Rouken Glen 10k

more photos here

For a country with traditionally bad Summer weather we can have no complaints so far this Summer (OK, forget about Troon). The clouds cleared and the sun shone for tonight's Rouken Glen 5k and 10k road races.

First in action for the club was Ewan Murray (U15) who ran a pb in the 5k to finish in 5th position overall in 17:47, some 1:38 faster than last year. A great result for Ewan considering that three of those in front of him were seniors.

As a Calderglen Grand Prix event, we had a large turnout as usual for the 10k, Kenny Davidson even making it back from Peebles to make a late Grand Prix challenge (having started his campaign back at Brampton). This is a course with one big hill between 3 and 6k but even so there were impressive performances from all the Harriers. Star turn was Stephen Reilly. After establishing a 4th place early on and then moving up to 3rd, Stephen was passed as he entered the park with 300m to go. With some vocal encouragement from the spectating Harriers, Stephen found another gear with 50m left and sprinted into 3rd place to finish in a time of 37:13. Stephen is pictured above receiving his prize from the Provost.

Many of the veteran Harriers were "fresh" from the Vets 5k the night before, including Scot Hill (10th place in 38:40) and Eddie Reid (12th place 39:15). Only a short distance further back in the red and blue of Moorfoot Harriers was the black and blue (from a recent Fall on Goat Fell) Kenny Davidson (39:43).

Stuart Waugh (40:25) and Jim Holmes (41:32) ran remarkably well considering their efforts in the 5k the previous night. Stephen Phimister was in close pursuit of Stuart throughout, finishing in 40:49, a course best by 1:20. The watchless David Herbertson had an e.t.a of 42:45 based on a visual contact from the pursuing Graham Lindsay (43:14).

Surprise of the night was Mary Goldsmith, who had hinted at a return to form with a 5k pb at last Thursday's Auldhouse Time Trial and backed that up with a 10k pb of 45:55 tonight. A steadily improving Ian McKenzie was next in with a time of 47:55 followed by two more big improvers, David Dickson (48:07) and Don Kennedy (49:21) both pb's and the first time under 50 minutes for Don. The ever enthusiastic Katrina Downie was next with a time of around 49:55 followed by a comfortable Dawn Buchanan in 51:42. Finally, Russell Couper achieved his best time for a while finishing in 55:16 despite suffering from a recenly sustained knee injury.

To cap it all, Stephen, Scot and Eddie won the men's team prize. Very well done to all!