6 + 4 STAGE RELAYS

This years 6 + 4 stage relays will be held on 3rd April the cost is £3 per head.
Anyone wishing entered please leave your details on this form or see Russell or Alan at the club.
Names are required by 15th March. See who has entered here (note it can take 5 minutes for the spreadsheet to update. Press F5 to refresh the sheet).

National Cross Country - Young Athletes

Further to the previous post on the Scottish National Cross Country races at Callendar Park in Falkirk for the clubs young athletes it was a day of high drama . None more so than for the Boys Under 13's team . Over a distance of 3,200 metres Craig Ferguson held a top ten place from the start of the races and was in 5th place with 800 metres remaining. With gritted teeth in determination Craig managed to pass one athlete in front of him to claim a fantastic and well deserved 4th place in a time of 12 minutes and 39 seconds.

Significantly Craig becomes the highest placed Calderglen Harrier of any age group at this event. Well done to Craig and to his very proud parents and older sister who were there to support our club. This is an enormous boost also to the coaches and helpers at the Wednesday night training sessions. Hopefully this type of success can be replicated and improved upon in the future.

This race also saw a fine debut from Andrew Reid who finished 84th overall in a time of 15 minutes and 34 seconds . Young Andrew gained valuable experience at this type of event and will still be an Under 13 for next years race. Paul Mullen (88th) and Andrew McGurk (89th) ensured that the boys were 13th team overall. Paul finished on 15 minutes and 52 seconds only one second ahead of Andrew. One of the most consistent attendees at training Alistair Crawford also put in a fine performance claiming 102nd place in a time of 16 minutes and 36 seconds. Earning the biggest cheer from the large crowd watching this race was Paul McMonagle who ran a determined race finishing last in a time of 25 minutes and 14 seconds. Whether first or last in a race anyone donning a Harriers vest will always be valued in our club.

Bravest performance of the race from our club was without a doubt by Ross Paterson ( not Ross Barrie as in the official results) who fell on a steep and muddy downhill turn which had to be encountered before the finishing straight . Ross was also vomiting with 20 metres to go but in true Harriers style continued to finish the race. Ross was 104th in a time of 18 minutes and 36 seconds for a distance of 4,000 metres.

We would like to thank all young athletes and their families for once again supporting Calderglen Harriers .

West Highland Way Relay Weekend

The response to my previous e-mail regarding the the WHW weekend has been great and the mini bus and hotel are fully booked. Previously we have run 2 mini buses, but the problem this year is the lack of accomodation with various other events taking place in Fort William that weekend. I will continue to pursue additional accomodation, so if you still want to go on the weekend, let me know and I will keep you up to date with any progress.

Malcolm

National Cross Country Report

Today's National Cross Country Championships at Callendar Park in Falkirk represented a significant step towards a great running future for one young Harrier and a whole load of "fun" in the sun for the rest of us. Watch this blog for a separate report to follow on the various junior races which included the best individual performance ever by a Harrier in a National Cross Country......

In the senior races, Frances Maxwell was our only representative in a field of 184 women on a firm but tough 8km course. Frances is in great form just now and was rewarded with a finishing position of 88th and a time of 36:57, beating many of her regular rivals. Naturally, Frances extends her lead in the Club Championship and Grand Prix.

Nine Harriers' men made it to the start line to join one of the biggest National fields I have seen for many years. The cavalry charge of around 450 men seemed faster and more tightly grouped than usual as the frozen ground provided excellent traction for all up the first hill at the start of the 12km course. By the end of the first lap the field was relatively strung out but with many close battles throughout the field.

Alan Cullie was away and clear for the Harriers from the gun and stretched out to finish strongly in 47:25 (162nd). Eddie Reid found the field so tightly packed on the first lap that he was almost pushed into the frozen pond! Had he been wearing skates that could have been a handy short cut. However Eddie recovered from that incident to finish in 49:53 (227th). Ian Rae's strength on the country was in evidence as he stayed in front of Jim Holmes to record a time of 52:16 with Jim slipping gradually back with each lap to finish in 52:57. Having just returned from a family holiday, Jim does not recommend Disneyland Paris as a suitable training camp for the National. Stuart Waugh made his return to the National after an absence of 4 years and was hot on Jim's heels, finishing in 53:09, comprehensively beating many of his veteran rivals. David Herbertson was in close contention with Ian, Jim and Stuart after the first lap but gradually faded to finish in 53:56, a time he was however delighted with. David Wardrope is well into his marathon training now and wanted to maintain a good, consistent pace throughout. This he seemed to do, finishing in 61:08. Chas Steven looked comfortable and strong as he powered through the course, finishing in 67:19. Russell Couper knew he was going to stuggle with the distance and indeed became increasingly detached from Chas as the race progressed. Russell crossed the line in 69:52.

Now that several Harriers have hit the 11 race limit the points impact is not as obvious as it seems and David Wardrope actually extended his lead in the Grand Prix slightly. However Alan Cullie, Eddie Reid, Russell Couper and David Herbertson are piling up behind David, all separated by only 2 points. In the scratch championship, Alan Cullie's lead has been closed down to 3 points over Eddie Reid.

Click here for further photos from the senior events. It was a cold day for spectating so thanks to the Harriers who were there to lend their support.

Meanwhile in Pollok Park three Harriers started the day with the parkrun 5k. Despite the National taking some runners away, the field was still an impressive 257. John McBride is now doing these events regularly and this morning he achieved a massive course best and 5k pb of 22:56, an improvement of around 30 seconds. A short distance ahead of John, Genevieve Freeman and George Stewart were enjoying their first parkruns and provided the shock result of the day if not the season. George found his fast twitch fibres in uncharacteristically short supply as he was out sprinted by Genevieve in the final 200m, Genevieve finishing in 22:47 as 4th lady with George 1 second behind. Will he ever be allowed to forget this one! Well done to all who took part in the National and parkrun.

NATIONAL XC

This Saturday is the National XC in Falkirk
below is the entries and start times
Ladies start at 1.25pm registration closes 30 mins before this
Mary Goldsmith
Frances Maxwell

Gents start time is 2.30pm registration closes 30 mins before this
Russell Couper, Alan Derrick, Eddie Reid, Alan Cullie, Martin Duthie
David wardrope, Andy Henderson, David Herbertson, Chas Steven
Davy watt, Jim Holmes, Stuart Waugh, Ian Rae, Colin Banks

Anyone who cant make it either leave a comment on this BLOG
or let Eddie or Frances know at the club this week
I will collect all the numbers on saturday so see me at the course

Russell

Weekend Action

A few Harriers were in action over the weekend. Firstly five of us had a go at the Glasgow Park Run on Saturday morning. The cold clear morning made for chilly running conditions but saw a record turnout for the 3rd weekend in a row. This is far from a PB course but the two first timers - myself & Alan both felt we could go faster now we have a bit of knowledge of the course. No course bests this week for those who have been here before but here are the Harriers results...

11 Colin FREEMAN 18:13 First Timer!
19 Alan CULLIE 18:29 First Timer!
48 Stuart WAUGH 20:07 PB stays at 00:19:53
125 John MCBRIDE 24:09 PB stays at 00:23:23
158 Russell COUPER 25:52 PB stays at 00:24:48

Full results here

Sunday was the ATHelite Run In The Park 5k & 1k Fun Run in the grounds of Chatelherault House. Not quite as chilly as Saturday & the rain just held off for a good race & a fun morning. A new slightly 'easier' course this year saw a loop round the back of the house & two laps of the Huntsmans Ride. Still undulating but no stairs to contend with this year. The Harriers results were .....   
 
12 Andy Henderson Calderglen Harriers 00:20:30
19 George Stewart Calderglen Harriers 00:21:51
33 John McBride Calderglen Harriers 00:23:26
34 Graham Ramage Calderglen Harriers 00:23:29
49 Russell Couper Calderglen Harriers 00:26:22
60 Claire Brady Calderglen Harriers 00:28:02

Full results & report here

Lots of photos Here
Well done to Russell & John McBride who raced both events.  John actually recorded a quicker time at the trail race.

Huge thanks to those Harriers who either took part or came to help on the day - we couldn't do it without you & hope you all had a fun morning. 

ATHelite 5k Run in the Park

Thank you very much to all the harriers who helped out today. It was very much appreciated.
Hopefully a great day had by all.

Results are now online

West Hghland Way Week End

Once again we are venturing up the West Highland Way on our annual relay run. This year's dates are Saturday 29th returning to EK on Sunday 30th. The week end is geared to all abilities with distances and terrain to suit all. The cost will be £55 with a non refundable £20 deposit required to secure a place. Saturday evening will be at the Ben Nevis Hotel with dinner B&B included. Previous years have been very popular, so please book early to avoid dissapointment. I'll be up at the club most Thursday's training nights if you want any further info or want to pay your deposit.

Malcolm

ATHelite Run in the Park 5k and Junior 1k

ATHelite 5k Run in the Park

and junior 1k Fun Run (not timed)

Chatelherault Country Park

Sunday 14th February

5k Start Time 10.00am. £5/£7

1k Start time 9.30am. £2

Click here for Entry Form

Enquiries ATHeliteEK@aol.com

Tel 01698 422448.