Athletics: Edinburgh AC secure silver

WITHOUT British internationalist Freya Murray, who was resting after finishing 37th in the World Cross in Poland the previous weekend, Edinburgh AC grabbed a surprise silver medal in the women's race in the Scottish Road Relay Championships at Livingston on Saturday.

Splendid efforts on the long six miles plus stages by Niamh Devlin (35:45) and Jennifer MacLean (33.44) took EAC nearly half a minute clear of Central, although holders Kilbarchan were well clear in the gold medal spot.

Issy Menzies (18:38) led off for the Capital side on the opening three miles plus stage and she handed over in third place to Devlin who was fifth at the change. Nathalie Christie (19:36) took EAC back into third and MacLean on the anchor came home with the fastest long stage time of the day.

Central's Morag MacLarty was on the opening leg and she outran fellow Delhi Commmonwealth Games contender Claire Gibson (Kilbarchan). MacLarty covered the stage in 17:09, 11 seconds clear of Gibson, whose club went on to take the title in 1:45.28, more than two minutes clear of Edinburgh, with Central third.

"That should boost my confidence," said MacLarty, who has been plagued by ailments.

Capital physiotherapist Al Hay, who is also bidding for a 1500m place in Delhi, was third fastest over the long stage in the men's six-stage race, hauling Central into second place behind Shettleston, with Inverclyde third, Corstorphine fifth and EAC men eighth.