McAndrew Road Relay - Winners for the First Time

For the first time in the 71 year history of the McAndrew Road Relays, Calderglen have finally got their name on the trophy! Our vets team of Davie Watt (17:36), Charlie MacDougall (19:01), Martin Duthie (18:20) and Alan Derrick (17:49) finished 10th overall and first Masters team in this classic event on the Scottish Road Racing calendar. Davie got the team off to a flyer being well in touch with the young leaders and probably first vet at that stage. As Martin had subjected everyone to his personal warm-up strategy (arriving late with his and everyone else's pulse racing!), a very calm Charlie was on the second leg running an even paced 19:01 and bringing the team in well in contention in the Masters category. Then a fully primed Martin took off, fresh from winning the Scottish Aquathon (open water swim and run) Championship M40 title last weekend, pulling in the leading Cambuslang masters team only metres from the finish line. Finally I had a smooth leg, pulling rapidly away from Cambuslang and fairly confident there were no more vets teams in front but still making up a few more places overall to bring the team home in 10th (probably our second best overall position ever) and a minute or so clear of the next masters team. The team were awarded the Bill McEwan Memorial Trophy by the host club, Victoria Park City of Glasgow AC. A very proud moment for the club.

In an excellent turn out for the club we had a further three full teams competing, continuing the close competition of last week. Jim Holmes led off the A team to finish in 21:01. Brian MacDougall was on leg 2 and found a few extra seconds this week to finish in 20:55, handing over to Stuart Waugh who ran an excellent 20:57. Eddie Reid is getting over his illness of last week and a catalogue of injuries over the past two months and finished more like his usual self in 20:26. George Stewart was first out the blocks for the B team but was struggling with the after effects of a cold and was struggling when he crossed the line in 22:49. Gerry Mullen made a confident return to racing recording 22:29. Stephen Reilly was coaxed to the race by Scot, finishing in 20:32 and Scot would be pleased with his returning form on the last leg, finishing one second ahead of Stephen in 20:31! Upset of the day came from Frances Maxwell who led out the C team but coming home ahead of the B team in a time of 22:16. Promotion is on the cards! Colin Banks ran a steady 22:49, handing over to David Wardrope. David forgot how many hills there were at the end of this race and kicked for the finish 2 hills too early. Oops! David finished in a tired 23:09. Finally Russell was by no means last on the 4th leg, finishing strongly on the last downhill stretch in 25:55. Very well done to all on fine performances and for demonstrating great enthusiasm and spirit.


Thanks to Maud, Mandy, Malcolm and Jimmy Moore for their support around the course. Photos to follow later in the week. No jokers played today, a grand prix update will be published on Sunday.

Alan