When the going gets tough … the tough get going and that applies to the Tortoises who braved the “character building” conditions at Callendar Park, Falkirk for the Scottish National Cross Country Championships on Sunday 22 February. Not only were weather conditions atrocious with rain and cold sleat combining with a bitter wind chill factor – a wind which as always seemed to be in the face of the runners – but the course was reminiscent of a world war one battlefield with thick mud throughout. The ladies race was two laps of 4K and experienced the worst of the weather with Caroline Mutch putting in another gritty cross country display coming round in 39’52 for 170th – special thanks to George MacGregor for his encouragement at one particularly slippery slope!

In the men’s race, over 12K (3 laps) and with a field of 571 and the odd glimpse of winter sun amongst the squalls, Fraser McPhail and Jim Phillips put in great performances and an entertaining inter club ding dong tussle. Never separated by many seconds, the two battled round with Fraser just edging ahead of Jim in the final stages, finishing in 53’33 for 377th. Jim finished 12 seconds later for 383rd in 53’45. Strong performances by both over a tough cross country test.