Masters Road Relay - Strathclyde Park

Proving that the Harriers are certainly not fairweather runners, an impressive 20 of the club's members competed in blustery conditions at Strathclyde Park today in the Scottish Masters Road Relay Champtionships. The event was open to competitors aged 35 and over. The Calderglen ladies fielded one complete team of 3 and the men 4 complete teams of 4 and Russell Couper running solo in our final, incomplete team. Each runner completed one 3.75 mile lap of the loch, the best tactic being to let the wind carry you as fast as possible to the West end of the loch and then to struggle back into the wind as best you could on the return journey along the North shore.

Sandra Reid lead off a strong ladies team in a time of 27:11, handing over to Genevieve Freeman (28:21) in her first race for a while. Genevieve held the 9th position established by Sandra before handing over to Frances Maxwell (27:59) for the final leg and 8th position overall.

Everyone was delighted not only to see Martin Duthie take the first leg for the men's A team but also to see him bringing the A team home in second place with a very powerful performance (21:00). Nearly a real vet (39 years 11 months), Jamie McMonagle ran the second leg in a creditable 22:30 (5th position), handing over to Alan Derrick, who slipped back a further two places against the headwind to 7th (21:29). Davy Watt (21:03) was on the final leg and flew around the lap to finish 5th overall in a very competitive field. A very strong B team comprised Colin Freeman (22:47), Ian Hughes (22:29) on his relay debut, Alan Cullie (25:02) and a fine 22:43 from Eddie Reid finishing 15th. Many of the Harriers are so evenly matched that team selection is a nightmare at the moment, a great position to be in. The C team comprised Scot Hill (23:47), George Stewart (25:04), Stuart Waugh (24:45) and Stephen Phimister (23:56). In the D team we had a rare short distance outing from Andy Henderson (26:45) handing over to David Herbertson (24:55), Jim Holmes (25:09) and a returning to form Chas Steven (30:06). Finally, Russell Couper was glad of a no pressure solo leg (34:31).

The overall winners were Carnegie Harriers just ahead of a fast finishing Shettleston Harriers. Irvine were third ahead of Kilmarnock Harriers. This event will surely continue to grow in popularity after this its second year.