Brampton Race Report 2017

More photos from Frances of the prize giving are here.

It was a perfect day for a race. Sun shining, no wind and a bus load of race hungry harriers ready and primed for action. This race has changed start  times, and even race days, from Saturday to Sunday in recent years and still remains a huge favourite being the longest running 10 mile race in Britain.It has long been an annual fixture for the Harriers and against a high quality field we often pick up a few prizes.

Gordon got us all together for  the annual communal photograph and at the insistence from a  demanding  set of runners Kenny roused us with an inspirational (?) refrain. ( I seem to remember he mentioned how it was a great day for a race )
Our secret ( and not so secret ) warm ups underway we all started out on the first fast mile.  We had Chas, Gerry, Andy and Stuart with over a hundred Bramptons between and some of our more recent members running their1st  2nd or 3rd races. A key feature of this year was the very welcome record breaking numbers of women harriers who made their presence felt both on the run and on the bus, particularly on the way home. The lack of wind and the cold clear skies meant conditions were ideal for PBs.
When the race started Ross Mullen, Andy Buchanan and Julie Beveridge were soon out of sight of the rest of us, and they each finished strongly in 58.59, 61.44 and 65.38  respectively. We really need to get Ross to join the Harriers.
Kenny Leinster was next harrier home in 69.15  with Andy Henderson having a great run finishing in 71.24 and 4 th in his age group.Frances Maxwell was 2nd female harrier in 71.34 and second in her age group with Jim Holmes hot on her tail in a time of 72.14. Kirsty Wilson had a strong run coming in with 73.38 followed by Sharon Greig who gets stronger with each race in a time of 75.10. Sharon's strong finish meant that with Julie and Frances they picked up 2nd place in the  Masters team prize.
Paul Rooney, making his own way down to Brampton, kept up his high standard in races by coming in on 77.15. With three family members in the race Gerry Mullen showed that experience can get the better of youth by finishing ahead of his son Michael in 78.08, Michael recording 78.59.Gerry now collects "Bramptons" as if they were Munros.
On his way back from injury John Boyd was pleased with his strong finish and managed a time of 82.18 followed by Stuart Waugh who didnt feel great from the start  in a time of 83.43. He was probably contrasting the cold morning with the weather Maude and he  will be enjoying in The Bahamas for the next 10 days.
Gordon McInally is still recovering from a series of injuries/operations but despite this managed a highly credible time of 84.43.
Achieving  a PB by 6 minutes meant that Sandy Hayden was a happy harrier on the way home after finishing in 85.22. Shona Morton and AnnMcLellan finshed close together in 87.31 and 87.59 with Julie Thomson taking Russell Couper's scalp in 89.08. "These women are putting me under pressure" Russell was heard to (m)utter shortly after crossing the line in 89.38. This was reinforced by Lorraine Buchanan setting a five minute  PB in a time of 91.22.
Alison Johnstone, in characteristic  style, came in with a smile on her face  in a time of 93.40 with Chas Steven completing over 30 Bramptons close behind in 95.04.
Mary Goldsmith and Laura Gillies finished in the same time of 106.25.
Eddie Reid has been struggling in recent weeks and soon after starting he opted for a lift to Carlise and gave encouragement to the Harriers as we came in to the finish line.

Frances & Julie receive their prizes

At the prize giving Julie deservedly won 9th woman  and was also second in her age group. Frances was second in her age group and they were joined by Sharon to win the masters  second team prize. This shows the strength of the women's representation in the Harriers as it creates a recent trend and gives the men something to aim for in the coming year.

The Turf Tavern was calling and the important post race rehydration was in full swing before we headed to the Star hotel in Moffat. On discovering that  a gin corner had been recently installed Julie led a small select group in an expedition to try as many as possible. It appeared successful and a few new discoveries were made.
 In the PB and performace awards, Stuart Waugh demonstrated his long standing quality by gaining a gold standard in 4 disciplines for the 10 th year running. A phenomenal achievement.
Andy Buchanan was presented with the Jimmy Moore trophy for being first Harrier home today and now has his name alongside   a high quality list of runners.
Kay Conneff won the ladies Grand Prix with Julie Beveridge second. Frances Ferguson was in third place with Joanne mcEvoy first vet.
Gordon McInally won the mens Grand Prix with Jim Holmes in second place followed by Russell Couper in third and Richard Lawton picking up 1st vet.
I think the prize giving proved so exciting for some Harriers that they had to sing most of the way home...well it may have been the gin.
And so ended a great day and a hard race and a reminder of why this is an annual fixture in the Harriers calendar.
Kenny

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