Great Glen Ultra

Rather than clog up the blog with my ultra-length report on my recent ultra I've taken the plunge and blogged. Sounds disgusting I know, but here it is anyway... http://davidsearil.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-great-glen-ultra-2014.html

Islay Trophies

Its a couple of weeks until Islay and hence it is time to gather all the ironmongery (or trophies). I believe we got trophies for men's team (presently being engraved) and ladies' team. Did we win any others that are returnable (empty whisky bottles do not count)? If the ladies can get the trophy back to one of us who is going to Islay, that would be appreciated. If it is not engraved, then please try to arrange that too.
Alan

100 PARKRUNS

This weekend im going to do my 100th parkrun.
You are all invited to join me at Eglington park for this.
I chose to do this here as I know most of you have not done this one.
Its a great run mostly on trail.
Hope to see you there.

Russell

ROUND STRATHAVEN RELAY

With the event just 5 weeks away we need to bring in our reserve Stephen Phimister.
Unfortunately it looks like we need another replacement so if anyone wants a place please leave your name on this blog or see me at training.

Russell

COMMONWEALTH TICKETS

I now have the tickets for the lucky winners of the draw.
Please collect them from me at training.

Just a reminder that if you find you can no longer make it the tickets must be returned.

Russell

Grand Prix Results 2014

After a very well attended and competitive Vertical Mile on 23rd June, the Grand Prix and Club Championships are decided. The results tables have many new names near the top, highlighting the competitiveness and popularity of this 16 race series (best 11 results to count). The final results confirm Julie Beveridge as winner of the women's scratch championship and taking note of the one award per person custom, Joanne McEvoy wins the women's grand prix with Frances Maxwell and Alison Lessells completing the first three positions. There were not enough women of a certain age contesting enough races to award a veteran's prize.

In the men's events, Alan Derrick won the scratch championship whilst Andy Henderson was a comfortable winner in the Grand Prix. Jim Mearns and Richard Lawton made notable first time podium positions in second and third places respectively with a very strong, late challenge from Jim Holmes to win the veteran category, overhauling a very competitive John McBride in the process. John did more races than anyone else this year, competing in 14 of the 16 races in the series.

Final results tables are available via the usual link in the menu to the left.

Well done and thanks to all who competed in any of the races throughout the season. The Grand Prix kicks off again with the Houston Road Relays towards the end of September.
Alan

A Day in the Lakes Tri Report

The swimmers set off into the distance

Following the Thursday request at the sports club for a Harrier Hero, Andy Henderson stepped forward and committed himself to the hill run in Kenny's place.

The final relay teams drawn up for the challenge , which consisted of a 1.9k swim open water, 56 mile bike ride including Kirkstone Pass and the Shap and the 13 mile hill run were as follows:

Calderglen A - Martin Duthie - swim, Robin Derrick - cycle, Alan Derrick - run

Calderglen B - Andrew Buchanan - swim, Billy Buchanan - cycle, Andy Henderson - run

As you would expect there was some friendly rivalry between the two teams, however there is little doubt who the smart money was going on, particularly as Robin has a bike with electronic gears and a battery. Some sabotage plans were mentioned such as stealing the battery and leaving the bike in a high gear, hiding Alan's trail shoes and making him run in his road shoes (that plan actually worked, though team A were directly responsible for that catastrophe).

At the end of the day however despite some valiant and could I say superhuman efforts by team B the smart money won and to their credit are now professional athletes having come in 3rd in the relay team contest overall and winning a staggering £20 sport voucher between them.

The day of the race was clear and bright, the water was calm enough and Martin and Andrew did well returning great swim times. The problem with a great swim time from Andrew meant I was now in amongst cyclists who knew what they were doing and spent the rest of the morning being passed on a very regular basis, I was definitely not amongst my peer group, (the ones with stabilisers would have been more appropriate) however on wards and upwards and upwards and upwards, Kirkstone Pass even had me up out of the saddle, well even Robin admitted to that, then the Shap more upwards, some of the downs were pretty good though.

Billy, never far from a Kayak, exits transition to start his 56 mile journey

Anyway eventually got back,  behind, that is well behind Robin of course (that is some battery Robin has) and released Andy onto the hill to enjoy himself after waiting so long to get going.
Alan did a great run , who needs trail shoes, and I am sure is amongst the fastest times for the run (3rd fastest). Andy came back very strongly especially once he got off the hill and passed a number of people on the 3 mile road section back to the finish.

At the end of the day everybody finished with a sense of achievement and a race well done .As usual and being competitive Harriers you will want times to use as targets for next year now you have all been inspired and can't wait to form teams for next year, they are as follows.

Team A. Martin - 34:01, T1 00:39, Robin - 3:11:11, T2 00:31, Alan - 1:38:14

Team B. Andrew - 32:16. T1 00:38, Billy -  3:43:20, T2 00:30. Andy - 1:56:54

Ps I need to say that team B beat team A in  the transition times race and can give lessons in that very important discipline for a small fee or appropriate sports vouchers.

Finally a heartfelt thank you to our support team,
Kenny for all his cooking, cups of tea, coffee, rolls sausage, black pudding etc.
Sandy for doing her photographer , and sharing her birthday cake.
Mandy for giving an insight to the bike course having done it before herself, though saying she got up the Shap without even realising she had done it was not an experience I can say I had , funny enough Robin did agree with that statement, I think they were winding me up.

 Photos on Flickr at following link. Official photos here. Full results here.

Thanks to Billy for the report and his endless energy over the weekend.
Alan