Twell a winner as she makes Scots debut
runner leads from start to finish to claim title for the second time
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STEPH Twell made a successful debut for Scotland in the UK cross-country match at Gateshead on Saturday.
The London-based athlete, who has previously competed for England, led the women's race from the start and went on to complete the 8k course in 28min 25sec to win for the second year in a row.
Helen Clitheroe led England to the team prize when finishing 22 seconds behind in second position, while Sonia Samuels (Sale Harriers Manchester) was a further 13 seconds back in third.
Dundee University student Morag MacLarty was Scotland's second counter in 11th position, while Rosie Smith (Hunters Bog trotters) was 19th.
Twell, whose mother comes from Paisley, wants to represent Scotland at next year's Commonwealth Games in New Dehli and was keen to create a good impression on her debut in a dark blue vest.
She said: “I wanted to run in the vest in style and I hope I’ve done well for Scotland. Having won the European cross-country title three times in a row I really hope I can keep that momentum going this year."
England's Mike Skinner won the men's race from Glasgow-based Eritrean Tsegei Tewelde (Shettleston Harriers), while Stirling's Ali Hay was sixth.
Twelde also finished second, behind England's Ricky Stevenson, in the accompanying 2k race.
Scots athletes enjoyed success in the younger age groups with Central AC's Kathryn Gillespie winning the under-13 girls' 3k event, while Lasswade's Ross Matheson won the under-17 boys' 6k.
Robbie Simpson (Deeside Runners), 18, smashed the course record when winning the Druim Fada hill race at Cluaran, Annat, near Fort William, yesterday.
The Banchory athlete covered the 6.5-mile course, which includes 1,200ft of climbing, in 42:57 to slash two minutes off the previous mark set by Ruari Watt last year.
Simpson finished more than four minutes ahead of Craig Mitchell (Lochaber AC), while 16-year-old Craig Tomisen (Tobermoray High School) finished in third place.
North cross-country champion Nicola Meekin smashed the women's record by more than four minutes when winning in 50:40.
Niku Millott (Metro Aberdeen) overcame a strong challenge from Frankie Barton (Keith and District AC) and Neil Jaffray (Metro Aberdeen) to win yesterday's Fraserburgh half marathon in a time of 1:18:20.
