GEORGE CUMMINGS ROAD RELAY

Photos of the Harriers at the Houston relay are now available in this album. Thanks to Eddie for the photography.

Well here we are back to the relay season and the return of the Grand Prix. Todays race in Houston was held in perfect conditions for running (cool, dry and a slight breeze). We had 14 harriers running today consisting of 1 ladies team and 2.75 mens teams. I wont add any times in as we are awaiting the official results as a few didn't recoed their time and we have a couple of close ones. First off today for the Ladies was Frances Maxwell doing a slightly shorter run than normal but happy with her time and the fact shes still keeping some pace in the legs despite the long runs. Second off was Alison Lessells doing her first race since having baby Rebecca and again happy with her return to racing. The third leg fell to Karen Allen to bring the team home and again her first race since having babies Oliver & Lewis and again a great run. Well done to our Ladies team.
Onto the men and leading our A team was another returning Harrier, Blair Matthew who has been out for a long time and didn't want to race again till he was in good form. Blair did say before the race he was getting very nervous but having not raced for so long its understandable. Getting racing again will bring his form back to where it should be, Next off for the A team was Charlie McDougall and another one happy with his form which now seems to be getting to where it should be. The third leg went to David Herbertson who admitted to feeling the pressure of first team action but ran a very strong race for the team. Bringing home the A team was David Watt who always runs strong no matter the distance or his form but I do wonder if he just slept in a car with a bottle of wine last night (it worked before for him). The B team was led of by Jim Holmes and again it was a strong steady run from Jim. The next leg went to Stuart Waugh and once again another returning harrier with his first race for a while. Stuart did say after that its been a long time since hes ran that fast and im sure hes just going to go from strength to strength. The third leg went to Andy Henderson doing his last race for a while but just wanted to get a race in before he has to give it up for a while. We wish Andy a speedy return. Joining the B team for the fourth leg was Richard Lawton who has been running really well lately and this showed today with him running a very fast time. Onto our incomplete team and first off was Hugh Simpson who needed instruction on how to work his new Garmin before the start. Hugh has been a bit off form lately but ran a strong leg and is on his way back to good form. The second leg went to Colin Banks and he found himself with other runners around him. This gave him a good run with others to chase. The third leg went to Russell Couper who after some back trouble this week was swithering whether to run or not. After some morning stretches the back felt fine so decision made. Despite a couple of wee twinges from it during the latter hills on the race he still managed to run 1.33 faster than last year.
Another great day out with Calderglen Harriers at a great race and everyone happy with their running
You couldn't wish for anything else.

Times now in   Frances  18.55,   Alison    19.22,    Karen     19.44.
Blair    14.39,     Charlie    17.06,      David H     17.05,       Davie W   14.41,
Jim      17.07,      Stuart      18.25,     Andy           18.53,      Richard     18.37,
Hugh   20.17,      Colin       19.06,     Russell         22.47.

Ladies where 10th place and our A team where 2nd Vets team.