Giffnock North have reclaimed the Lindsays Trophy for the 2024-25 season after winning our Tier One title.
Ian Beattie MBE (LEFT) presented the trophy to Giffnock North coaches and athletes.
The participation competition for the Lindsays Cross Country Season, which places clubs according to finisher numbers, continued in a league division format following a pilot the previous year.
Finisher numbers are tallied for three National Championship events over the winter – the Lindsays National XC Relays at Cumbernauld, the Lindsays National Short Course at Kirkcaldy and the Lindsays National XC at Falkirk.
And Giffnock emerged on top for the fifth time in six years with victory by only eight athletes ahead of Edinburgh AC, who were original winners when the Lindsays Trophy began in 2015.
Giffnock accumulated 217 finishers in total to EAC’s 209 over the three events. Cambuslang Harriers took third place with 145 and Central AC were fourth on 143.
The three tier tables confirm no fewer than 94 clubs from the length and breadth of Scotland were represented at the Lindsays Cross Country Season.
Ian Beattie, our Chief Operating Officer, took part in the presentations at a Giffnock training night at Williamwood High School.
“This is a competition which seems to get stronger with every year, which is a great reflection of the work carried out by scottishathletics and individual athletics clubs across Scotland,” said Ian.
“It is fantastic to see how competitive the events have been throughout this year and our congratulations go to everyone who has taken part and made this such an entertaining Lindsays Cross Country season.
“Through our support of scottishathletics, we are proud to be helping encourage healthier lives through sport. As we look towards another Commonwealth Games in Scotland, we hope that running as part of a healthy lifestyle can continue to grow.
“It's the Triple Crown," said Giffnock North AC Endurance Coach Dudley Walker. "To win the Lindsays, Pat Spence and AT Mays trophies all in one fell swoop is an achievement the whole club is thrilled with, from youngest Under 11 to oldest most experienced Senior.
"The Lindsays of course is the prize that spreads the widest, most generous glow, sharing the honour across all the age groups, and encouraging the most athletes to compete in and compete races, which recognises all the hard work by coaches, officials, volunteers and families who help make the club what it is."
Echoing those sentiments was Giffnock North Club Chair Chris Deery, who said, "We are delighted to put the club name on the Lindsays Trophy for a seventh time. It's such an inclusive award, reflecting the spirit of the sport as well as the club, and it is great to have a knowledgeable sponsor, so committed and in tune with the deeper values of athletics. Thank you, Lindsays!"
Tier Two winners this year are Fife AC (105) and Tier Three was won by Stirling University (50).
The three tier system operates promotion and relegation for the top and bottom four clubs.
Dropping down from Tier One for next season are: Kilmarnock Harriers, Kilbarchan AAC, Greenock Glenpark Harriers and Inverclyde AC.
Winning promotion are our Tier Two champions Fife AC (105) and second-placed Lothian RC (79). Also promoted are: VP-Glasgow (75) and Lasswade AC (70).
Dropping down from Tier Two for next season are: PH Racing, Portobello, Cumbernauld AAC and Ayr Seaforth AC.
The full tables for the three tiers of finishers aiming to scoop a Lindsays Trophy can be downloaded below.
Photos by Mark Gibson
Published 30 April 2025
