East Kilbride athlete claims British Masters Cross Country crown

Grant Baillie admits following up last month’s Scottish Masters Cross Country title with the British crown in Wales was “the icing on the cake.”

The East Kilbride Athletic Club star, who is the town’s reigning sports personality of the year, had the run of his life last month when he claimed the Brtitish title by an impressive one minute and 11 seconds at Rhug Estate, just outside Wrexham, on March 16.

And it comes after Grant had finally claimed the Scottish title in Inverness three weeks prior, ironically held in Grant Park, following multiple second and third place finishes down the years.

Proud Grant said: “I had wanted to win the Scottish Masters Cross Country for a few years, so that was my best ever performance before this.

“The British title is just the icing on the cake!

“It was a tough, tough course, really hilly and quite traily - similar to Calderglen.

“It was very muddy as well with a few streams to cross.”

This is Grant’s first British title in cross country, adding to the 10km road title he won last year and improves on last year’s silver medal over the cross country.

Asked if he hopes his success might inspire others at the club, he said: “Absolutely. Firstly, I’m always trying to inspire my own kids, trying to get them to stay in the sport as long as I have.

“We all know how good it is and how good the running club is. Even training with the U15s / U17s at East Kilbride, they actually inspire me to keep going!”

And on his targets for the rest of the year, he added: “I would like to break 15 minutes for 5km this summer and I would also like to set new personal bests over various distances.”

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