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Saturday 27 June 2009

Diet Coke EK Half Marathon and 10k

The annual Diet Coke EK Half Marathon & 10K took place on Sunday 21st June with over 1800 combined runners taking part on the races 10th anniversary. A handful of Harriers put their Monday & Thursday training into action by producing some good times. First over the line in the 10K was Jamie McMonagle (38:25) followed by Stephen Phimster (39:39, a pb by 8 seconds), Jamie Wood (40:20, 1st Junior), Brian McDougall (40:41 pb and 4 or 5 minutes faster than last year) and Jennifer Fegan (65:01). For the Half Marathon we had Stuart Waugh (1:28:55 and 1st M60), Jim Holmes (1:32:11), Graham Lindsay (1:34:09) and Richard Lawton (1:49:19). Stuart's time gives him a fantastic gold M60 performance standard. This was Richard’s debut at this distance and he was targeting for under 1h 50mins result so the time help end the experience on a up and set a good first time to improve on. Thank you to all the other Harriers who were dotted about the course cheering us all on and at the finish line in the stadium.

Thanks to Richard for the report and well done to all.

Trail Race Results

The provisional results for the trail races are now available on our web site. Although the fields were similar to previous years in the 5k and 10k, increased fields in the races for the younger age groups boosted the total to a record 395 finishers. A very encouraging sign.

Winner of the U/9's 1k was Calderglen's very own Ryan McParland (taking him ahead of Father Gerry in career race victories!) and first girl was Lucy Cairns of Law & District. In the U/13 3k, Liam Turner of Victoria Park City of Glasgow was victorious with Celina Jackson of Giffnock North winning for the girls. In the U/15 3k Max Lott of Giffnock North was the clear winner with Calderglen's Ewan Murray in 3rd place. First girl was Mairi Brown of Cambuslang.

In the O/15 5k Stephen Mathews of East Kilbride AC was the comfortable winner. Shona Girdwood was winner of the ladies race. The 5k field was boosted by a huge turnout from another local club, Motherwell AC, so a big thanks to all the MAC's.

The largest field of the night lined up for the 10k race with around 160 starters. After a closely contested opening 2km, the eventual clear winner was Stephen Wylie of Cambuslang (pictured) with Grant Bailie of EKAC second and Graham Croll of Giffnock North third. First lady was Claire Thompson of Bellahouston Road Runners, Mary McCutcheon of Giffnock North second and Jane Simpson of Bellahouston Road Runners third.

It was great to see former Calderglen Harrier Kenny Davidson, the whole family and a bus load of his new team mates from Moorfoot Harriers through from Peebles. Not only that, they scooped the men's team prize in the 10k. Only one complete ladies team took part in the 10k and, not surprisingly, they won, so congratulations to Giffnock North.

All the finish line photos are on-line.

CALDERGLEN HARRIERS TRAIL RACES

Many thanks to all who turned up to help on the day and during the evening
As you know there is so much work goes in to putting on 4 events on the one evening and this is not possible without your help and for the competitors to turn up in the numbers they did many thanks go to them aswell as without them there is no event
I hope everyone who helped or ran or supported others had an enjoyable night and Calderglen Harriers hope to see you all again next year
Please feel free to give us feedback through this BLOG just click on comment at the bottom of this BLOG

Many Thanks
Russell Couper
Race Director

Relay for Life Update

Thanks to everyone who contributed to our great team effort and for all the donations of home baking, raffle & tombola prizes, not forgetting the donation of the Take That tickets which really helped to boost our takings.

To date we have paid £1849 to the bank and the Donation Bags have brought in more than £11,000.

We hope our final total, once all sponsor money etc is handed in, will be in the region of £15,000.

We will update you once the final amount is known.

Thanks again to everyone involved.

Irene Hill

Tuesday 23 June 2009

Trail Race 26th June 2009

Temporary road closure.

The A726 Strathaven Road between Birniehill Roundabout and Calderglen Country Park will be closed from 19:00 hours Friday 26 June to 06:00 hours Monday 29 June. Anyone who is travelling to the race, please note the diversions indicated via the web site below.

http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/SLC_PUBLICDOCUMENTS/ENTERPRISE_DOCUMENTS/A726-East-Kilbride.pdf

CALDERGLEN HARRIERS TRAIL RACES

Just a reminder that entries for our races will be taken up to 30 mins before the start of each race or postal entries will be taken up till thursday

Russell Couper
Race Director

Sunday 21 June 2009

NOTICE FOR YOUNG ATHLETES

All young athletes who have entered the Trail Races this Friday are reminded to collect thier race number from the function suite of the Sports Club a minimum of 30 minutes before their race start time . If you still want to enter the race you can do so on the night but make sure you arrive early as the Registration will be very busy.

PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE NO TRAINING ON 22 AND 29 JULY DUE TO HOLIDAYS. WE WILL RECOMMENCE ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5TH AT 6.30 PM.

Saturday 20 June 2009

TRAIL RACE FOOD

Fellow Harriers
As most of you know we put on a buffet for the competitors at the trail race
we are doing this again and need everyone to bring along some sandwiches or sausage rolls or a bit of baking etc
there is a list on the notice board in the club to put down what your bringing so we dont all turn up with cheese sandwiches so please add your name to this and help make this a race everyone talks about and wants to come back to

many thanks
Russell

TTC 09

Another reminder ....we're looking for money if you've signed up for the TTC. If you've not paid can you let me know when you will.

Here's a list of who's going just in case you've completely forgotten you've signed up!!
ALAN DERRICK, KENNY DAVIDSON, MANDY CULLIE, COLIN FREEMAN, KIRSTY DAVIDSON, FRANCES MAXWELL, GENEVIEVE FREEMAN, DAVID HERBERTSON, EDDIE REID, LIZ MARSHALL, GEO FERGUSON, MALCOLM BUCHANAN, MANDY WRIGHT, SANDRA REID, COLIN BANKS, RUSSELL COUPER, RUTH GIBSON, DAWN BUCHANAN, BILLY BUCHANAN, DAVIE SEARIL, DON KENNEDY, IAN RAE, STEPHEN PHIMISTER, LORNA, JOAN MULRAIN, GRAEME ALLAN, MARIE COLLEY, KENNY , STUART WAUGH, CLAIRE BRADY, JOANNE.

You can hand deliver/post a cheque/cash to me or Russell.
Thanks

Monday 15 June 2009

25 th Annivesary Celebrations

As a reminder to everyone the clubs 25 years celebration will be a dinner / dance (ceilidh) at EK Sports Club on Saturday 12th September. Eddie Reid is selling the tickets and is prepared to allow members to pay up over the next couple of months. It promises to be a fantastic night with the coming together of Harriers old and new. Some of the founder members of the club will be there and those who have joined the club in recent years will be more than welcome. Hurry up those who have not booked tickets and help celebrate a special night for a special club.

Cancer Research 24 Hour Relay for Life

Last weekend saw another very successful Harriers effort at the Cancer Research Relay for Life. The effort by the team, under the direction of their captain Irene Hill, was a magnificent testimony to their hard work and determination. The total money raised by the Harriers has still to be calculated, but far exceeds the amount raised last year. Well done to all concerned. You know who you are.

Malcolm.

Sunday 14 June 2009

Rouken Glen 10k

An addition to a previous entry about this race . From the Tuesday night section 3 runners took part in this event :

Caroline Dewar ( 50:57)
Mhairi Steven (52:17)
Julie Collins (60:48)

Well done to all three .

Scottish Athletics Masters Track Championships

Martin Duthie was back in action in Pitreavie at the Scottish Athletics Masters Track Championships this afternoon. Due to limited track training following his recent shoulder operation and a niggling calf injury, Martin chose to contest only the 1500m this year. In the combined M35, M40 and M45 race, Martin finished an impressive 2nd overall in 4:26.58 behind M35 Kevin Downie. Martin therefore won the gold M45 medal. Very well done and thanks to Martin for texting through the race report.

Dechmont Law Trail Race

The penultimate race in our Grand Prix series was a hot and sweaty slog over a challenging but very scenic woodland and park course in the Deans area of Livingston. Although the first 100m is uphill, the remainder of the first half of the course is overall downhill and it therefore follows that the second half of the course is predominantly up hill. Ouch! Fortunately there were many stretches in the woods in which it was tempting to slow down and enjoy the cool of the shade. Dechmont is renowned for its UFO sightings and aliens and it was indeed a strange sight to see an oval headed and cloaked alien marshall deep in the woods (we would be happy if we could just get some more of the Harriers to marshall our trail race in a few weeks, never mind aliens).

First Harrier to finish was the returning to form Alan Derrick in 4th place overall (1st Vet) in a time of
35:04. Eddie Reid ended a tough week of racing and running with a time of 38:50. A close, race long Harriers' battle came from Jim Holmes (40:47), David Herbertson (41:06) and Stuart Waugh (41:07). Stuart did very well to chase David back down having stopped to tie his shoe lace after around 2k. Stuart finished as first M60.

Ian McKenzie ran a strong 46:15 and is clearly benefiting from an intensive program of Summer racing. Colin Jarvie (47:34) and Richard Lawton
(48:59) were both looking for good 10k times which indeed both these times are. Unfortunately my Garmin GPS (and my time!) confirmed that the course was about a half mile short (thankfully) and so their joy was short lived. Finally, Russell Couper was revelling (not) in the hot and hilly conditions and has now done his injured achilles in good and proper. He did however resist the tempatation to drop out and finished in 58:21.

Well done to all! It's a nice change to get off the roads and run a good, hard trail race (at least once its over). More photos from Lothian Running Club here.
Alan





Friday 12 June 2009

TTC 09

We're now looking for the rest of the money for the Trossachs Training Camp 2009!!
I'm not saying who has paid and who hasn't, all I'm saying is you know who you are.........

Here's a list of who's going just in case you've completely forgotten you've signed up!!
ALAN DERRICK, KENNY DAVIDSON, MANDY CULLIE, COLIN FREEMAN,
KIRSTY DAVIDSON, FRANCES MAXWELL, GENEVIEVE FREEMAN,
DAVID HERBERTSON, EDDIE REID, LIZ MARSHALL, GEO FERGUSON,
MALCOLM BUCHANAN, MANDY WRIGHT, SANDRA REID, COLIN BANKS
RUSSELL COUPER, RUTH GIBSON, DAWN BUCHANAN, BILLY BUCHANAN
DAVIE SEARIL, DON KENNEDY, IAN RAE, STEPHEN PHIMISTER
LORNA, JOAN MULRAIN, GRAEME ALLAN, MARIE COLLEY
KENNY , STUART WAUGH, CLAIRE BRADY.

You can hand a cheque/post a cheque/cash to me or give to Russell.
Thank you.

Thursday 11 June 2009

Rouken Glen 10k

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!





















EKAC 2 Kilometre Fun Run

Many of the clubs youngest athletes were out in force at this annual fun run on the 3rd June. Although there were no official times recorded Angela Rae managed to collect the times of most of the Harriers taking part . Apologies to anyone we may have missed.
Winning the race for the fourth year in a row Ewan Murray crossed the finishing line on 5 minutes and 50 seconds. Well done to Ewan for dominating this event in recent years. The first female Harrier was 9 years old Lynsey Thomson who ran an excellent time of 7 minutes and 44 seconds .
The times we recorded are as follows:
Craig Ferguson (6.27) Ryan McParland (7.26) Ryan Clydesdale (8.41)
Paul Mullen (6.39) Jack Ferguson (7.35) Jack Anderson (8.45)
Jai Lawson (6.40) Amie Mulholland (7.40) Drew Gordon (8.55)
Ross Barrie (6.52) Emma Lawton (7.52) Paul McMonagle (8.57)
Greg Mulholland (7.20) Ian Rae (8.10) Connor McKeown (8.51)


Stuart Hill (9.04) Andrew McMillan (9.54) Matthew Cheales (11.03)
Megan Brady (9.08) Emma Phimister (10.06) Mark Rae (11.20)
Andrew Ritchie (9.25) Olivia McAdams (10.20) Anna Fegan (11.20)
Nicola Barrie (9.46) Kirsty McMonagle (10.34) Rachel Wardrope (11.22)
Katie Hull (9.51) William Brady (10.52) Sara Jane Woods (11.25)

Ben Taylor Brett (11.59) Hannah McParland (15.19)
Christopher Brady (12.03) Keir Jarvie (15.20)
Elliot Bourke (13.18)
Eve Taylor Brett (14.47)
Sarah Clydesdale (14.37)

Also many thanks to the parents / carers and helpers of the young athletes for supporting your club . We hope to see as many of you as possible at our own Trail Races on Friday 26 June.

Wednesday 10 June 2009

Scottish Veteran Harriers 5k Championship

Five Harriers of a certain age descended on Clydebank this evening for the annual Scottish Veteran Harriers 5k Road Race Championship. Seasoned veterans Alan Derrick, Stuart Waugh and Scot Hill knew this was a flat, fast course whilst new "boys" Eddie Reid and Jim Holmes were looking forward to potential pb's. The course comprises three and two third laps of Clydebank Industrial Estate so there is nothing to do but focus on running fast as there is absolutely no scenery to distract. A strong breeze added some variety to each lap that we could have done without however.

Alan went with the lead pack's suicidally fast pace (sub 5 minute miling) to emerge in the lead after the first half lap. Then it was three painful laps on the absolute limit (but gradually slowing) to stretch out a 50m advantage by the end, winning in a season's best 16:41. Next Harrier in was Scot Hill, helped by Stuart Waugh's spare shorts, in a new pb of 17:57 but just outside the M40 medals. Eddie had a great race finishing in 18:14, a pb by 31 seconds and third M45. Stuart Waugh won the M60 gold medal in a course and season's best time of 19:07. Finally, Jim Holmes was the biggest improver, taking 55 seconds off his 6 day old Auldhouse pb to finish in 19:13. Stuart and Alan achieved Gold performance standards whilst Scot and Eddie consolidated their Bronze performance standards. It won't be long before Jim reaches Bronze performance standard level at this rate of improvement.

Well done to all.

Tuesday 9 June 2009

Stirling Sprint Triathlon 2009

Seven Harriers headed northwards early Sunday morning for the 7.00am registration for the annual Stirling Sprint Triathlon. This is the biggest event on the Scottish calendar & consists of a 750m pool Swim, 20km Bike & 5km Run.
The race goes off in 14 heats in order of predicted swim time - Heat 1 featured both Andy Buchanan & Martin Duthie in his return to Triathlon after coming a cropper & wrecking his shoulder in this very race last whilst trying to brush his hair on the bike leg.
In the following heats were Colin, Genevieve & then Ben in his first Triathlon appearance. Don Kennedy made his first appearance also in the shorter distance Novice race plus, new to the Harriers, Grant.

Andy B had an excellent race all round, finishing in 1.05.24 & 6th overall in this highly contested race. Martin finished in 1.09.00 in 18th position & 4th Vet.
Colin was next up in 27th position in 1.12.21 & over 6 minutes quicker than last year.
Genevieve completed in 1.22.24 & was 4th Female Senior, also 6 mins quicker than last year.
Ben came over the line in 1.19.17 and actually placed 2nd Junior - quite a performance in this high ranking event & Bens first ever go at it.

Big Don cruised through the shorter Novice race finding time to smile & wave to the crowds as he completed the race in 1.01.43. Grant finished in 1.02.38 (I think - let us know if that is wrong!).

This is a really slickly organised event held in & around the grounds of Stirling University & highly recommended whether you have completed triathlons before or are looking for a good novice event to try.

Well done everyone.

Colin

Sunday 7 June 2009

Trail Race

Just a wee reminder that the Trail Race is fast approaching. Full details using the menu on the left. Please leave a comment here or speak directly to Russell to confirm your availability to help with the marshalling, registration, etc, remembering to state at what time you can be available from (preparations start in the afternoon with course marking).
Alan

Saturday 6 June 2009

West Highland Way Photos

I've put together a gallery of the photos from last weekend here. If anyone has more photos, particularly any that fill in the stages from Devil's Staircase to Glen Nevis which I missed, then please bring them to the club on a memory stick or CD.

The on-line photos have been compressed to make them load faster so the image quality is not so good. If anyone would like high resolution copies of any of the originals of themselves then let me know the photo number (1 of 150 etc), the caption or the filename and I will e-mail the originals to you.

Alan

Friday 5 June 2009

St Andrews Hospice 10k - Strathclyde Park

Although a morning race it was still over 20 deg C as Stuart Waugh and Stephen Phimister lined up for the St Andrew's Hospice 10k at Strathclyde Park on Sunday 31st May. Water stations every 2K seemed a bit excessive but both were glad of it as the first station approached. Most will be familiar with the course that takes the outer route round the loch and climbs the hill before dropping back to the water centre. Both Harriers ran together and went through 6K not far off a 40 minute pace. It was then 'only' the out and back along the lochside. At this point the heat took its toll and while Stuart maintained reasonable pace Stephen suffered (made worse by having to run past the ice cream van). In a race where even the winning times were slower than normal Stuart crossed the line in 41:32 and Stephen in 41:43 (chip times). Two top 20 twenty finishes (all the good runners were looking for water in Edinburgh), a cup of tea and a biscuit afterwards and all in support of a worthy cause.

Thanks to Phimi for the race report and well done to both.

Dumbarton 10K

Only two Harriers turned up for the third (and the fastest) Polaroid race. There were perfect racing conditions as it wasn't as warm as it has been over the last week. The course was almost all flat and this set everyone up for fast times.

Andy Buchanan was first to finish, with a massive PB of 34:53, taking almost a minute off his previous best time. Stephen Reilly managed to take 3 seconds off his PB to finish in 36:48.

It was great times for both of them.

Well Done!!

Thursday 4 June 2009

Auldhouse 5k Time Trial - June 2009

Perfect conditions tonight, an excellent turnout and some impressive times. The biggest improvers were Linda White in 24:55 (2 minute improvement) and Mary Goldsmith 22:09 (1:37 improvement and a bronze performance standard). Fastest man was Colin Freeman (17:53 pb) and fastest lady was Mary. There were also pb/cb's for Clare Brady, Russell Couper, Scot Hill, Jim Holmes, Don Kennedy, Kenny Leinster, Brian McDougall, Stephen Phimister, Eddie Reid and Jamie Wood. First timers Katrina Downie, Chas Steven, Billy Buchanan and Ian McKenzie now all have targets to aim for. All the times can be viewed using the menu on the left. Bronze performance standards were achieved by Mary Goldsmith, Frances Maxwell, Billy Buchanan, Colin Freeman, Eddie Reid and Scot Hill. More photos by Davy Searil here.

Callander Crags Race - Summer Edition

Even at the weekend it seemed unlikely that I would be doing my local race, what with the nose doing more running than my legs, however a few days of sunshine made all the difference and so it was that I found myself after work stuck in traffic on Wednesday evening trying to get through the Clyde Tunnel to head for Callander for a 7:30pm race start.

Late arrivals have worked for Martin Duthie for many years but this time it was my turn to arrive at the race 12 minutes before the start still in my work clothes. You can do a lot in 12 minutes; I entered the race, got changed in the street (apologies to the residents of Tulipin Crescent), pinned my number on and went for a 3 minute sprint up the first part of the hill to get my heart going (even more). Then we were off; a field of about 40 ranging from 6 year olds to super vets launched immediately up the narrow path for a 1 mile continuous, very steep ascent. Lungs burning, I worked my way through to a clear second place early on in the climb and maintained that to the cairn at the top, aware that I would be nowhere on the descent. However, only one person passed me on the rough, cross country half mile descent and another just before we hit the tarmac road (Richard from the TTC last year). On the road I was back in my element and quickly regained third place and recovered some strength before the sting in the tail, back in to the forest climbing again for a half mile before a final 200m downhill to the finish. 25:34, 3rd overall and 1st vet. Not my worst time by a long way and a minute and a half quicker than I did in January, so quite happy with that. A race to recommend to all.

Wednesday 3 June 2009

Auldhouse 5k Time Trial and Chatelherault Times

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow is the monthly Auldhouse 5k Time Trial so please be at the club on time so I can list all the names and work out the start order before hand. Note also that tomorrow's event is part of the Women's Grand Prix.

Although random problems should not happen on PC's, the links on the Blog for Auldhouse 5k and Chatelherault times only work on occasion. Sometimes you are requested to log in to your Google account. You should not need to do this to view either of these spreadsheets. If it happens, hit the back arrow or the refresh button on your browser and repeat this as necessary. It should eventually start to work.

Alan

Tuesday 2 June 2009

West Highland Way 2009

The Start 5:30am

The Harriers enjoyed possibly the best weather we have ever experienced on our annual West Highland Way weekend and not only that, it was too hot for the midges. A slight change in start position due to underpass repairs in Milngavie caused a few minutes delay but despite that, Genevieve lined up at 5:30am in already balmy conditions to run the first leg towards Carbeth accompanied by Colin. WHW first timers David Dickson and Don Kennedy took over for the next leg towards Dumgoyne accompanied by a large pack (pictured). The majority of this pack then carried on to the Killearn road crossing where Russell officially took over with a pack in tow heading towards Drymen.

Colin Freeman then made a tough, solo effort over Conic Hill and into Balmaha where those awaiting his arrival revelled in the midge-free conditions. David Dickson then had another turn, this time for the short sharp stretch to Millarochy. Davy Watt joined him on this leg and then benefited from a flying start into his own leg to Rowardenan where once again there was not a midge in sight! Recipient of the short straw this year, Scot Hill had then to tackle the 13.5 mile Loch Lomond side leg to Inverarnan in now very hot conditions. With a recent background of marathon training, Scot managed this stage fine but remarked that it was harder than a marathon. There were a few comments regarding Scot's qualifications to make that statement, however, I believe him.

Keeping it in the family, Stephen Reilly cruised through the "flat" uphill stage to the hand over at the top of Bogle Glen just above Crianlarich. Graham Allan was joined by David Dickson, Don and Dawn on his leg to the road crossing at Ewich where Malcolm was reunited with his club vest for the first time in a while and carried on with a small pack towards Tyndrum.

In the heat of the midday sun, WHW first timer Martin Duthie was now primed for the spectacular leg through the glen towards Bridge of Orchy which he despatched in short order with only a few blisters for reward. Rather than failing to finish, this year Eddie failed to arrive (on time) and as he was transporting the designated runner for this leg, Joanne McAvoy, Graham Allan promptly volunteered to run over the hill into Inveroran. A somewhat stressed Eddie was trusted with the leg over Rannoch Moor for the first time since his Oban detour a few years back. No mistakes this time as Eddie met up with former Harrier Jimmy Stewart enroute and finished strongly to hand over to wife Sandra who ran the double leg to the foot of the Devil's Staircase. Frances Maxwell was given the leg over into Kinlochleven in the now scorching heat, accompanied by Joanne, Stephen and myself. Frances negotiated the toughest and roughest part of the course without incident only to come a cropper on a scree covered steep hair pin bend about a mile from the end of the leg. Despite cramp in both legs and various scrapes and bruises, Frances picked herself up and was soon back into her running to hand over to Jim Holmes for the very tough climb from Kinlochleven over to Lundavra. Jim slipped in to the finish of his leg in a very impressive time to hand over to Gerry Mullen for the leg into Glen Nevis, along with Eddie. Gerry clearly needed some extra miles so chose to go off course via the camp site and along the Glen Nevis road to complete his leg. Finally, more or less the whole team ran the last mile (alright, it is now officially a Garmin measured 0.8 miles) to the finish in Fort William in a total time of 13 hours and 40 minutes. Then it was time for the men and ladies to have a quick swim at the hotel, smarten up and head for dinner and a well earned celebration in the Ben Bevis hotel. Well done to everyone for making this such an enjoyable weekend and a special thanks to Malcolm for organising it all so smoothly once again.

Of course there is more to tell. The full story of the relay and the Sunday beach activities will follow in pictures in a few days time. Meanwhile, if anyone has any photos, please bring them up to the club on Thursday on a memory stick and I will merge them into the gallery at the weekend.

Alan









Cancer Research Relay for Life 12/13 June

For the past four years the Harriers have supported the above 24 hour event at EK Stadium in conjunction with EK Rotary and numerous other businesses and organisations. This years with everbody associated with the club we can surpass our record total of £4,500 raised in 2008. The full itinerary of events is as follows :

Friday 12 June
3pm erection and decorating of the Harriers tent and setting up tea/coffee and cake stall along with our tombola. Volunteers needed.
6.30 pm Harriers and families/friends to assemble at the tent
7 pm Event opens with all present walking around the track. First Harriers sets off for 1 hour run .
8pm onwards Harriers relay continues until the end of the event
9.30 Candlelight vigil for the victims and survivors of cancer

Saturday 13 June
11.30 - 13.30 Fun events for youngsters aged 6 to 16
13.30 Harriers young athletes to run laps of the track
14.00 Harriers Young Athletes painting/drawing winners decided. Entry fee 50 p. Bring along your entries at any time during the event
19.00 Event closes

PLEASE BRING ALONG HOME BAKING FOR THE TEA STALL AND ANY APPROPRIATE GOODS FOR THE TOMBOLA . IT WOULD ALSO BE APPRECIATED IF SOME MORE PEOPLE WOULD HELP AT THE STALL TO RELIEVE THE COMMITEE MEMBERS.

If our collective efforts save one life then it must be worth it. Make time available on the 12 and/or 13 June.