Senior Cross Country Grand Prix - 2024-2025
The 2024-25 EAC Cross-Country Grand Prix featured no less than 12 qualifying races, from October 2024 through to March 2025. Included are all the National Championship and East District races. The Grand Prix is set up to reward both performance and consistency across the season, and it has seen some close finishes over the years.
Mercè Sánchez Oller took the ladies’ title this season, with a total of 83 points across the season. Nancy Scott was second with 75 points, and Hannah Cox was third with 69 points.
On the men’s side, Gavin Phillip emerged triumphant at the end of the season with 100 points. Iain Whitaker was second scoring 93 points, and Gordon Pryde third on 87 points.
Mercè Sánchez Oller
Mercè Sánchez Oller hails from Spain, and is studying electrical and mechanical engineering in Edinburgh. She has been a regular, strong performer on the Scottish scene over the past several years, mainly focusing on the track and the cross-country circuit.
She reflected on her season and on her Grand Prix triumph:
How was your cross-country season?
My cross-country season was very enjoyable! I love racing and I really like going to competitions with the EAC team. I like cross-country because I usually feel less pressure to run a certain time or at a certain pace, so it’s usually a part of the season I really enjoy. And this year we’ve had lovely weather as well, so it’s been very nice to run many of the races. I also love eating the cake afterwards!
Any highlights?
I enjoyed the last East District League fixture in Bathgate, when we managed to win the title with the EAC women. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by very inspiring athletes, so it’s always lovely to win something with them. I also liked the course that day because it had more flat bits than usual, so I was very happy with my own race too.
In brief, what is your running/EAC history?
I started running in Spain when I was very young. I remember I always enjoyed going to the training sessions because I made some very good friends there. I think that made me stick to it over the years because it just became part of my life and of who I was. Then, I came to the University of Edinburgh to start my undergraduate studies and decided I wanted to continue running, so I joined Edinburgh AC. I’m very grateful to have found a team here, because being able to share my runs with other people is one of the most important things to me.
How is it to win the Cross-Country Grand Prix title?
It feels lovely. I think it’s great that the team values participation and encourages showing up. EAC has some incredibly talented female runners (and I am by no means the fastest!) but I think encouraging both good performances and participation is a great thing to do.
How has the “club element” of it been for you?
One of my favourite things about the club is its depth. I love that we welcome people of all abilities and backgrounds, I think it makes us a very special club. I am also very lucky to share this hobby with my training group and my teammates. Everyone has been lovely to me since the moment I joined, which has made a huge difference when moving countries. Lewis Orr welcomed me to the club a few years ago and it’s been a pleasure to meet everyone at the track on Tuesdays and tempo on Thursdays. I also do some track sessions at Saughton with Gary and I really enjoy those too, so I am very grateful to be part of a club with great coaches and lovely people.
Gavin Phillip
Gavin Phillip, a long-term cross-country devotee, was a popular and deserved winner of the men’s title. He put in strong and consistent performances right across the season, on courses the length and breadth of Scotland. Approaching 60, Gavin’s enthusiasm for cross-country running is as strong as ever, and he has been a well-known face on the circuit for many years.
Gavin took the time to answer a few questions about his season:
How was your cross-country season?
Very enjoyable! I was able to put together a winter of consistent training without injuries or illness which always helps. It also helps to be training with a great group of people at both Myreside and the Meadows on a Saturday, with credit to Bill Blair and Alex MacEwen for the sessions they set. I also did the Scottish Athletics Cross Country sessions at Holyrood Park which are very tough but I would absolutely recommend these for anyone trying to get in shape for cross-country.
Any highlights?
The National cross-country is always my favourite. It really is a celebration of cross-country for all age groups. I first ran the senior men’s race at Falkirk in 1987 and love the course, although it can be tough…!
In brief, what is your running/EAC history?
I first joined EAC in 1976 on the back of watching Big Bren (Brendan Foster) winning a bronze medal at the Olympics in Montreal. I have run all my life, but work and family commitments meant taking a break from EAC, before rejoining in 2018 when my son Calum started running. It is a complete privilege to still be running and competing as I approach 60 and one I would never take for granted.
How is it to win the Cross-Country Grand Prix title?
It’s both a surprise and an honour. I always try and do all the cross-country races so I suppose it is a reward for commitment and consistency.
How has the “club element” of it been for you?
EAC is a fantastic club to be part of. I believe it is truly inclusive and you will be welcomed whatever your age, gender, background or standard of performance. We have great coaches. We have a really strong veterans teams (aged 40+), and the performances of our ladies and young athletes has been excellent in cross-country in recent years.
But we could do with more seniors… When I broke through into the seniors many years ago, we regularly won medals at District and National level. I see no reason why we cannot aspire to return to those levels. Even if you are training for a marathon, or for road races, or for the track, cross-country with all its variety of surfaces builds strength! Give it a go next season, the club pays your entry fees, there is a great team spirit, and it’s a great day out!