SVHC "Glasgow 800" 10k Road Race

Three Harriers welcomed the Sunday afternoon sunshine (but not the strong winds) to compete in the Scottish Veteran Harriers 10k Road Race in Pollok Park today. Run over a two and a bit lap course taking in the reasonably flat perimeter road of the park and a stretch on Haggs Road, the conditions certainly could have been a lot worse, so we shouldn't complain. Starting outside Lochinch, the field spanning all the veteran age groups from 35 to 70+ was soon stretched out all around the course, dodging the many pedestrians, cyclists, prams and drivers who were making the most of the good weather. As a final test, the home straight and finish line incorporated an untintentional traffic jam slalom but all negotiated this unscathed.

M50, Jeff Farqhar from Pitreavie was the class act, leading from start to finish to win in 33:54. Alan Derrick pursued closely for the first few kilometers but was not really in shape to maintain the pace so faded to a comfortable second place and a season's best 10k time of 35:00. Eddie Reid was next Harrier to finish in around 39:30 (time to be confirmed) but was disappointed given that he ran around 1:30 faster on the same course back in May. Although Jim Holmes' training is severely hindered by work just now, he was pleased to record a time of 41:18, well under his target of 42.

However, it was a clean sweep of medals for the 3 Harriers with Alan winning the M40 gold, Eddie the M45 silver and Jim the M40 bronze. This was a significant landmark for Jim as it is the first "place" medal he has ever won in his running life. Well done to Jim, there should be many more to come. The 3 racers enjoyed the welcome support of Sandra and Frances around the course, who had run all the way to the race from East Kilbride. For some reason they were not intending to run back though! For their efforts, Sandra and Frances were rewarded with SVHC membership forms to allow them to compete in the many and varied future events.