GSR - An Alternative View

Its a bit difficult to write a report for a race that so many people have done over the years so a couple of points worth mentioning. Its not everyone's thing to pay what is a relatively high entrance fee to get a cotton t-shirt but its a close to a 'big race' as most people will get. It was well organised as usual and the Bank of Scotland sponsorship brought some Olympic connections. The normal Velcro timing chip had been replaced with a bib-tag - a chip within your race number so you didn't have to footer with the Velcro strap at the end of the race. 

 

However the big difference was the heat ! A mild 15 deg rose to nearer 20 deg during the race. Not something that's generally a problem in this race but the only good part about Pollok Park was the shelter provided by the trees. Miles 7 - 9 through the Park and up to Pollokshaws aren't  hills in the sense of Lickprivick but had enough of a climb to sap the energy from the legs. The last section through the Green was spectator-lined and the final turn into the home straight was inspiring with the blasting PA and cheering crowds. 

 

The noticeable Harriers vest got both Jim and Stephen mentions from the Radio Clyde PA  for being 'bumblebees' but neither had the energy to stop and correct them! The guys ran together through the later stages of the race but Jim's strength led him home as first Harrier. Stephen reduced his PB by 8 mins (obviously an easy target) and Graham Ramage took 4 minutes off his PB for third Harrier Home. Next up was a top performance from Julie (surely a PB) followed by David Herbertson (possibly a PB?) who now runs with a watch but has a stewards enquiry as to why his Garmin time was 30s faster than his chip time ! David Wardrope was pleased with his time as were most of the Harriers who met up at the end to swap stories about dehydration.

Thanks to Stephen for the report. The Harriers' results are summarised below. In addition to the pb's mentioned above, Mary Goldsmith was the only Harrier to achieve a half marathon performance standard, getting a Bronze to add to the 5k, 10k and 10 miles standards achieved so far this year. Just need the marathon before the end of September and you have the full set!

Pos	No	Time	Surname	Forename	Gender	Cat	Team/Club
349	12491	1:30:43	Holmes	Jim	M	40	Calderglen Harriers
381	13555	1:31:16	Phimister	Stephen	M	40	Calderglen Harriers
591	13051	1:34:34	Ramage	Graham	M	40	Calderglen Harriers
660	13951	1:35:45	Beveridge	Julie	F		Calderglen Harriers
759	14794	1:36:58	Herbertson	David	M	40	Calderglen Harriers
1251	14265	1:41:53	Wardrope	David	M	40	Calderglen Harriers
1299	15074	1:42:15	Banks	Colin James	M		Calderglen Harriers
1644	17914	1:45:01	McBride	John	M	50	Calderglen Harriers
2100	13154	1:48:15	Searil	David	M	55	Calderglen Harriers
3960	17972	1:58:49	Lawton	Richard	M		Calderglen Harriers

Pos	No	Time	Surname	Forename	Gender	Cat	Team/Club
1674	13756	1:45:15	Goldsmith	Mary	F	50