HARRIERS INVADE AYR

(Photos from Kenny Phillips are at this link).
Tonight we had 20 Harriers running in The Land o Burns 10k at Ayr.
After a dry day the promised wind and rain came in plenty of time for the race. Its a twisty course and those with no sense of direction had no idea where they where and just had to follow those in front. Its a good race apart from the distribution of Km markers examples being the 5th Km took me 8:36 but the last 3Km took me a total of 12:02, better off without markers when they are so far out. Too many performances to mention so i will just list the finishing order of Harriers.
Colin Bain, Scot Hill, Stephen Reilly, Stephen Phimister, Eddie Reid, Andy Henderson, Stuart Waugh, Graham Ramage, Joanne McEvoy, Julie Beveridge, George Stewart, Grant Maynard, Frances Maxwell, Graham Lindsay, George Ferguson, Stevie McIntyre, Mary Goldsmith, David Wardrope, Hugh Simpson, Russell Couper. Fantastic turnout from the club, lets try and get so many out at other races. Their was some prizes too Joanne got 2nd Lady, Frances got 1st FV45 and Stuart got 1st MV60

P.S. if this orders wrong i will correct it when the official result come online.

Edinburgh Marathon

As far as i know we had two runners taking part in this years Edinburgh marathon. If their was others accept my apologies and leave your time on this Blog.
First harrier and doing his second marathon this year was David Wardrope with a time of 3:56:37, well done. Next in and doing her marathon debut was Kirsty Findlater with an excellent first marathon time of 4:53:56, again well done. The only report ive got from the event was from Kirsty that the last 8 miles was into a headwind, not the way to finish a marathon.
no doubt both will give us a full report when they recover and again well done!

Apologies to John McBride. John did the half marathon at the same event clocking 1:47:33 keeping his times over this distance very consistant.

Chatelherault Steeplechase

Nine hardy harriers, foolhardy harriers, fools (delete as applicable) went to Chatelherault as usual on Monday. However, Monday was not a usual day.

The gale force wind and rain that caused so much disruption over Scotland turned the gentle warm up from the car park to the start point into a proper head down effort.



The run itself was more sheltered but was a mixture of steeplechase, limbo dancing and slalom around fallen branches along a green carpet of leaves and twigs. Fortunately, those that were going to fall had already done so and despite some unnerving creaking noises from above we made it round unscathed.


Another one of those running occasions that the general public ask, "Why?". Only runners know the answer.

CLUB CAR PARKING

It has been brought to the clubs attention that parking on the main drive in the park can not continue as access is required for emergency veichles to Torrance house and the Golf Club.
We appreciate parking is difficult on occasion at this time but for our part if the Sports Club car park is full could we use the main car park which is only 2 mins away. All other sections and the Football facility have been spoken to about this and it has been noted the police have been in the park looking at the situation. It is the Harriers commitees wish that none of our members get caught up in any follow up on this.

WEST HIGHLAND WAY 2011

To all those going on the West Highland Way Weekend, the balance for the weekend is due.

Could those still to pay please see me at the club or in my absence please pay Frances or Eddie.

Many Thanks

Russell

Veteran Harriers on the run

Five harriers took part in two recent Scottish Veteran Harriers Club races.

On the 4th May they headed to Drumpellier Park for the Snowball Race. Everyone’s a winner at this one as all finishers go home with a packet of chocolate snowballs, all the motivation you need during that last half mile climb!
In near perfect running conditions, the 4.8 mile race was won by East Kilbride runner Kevin Downie in 26:32. First Harrier home was Stuart Waugh in 30:30 who also picked up first M60 prize. Scot Hill struggled with a stitch in the last mile but held on to finish in 31:07 followed by Jim Holmes in 31:28. Graham Lyndsay was pleased with his time of 33:57 as was Russell Couper who stopped his watch at 40:14.
The last time we were here, hundreds of kids were playing football on the dozens of pitches beside the start line. Sadly, this year the same area is now a building site. No wonder we can’t qualify for any major tournaments.

On 15th May the same five harriers headed to Pollock Park for the Walter Ross Memorial 10 km road race.
Conditions were more palatable than last years heat and some fine times were recorded on the two and a bit lap course.
Kerry-Liam Wilson from Ronhill Cambuslang won the race in under 32 minutes.
Stuart Waugh put his altercation with a tree in Chatelherault behind him to finish 10th in 39:45 and break the 40 minute barrier for the first time in five years. All the more impressive as he ran a half marathon the day before!
Scot Hill was 11th in 40:12 with Jim Holmes 12th in 40:44. Graham Lyndsay produced another steady performance with 43:37 and Russell Couper finished in 57:40.

Loch Leven Half Marathon

3 Harriers headed off on Saturday to Kinross for the Loch Leven Half Marathon. This is the
biggest event in the Kinross Road Runners racing calendar. This picturesque undulating
course takes you around Loch Leven. The weather was dry and the sun was shining, possibly
a bit too hot, and unfortunately, the wind was a big factor again this year. As you go round
Loch Leven you are met with a head wind just before the 6 mile mark. It was not until just
about12 miles that the wind seemed to disappear. The first Harrier to cross the line was
Stuart Waugh in a time of 1hr 32.29. This fine performance saw Stuart win 1st prize in his
age category. Next to finish was Frances Maxwell in a time of 1hr 38.35. Her chip time has
not been recorded as she was given the wrong chip at registration. Finally, home in a time of
1hr 48.07 was John McBride. Once finished and changed we headed to the refreshment tent
for some afternoon tea and homebaking...... just what was needed after all that effort! Thanks
to Maud and Dorothy for their support.

Well done to all and thanks to Frances for the race report.
Alan

New Sports Nutritionist @ the ATHelite Sports Clinic

At ATHelite we now have a new Sports Nutritionist working with us and she will be giving a short presentation in the shop this Friday evening (6th May) followed by a Q&A session.
The presentation starts at 6.15pm & having seen the amount of discussion following the one at the TTC last year (it's not the same person!) I thought this may be of interest to some of you.
Coffee & biscuits (sshhh) will be served.

Auldhouse 5k Time Trial Starts Thursday 12th May

Our monthly 5k individual time trials start on Thursday 12th May. This very popular session provides an accurate, timed 5k over a circular route on the back roads around Auldhouse. As the course has been accurately measured, times recorded count towards the Harriers' performance award scheme. As we run it as an individual time trial with each participant starting at 30 second intervals, it provides a great training session for pace and effort judgement as well as the well known fitness benefits of a 5k effort.

As usual, it is important that you turn up at the club in good time where Russell will be collecting the names of those taking part (we have to sort out starting order in advance). If you are going direct to the start, then please let Russell know in advance so that he can add you to the start list.

Check the times from previous years using the link in the menu on the left.

The rest of the Auldhouse Time Trials will take place on the following dates and are listed in the Harriers' Events Calendar:

• Thursday 2nd June
• Thursday 7th July
• Thursday 11th August
• Thursday 1st September (A special, end of season event)

Alan