This was the 2nd MOB match between Lothian RC and Linlithgow AC, having successfully started the event in 2024 using the Polkemmet Parkrun. This year the host Parkrun was Auldcathie. Lothian won all four categories last year but did not have it all their own way this year. You may ask which category was the most important, well that depends on which ones you win! It was agreed to push the event back a month to avoid the February school holidays which resulted in even greater numbers this year.

This year we increased the categories to five, biggest MOB (finishers and volunteers), fastest three females, fastest three males, best placed female finishers and best placed male finishers.

Lothian had 73 finishers and 1 volunteer, Linlithgow had 51 finishers and 5 volunteers, so the first category goes to Lothian.

Fastest three females Lothian (Courtney, Lana, Sally) totalled 66 mins 2 secs, Linlithgow (Lynsey, Charlotte, Victoria) totalled 68 mins 34 secs, 2nd category goes to Lothian. Impressively, three of the six females mentioned ran course PBs.

Fastest three males Lothian (Moray, Mark R, Mark F) totalled 50 mins 46 secs, Linlithgow (Sam, John, Andrew) totalled 49 mins 23 secs. This time there was 4 course PBs and a new course record set by Moray. Linlithgow had 4 in the top 6 placings with the first five runners going under 17 mins. 3rd Category goes to Linlithgow.

The points match is scored as per cross-country races: the race-winning male and female each record 1 point, 2nd in each race takes 2 points, 3rd takes 3 etc. These are added up across each team for all the scoring places (see next point), with the lowest team total winning that match.

How many runners score points in each team? The concept of mob matches is that the majority of the ‘mob’ have a direct influence on the outcome; scoring is typically deep into each team. However, it’s quite possible one club may struggle to field good numbers, and a format has been chosen not to overly disadvantage that team. The number of scoring runners in each team is thus one fewer than the smaller team in each match. The larger team retains an advantage in that its non-scoring athletes may push out the opposition’s scorers thus resulting in them returning more points.

In the female points match Lothian had 31 finishers. Linlithgow 26 so the first 25 female finishers from each club to count. Yes, those female ParkRunners not in the MOB match and all male finishers were removed first before allocating points. Remember, lowest score wins. Lothian totalled 653, Linlithgow 626 so the 4th category goes to Linlithgow. This came down to only a small number of head to head matches in the middle part of the MOB.
For those that are still following this, it is now 2 categories each!!!

In the Male points match, Lothian had 42 male finishers, Linlithgow had 25 so the first 24 finishers from each club to count. Lothian packed well and returned a tidy low score of 486, Linlithgow 738. So the 5th and final category went to Lothian. So for once the Lothian club saying “where the lassies win things and the lads just run” was wrong!

It was difficult to find an ideal time of year to have the MOB match free from other commitments. On Saturday Linlithgow had a medal winning female team at the UK Masters Cross Country Races and several runners from both clubs had an eye on the Alloa Half marathon or the Callandar 10k the next day. However, we have provisionally agreed same time next year possibly at the Beecraigs Parkrun?

Highlights, huge range of club members representing their clubs, 34 Course PBs, group photos, banter before, during and after the run, bubbles, being able to watch exciting races at the front end for both male and female runners, cakes, chocolates and a warm glow that you have been part of something special.

Congratulations to Mick on his 250th Parkrun and a big thank you for the cakes.

Results of MOB Match in the file section of this post.