Allan Scally Road Relay - Harriers Galore

You can count on the Harriers

On a day when strong winds made improving on last year's times difficult, 20 Harriers made a significant contribution to the field at today's Allan Scally Road Relay. Only the various university teams contesting the Scottish Universities' Championships had more teams than Calderglen out.

Four and a bit mens' teams and one ladies teams set off on the 4.8 mile loop around the leafy streets of Mount Vernon (in fact all of the streets of Mount Vernon!). Joanne McEvoy was a first timer on this complex course but was once again our fastest lady with a time of 32:29 handing over to Julie Beveridge in only her second race for Calderglen. Julie paced the race well despite a lack of company and recorded 34:39. Frances Maxwell was our only lady to have run this course before and improved by an impressive 40 seconds on last year to finish in 33:28. Frances maintains her lead in both the club Grand Prix and scratch championships.

The men's vets team were chasing the veteran title for the second year in a row. With plenty of vets to choose from, the Harriers fielded another very strong team with two changes from last week. Davie Watt established a big lead on the first leg with a time of 26:38 in 13th position overall. Alan Cullie had another consistent run on leg 2, only 18 seconds or so down on last year in a time of 30:15. The strong winds do not help small, light runners but the experienced head of Charlie McDougall made the best of the conditions and maintained the lead on leg 3 in a time of 29:07. Finally Martin Duthie had a lonely final leg, seeing no one but as a result bringing the Harriers vets team home first in a time of 28:18 at his first attempt on this course. Another great result for the Harriers in another of the classic winter season races. Well done to the team.

Another four Harriers' teams lined up at the start. Jim Holmes was another to improve on last year, recording a time of 31:27, the 6 second improvement worth much more given the conditions. Ian Rae took 26 seconds off last year's time, crossing the line in 32:07. Colin Banks was a first timer here and has now established his benchmark at 33:23. Russell Couper was looking for a sub 40 time today and so his time of 42:00 was tinged with some disappointment despite the fact he was the biggest improver, taking 1:06 off last year's time.

On the second legs, Eddie Reid had less pressure this week but is still not feeling 100%, recording 30:49, a bit slower than last year. Stuart Waugh established his first time for this course, stopping the clock at 31:39, still within sight of Jim Holmes' time as usual this season. Kenny Leinster last ran a road race 16 or 17 years ago he thinks but hopefully we can coax him out again in around 21 days at Brampton as he is obviously running well, finishing in 34:34.

On leg 3, Stephen Reilly is gradually getting himself back into racing shape and was pleased with his time of 30:59. George Stewart put on the most dazzling display of the day (or at least his new racing shoes did) recording his second solid performance in a row with a time of 33:23 (yes George, you did beat Frances).

First timer Richard Lawton looked strong at the end of his 38:38 leg and definitely has the stamina for the forthcoming Brampton 10 miler.

Due to the cold, biting wind, the remaining final leg runners were all set off together, making more of a race of it. Scot Hill is in a bit of pain with sciatic nerve problems these days but it seems that pinning a number on (presumably through his skin rather than his vest!) takes his mind off it and he therefore ran 10 seconds faster than last year, finishing in 30:35. Brian McDougall had a hectic day even before he arrived at the race but left him with enough strength to improve by 31 seconds on last year, finishing in 31:09. Finally David Wardrope is getting back to last year's form, dropping only 6 seconds on last year with a time of 34:55.

Jim Holmes stays at the top of the club Grand Prix whilst Martin Duthie makes his first appearance in the lead of the scratch championship. Both competitions remain tight.

It was a cold day for spectating but we as always had strong support with Maud, Mandy, Angela, Ian Jnr and also Julie's sister there to cheer us on. Thanks and well done to all. More photos from Phrances the Photographer here. Photos of all the Harriers from Kenneth Phillips now added to the album.

The next Grand Prix race is the big one BRAMPTON in 3 weeks.

Alan