Another nice day greeted a large contingent of Harriers contesting race 6 in our Grand Prix series, the National 4km Cross Country Championships at Bellahouston Park. Typically the course was soft underfoot but not as soft as last year, so perfect for fast running. Our ladies were off first and once again were racing hard. Julie Beveridge made the break from the start and finished very strongly in 17:23. As the course reverted to its usual circuit this year, we cannot directly compare times with last year but the time did give Julie 31st position out of a field of 60. Joanne McEvoy chased hard and was close behind Julie for the first lap but dropped back a little on the second lap to finish in 18:31 in 41st. Frances Maxwell had tackled the somewhat hillier Tinto Hill Race the day before and began to feel the pain in the quads on the second lap but nevertheless kept the pace going to finish in 18:53. Joanne leads the Grand Prix whilst Julie leads the scratch championship.
In the men's race, the club were well represented with 13 Harriers competing. Andrew McCaffery cycled over to the race and was well warmed up for an excellent 14:56 finish, running strongly throughout. Martin Duthie is just getting his speedy legs back again after the marathon and despite a calf twinge finished the race in 15:09. Stephen Reilly extended his lead in both the Grand Prix and Scratch Championships with a competitive 15:24. Eddie Reid was clear of his club mates and looked strong, finishing in 16:09. Andy Henderson reversed recent trends to lead in Jim Holmes in 16:43 compared to Jim's 16:47. David Herbertson had just returned from altitude (I won't say training) in South Africa and was positively choking on the thick air at Bellahouston, finishing in his usual committed style in a time of 17:09. George Stewart was happy enough with his run and please to be closing in on Julie for the first time in a while, with a time of 17:42. Richard Lawton is having his best season so far and looked very comfortable, finishing in 19:07, ahead of David Wardrope in 19:14. Not far back, John McBride is quickly adapting to his first season of cross country, finishing in 19:22. Hugh Simpson was even more relaxed (to the extent that he forgot to bring his trail shoes and was running in trainers) but finished with his usual smile in 19:53. Finally Russell Couper is still struggling but got around in 22:43.
Well done to all. More photos here. Some great action shots of the men's race taken by Frances now added to the album 12/11/12.
Alan
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