Eritrean refugees challenge for Scots cross-country title

EAST champions Central AC face a strong threat from the African continent to their successful defence of the Scottish Cross Country Relay Championships at Cumbernauld tomorrow.

West champions Shettleston Harriers, reinforced by their three Eritrean refugees, Hagus, Woldemichael and Mengisteab, have become a potent force over the country again and will challenge all the way, while Inverclyde, led by Chris McKay and with Scottish champion Mark Pollard in their ranks, may also feature.

The Eritrean trio finished in a clean sweep of the medals and cash in the Stewarts Road Running Grand Prix with Hagus victorious.

Edinburgh AC were brilliant winners of the Young Female Athletes title at the same venue last year. In all more than 400 teams have entered.

Former Capital star Freya Murray, who is now representing Chester-Le-Street, has been rewarded for her fine run in the AAA Road relay Championships in Sutton Park, Birmingham last weekend where she had the fastest time of the day and second fastest since 1998 in lifting her club seven places.

Heriot-Watt graduate Murray has been chosen for the British team for the Chiba International Ekiden Relay in Japan on November 24.