Forth Valley Orienteers

Running up the Score

12 November, 2024

Forth Valley Orienteers proved to be a major factor in the Scottish Score Championship, as local athletes lifted nine national titles on a 20 medal day in Gorebridge

The club placed the top two athletes in both M21 and W21 on a fine day all round. Chris Smithard and Yotam Bertrand were the the only two competitors on the day to clear their course of controls, although Chris was 7 1/2 minutes quicker (62.40) and Yotam lost two points on a late penalty.

There's an old name, but a new name on the top of W21. ESOC team captain Alison O'Neil announced she would be swapping her allegiance to FVO next year, with this her first run-out in her new colours, and 440 points in 69.01 was more than enough to take the title. Holly Stodgell was nine minutes quicker, but scored 200 less points.

Jason Inman lifted the M50 for a third straight year (409 in 60.42) but had to wait to be confirmed as champ, as he was beaten to the line by an athlete from an English-based club. Laura Brown won W20 (380 in 55.56) and was joined on the top step by Alice McDaid in W40 (300 in 59.06), Heather Thomson in W50 (390 in 57.35) and Alison Cunningham in W60 (370 in 57.32).

In W55 FVO had both 2nd and 3rd places, as Marie Clare Shankland got onto a podium for the first time (215 in 60.29) ahead of Rona Molloy (180 in 53.56) and there was a family double in the over 75 classes with both Geoffrey (240 in 57.20) and Lindsey (160 in 51.00) Hensman in silver medal position.

The event clashed with Scotland Juniors practice in Argyllshire, so the junior podiums have an unfamiliar look, but there are still seven FVO kids in the medals. Hannah Inman raced as a W14 for the first time in a championship, and headed the entire junior course (250 in 36.29). Hanna Brindley won W16 (290 in 56.59) with Isla Cheyne (240 in 53.53) 3rd, and Esme Finch finished her season with another medal, silver in W12 this time with 190 points in 38.33.

Amongst the boys, Lachlan Carruthers was 2nd in M12 (190 in 28.41) and could have challenged for the title had he used his full time allocation, while Ethan Baikie nabbed a 3rd bronze from three run-outs (40 in 34.26) in M10, and there was a first-ever national medal for Alex Choi, who was 3rd in M16 (238 in 66.09).