A fine turn out of Harriers for the penultimate Grand Prix race of this season competed against each other and clouds of midges for the honour of being Chatelherault World Champion on Monday evening. The undulating 7 mile trail is not easy at any speed but at race pace is particularly punishing.
After a mass start the field soon spread out into a series of solo efforts which Andrew Buchanan relished, leading from start to finish to win in a time of 47:55. Alan Derrick was a distant second in 49:11 with an encouraging return to form from Eddie Reid in third in 52:36. Stephen Phimister is also gradually regaining form and crossed the line next in 53:44 with Jim Holmes next, consolidating his natural position at the top of the Grand Prix with a time of 55:51. First of the ladies and with a massive improvement on recent times was a delighted Karen Allen in 57:08. Despite a tough weekend supporting our competitors in the West Highland Way Race, Geo and Frances Ferguson were next in. Geo in an excellent 58:09 and Frances not so far behind in 58:36. Paul Rooney was glad to get under the hour with his time of 59:53 whilst Richard Lawton made his first race effort since Stirling Marathon and associated injury to finish in 61:37. Gordon McInally was another tired from WHW duty but maintained his 100% Grand Prix attendance this season with a time of 63:20. Yet another far from fresh runner after the WHW was George Stewart who struggled across the line in 69:16. John Boyd was undecided whether or not to do this as he was not feeling great. Despite a few struggles, he finished in 72:30. Sandy Hayden was competing (swimming open water) in A Day in the Lakes half ironman triathlon relay on Sunday, and also must have been tired, finishing in 72:42. Finally, Russell Couper was under no illusions that this was going to be tough, having missed lots of recent training with tendonitis in the knee. The consequence was a time of 78:39 but no immediate after effect which was good news.
Well done to all for great performances and for supporting this little bit of fun. Talking of fun, the next and final GP race is the Vertical Mile next Monday evening.
Alan
2 comments:
Congratulations to Andy on becoming world champion and well done everyone who took part. There were some good times made all the more impressive by the efforts of the weekend.
Priceless...as always! There are nights I long to be able to go out and run the glen or Chatelherault but a reminder of the midgies just brings a shiver to the spine! Well done all. Good luck next week Jim Holmes...bring it home! :)
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