I've been waiting for the results to come in before writing this as I had some times missing but looks like there are some errors. We had a partial ladies team, a complete M50 team and 2 partial male teams.
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| Gerry Mullen approaches the finish in good style |
It was a breezy day for the race but not as bad as it had been in the morning and the rain stayed away apart from a few light showers. On the short leg for the Ladies was Sandy Hayden making her debut and finding the course quite testing and not overly happy with her run but shouldn't despair as it was a good opener of 25.23. Frances Maxwell ran the long leg and declared her time of 42.49 finding the conditions quite tough at the high part of the course but I have to say she was looking quite strong when she passed me just before going under the railway. Perhaps she would prefer the official time shes been given of 36.02. Onto the men now and our A team had 4 runners and first out was Andy Buchanan again on his debut at this event running a great time of 17.09 and had the usual eyeballs out finish handing over to Geo Ferguson another on his debut and straight into the long leg running a great opener of 44.26. More to come if he continues to race. Colin banks ran the 3rd leg putting in a steady performance of 23.44 a bit down on what hes ran before but conditions didn't make for fast times. Billy Buchanan finished off this partial team running the long leg in 41.46. I hope this is correct as I never got his watch time.
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| Billy Buchanan |
Our B team was our complete M50 team and starting them off was Eddie Reid with the legs possibly a bit heavy after his 10 day training camp but running a steady time of 20.29. Next out was Andrew mcCaffery on the long leg and again I hope they've got the time right of 36.44. Kenny Leinster took the proverbaly baton for the 3rd leg and ran a good run finishing in 21.44. Gerry Mullen completed the team running the long leg in 42.04 bringing them in in 8th place in the category. Great to see Gerry out racing again and hope he can make some more of the upcoming races. Our C team only had 2 runners with Jim Holmes setting us off. Chasing Eddie most of the way to complete in 21.25 and handing over to Russell Couper for the long leg. Really shouldn't have completed this but not in my nature to quit while ive still got one good leg. Limped most of the way for the 3 miles uphill but managed to move a bit better when I hit the downhill section but finishing in a PW of 54.32. Good to see the club represented at this event again but our attendees have been dropping for a few years now. Lets see if we can start to increase our number of runners next year. Another good days racing and always good to see our colours taking part.
6 comments:
Well done all, nobody should get too worried about times on that course due to the twists and turns and elevation changes. It's not always about the watch; often it is just a race and about pushing yourself hard all the way. Wish I could have been there but common sense prevailed unusually. Alan
Russell you calculated correctly my time was 41.46 which I was pleased with as it felt slower especially the first few miles. Billy B
Hi guys, great race report. I have fond memories of this event, the long stage being particularly hard. I've just changed my Harriers calendar to April and there is Colin Banks going like a bullet presumably on the 1st leg. We are now well into autumn but the weather is still holding up. Looking forward to picking up my new bike this afternoon!
I noted with a tinge of sadness the relatively low turnout from the Harriers on Sunday. It must be a while since Calderglen didn't complete a full 6 man team. Apologies if I'm speaking out of turn but, without Calderglen, I wouldn't have kicked on in running as much as I have. I hope to see the yellow and black vest in good numbers again in the near future (I still have mine too). Yes, it's an individual sport but support your club too when it needs you. Happy running.
As always, thanks for your support Stuart. We all take great delight in your success. I think this probably was the first time in the club's history where we have failed to field at least one complete 6 man team. However, there are mitigating circumstances. We did have enough runners there on the day to field more than one 6 man team but the introduction of the 4 man M50 category took 4 of our runners out of the pool and circumstances dictated that two of our remaining runners needed first legs. As we were unlikely to win :-), it made sense to split into two partial teams. We were also unlucky with many regulars simultaneously ill and injured plus a Scottish Championship duathlon on the same day. Although overall numbers for the event were up, I think the move to a Sunday has negatively affected our participation too with several preparing for Spring marathons not wishing to sacrifice their long Sunday runs for the race. So it is not as gloomy as it perhaps seemed.
Alan
Thank you Alan, understandable circumstances. I commented as someone who continues to keep a close eye on the Harriers' activities. I'm not a fan of the Sunday date so can understand why others aren't either. I'd love to see the race back on a Saturday.
Stuart
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