Rouken Glen 10k 2010

Ten Harriers lined up for the Rouken Glen 10k today, race 14 in the club Grand Prix. Having moved from its traditional Thursday night slot (due primarily to Police advice that it was easier to close the roads on a Sunday afternoon than a Thursday night), the size of field did not really improve from last year and was perhaps no more than 150 runners (nor did the size of field really necessitate closing roads). Thankfully, given the midday start time, the weather was cooler than of late but unfortunately The Hill was as long and steep as ever! Although there has been a two month break since the last Grand Prix race, all of the Harriers are regularly racing and there were a few tired and injured bodies out there, reflected in some of the times and also by the number of Harriers queuing for the post race massage.

First Harrier across the line was Alan Derrick in 4th position overall in a time of 35:10, earning

1st M45 prize and a comfortable M45 gold performance standard. The time included a minor off course excursion at an un-marshalled junction at the 6k mark which may just have cost a sub-35 time but would not have affected the position. Alan Cullie has completed 3 races in 4 days (Dumbarton 10k, Strathclyde parkrun and Rouken Glen) and was therefore satisfied with his time of 38:54, a bronze M40 performance standard. Eddie Reid injured his knee whilst sitting down last night (allegedly on, after or in the vicinity of a night out) and was both tired and treading carefully to finish in 40:52 and was the first to join the queue for the masseur. Not far behind (in the race, not the queue), Brian MacDougall used the physical and mental strength gained from training around the Auldhouse 10 mile course to power up the hill, finishing in sight of Eddie in 41:18. Jim Holmes had a poor race by his recent standards, starting off too slow and never making it back up, finishing in 42:15. Ian McKenzie and John McBride have both been racing regularly recently and showed good stamina to finish in an estimated 46 minutes; great times on that course. Grand Prix leader David Wardrope has injured himself with back to back marathons

(London and Edinburgh) and the Dumbarton 10k so unsurprisingly struggled round in 48:32 and went straight to the massage queue where even greater pain was inflicted! Richard Lawton didn't quite match his daughter's performance (1st in the Primary 4 1k race) but did put in a solid performance of 49:23. Russell Couper injured himself at Clydebank 10 days ago and had not run for 8 days. Needless to say this race did not help the situation although he did finish (in 58:39) and was the third Harrier to join the massage queue. Well done to all.

The Grand Prix and club championship positions have been updated and can be viewed using the menu on the left as usual. Next Grand Prix race is the Dechmont Law 10k Trail Race next Sunday. This is an enter on the day race, so the more the merrier. If anyone who participated in the Dumbarton 10k would like to submit a race report that would be most welcome. A number of Harriers were also in action at the Chris Moon Half Marathon. A race report will appear here soon.