On an almost perfect day for running being mild, cloudy and
not too windy 221 runners set off for the inaugural running of this unusual race.The
first half of the race took care of the worst of the hills, taking us through
King’s Park, Linn Park & Rouken Glen. We then proceeded to Pollok Park
where the only casualty of the day, Genevieve Freeman, slipped and slithered
her way through the mud injuring her right foot/knee. She bravely soldiered on until
finally succumbing in Bellahouston Park, very wisely, at the foot of the
steepest climb of the day.
Leading harrier by some distance was Gen’s other half,
Colin, coming home in a very impressive 1:49:51. Another three harriers crossed
the line in quick succession under the two hour mark, Mark Saez in 1:55:05, Ian
Rae in 1:56:07 (so speedily I believe his family missed him at Pollock Park!)
and Graham Ramage in 1:59:30.
Not far behind Frances Maxwell won the battle with Julie
Beveridge for the leading female harrier by less than three minutes, 2:02:36 to
2:05:08. Making everyone else look good I came home in 2:19:28, precisely on
target (8 ½ minute miling) Also running were two ex-harriers, George Haining
who posted 2:14:59 and Don Kennedy who chased me home with 2:23:22.
For the record the race was won by Andrew Wright of Carnegie
harriers in 1:33:00 and the first female home was Jennifer Mclean from
Edinburgh AC in a time of 1:42:19 completing a clean sweep for the visitors
from the east.
A big thanks from all of us taking part goes to Alison,
Russell, Geo, Gillian and the Rae family for their support at numerous points
around the course.
And finally…the most heart warming story of the day was that
of Yorgo, a small dog who cheerfully joined in and ran about five miles of the
race whilst avoiding various attempts at capture. For the full story go to http://www.southsidesix.org.uk/
Alison’s photos are here. Thanks to David for the race report.
Alan
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