Snowballs in May

Unusually, the weather on Wednesday evening in Coatbridge was not at all suitable for snowballs with the sun shining and blue skies. However, there were Lees Snowballs a plenty for all competitors at the end of the annual SVHC Snowball 4.8 mile road race around and about Drumpellier Park. A field of around 70 lined up on the park drive and headed off briskly downhill under the railway bridge and on through the park for a mile or so to exit onto the main road at the loch car park. Then it was an undulating anticlockwise circuit of the main roads all the way around to Coatbridge again before the final, tough climb to the main entrance to the park and a 100m downhill sprint to the finish line.

The Harriers were represented by several on the come back trail. First to finish was Alan Derrick in a tired 28:17 in 8th position in his first proper race for a while followed by Stuart Waugh in his first race since February in 33:23 (first M60). Graham Lindsay was having a pre-Tiree Half Marathon race so was not out to push himself to the limit and ran a steady 33:44, whilst Scot Hill was making the biggest comeback of anyone after a 10 month injury, finishing in 33:44. Finally Russell Couper admitted to struggling around in 40:53. However Russell moves to third M45 in the Run and Become age graded points championship whilst Stuart Waugh is first M60 in the championship. Well done to all.

The next race in the SVHC series is the Walter Ross 10km road race at 1:30pm in Pollok Park this Sunday 5th May which is open to any male or female over 35 years of age and not just SVHC members.

Alan