four events and in total there is £4000 of prize-money up for grabs.
Grand Prix update here
*Clubs are competing for places in three tiers of the Lindsays Trophy.
This is decided on the aggregate of finisher numbers at the Lindsays National XC Relays, the Lindsays Short Course XC and the Lindsays National XC. There is promotion and relegation from each tier.
Read our Lindsays Trophy update here
Photo by Mark Gibson
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Our main story for 2025 as Logan and Lynn win Senior golds
Every athlete who lines up on Saturday becomes part of the National history.
This event began way back in 1886 for men with the first race at Lanark Racecourse. The Women’s version began almost 100 years ago in 1930.
Medals are moments to cherish and the Senior races on Saturday look certain to capture widespread interest.
Laura Muir is set to return to Falkirk for the first time since winning the U20 gold at Callendar Park.
Laura will expect to be prominent in a field that looks highly competitive for the podium or indeed places in the top six to eight.
Lynn McKenna won last year and was joined by Nancy Scott and Brogan Wallace in the medals. Running well this year also are: Naomi Lang, our Inter-District XC champion, Scout Adkin, Morag Millar, Claire Stewart and Emily McNicol.
The Women’s team podium last year featured Shettleston, Edinburgh AC and Carnethy. They could be challenged by Glasgow Uni, Edinburgh Uni, Fife AC, Central AC, Cambuslang Harriers.
The Men’s race looks replete with possible storylines.
Defending champion Logan Rees is seeking his third win. Rival Jamie Crowe wants win number four. Falkirk Victoria Harriers GB international Scott Stirling would love to be a local hero.
There are all sorts of other contenders including (and not necessarily comprehensive): Hamish Hickey, Tom Spencer, Jamie Burns, Finlay Ross-Davie, Ben Potrykus, Kev Campbell.
Central are as hot favourites as ever to win team golds for the 15th consecutive time. Carnethy and Shettleston were on the podium last year and also looking to challenge may be Corstorphine, Cambuslang, Fife AC.
Whatever happens, there will be stories to be told and memories made. Oh, and one final horse-racing/Aintree reference: the ‘going’ at Callendar Park seems certain to be ‘soft’.
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Tags:
Falkirk, Lindsays National XC, Lindsays Trophy