A remarkable entry of 2252 runners will line up in Falkirk’s Callendar Park today for the Lindsays National Cross-Country Championships.

Age-groups range from under-13s right up to veterans, meaning there will likely be pre-teens racing alongside octogenarians.

In the men’s senior race, Lachlan Oates of Shettleston Harriers is one of the favourites to take the title, while in the women’s race, Steph Pennycook of Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds is expected to challenge for the victory. Pennycook is a Scottish internationalist and represented Scotland in the 4 x 1K International Relay at the Great Edinburgh XC before finishing tenth in the Armagh 3K recently. Also in contention for the women’s senior title will be GB internationalist Mhairi MacLennan, who also runs for Edinburgh Uni.

Also on the start line of the women’s senior race will be Commonwealth Games athlete, Susan Partridge of VP Glasgow, who won the event in 2008.

Last year’s winners of the senior races, Callum Hawkins and Morag MacLarty are both absent – Hawkins as he prepares for the Commonwealth Games which begin in just six weeks time, and MacLarty misses out through injury.

The race is part of the Scottish Cross Country Grand Prix – it is fifth in a six-leg series – with £4000 in prize money up for grabs for eventual winners.

The event also represents something of a first as the championships will be shown this evening online, with video coverage gathered by a drone.

The drone, operated by an experienced pilot, will fly over the golf course area in Callendar Park, working in tandem with traditional camera operators on the ground.