Laura Muir lands gold medal in longest race of her career

The World and Olympic medallist saw off the spirited challenge of world class mountain runner Scout Adkin to win by 13 seconds after six miles of mud and hills in Callendar Park – the longest race of her life as a professional athlete.

Jamie Crowe followed that with a dominant win in the Senior Men’s race to himself rewrite the history books and enter a rather exclusive club of men – like fabled Nat Muir - who have won the National XC four times or more.

Crowe also led home the peerless Central AC squad guided by coach Derek Easton to a remarkable 15-in-a-row in terms of Senior Men team golds.

If Muir’s class was stamped all over her performance over a muddy 10k then her status as a role model was confirmed after removing her new cross country spikes. The round of selfies and autographs undertaken by the Dundee Hawkhill Harrier seemed to last longer than the race itself ... as Muir demonstrated once again her impeccable role model credentials.

“It was a long race for me,” said Muir, who was starting out in her student vet career when winning under-20 gold at the same Falkirk venue in February 2012. “Six miles is the longest in my career and it was a wee bit of a step back into the unknown in terms of cross country. But I knew I was very fit at the moment and I am pleased to have shown that winning gold.

“Scout Adkin and Naomi Lang are world class hill runners and Scout ran a brilliant race – she really pushed it on. Any technical bit, or uphill, I was losing ground so I had to dig in at times. Thankfully I did that and then used my speed over the closing stages to get clear and win.

Warm reception for Muir

“When I stood here 14 years ago after winning the U-20 title I had no idea what was to follow in my career. I don’t think I could have envisaged the medal success. It seems to have flashed by and so much has happened on and off the track. I’ve won medals at all six championships (indoor and out, European, World, Olympic and Commonwealth) which has been wonderful – but not something you really foresee.

“It has been so nice to come back here and win a Scottish title and enjoy such a warm reception.”

Moorfoot Runners athlete Adkin won the title in 2023 and was a strong second as fellow hill runner Lang, running for Glasgow Uni, came home in third.

Carnethy Hill Runners took the team golds after top ten finishes by Kirsty Dickson (nine) and Ellen Crombie (ten). Edinburgh took silver and Shettleston bronze. Carnethy's win means different clubs have won this in each of the past three years: Edinburgh AC in 2024 and Shettleston in 2025.

Crowe started as favourite for a men’s race but with plenty of quality at the front. After wins in 2020, 2022 and 2024 he duly maintained that even number year sequence by pulling away in the second of three laps.

Inverclyde AC’s Ben Potrykus was a strong second and Garscube Harriers athlete, Finlay Ross-Davie, took the bronze to add to gold at the Short Course back in November. Crowe was at 30:41 with Potrykus at 30:55. Crowe is now in the record books like men such as Nat Muir (eight) and Bobby Quinn (four) in terms of Senior Wins.

“The National XC means a lot to me and I know the history well because my dad (Des) brought me up with stories around races from the past,” said Crowe. “I know not too many men have won four or more and I would love to add to this in the future.

“I said in January at the Inter-district that I was probably as fit as I have ever been and that’s continued the past few weeks. I’ve had a number of months of solid training and racing and that was not the case coming here last year.”