National 4k Cross Country Report

Conditions were almost perfect for today's National 4km Cross Country Championship in Bellahouston Park and impressive times were posted by all the Harriers in action. There was a cold wind of course but this year it was blowing across the long straights rather than up and down them so that was a welcome relief. However the long, shaded section under the trees parallel to Mosspark Boulevard was frozen and rutted providing a test of ankle strength. Thankfully our weeks of training on the snow covered golf course meant that we were in some way prepared for that.

Twelve Harriers' men lined up on a crowded start line for the two lap course. Sharpest wit in the field was Russell Couper who loudly declared to much laughter that the young whippet who false started should have been disqualified under the new IAAF false start rules introduced for 2010. At the second time of asking we were off. Not as quick at running as we are with the jokes, the Harriers quickly migrated to the middle of the field. Alan Cullie set the initial Harriers break and it took until the high flats half way round the first lap before I managed to catch and pass Alan, being dragged through the remainder of the race by a speedy young Glasgow Uni Hare & Hound. I ended up with a time of 13:37 and Alan C did 14:32 both fast times compared to recent years. Meanwhile Eddie Reid was having a race long tussle with Graham Haddow of EKAC which Eddie eventually won in a time of 14:47, 1:13 faster than last year. Andy Henderson stole an initial lead on Jim Holmes but by the end Jim had closed down to within 2 seconds of Andy, finishing in 15:44 and 15:46 respectively. Jim was 2:16 faster than last year. The next Harriers' grouping was no doubt fuelled by intense rivalry as David Herbertson, George Stewart and Graham Lindsay finished in close succession. David's time of 16:20 was a 2 minute improvement, George had an amazing improvement (or should I say amazingly, improved), finishing in 16:27 (1:29 better than last year) and Graham improved by 2:08, finishing in 16:32. All three of these Harriers have interrupted training for work, injury or other reasons but the potential for even greater improvements is there. David Wardrope made his début at this event and also premièred his new spikes with a time of 17:39. They won't be going back to the shop as David seemed to find the only muddy bit on the course. Biggest improver was Richard Lawton, racing in spikes for the first time to record a time of 17:53, 3:23 faster than last year. The punchline also came from Russell Couper, finishing in 19:55, a 3:02 improvement. Frances Maxwell was our solitary representative in quite a sparse women's field. However, racing is part of our training and Frances is definitely benefiting given her time of 17:21.

As Russell pointed out, its a pity more clubs don't support this event in the numbers that Calderglen do. We often hear "its too fast or its too short for me" but its not as if the people saying that are going to win longer races either, so you may as well add some variety to your racing and get the training benefit of a short but very sharp race.

David Wardrope is clinging on to a 2 point lead over Alan Cullie in the men's Grand Prix but Alan is edging away from Eddie in the Scratch Championship. Frances remains unchallenged in the lead of both lady's competitions.

It was great to hear so many shouts of support around the course today. Thanks to Elaine Henderson, Scot Hill, Martin Duthie, Geo Ferguson and others (who I couldn't see because my good eye was watering so much with the cold cross wind) for coming in to cheer. Race photos from Frances and Geo are now here.

Alan