Albyn School is proud to organise and host Scotland’s largest schools cross country event annually.
Now in its 25th year, the event welcomed over 1,700 young athletes from schools as far south as Dundee to compete in a thrilling display of endurance, determination and sportsmanship.
On Friday 14 March, participants from state and independent Primary and Secondary schools tackled a challenging course set in and around the scenic grounds of Balgownie Playing Fields, Bridge of Don. With participants traveling from as far as Peterhead, Elgin and Dundee, this annual competition has grown to become a key fixture in schools’ athletics calendars, providing pupils of all abilities with the opportunity to showcase their running prowess and competitive spirit.
Albyn School’s head of PE and sport, Jimmy Lamont, expressed the importance of having such a significant event in the calendar: "Cross country running is a fantastic test of resilience and teamwork, and we are delighted to welcome so many talented young athletes to compete. This event is not only about performance but also about encouraging participation and fostering a love for sport among pupils, areas in which Albyn School excels.”
With categories spanning various age groups, the competition featured both individual and team races with the top three finishers from each school contributing to the overall team score.
Primary Team Results:
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Position 1
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Position 2
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Position 3
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P5 Boys
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Lathallan
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Cults Primary
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Robert Gordon’s College
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P5 Girls
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Cults Primary
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Robert Gordon’s College
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Hazlehead School
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P6 Boys
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Cults Primary
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High School of Dundee
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Banchory
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P6 Girls
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Banchory
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Kingswells
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Lairhillock
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P7 Boys
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Lathallan
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High School of Dundee
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Hazlehead School
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P7 Girls
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Albyn School
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Ashley Road
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Cults Primary
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Secondary Team Results:
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Position 1
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Position 2
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Position 3
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S1 Boys
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Cults Academy
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Albyn School
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Robert Gordon’s College
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S1 Girls
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St Margaret's School
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Aboyne Academy
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Robert Gordon’s College
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S2 Boys
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High School of Dundee
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Robert Gordon’s College
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Banchory Academy
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S2 Girls
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Robert Gordon’s College
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Aberdeen Grammar
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Banchory Academy
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S3 Boys
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Cults Academy
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Albyn School
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Lathallan
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S3 Girls
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Cults Academy
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High School of Dundee
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Westhill Academy
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Senior Boys
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Bucksburn Academy
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Albyn School
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Robert Gordon’s College
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Senior Girls
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Robert Gordon’s College
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Albyn School
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Cults Academy
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There were notable individual performances by Jessica Davidson (Albyn School) and Emily Birnie (Banchory Academy) who were separated by mere milliseconds at the finish line in the Girls P6 category.
Millie Glass Park from Dunecht Primary stormed ahead of her field in the Girls P7 race to finish a remarkable 19 seconds ahead of her peer Coco Czekalowska of Albyn School. Nathan Lawson, also from Albyn School, was victorious in the Senior (S4-S6) Boys race with Hania Czebreszuk from Lathallan taking first place in the Senior (S4-S6) Girls category.
Events like these have established Albyn School as a leader in school sports, consistently hosting and participating in large-scale competitions, and highlighting the school’s influence in the national sporting community and its drive to inspire the next generation of athletes.
Find out more about Albyn School’s sport programme at its next Open Morning on 21 March. Visit www.albynschool.org/admissions/open-morning to register your interest.