Glasgow University Road Race

The rescheduled Uni 5 mile road race took place today and was much the better for the fine, early Spring weather compared to the usual November date. Although the field was perhaps a little smaller than usual (and the course a little shorter, just under the 5 miles) the Harriers were out in force with 14 taking part.  The conditions were fantastic for running with temperatures in double figures and only a light breeze.

This is a relatively local race for Andrew McCaffery so he was able to warm up by running to the race and this seemed to do the trick as he had a fine run, finishing in 24th position in 29:30. Stephen Reilly has not been able to train much due to shin splints but all the same was second harrier to finish, crossing the line in 31:35. In one of those "I told you so" moments, Stephen Phimister went snow boarding at Xscape on Friday night and took a heavy tumble. He therefore started the race with some pain in his ribs, adding further strength to the argument that snow sports and running are rarely well matched activities. Nevertheless, Stephen had a good run, storming down the finishing straight to finish in 31:42.

David Herbertson was another fast finisher, really powering across the line in 32:31. Andy Henderson was not far behind, finishing in 32:52 with Jim Holmes hot on his heels in 32:56. An under the weather Eddie Reid had considered stopping after the first lap but decided to just keep going and crossed the line in 33:16, only just holding off Karen Allen, who was delighted with her time of 33:20. Joanne McEvoy paced the race well, running strongly from start to finish, recording a time of 34:14. Frances has been struggling with a non-running injury over the past week and has missed some training so was not as fast as usual, finishing in 35:53. John McBride is benefiting from lots of shorter races and was able to demonstrate a real change of pace in the final few hundred metres, to finish in 36:28. Hugh Simpson was definitely not out on a meet and greet tour today and put a very strong effort in, being pushed all the way to the line, which he crossed in 37:07. It looked like Alison Lessells would be able to draw upon her 400m track speed to overhaul Hugh but it was not to be today as she finished seconds behind Hugh in 37:12. Russell Couper was having a happier run today than he had at the National, finishing in 43:13.

An intense month of Grand Prix racing on the roads is coming up. As it stands now, Joanne has stretched her lead in the Grand Prix and is now tied for the lead of the Scratch Championship with Karen. Meanwhile Andrew McCaffery has leapfrogged into the lead of the men's Grand Prix whilst Stephen Reilly retains the lead in the Scratch Championship. Well done to all. More photos available here.
Alan