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Saturday 30 December 2017

JULIE SMASHES 100




For those that don't know Julie Beveridge ran her 100th parkrun at Strathclyde park today. This was also Julies's 50th at Strathclyde park. Julie is also the record holder for the most wins now 20. As well as being the 1st lady today Julie was also 4th overall and to coin a phrase she chicked most of the men today. Julie first ran this event on 31st July 2010 running a time of 21.55 which she was soon to surpass on 21st August 2010 with 21.35. This was to be a continueing trend and running her present pb on 19th August 2017 with 19.28. This was not to be beaten today as it was run on the alternate course which is always a bit longer and a bit icy. The course today was  a series of up and downs. Basically up for a half kilometre and back then up for 1k and back twice. This gave us a chance on many occasions to see runners heading the other way and to see how Julie runs. I have to say a good upright stance and very little excess movement of the arms etc thus using all the energy in the legs. A fine example of how to run. Julie today ran 20.29 but as I said before the conditions weren't great and the course was long so still a great time. Supporting Julie today was Marion O'Connor 23.17. Gordon McInally  24.56 and Russell Couper 27.29. I should point out Marion was 2nd Lady today.

Thursday 28 December 2017

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Tuesday 26 December 2017

AYR TURKEY TROT

After waking up to snow on the ground six Harriers made their way down to Ayr for the boxing day 10k. We were accompanied by Gordons partner Marion. David Searil was first down as 10k isn't long enough for him having entered the 5k also. As the rest started arriving David was already lining up for his first race and completing the 5k in 24.40 (chip time 24.36 ) in 36th place from 102 runners. Good time for a warmup. Next event up was the 10k starting at noon and we all met up after some warmups to wish each other a merry Christmas and good luck for the race. Just before the off we discovered that the course was changed so it would be course bests all round. The gun goes and were away Quickly passed by Marion, Gordon McInally and Graham Ramage then shortly later David Searil and John Boyd this just left Allison Johnston behind me and knowing how well she has been running lately I would need to run well to stay in front. The course had a slight change to the start with the start being beside the Citadel centre instead of on the prom but it ran immediately onto the prom and the first 3k along it as it used to be. At 3k we used to run up beside the river and back into the houses but today we crossed the bridge and continued on the cycle path for another 2k before turning round a marshall and heading back the same way this unfortunately included a steep hill up to Greenan Castle which I have to say wiped me out with my slowest mile of the race. The new out and back does afford you the luxury of seeing everyone heading in the opposite direction the first of these being one of our past members Stuart Gibson who won the race in 32.49 and after declared it was a bit sluggish (wish I could be that sluggish). As I got up the top of the hill on the way out I seen Graham and Marion heading back and they were probably the best part of a kilometre in front of me. A while later as I could see the turning point I passed John, Gordon and David heading back probably between 1.5min to 2.5mins in front of me. Round the marshall and heading back and next I see Allison about a minute behind me. Going back down the hill I never really felt any advantage as the legs felt shot and with 3k to go were back on the prom and a long run in to the finish. Marion beat us all home with a time of 46.57 (46.51) 110th place followed by Graham 120th 47.33 (47.26) we then had a gap to John 157th 50.19 (50.07) followed closely by David 160th 50.45 (50.37). Not too far behind and still improving on his comeback was Gordon 182nd 51.56 (51.49) another wee gap then Russell 222nd 55.43 (55.36) and Allison 241st  57.27 (57.15). Weather conditions were just about perfect for running with dry sunny sky with some puddles on the ground.

Friday 22 December 2017

Ayrodynamic Turkey Trot, Boxing Day

Some of you will have seen Gordon's post on facebook a few days ago regarding Tuesday's 5 and 10k races at Ayr. Just to make sure everyone is aware the closing date seems have been extended to today so there's still time to enter, ope to see you there.

Thursday 21 December 2017

Pub Run 2017

The annual Pub Run will take place on Thursday 28th December, leaving the club at 6pm sharp. Please be there ready to run with your money for your drinks order ready to hand over to the advance purchasing party. Please wear bright reflective clothing and a head torch if you have one. A variety of pubs will be visited over the course of an approximately 6 mile run. Slight change to route/one of the pubs owing to the closure of the Stroud. See Eddie for further details.
Alan

Monday 18 December 2017

HARRIERS MEMBERSHIP FEES 2018

It was agreed at our recent AGM that the Harriers would freeze the fees for 2018 even if the Sports Club increase the fees at their AGM in January.
The fees therefore for 2018 are.


FAMILY                          £186.00    Includes 2 Adults & all children aged 6 to 18 

ORDINARY                    £122.00    Adults over the age of  21 

INTERMEDIATE           £67.00     Adults aged 18 to 21 

JUNIORS                          £62.00      Children aged 6 to 18 

RETIRED FAMILY        £106.00       Both Adults need to be above National Pension age 

RETIRED ORDINARY   £82.00    Must be above National pension age

Fees are due in January. If paying up by direct debit the 1st payment should be in January and paid over 10 months till October. ( just divide the fee by 10 to get your monthly payment ).

If you need the bank details contact Russell Couper. 

Tuesday 12 December 2017

LONDON MARATHON CLUB PLACE

The Harriers again have secured 1 place in the Virgin London Marathon. Anyone who entered the ballot and did not secure a place will have a rejection email and will therefore if they wish go into a draw for the club place. Please show your rejection email to any of the committee ( Kenny, Hugh or Russell ) before the 14th December and you will be entered into the draw. The draw will take place after training and the winner informed.

Sunday 10 December 2017

Gothenburg Training Camp - Where will we run?

For those wondering what sort of terrain we will be running through on the "GTC" in July, Johan sent a few pictures through from his training run yesterday in the fantastic SkatÃ¥s country park on the outskirts of Gothenburg, a place where I do much of my running when in Gothenburg with work. This may also help anyone still considering attending make up your mind (but do so quickly)! Johan wrote the following report to accompany the photos.

Skatås recreational area is part of the Delsjön nature reserve area, some 700-800 hectares in all. The length of the running tracks in Skatås is probably in the range of 100-150 k in total. In Tupp and Solvikingarna (the two club's the guys belong to) we usually run on the 8-20k tracks (the 8k is quite easy but is special as it has lights in the morning before daylight comes on) of which there are several with different grades of difficulties and challenges.

As you see on the photos is a mix of forest, lakes and a hill (Brudarebacken - to large extent an old waste tip). The running tracks includes everything from very well prepared to wet and slippery forest paths. It's just to choose. Some of the lakes are part of the water reservoir for Gothenburg. Normally the city tap water comes from the river (originating from the largest lake in Sweden Vänern) and stays a couple of days in some of the Delsjö lakes to sediment before going out in the pipes serving the city. Skatås was beautiful today (9th December) but will be even more beautiful in early July.

All the best
Johan





West District Cross Country Championships - Freezing but Fun

After a few year's absence, the West District XC returned to the firm and fast course at Irvine Bogside on Saturday. With a record total entry across all the District championships, Irvine played its part with a particularly large field for the senior and masters ladies' race. Calderglen continued the trend with a fine turn out from our ladies. With temperatures only just above freezing, the course was firm everywhere except for the usual place on the home straight. This was an excellent introductory, longer distance cross country race for many of our ladies, some of whom had made their cross country debuts earlier this season on the 4km relays at Hamilton Park Race Course. This time the distance was about 6.7km (2 laps of the course) over a mixture of firm grass, twisty narrow paths through the gorse covered dunes and up and down a couple of short, sharp hills.
Kay leads Emma on the start of lap 2 (photo by Gordon McInally)
Our leading ladies were Kay Conneff and Emma Craig, both of whom are relative newcomers to cross country running and get better and better with every race. After a fast initial start by Emma, Kay eased ahead as the race progressed but they remained close all the way to the finish with Kay finishing in 45th position overall and an excellent 5th F40 in 30:19 with Emma just behind in 47th in 30:24. Frances Ferguson was not that far behind and would have had the battle ahead in sight as she finished in 31:12 in 64th position and a fantastic 3rd F50. According to the official (provisional) results, Holly Rankin and Julie Thomson dead heated on the line in a time of 36:13, something that we don't see between Harriers very often in individual races! Lorraine Buchanan and Allison Johnston seemed to be smiling more than most out on the course (although Lorraine later claimed to hate it!) and through good pace judgement were working their way through the field as the race progressed. Lorraine finished in 39:04 and Allison in 39:32. All the ladies have progressed hugely since joining the Harriers and we expect to see this continue with every race.

The senior and masters men's field was not as large as I had expected, given the record overall entries, with just over 200. However, that was perhaps no bad thing as the dunes section of the course was very narrow and impossible to pass on so the fewer in the race the better! Winter colds had knocked out a few of the Harries entries but we still had an impressive 11 men lining up in vests and shorts on the day for the 3 lap, 10km course (accurately measured too according to the Garmins). The first 150m was wide open and great running before narrowing slightly between the first of the gorse sections followed by a sharp right turn. I decided to go quite fast for that first 150m to establish a position and then ease back for the narrow bit. What I hadn't noticed on the recce warm up lap was that there was a deep "crater" after about 100m. Both myself and one of the Cambuslang runners both found ourselves airborne at this crater with nothing under our feet and legs spinning cartoon style, which generated a bit of a laugh for both of us but fortunately we both stayed on our feet. By the time we reached the narrow part, the field was still quite bunched and all of a sudden we came virtually to a stop with some accidental pushing and shoving going on. It was at this point that Andy Buchanan decided to dart past me and the few in front of me to get a clearer run. I was happy to take a wee rest in the queue though! Thereafter the field thinned out and the running was good. Andy stayed about 5 to 20m in front of me for much of the race and I maintained a pretty constant pace. I noticed that Andy was fading on the third lap and coming back to me but when he spotted me on a tight turn, he spurted away again, a pattern that continued to the end. As we approached the bigger of the two hills for the last time, about 50m ahead, I spotted the Shettleston vest of one of the M50 runners selected ahead of me for the Scotland team (who I had beaten in the trial) and I decided I was having him. Andy was closing in on him too. I caught and passed him between the two hills and quickly stretched away, closing on Andy in the process. However, I had no intention of getting involved in a sprint finish with Andy, having seen it deployed at the Lanarkshire Road Relays, so was happy enough to run steady to the line (Andy did put in a bit of a sprint though). Andy finished in 38:30 in 80th position with me just behind in 81st (38:35) and 4th M50. I was nowhere near the first 3 M50's which was a bit disappointing but not surprising given my current form. When I saw the time, I thought the course must be short but looking at all the Garmin measured distances, it definitely wasn't short, so well done to Andy on a solid 10k time on the country.

The great thing about this course is that you occasionally got to see your club mates passing in the opposite direction at various sections in the middle of the course (and the race leaders too). I was thoroughly impressed with how strong all the Harriers looked when I saw them, holding good form and pulling gaps on those around them. Stephen Phimister is gradually getting his race fitness back and hinted that he is heading back to 40 minute (road) 10k form with a time of 42:58. Kenny Leinster continues to surprise himself with great form, the result of consistent training earlier in the year, despite a period of injury in the late Summer. Kenny finished in 45:15. Jim Holmes has been struggling for a while with various aches and pains and just wanted to get this final GP race of the year over with. Fortunately, although exhausting, cross country rarely aggravates aches and pains and Jim continued to the finish in 47:02. This was a rare individual race appearance for Geo Ferguson who was running very powerfully in the middle section of the course and must have been closing in on Jim at a rate of knots towards the end to finish in 47:23. This definitely establishes Geo as a fast to medium pace pack runner and probably ends his days of slipping out with the slower packs on training nights! Calderglen's battle of the titans was between Richard Lawton and Billy Buchanan. Billy took a tumble on the first of the narrow twisty bits but literally bounced back to his feet and eventually latched on to Richard. It came down to a sprint finish at the end, youth (in Calderglen terms) winning out, with Richard crossing the line in 48:42 and Billy in 48:45. Billy was second M65. Gordon McInally is not quite firing on all cylinders yet but did look strong when I saw him. Gordon finished in 51:24. John Boyd returned to his old stomping ground of Irvine and ran what was probably his first individual cross country (rather than relay or  trail) race. John finished in 52:44. Given that it was not so long ago that Russell was frightening the 1 hour mark for 10k's on the road, it is great to see Russell back in the mid-50's time wise. When I saw him on the course on my last lap, he was running very strongly and appeared to have John Boyd in sight. Russell finished in 54:18.

Well done to all the Harriers for representing the club so well. A big thanks to those who brought the tent through and set it up. It was much needed on a bitterly cold day. Also a huge thanks to winner of the home baking competition, Emma Craig. This is not a title she is likely to lose anytime soon if the last few races are anything to go by. There are plenty of photos on Facebook (Gordon and Frances at least) and Bobby Gavin via Scottish Athletics.
Alan

SVHC XMAS HANDICAP

Kay Conneff and Russell Couper made their way to Clydebank for the SVHC 5mile race. As we all know it was very cold but as we headed down the M77 into town the fog awaited us and stayed with us as we arrived in Clydebank. Minus 3 at the start with freezing fog in the air giving the impression it was snowing. Kay had a 30 minute handicap from the first runner with Russell starting at 23 minutes. After keeping warm in the car for as long as possible we headed out for a short warm up just before my start time giving Kay a little longer. With 5 runners off in front of me I was starting at the same time as another 2 runners but got my usual quick start to establish a gap hoping they would lose sight in the fog. By the turning point at 2.5m I had caught 1 but the other 4 were still a long way in front and I also shortly noticed the runner starting 1 minute behind me was only about 15 secs down so I was going to get caught. Not long on the return and you get to see all the others that are chasing and the approximate gap you still have and this also let me see Kay running as always with a smile beaming across her face and closing at a rate that could make it close by the end. 2miles to go and as expected I was caught and couldn't keep up. Eventually out of the fog I could see Willie Drysdale the 1st starter and quickly passed and with 0.5mile to go I caught another but never seen the 3 still in front till the end. I crossed the line with a scratch time of 42.23 only 4 secs over my prediction and winning the trophy for closest to the predicted time. After a quick recovery of breathing Kay came over the line just 41 secs behind me with a scratch time of 36.04. This was Kay's first SVHC run and she thoroughly enjoyed it. We then had a laugh when we noticed I had drops of ice hanging from the hairs on my legs. Back to the Sea Scouts hall for a few hot cups of coffee and cake and the prizegiving and raffle. The winner was Gillian McGale from Springburn Harriers (you may know her husband Tony who came on the Brampton bus a few years ago) with a scratch time of 39.06 and the fastest runner of the day was Neil Robbins from Hamilton Harriers 30.36. Agood day despite the cold.

Thursday 7 December 2017

WEST DISTRICT XC ( IRVINE ) INSTRUCTIONS

This years West District XC will be held in Irvine on the 9th Dec.
Race is 6.4k for Ladies and 10k for men.
Start times are 13.00 for Ladies and 14.00 for men.
Cost is £6.50 per athlete and should be paid in advance.
I need names by Thursday 23rd Nov.
If you wish entered please leave your name HERE.
Those already registered are listed HERE.

Some are leaving from the club at 10.45am so if you need a lift or wish to travel together be there for this time. I wish Ladies to be at the course for midday and the men by 13.00. I will pick up the numbers and be at the course.

Tuesday 5 December 2017

Christmas Handicap 2017 -

The Christmas handicap was another fun run in good weather with great support from the harriers friends and families. There was a fantastic turn out from the Harriers with a wide range of costumes from flying ladybirds to cheerleaders with the odd superhero and a large compliment of elves.
The winner was Neil Green in his 118 outfit. Neil wins the trophy to keep for the coming year. Martin Duthie was second, crossing the line together with Neil. The Geisha girl Marion O'Connor finished in third place.
The Harriers will be aware that Martin Duthie makes an annual award of £100 divided between the 1st three runners to give to charity.
Thanks go from all the Harriers to Martin for his kind donation.
Kenny
(ps - we need some better photos than this suspicious pair! Please e-mail them to Alan if you have any).

Thanks to Liz Simpson for the fantastic set of photos in this album.
Click here for results

Note that Richard's time should be 28:45 & Stephen Phimister 27:04.