Great Scottish Run Half Marathon Race Report

The Circus of running arrived in town this weekend with all of the usual razzamatazz of singing, dancing, guys warming up masses of runners from a scissor lift – oh and a bit of running involved too!

The Harriers were well represented this year both in the 10k and the half marathon with some our new runners throwing their hats in to the ring and giving it a go. That said, a recent spike in injuries at the club unfortunately resulted in some of our regulars at this event not being able to take part – get better soon guys, we’re missing you!

Samantha, Jim and Joe after the finish.

Arriving in town in plenty of time – I walked down to George Square with my family who were on hand to wish us well at the start. I was encouraged with the prospect of the recent high pressure lasting at least one more day and providing us with ideal running conditions. So with a light wind and a low teens temperature, millions of runners, Bryan Burnett on the mike, miles of queues for Portaloo’s (will they never learn?), swirling helicopters – it was time to get in to the White Zone and find the other Harriers.

Graham Ramage, feeling confident his recently injured knee would hold out was starting alongside his Sunday morning regulars Gary and Ivan. I searched the White zone until I found Jim Holmes and Stephen Phimister, feeling a sense of belonging in the Black and Amber! The Elites were first under the starters orders followed quickly by us.

So off we went up St. Vincent St. to all the cheering and whoop whooping and thunder clapping of the Bank of Scotland “Thunder Sticks” that thankfully made it to the bin in my house after bedtime last night! Being quite wide the initial climb does not become congested until it narrows going towards Charing Cross, that’s where the jostling and zig zagging begins. Running with Stephen and Jim H we passed the intrepid Davie Searil and John McBride whom were both looking good going up the hill.

From there down through Finnieston and towards the Clydeside expressway it was still me and Stephen keeping each other at a steady pace – the game plan being to run at just under 7 m/m’s. Up and on to the Kingston Bridge we passed Jim Mearns at exactly the same spot as last year and the 2 mile marker bang on pace and came down the other side in to Tradeston and the first of the water stations.

Along the road and into the leafy suburbs of Pollokshields and through 4 miles, along Haggs Road and into the first of the parks (Pollok), we were greeted with a fair gathering of spectators. The BBC was in the Park and captured me (giving a cheery thumbs up) (he lied!) with Stephen closely following.  Personally I find the parks a bit monotonous and especially with a climb coming out of Pollok Park and onto Dumbreck Road, like many of the other runners, I was feeling the exploits of the first 10k (42 minutes) take it’s toll.

Into Mosspark Blvd. and the second of the park stretches (Bellahouston) it was definitely becoming a toil with my pace dropping slightly and the sight of runners far off in the distance serving as no encouragement. However endeavor and determination kept me going. Out of the park and onto Paisley Road West I managed to pick the pace up again knowing that once over the Squinty Bridge it was a (long) straight run in.

Going through 11 miles and towards the wall of (no) encouragement, quick mental calculations made me aware that sub 90 was going to have to involve some tough graft. When the brain asked the lungs to provide more oxygen to the muscles unfortunately my physical state was in no mood for compliance meaning that I headed in to Glasgow Green at a fair pace but seeing the clock go through 1.29.59.

So I finished in 1.30.21, all in all quite pleased to shave another three minutes off last year’s time and with recent injury woes and lack of pace.

Stephen Phimister ran well given his recent foot injury and resultant lack of miles, finishing in 1.32 .25 with Jim Holmes coming close behind in a very respectable 1.34.47 with which he was very pleased. Next up was Joe Shields managing to keep his early pace in check and coming home in a brilliant 1.38.41 with Jim Mearns close on his heels with 1.39.26. Graham Ramage was next up and despite his knee issues managed to bag a first class 1.41.18 then it was ever-present John McBride yet again running a really good and well paced 1.45.05. Colin Banks was through the funnel next. He was delighted to run a very satisfying 1.47.46 and then it was our runner extraordinaire having barely warmed up over the distance David Searil, running his 23rd GSR and finishing in 1.55.30 with which he was delighted having taken a sizeable slice out of last years time.

Samantha at the wall of congratulations!

There were many supporters along the way, not least all the families including my own and Frances, Emma and Mark Phimister. I spotted Mark Saez just at mile 12 and Sandra was a bit further along the road – thanks for coming out and cheering us on.

I’m sure there will be some snaps – please feel free to add any you may have to the report.

Martin.

Thanks to Martin for the runner's perspective on the half and well done on (almost) hitting your target 90 minutes. Please see Russell's report below and the many comments for a full list of all the Harriers who took part in the half and 10k. Thanks to Sandra for the photos.
Alan