Sole Splendente a Bellahouston!

Joanne McEvoy flying across the soft ground.

Beautiful sunshine at Bellahouston greeted the record field for the National Short Course Cross Country Championships today. The only downside was that the warm sun had thawed out the frozen ground making certain sections very muddy indeed. Despite the Harriers' Dinner Dance on Saturday night leaving some more the worse for wear than others, the Harriers were still out in force in both the ladies' and men's races.

Unfortunately Russell was absent today due to illness but Richard Lawton stepped in to handle the registration. As this was to be a chip timed race, there would be no missed or mixed-up time issues this week. The ladies' race was first off over the 4km, 2 lap course. Julie Beveridge ran very strongly to destroy last year's time, finishing in an excellent 16:53. Notably, Julie finished ahead of her sister Louise for the first time, ramping up the sibling rivalry. I am sure this will help drive them both on to new heights. Joanne McEvoy had a stormer of a run, floating across the soft ground to finish in 17:33, a full minute faster than last year and stretching her lead in the Grand Prix. Alison Lessells had avoided cross countries until this season but proved again today that she has the strength and fitness now to handle these events, finishing in 18:00. Frances Maxwell was all danced out after the dinner/dance to the extent that she forgot to bring her cross country shoes. Frances therefore had to slip and slide her way round in road shoes in a still respectable 19:16.

Alison running well.

Nine Calderglen men lined up in a huge field for the final event of the day. The field was quickly strung out on the long opening straight which became increasingly muddy the closer we got to the first turn before drying out a bit as we climbed onto the slightly higher part of the course. I found myself dropped again at the start but moved through gradually as the first lap unwound and more or less maintained position to finish in 14:49. Although this was well over a minute slower than the last time I ran it in 2010, it is worth noting that my Garmin GPS tracks confirm that the course was 200m longer today than in 2010 (the 2010 course was 3.87km. todays 4.07km), so particularly well done to those who managed to run course bests today.

Comparison of 2010 (blue) and 2013 (red) courses.

Run of the day for Calderglen's men came from Andy Henderson who paced the run perfectly, staying well clear of his younger team mates to finish in 16:29 and first M60!. Jim Holmes admitted that he could make no in-roads on Andy's lead but still had a strong run, despite his rather hoarse voice, to finish in 16:59. David Herbertson was not far behind but was always chasing having had quite a slow start, finishing in 17:10. Eddie Reid really needs to get his sore knee sorted out and this held him back considerably when it struck half way round, almost causing him to stop. However, Eddie carried on to finish in 17:24. Jim Mearns continues to grow in confidence with every race and after a battle with Richard Lawton, sprinted clear to finish in 18:15. Richard feels that he went off too fast on the first lap and suffered in the second lap, but all the same smashed his course best by 46 seconds to finish in 18:24. John McBride really was suffering after last night's dinner/dance but this did not stop him competing hard, finishing in 18:54. Hugh Simpson completed our team with a strong run of 19:31.

In a very competitive Grand Prix, Richard Lawton has now moved to the top with John McBride second and David Herbertson third. Jim Mearns is a big mover up to fourth place. Thanks to Billy Buchanan for his support out on the course which was much appreciated. A few more photos here with more to come.
Alan