Round the Houses (the other way)

Kevan Harvey shortly after the start

The 51st (I think) annual Grangemouth Round the Houses 10k took place this morning in pretty much perfect conditions. The race organisers had overcome various restrictions placed upon them and extra costs and devised a new route, starting and finishing on the track, taking in a different part of the inner industrial streets in the middle of Grangemouth, adding in a sneaky little circuit round a park just as you thought you were approaching the finish in the stadium and finally, the usual blast onto the the finish on the track. Being Grangemouth it could be nothing but flat although, again, being Grangemouth, there was a little breeze. The feedback from the Harriers participating was that the absence of quite so many long straights helped the course distance seemingly pass more quickly, definitely a good thing.

The first Harrier to finish was Kevan Harvey, making his first race appearance for a while and blowing away the cobwebs with a fine 34:58 to open his racing season and 35th position overall in a very high quality field. Julie Beveridge is starting her taper for the London Marathon soon and ran a fine 41:01 despite heavy legs.

Julie Beveridge

Although Julie was disappointed with the time, this was first F35 position, so nothing to be unhappy about. Stephen Phimister has not been able to race much recently but is a regular at Grangemouth and, with the added pressure of his wife Frances also competing, pulled a performance out of the bag to finish in 42:09. Stephen will soon be back to sub 40 form if he builds on this. Jim Holmes has the double problem of training for the Stirling Marathon and starting his usual late charge for the Grand Prix title, of which this race is a part (actually Jim need not worry about the GP too much as he is running away with the club scratch championship). Jim finished in 43:20.

Recent performances have reconfirmed Stuart Waugh as one of the top M65's in the country and today he was 2nd M65 in 44:27. This is particularly impressive as Stuart was drawn into an overly competitive Strathclyde parkrun with his grandson the day before!

Stuart Waugh inside the final mile

Frances Ferguson had not been too well through the week so took a cautious approach today and enjoyed the course and the atmosphere, finishing in 44:53 and an excellent 3rd F50. Gordon McInally sneaked into the club grand prix lead with a strong performance, finishing in 47:26. This is just about the shortest race David Searil does but he is a regular here with family friends in the vicinity.

Gordon McInally takes the lead in the club GP

Davie was his ever cheerful self as he cruised around in a fantastic 48:03 and 12th M60. Sandy Hayden had picked up a cold in the latter half of the week and struggled as a result. This was still a useful training run though and Sandy finished in 54:50.

A relaxed run on the way to a great time by Davie Searil

Meanwhile Stephen Phimister's wife Frances had started off steady and passed many on her way to a fine 53:56 (8th F45). Time to get a vest for Frances I think! Russell Couper had very little sleep the night before, coupled with bigger than usual miles for the London Marathon and was very tired. However, Russell still ran faster than he has here in recent years to finish in 57:56.

Distinctive silhouettes (Grangemouth and Russell Couper)

Many more photos of everyone in this album.
Alan