Great Scottish Run

Last weekend an estimated 30,000 runners took part in the various events that make up the Great Scottish Run from the junior and family races on the Saturday to the 10k and half marathon on the Sunday.
I have no personal knowledge of any harriers' participation on Saturday, although Richard may know more, but a very impressive total of 19 harriers competed in the two races the following day.
Leading harrier in the 10k was Chris McCarron continuing his current fine form in a time of 40.12 followed closely by Ian Hughes in 40.22. The oustanding Calderglen performance of the weekend however was by the evergreen Charlie McDougall who came home in 45.57 to win the M70-74 category having only officially entered his new age group that very day. Many happy returns of the day to you Charlie and what a way to celebrate the occasion! I do have to report however that his wife was heard to exclaim the following day that she will not be accompanying him to races in the future as he gets far too grumpy beforehand for her liking. I've got news for you Rebecca - we all get like that!
Jim very kindly offered to give me a lift into town and promptly got lost on the 'B' roads nearest to his house, however we eventually reached the east end with time to spare. (I may suggest taking the train next time!). Speaking of the railway Martin Howell had to sprint across the car park at Hairmyres station to make it onto the train before the doors closed having had no choice but to hope that the parking charges didn't apply on a Sunday - he was most relieved when Graham Ramage (finally running a race he'd entered!) assured him they didn't.

The hordes making their way up St. Vincent street

Leading harrier on the day was Kevin Farmer in 1.20.23 while Martin continued along his sprinting vein to come home in an excellent 1.33.04 (won't break 1.40 indeed!) Next home was Kay Conneff in 1.37.56 closely followed by Jim Holmes, one of three runners running their 26th Glasgow half, in a superb 1.38.30 chased by the ever-faster Richard Lawton in yet another pb of 1.39.16. Jim Mearns then led in a tightly-bunched trio in an OCD-pleasing time of 1.42.00 just ahead of Paul Rooney in 1.43.32 and Kirsty Wilson in 1.44.01. A rather large gap then ensued until I finished, also my 26th, in a very pleasing 1.55.50 having surprised myself by running sub-9 minute-miling all the way (apart from mile 6, due to a 'comfort break' in Pollok Park). I hadn't felt very well since the TTC so was absolutely delighted with my consistency and strength. Another gap until John Boyd came home 2.01.46 followed by the other John, McBride, in 2.05.31. Not all that far behind were Alison Crooks in 2.06.01 and Chas Steven in 2.08.28. Allison Johnston was next to finish in 2.10.25 ahead of Holly Rankin in 2.14.29 and Monica Houston in 2.18.55.

Some happy harriers, and others, after the finish

Other folk running that many of you will know were Joey Shields in a superb 1.36.48, another of the '26' club, Davie Wardrope, who finished in 1.41.24, Graham Ramage in 1.49.19 and ATHelite triathlon club member Derek Boyd in 1.53.09. Have only just remembered, five days after the event, that Colin Jarvie also ran, coming home in 1.51.50 - sorry Colin!

As most of you will already know the men's winner was defending champion Chris Thompson in 62.07 with Giffnock North's Luke Traynor giving him a run for his money for the first few miles before eventually finishing third in a time of 62.56, taking the Scottish half marathon championship title along the way and pushing double Commonwealth marathon gold medallist Mike Shelley of Australia into fourth place. We'll have to wait at least another year to see someone attempt that famous double again - Calderglen trail 10k and the GSR. Another male finisher of note was Derek Rae of Fife AC, the lad who runs with his right arm in a sling as a result of a motorbike accident eight years ago, who broke the seventy minute barrier for the first time, coming home in 1.09.25. Twice runner-up in our trail race 10k, Neil Renault of Edinburgh AC, crossed the line not far behind Derek in 1.10.32.

The men's top three

The female winner was 2015 World marathon champion and Rio Olympic bronze medallist Mare Dibaba of Ethiopia in 1.09.15 followed by 2017 World champion Rose Chelimo of Kenya/Bahrain (the less said about that nonsense the better) in 1.10.07.

The women's top three 

And just to cap off a great day there was even a proposal on the finish line...

Apparently she said yes!