McAndrew 2013 - Hot performances on a Hot Day

Good weather two weeks in a row for the start of the Grand Prix. Is this a record! This week we were at Scotstoun Stadium for the 74th annual McAndrew Road Relay, still the same 3.3 mile lap but now starting and finishing in the car park of Scotstoun Stadium. Not only did this location give us a traffic-free change over area but also got all the hills over in the first half, making it an uphill first half and a downhill second half. A much easier race to pace as a result. Despite many absences from all clubs due to the GSR on Sunday, there was still a large number of clubs present, particularly the Harriers who fielded four teams; 2 Men's teams, 1 ladies' team and 1 mixed team.

The vets A team had a change of personnel this week. I had a go at leg 1. Although feeling that I was lacking out and out pace from the word go, I was able to run a very controlled run, maintaining position for the first half and then moving past several packs in the second half to give a finishing time of 18:30, somewhat slower than 2 years ago but a considerably faster average pace than last week and a competitive time compared to other vets in the race. On leg 2 Eddie Reid continues to be bothered by an ITB/knee problem and really could not attack the course at all. Eddie finished in 21:23 which is a minute down on last year. David Herbertson was up into the A team this week and gave it his all as usual. David ran a fine 21:00, a quarter of a minute faster than last year. It was great to see Martin Duthie back in running action after his recent Triathlon World Championship successes. Still wary of his long-term calf injury and missing the sharpness that short, sharp races bring, Martin ran well, recording a time of 19:13.

The senior ladies team was at full strength. Julie Beveridge was on the first leg to enable a sharp departure for the football. Julie finished in a new course best of 21:25, 2 seconds up on last year. Joanne McEvoy is returning from various colds and seems to be fully recovered with a very well paced 22:49. Finally, Karen Allen was delighted to be back racing after a long, illness enforced layoff. Karen finished in 23:42 and now has a target to aim for over the coming year. All in all, a very competitive performance from our ladies team. Frances Maxwell joined our composite team this week and again worked hard to catch and pass several ladies teams. Frances finished in 24:03.

The vets B team was led off by Andy Henderson on leg 1 who was definitely in the mix for an A team place next time around with a 21:13 finish. A very naughty Billy Buchanan (racing only 2 days after donating blood; tut, tut) was suffering for that and was a bit slower than we might expect a fully tanked up Billy to be, finishing in 23:12. However Stuart Waugh is coming back to form, finishing in 22:24 on leg 3. Completing the so far M60 team, the significantly younger Hugh Simpson recorded 24:13. Colin Banks got our composite team off to a flying start with a fine 22:50 lap, handing over to Frances (24:03). Phil Marshall was making another course debut on leg 3 and has set his benchmark at 24:55. Finally, a very injured Russell Couper broke 30 minutes for the first time (his words, not mine), unfortunately from the wrong direction, recording 30:28. Russell is now going to get some much needed treatment and may miss a few races.

The support of Maud n' Mandy was much appreciated as always and the afternoon ended with a nice spread of complimentary tea and pastries. Very nice. All in all the host club Victoria Park - City of Glasgow have made worthwhile improvements to the event which will keep the event popular for years to come. All we need is the organisers of GSR and the permit authority to play the game and not permit major races that clash with an event which has a 74 year history on this same weekend.

The Grand Prix and scratch championships are now updated and can be viewed via the usual grand prix menu on the left.

Alan