Men's Health 10k Race Report

It was the Men’s Health 10k today. Having taken a hard time for claiming the miles when my wife used my Garmin for the Women’s 10k a few weeks ago, I thought I better make sure I actually ran the male equivalent. Sometimes known as the Father’s Day 10k it’s a bit expensive but on the plus side gets you out of the house on the Sunday morning and saves you having to fake excitement when the kids give you a pair of socks or a CD from the bargain bin at Morrisons.

This race is jinxed for Martin Howell. Last year he entered twice so this year was pleased to remember that one entry would do, only to come a cropper with a back injury and never made it to the start line.

The course used to be over at Bellahouston but like many races has now moved away and as of last year starts at the Transport Museum. Myself, Graham Ramage and Mark Saez travelled in together and met to declare what injury was going to slow us down the most. Mark went for a sore shoulder obtained during domestic duties, I had plenty of choice but plumped for Plantar Fasciitis with a touch of a sore throat. Graham won with  “I’ve not raced a 10k in a year” so that was the pressure off. To be fair Mark declared his intention was to target 40 minutes while the rest of us muttered about seeing how it went. Met Big John McBride in the museum (still recovering from Alan’s reference at Dechmont Law to his “big frame”) strangely enough having a bit of a busman’s holiday on the subway carriage.

The (muppet) announcer at the start spent a lot of time talking about it not being a competitive race so we’re not sure how that went down on the start line with the Hawkins brothers getting ready to represent GB at the Olympics and going on to run a sub-30. Where’s Bryan Burnett when you need him ???

The course has changed from last year and looked reasonably flat with the potential to be fast. We went off along the inner road of the expressway and had the sights of the SECC car park followed by the service yard of the Crowne Plaza hotel. Flat but not scenic but then how many runners really take in the views?  A quick jaunt over the squiggly bridge to the south side and back again into town but the smell going through the Heilanman’s Umbrella was enough to turn the stomach. Through George Square at 5k then back down to the south side and the Gorbals. A good section through Glasgow Green followed by a few twists and turns in the Merchant City to finish in the middle of George Square in front of the Chambers.

I ran with Mark for the first 5k and we pushed each other on but from George Square he moved ahead. He must have had bad memories of last year when the race finished in the Green and I caught him in the last 100m because as we came through the same section again the gap narrowed to about 10m. He nearly had to add a neck injury to his shoulder as he looked round!  However there was to be no repeat and his current good form paid off as he moved clear again.

Mark finished in an impressive 39:45 (16th M40) which was his best time for a couple of years and goes to show that sometimes you have to put your money (or prediction) where your mouth is. I thought my days of sub-40 were gone but was delighted (understatement) with 39:56 (5th M45) which proves that three 10ks in as many weeks works wonders for your race pace.  Mark took the shine of it somewhat by suggesting that we should be targeting low 39s in the next race.

We waited at the end for Graham and thankfully being close to the summer solstice there was no danger of it getting dark! He was satisfied with his 44:39 but would have preferred something starting with a 43 (although not his waistband).

Spoke to a few people who were all very impressed with the course which seems to be fast and flat (think Grangemouth without the wind). I’ve long said that the races that go over the Kingston Bridge are more for the tourists than a good time. They seem to have got this right and if word gets round it could well get a name as a PB course (although expensive as I said).

Never met John at the end but noticed that he ran 48:06. Apologies if I’ve missed out anyone from the Harriers but it’s one of those results services that won’t let you search by Club. Genuinely today isn’t all about time and many people were just running for charity or fitness and a massive congratulations to them all.

Having paid my fiver for the return shuttle bus back I was gutted when Graham insisted we run the 2 miles back to the Transport Museum.

The photo is from inside the Transport Museum at an area celebrating the Commonwealth Games. We did indulge in coffee and cake in the café, well it is Father’s Day after all.
If they keep the course then this is well worth a go if you are in form. Even Coach AD could give it a go as there wasn’t a banana anywhere in sight at the finishing area …  
Stephen