Pub Run - Dry and Balmy

31 Harriers and friends braved the dark streets of East Kilbride for our annual Pub Run. An approximately 7 mile circular route was planned around 6 bars/pubs starting and finishing at the Sports Club. Head torches and hi-viz gear were to the fore although there were also a few Ninja Harriers in almost complete black outfits who hadn't read the safety briefing! It was unseasonably warm though with temperatures nudging double figures so the need for running jackets was marginal.

As always, the evening becomes a bit of a blur to most as the miles tick by (or could it be due to the pubs rather than the miles). However, I can report that all were having a good time although unfortunately one heavy fall in a poorly lit section of footpath sidelined one of our closely grouped pack early on.

Once again our arrival at some of the venues was met with incredulous looks from the regular clientele as we provided an unexpected boost to the night's takings and a sudden spike in temperature and humidity! Fortunately we had a highly capable team of three taking the strain of driving ahead and getting the drinks orders in so all we had to do was run and drink. So a huge thanks to Frances, Davie and Hannah for volunteering for that high stress task. When all the running was done and we arrived back at the Sports Club (there may still have been some drinking to be done though) we were extremely grateful to Alison Searil for organising pizzas to soak up some of the liquid consumed over the preceding 3 hours. And so another very successful and well attended Harriers Pub Run rounds off 2019.

Happy New Year and here is to  another great year of Harriers in action!
Alan

A Blast from the Past!

Many years ago, when we first started the Harriers web site (around about 2000/2001), I had put together a searchable database of Harriers' race results, compiled mainly from Grand Prix races but also including a few others. With several changes of web hosting providers in the intervening years the technology behind that old database became obsolete and no longer worked. However, I have now resurrected the data from the old database and re-formatted it into a searchable Google Sheet. The data cover races from approximately 1992 to 2002. Makes for some interesting reading. Use the drop down lists in the yellow cells to select the race and/or the person (you can leave either blank if you want to see everyone for a specific race or all races for a specific person). Here is the link:

Harriers Race Results Archive 1992 to 2002

If more than one person is accessing the spreadsheet at a time, it may go a bit haywire but you can't break it, so play away. If there is any interest, I will merge in all the race results from Grand Prix races from 2002 to the present day, all of which I have archived.

Alan

Turkey Trot 2019

I headed down the M77 on Boxing Day as I usually do at this time of year but this time the trip would be a little different from any of the ten previous Turkey Trots I've done in Ayr. For one thing I deviated off route slightly to collect Ruth from Kilmarnock as she was to be my minder for the duration, I don't think Alison would have let me out the door otherwise. The main difference of course was that it would be my first proper 'race', ten weeks and six days after the events at the West District XC.

I don't mind admitting I was a wee bit concerned myself, tossing and turning most of the night before - all part of the recovery process of course, like fitness, confidence in my heart will only come back gradually. On arrival at the seaside, aka the Citadel car park, I was told I could now open a Christmas present which Santa Claus, aka Jim, had left on my doorstep on Christmas Eve with the mysterious instruction 'not to be opened until you see Ruth on Thursday'. If you haven't guessed already they, Ruth and Jim, had arranged, with Russell's co-operation, for me to have a new club vest for my comeback race- nice one guys, thank you from the bottom of my...

Having arrived in plenty of time we stayed in the hall watching a few youngsters running around burning off all their excess festive energy until it was time to brave the cold and go for a warm up run which did seem a bit pointless given the pace I intended running but the importance of both warming up and cooling down has been emphasised constantly by my cardio physio (a sub-2:50 marathon runner himself) so who am I to argue?

After a lot of head-scratching we finally remembered that we last lined up together on a 5k start line at Troon way back on the 5th of January this year on the occasion of Kevin's first-ever parkrun so as well as keeping a close eye on me Ruth would have to take care of herself, being a wee bit rusty over such a short distance.

My 'escort' had instructed me to set the pace and so I tried to replicate the speed I have been doing on the Hairmyres treadmill recently and thought I did so quite well until I checked Garmin much later, see below.

Clearly steady isn't yet in my racing vocabulary, some work required

The wee spike towards the end was the result of a deliberate speeding up to get past one of the afore-mentioned kids who should have kept some of that energy he wasted earlier as we took him down!

Boy and (gran?)dad look askance at being overtaken

I had suggested earlier to Ruth that she shove another kid over the sea wall to keep him out of our way, knowing it would be a soft landing on the other side - she declined for some reason...

As we overtook a couple of ladies dressed head to toe in Christmas gear one spoke to Ruth and it turned out they knew each other from walking their dogs. I was amused to hear the introductions being made using the dog's names as they didn't know each other's!

Finn's mum, I believe, on the right

We came home together in 75th and 76th positions, respectively, in 30.19. I'm not quite sure why Ruth was the leading harrier, maybe she dipped her antlers on the line! It turned out we had run at 9.8 kph, well faster than anything I've done so far and although I've run further this was my longest continuous distance post-heart attack. Ruth declared herself 'over the moon with that' but I strongly suspect she was being kind as I know she's capable of much faster. The winners were Reuben McDonald in 16.21 with Giffnock North club mate Cameron Green (cheered home by dad Neil) in second place gaining yet another pb, in a time of 16.30 - well done young Mr G. Hannah Terrance of Springburn Harriers was first female in 18.36. There were 116 finishers and 2 dnfs.

I completely forgot the cool down as we posed for pictures instead...

The later 10k was won by Alasdair Campbell of Cambuslang Harriers in 31.43 and Jill Smylie of Giffnock North in 39.06.

Ian flying

Our own Ian Hughes ran 39.40 for 28th place and Russell was 149th in 52.58, there were 235 finishers with 1 dnf. 

Russell finishing strongly

Very strangely a David Searle also ran the 10k in 44.42 for 67th place, even my namesake is way faster than me although in my defence he is apparently an MV40. Can I now claim to have run the 5/10k double again? Two David Searils, there's only two David Searles, two...

Earlier we had noticed the touching image of a young lad leading his blind dad through the hall at registration little realising that he would go on to lead him through the race too, lovely.

All pictures are by Kenny Girvan except the one after the race in the car park.
Here's a link to some more pictures from the day TT2019

The Pub Run

Remember that the annual Harriers' Pub Run is tomorrow, Friday 27th December, leaving the Sports Club at 6pm sharp!

Please come up early so that we can gather drinks orders and collect the kitty. Its a slightly different sequence of pubs this year so please be on time so you can find out exactly where we are going (I actually don't know yet).

Safety is our top priority, so please wear high viz and bring head torches. As we are in and out of pubs along the route and will be going from hot to cold, make sure you are layered up and can strip down a bit whilst in the warm pubs and wrap up again when out on the road. Have a change of clothes ready for after the "final" drink in the Sports Club.
Alan

GAA Cross Country Sessions

The next in this year's series of cross country training sessions hosted by Glasgow Athletic Association is at Bella Houston Park on 28th December starting at 1030 sharp. Details https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/glasgow-xc-session-on-december-28/

Alan

Grant McLullich Sports Therapy Harriers' Prices

Note that Grant will be increasing his prices from 4th January 2020 to £40. However Calderglen Harriers are still receiving a £5 discount per session so we will pay £35.

Up to 21st December 2019 it is still £32.

Richard

Tuesday and Wednesday Volunteer Rotas

As discussed at the AGM, online volunteer rotas have been added to the senior and junior blogs. See the links at the very top left of the blog alongside the Home and race entries links. The idea is that anyone who has time available to help out the Tuesday and Wednesday coaches can leave their name against the date or dates they can help. Then Richard, John, Mark and Eddie can plan the session in advance knowing they will have some help.

Let's see how it goes. 

Alan

Christmas Greetings from NZ

Wishing all at Calderglen Harriers a happy, healthy and relaxing Christmas. I hope the New Year bring success and injury free running.

Costume no Handicap to Caveman Chris

A well dressed (up) group of Harriers gathered this morning for the annual festive handicap. Due to the on-going roadworks at the main entrance, the course was shortened from its usual 4 miles to just under 3 miles (4.6km to be precise), taking in the Tor Trail rather than exiting on to the Strathaven Road. 5 laps of the testing trail was just fine for the runners and supporters on a morning of sunshine and showers.

We were all glad to see Davie Searil making a return to running, having been cleared to start back gently through the week. Davie had the honour of being set off first in his easy access Harriers vest but was under strict instructions to stop after two laps and to walk the uphills, which he did. Making his debut on the event, Colin Banks should have been flying in his air force overalls but instead made steady progress around the course to finish in 29:02. Anne McLellan started off with big hair but shed that after a lap as visibility was becoming a problem. Anne finished in 29:42. Ever the gentleman, Andy Henderson was also an officer for today, smartly dressed in white but handicapped by the absence of a belt meaning a one armed running style whilst the other hand kept his trousers up. Andy finished in 27:28. Russell Couper is working his way through the super heroes and although we thought he had shot his bolt with a seemingly fast start, ran a well paced race, almost winning but being caught on the final lap to finish in 26:29. No one gave Billy Buchanan a ghost of a chance but he still managed to spirit himself around the course in 26:02. Gordon McInally has done this event a pharoh few times and is always there or there abouts and today finished in 24:53. Not content with having run the juniors race at 10am, Kai Wheeler was naturally our youngest runner and completed the tricky course in 24:18. Marrion O'Connor always runs well on this one and made cat-like progress around the trail to finish in 23:29. Jim Holmes thought that there were not enough Hills on the course and so Jim met Harry which resulted in 23:02. Kevin Farmer's prayers were answered with a problem free run, finishing in 21:51.

With the excitement building the last lap was where it was all change at the front. With Russell starting the last lap with a gap to Gordon and apparently big gaps behind, it looked like Russell might have it in the bag. This is one of the few Harriers' events that Allan McLellan has not won. A new injury earlier in the week made today just a get around effort except that the further Allan got into the race, the better he felt. With 100m to go, it looked like Allan might just win but even the pointy hat couldn't quite get across the line in front of a fast finishing Chris McCarron who had started so far behind the rest of the field he was almost in the stone-age but managed to pass everyone to dip Allan on the line. Allan ran a fine 21:44 with Chris crossing the line in 19:50, our only sub-20 run of the day. With no need for any Dastardly short-cuts, Martin Duthie brought Muttley to the line in third place with a time of 20:39 and second fastest time of the day.

The winners were delighted to be able to nominate a charity to receive the donations generously provided by the Duthie family. Refreshments, mince pies and the lucky dip prize giving for all rounded off the day. Thanks to John McIntyre for the official photography (look out in the EK News in the coming weeks) and Frances for the unofficial photographs which will be published here shortly. A hardy few spectators cheered the runners on and thoroughly enjoyed the new, shorter lap which provided the opportunity to cheer and warm the hands up more frequently than the old, long lap!

The "official" times and lap splits are here.

Alan

Harriers Handicap

Final details of the annual senior Harriers handicap are as follows (see the Junior Blog for details of the Junior handicap).

The event is tomorrow, Sunday 15th December.
Intention is to start the first runner off at 1100 from outside the sports club. Thereafter runners will be set off at intervals. Come up early to get changed into fancy dress.

As always, all finishers who bring a prize (approx £5 value) will be able to draw a prize at the end. A final course inspection tomorrow morning will be used to confirm the route. Total distance will be about 4 miles consisting of multiple laps. Due to the narrow entrance to the Sports Club caused by the road construction works, we most likely will come through the Torr Trail rather than out on the Strathaven Road. If anyone is able to come up and help marshal the exit from the Torr Trail to keep our runners safe, that would be appreciated.
Alan

Facilitating Team Entries for Future Team Events

Following feedback received at the AGM, a few changes have been made to the blog to give members more advance notice of future events at which we should have a large team presence and to register your availability. The changes are as follows:

1. the blog has been reconfigured such that it will default to full web view, even when viewed on a mobile device. Previously the blog would automatically display in a simplified mobile view if viewed on a mobile device and in that view the Calderglen Events and Training calendar widget would not be visible.
2. at the top of the blog there are now two links:
1. Home - Posts: this is the standard view where you can see all the usual posts.
2. Entries for Future Events - this is a fixed page containing a link to all the Calderglen team entry forms for future events we know about. This gives you as much advance notice as we have and allows you to leave your name and get the event into your diary well ahead. Blog posts specific to each event will still follow on the Blog Home page as we find out all the details.

Please let me know if you have problems with any of the new features on your specific devices.
Alan

Devil's Burdens Hill Relay 2020

The Devil's Burdens Hill Relay takes place on 25th January through in the vicinity of Falkland, Fife. This is a 4 stage relay with 6 people in the team. Legs 2 and 3 require pairs of runners as there are significant navigational challenges (ask Kenny), particularly if the weather and visibility is bad. Teams can be mixed male/female. It is pretty much a full day out (or longer!).

The running is tough going and is mainly full-on hill running on open terrain. Slight lack of detail on the Fife AC web site at the moment other than the date. However, check this web link for further updates on the details as and when they become available. There may be changes to some of the routes compared to last or earlier years.

Please leave your name here if you would like to be included in a team. It is highly recommended that you also attend a recce of the difficult sections of the course which will take the form of a day out with a lot of running a weekend or two before the race (Saturday or Sunday to be decided). Possible recce dates are on the web entry form above. The recce is highly recommended (ask Billy). We may have to be a little bit selective in terms of pairing up runners to ensure safety and good matching of runners.

Names received so far are here. We shall make arrangements for the recce early in the New Year.
Alan

NATIONAL XC CHAMPIONSHIP (Grand Prix)

This years event will again be in Falkirk on Sat 22nd Feb.
Its 10k for both Ladies and Men.
Provisional times are 13.00 for Ladies and 14.50 for Men.
Cost TBC
I will need names by Tuesday 4th Feb
If you wish entered please leave your name HERE.
Those already registered are listed HERE.

SVHC MASTERS RELAYS

The SVHC will be holding the Masters road relays at Strathclyde Park on Sunday 26th January.
Start time is 11.00am and consists of 1 lap of the park.
Anyone over the age of 35 on the day can take part.
Teams are 3 for Ladies and 4 for Men.
Cost is £7.50 each and should be paid in advance.
I need names by Tuesday 14th Jan.
If you wish entered please leave your name HERE.
Those registered are listed HERE.

Our numbers have dropped in this event in recent years. Lets try and get loads of teams out there.

MASTERS XC CHAMPIONSHIP

This seasons Masters xc championship will take place in Johnstone on Sat 8th Feb.
Its 6k for Ladies and M65 and 8k for Men.
This is for 40 and over on the day.
Ladies race at 13.45 and Men at 14.30.
Cost TBC
I need names by Tuesday 21st Jan.
If you wish entered please leave your name HERE.
Those already registered are listed HERE.

Club Captains and Vice-Captains

A motion in writing was presented and adopted at the AGM on Thursday to establish Club Captain and Vice-Captain roles for the men and ladies. The captains and vice-captains will work together to ensure that Calderglen maximises its participation in team events, particularly county, district and national championships and they will select the teams and running order for relays. The winners of the preceding season's Club Championship and Grand Prix are the Captain and Vice-Captain respectively.

This year your captains are Alison Lessells and Andrew Buchanan and the vice-captains are Lorraine Buchanan and Russell Couper. Please give all four your full support when they come to get you!!
Alan

Club Captain - Alison Lessells

Club Vice-Captain - Lorraine Buchanan

Club Captain - Andrew Buchanan

Club Vice-Captain - Russell Couper

Wet Wet West!

Alison and Lorraine embedded in the uphill charge.

The great thing about the District championship events is that they move about from year to year bringing up new challenges and always a great level of competition. This Saturday we made the short trip to Balloch Castle Country Park on the banks of Loch Lomond. Conditions on arrival were merely slightly damp but rapidly deteriorated to full on monsoon conditions. Were it not for the efforts of Kenny and Jim bringing through the club tent, we would have been drier in Loch Lomond.

A quick look at the setting for the event confirmed that this was a "proper" cross country course with severe elevation changes and twists and turns spread out over a 4k lap, which the men and women would complete twice, with a 250m uphill lead-in to the lap and the same steep 250m descent providing a very fast finish for the brave and a total race distance of 8.5 km.

Alison early on and remarkably mud-free

Newly appointed club captain and vice-captain Alison Lessells and Lorraine Buchanan were our only two ladies out today. Lorraine thought this would be her first "real" cross-country experience given the conditions whilst Alison would be using this as a wind down to an already busy Saturday spent at a Christmas Fair. After a congested charge up the hill towards the castle, the field spread out a bit which was just as well as a good view of where to put your feet was needed as the course rapidly turned into a quagmire. The photos don't do the severity of the slopes justice. This course was a real test, especially as parts of the course traversed the slopes which was a recipe for lots of slips and falls. Lorraine had one such slip but managed to bounce off another runner which kept her on her feet. Alison almost made it all the way around unscathed until sprinting down the final hill to the finish her feet slid from under her and down she went sliding down the hill. As Alison said, this turned out to be faster than actually running down the hill as the girl she was head to head with did not get past during the fall! Lorraine also unleashed the trademark Buchanan sprint at the end showing fine form as she sprinted for the line. The finishing times were 46:12 and 51:51 respectively. Well done both!

Lorraine sprints to the line.

Despite the conditions, almost 300 lined up for the start of the men's race, including 6 Harriers. Newly appointed club captain and vice-captain Andrew Buchanan and Russell Couper were joined by Kevin Farmer, Jim Holmes, David Wardrope and Kenny Leinster. The men had somewhat reluctantly left the relative comfort of the tent to do their warm ups in torrential rain and were already pretty wet by the time of their race. Alison and Lorraine passed on last minute words of advice about under foot conditions and particularly about the risk of slipping traversing the adverse cambers. Russell in particular relished the conditions and claimed that he was a "camber expert" and would probably be in with a shout of winning the race if everyone else fell. And so the men made their way to the relative warmth of the huddled field on the start line.

Andrew stretches away from a group

After the initial charge to the top of the hill, the runners veered right and then disappeared from spectator view for 10 minutes or so. By the time the field came back into view it was obvious the conditions were tricky as there were  runners covered from head to foot (quite literally) in mud. Andrew was our clear leading Harrier and running strongly as always.

Kevin makes a welcome return to racing

Kevin was initially our second Harrier but had a bit of an issue somewhere on the first lap and had dropped back to 5th. Jim, Kenny and David remained pretty close to each other and in that order for most of the race although David had a bit of a slip and took it cautiously to the finish as he has the Malaga Marathon next weekend (probably not very similar conditions to Balloch!). Russell was slogging around the course and looking incredibly muddy. He later told us that he had fallen 5 times on the first lap, so even the camber expert found it difficult.

Jim stretching away from Kenny

Kenny flying!

Andrew was our first Harrier in 38:59, with an ideal finish to use his sprinting ability on. It was then a surprise to see that Kenny had not only caught and passed Jim but was sprinting in fine form away from Kevin to finish as second Harrier in 45:50. Kenny is ace on descents in hill races and that sure footedness was a perfect skill to have at the end of this course. Kevin had recovered from his earlier problems and finished very strongly at the end to get all the way onto Kenny's tail, finishing in 45:52. Jim also mustered a fast finish, crossing the line in 46:31 and admitted to be glad that the race distance had dropped down from its usual 10k to 8.5k (I think everyone was glad of that, including the spectators). David was next in, completing his final hard run before the marathon in 50:30. A very muddy Russell finished strongly carrying a tonne of mud across the line in 54:11. Well done to all for  a fine effort that will have done wonders for strength development.

David cruises across one of the drier bits of the course

Earlier in the day, Ben Buchanan had been our only competitor in the U13 boys race, finishing in 15:52, getting the Buchanan family and Calderglen off to a great start. Well done Ben.

Russell on one of the steepest ascents

After rapidly packing away the tent, we were off home at the end of another memorable West District XC. A big thanks to the guys for bringing the tent and to Kevin's dad for joining me in the spectating duties.

A load of my wishy washy photographs are in this album.
Alan

Presidential Prizes!

At last Thursday's AGM Anne McLellan was elected as the club president as Kenny Leinster stood down after a very active 4 or 5 years in the role. Anne was straight down to business, presenting the final set of prizes to those prize winners not at Brampton to receive them. Performance awards were won by Gerry McParland, Frances Ferguson and Julie Beveridge, whilst Julie stayed on the floor to pick up her prize for the Grand Prix along with Richard Lawton. Well done to all.
Alan

WEST DISTRICT XC

This Saturday were off to Balloch Castle country park.
The Ladies start at 13.15 and the men at 14.15.
Kenny and Jim are leaving from the Sports club at 11.30am if anyone wants to travel together.
Can I ask everyone to be there for 12.30.
I will pick up the numbers and be on the course.

Russell

Brampton Video

Thanks to Martin for forwarding the link to this video at the start of the hill at about 3 miles. Looks like the whole field is covered. Interesting to see what sub-5 minute miling looks like when you watch the leaders going through.
Alan

Brampton 2019 - All's well that ends well!

Most of the Harriers

On a very chilly Sunday morning, (most of) the Harriers obeyed the instructions and were gathered at the Sports Club by 8am to board the bus. Only problem was the bus was not there due to an accident blocking the M74 temporarily. After about an hour of waiting (by which time we had moved out to the "speedy boarding queue" on the Strathaven Road) the bus arrived and we were off. In any case, the nervous tension induced by the lack of a bus was a fine substitute for an extended warm-up on arrival at Brampton.

Speedy boarding queue

Round about 11am we arrived in Brampton for an 11:30 race start. A few had yet to collect their numbers and the toilet queues were well developed, so the pressure was on. Everyone found some time for a short warm-up along the country lane and most managed to join the team photo. By this time we had also lost another runner as Eddie's iffy hamstring had not passed the warm-up test. So Eddie joined Chris McCarron, Davie Searil and I on the bus which departed Brampton shortly before the race start and headed to our usual parking space behind The Turf in Carlisle. This would definitely be a well photographed Brampton as we were all equipped with cameras.

Andrew Buchanan in the clear

In what seemed like a very short time after arrival, the race winner flew across the bridge in an excellent time of 47:24, closely followed by second placed runner in 47:45 and a couple of minutes later the third placed runner in 49:41. With the first three under 50 minutes this a sign that the standard of British road racing is returning to the levels of many years gone by. Indeed, the first 75 runners in the race were under the hour, confirming the very high standard and good conditions.

The usual Ian Hughes pose

As we walked against the flow to our various photo positions the first Harrier appeared, Andrew Buchanan having a good run on legs still a bit tired from the York Marathon. Andy crossed the line in 64:53, a good bit faster than last year and just missing out on an M35 performance award. Ian Hughes has made a dramatic return to form since the Summer and this is down to his own very hard work in training. Ian finished in 65:04 achieving an M50 bronze performance standard. Also reaping the benefit of some consistent miles in the legs, Martin Howell finished well in 68:58, having been annoyed most of the way by a runner who persistently cut in front of him only to slow down (my solution to that is to accidentally clip their heels; they give you plenty of room after that). This was 2 or 3 minutes faster than Martin's last time here in 2015.

Karen flying.

Karen Allen continues to improve with every race and is getting back towards her best form of a few years ago. This year Karen was 4th Harrier to finish and our first lady, crossing the line in 70:15 and earning a bronze performance award in the process. Karen was also 10th L35. This was Karen's second fastest time ever at Brampton.  Exactly one minute later, Kirsty Wilson completed a fine run with a 10 mile best time of 71:15.

Jim Holmes absorbed the competitive pressure applied by our Club President in the lead up to the race and was heard to say "what race" on finishing in a time of 71:33.

Kirsty starts the descent

David Wardrope made a welcome return to Brampton in Harriers colours and bettered his previous course best from 2011, finishing in 72:29. Kenny Leinster is also in recovery mode after the York Marathon and needs to start building strength, speed and fitness again. However, despite not being too happy with his run, Kenny still achieved an M60 bronze performance standard, finishing in 72:48. Kenny was 11th M60.

Alison Lessells was our third lady to finish in a time of 74:47, faster than each of her previous two runs here as Alison also returns to form. The first of our serial Brampton runners, Gerry Mullen was next in. With well over 30 Brampton's behind him, there is not a mile of this route that Gerry is not familiar with. That knowledge enabled Gerry to pace his effort well and to pull away from Geo Ferguson in the final half mile, finishing in 78:12 with Geo close behind in 78:22.

Billy has time for a wave.

Billy Buchanan has put the effort in recently and reaped the rewards with third place in the M65 category in a time of 78:50 which also equates to a bronze performance standard. This was a good 5 minutes faster than last year. Billy is Back! Gordon McInally was on Billy's tail for the whole race and kept him in sight as he finished in 78:59, also taking minutes off last year's time. It was good to see Andy Henderson able to do the race as this was Andy's 30th Brampton to Carlisle race. Andy was 6th in the M65 category in a time of 80:04 and also hit the bronze performance standard level. Lorraine Buchanan completed our set of Buchanan's running today with a time of 82:11, reflecting tired legs not fully recovered from the York Marathon. Making her first appearance at Brampton, Claire McSorley will continue to improve with race experience. Claire had a solid first run at this unusual race distance, crossing the line in 83:20. Julie Thomson continues to make steady progress, once again smashing her 10 mile best with a time of 83:44. Confirming his return to form, Russell Couper recorded his best time since 2011, finishing in 89:03, despite also having a dodgy hamstring. Finally, maintaining a consecutive streak that started in 1985, Chas ran steadily to finish in a comfortable 95:53.

Marion almost missed

Almost sneaking out of this report in the same way she almost sneaked past the photographer by not having a Harriers vest, Marion O'Connor was a highly impressive first F60, finishing in 70:54. This would have been a comfortable F55 gold standard let alone an F60 standard (whthe precise times for which still need to be derived). Well done Marion and lets hope Gordon buys you a Harriers membership for Christmas!

An impressive 689 runners completed the race and the quality remained high despite the North of England 10 mile championship taking place in Preston that same weekend. Plenty of Scottish clubs were in evidence too.

The day then progressed to "The Turf" for rehydration and merriment for a few hours before we left for dinner at the Star Hotel in Moffat. After dinner the annual PB, performance, grand prix and club championship awards were made. It was nice to see a wide range of Harriers receiving awards this year at the end of a very competitive season.The extensive albums of photos from Davie Searil and me contain photos of all the award winners and the race action.

Not Strictly but Russell is in the prizes

Thanks to Eddie, Russell, Gerry and Chas for making all the arrangements on a perfect day of running. Lets try to get the numbers back up to the usual levels for next year though as the bus wasn't even half full and we had our lowest number of Harriers since the year 2000. You can pretty much put the second or third Sunday in November in your diary now as that is when it is likely to be!
Alan

South By Five

For anyone, like me, still missing the Southside Six a new series of races has been announced covering all six of the Glasgow parks which were involved - even following the same order they were raced in.
Better get your entries in soon as the first is a fortnight on Sunday. It's in my diary for 2021!
South By Five
Not sure why five is in the title when there are six parks/races...

Brampton Statistics

For the 36th year in a row, Calderglen Harriers are off to the Brampton to Carlisle 10 mile road race. Check out our database of Harriers' times at Brampton using this link.

Use the "Filter" button to find yourself or specific years or gender results. Note that in 2009 the course was flooded so the route was shortened to about 9 miles. For the first few years (1984/85), we did not have times, just a list of names.
Alan

BRAMPTON FINAL DETAILS

Just a short note for Sunday.
The bus leaves at 8.00am prompt
Don't be late the bus will leave at this time.
Bring something to eat and drink with you as were going straight to Brampton.

CALDERGLEN HARRIERS AGM

This years AGM will be held on Thursday 5th December at 8pm.
If you wish a short run before it will be at 7pm for all.
Any motions in writing to Frances Ferguson.

Attendances in recent years have been quite poor, can I urge everyone to make an extra effort to come along. This is your club help to shape its future.

NATIONAL SHORT COURSE XC

Lorraine and I along with Ben, Charlotte and Jackson took the trip to the east coast to run in the National short course XC.

Lorraine and I had both ran this course before and remembering it being fast and a dry course, that dry that last year the Marshall’s were wetting the course, and we both hoped for a quick time on the day.

Lorraine in the mix.

Last time at Kirkcaldy Lorraine had the chance to race against Laura Muir and this time it was my chance to race against a couple of Olympians as both Callum Hawkins and Andy Butchart were expected to race. However, unfortunately for me and the other male athletes and spectators  Hawkins had heard I was racing and pulled out therefore I only had to take down one Olympian, I jest.

The morning of the race was quite frosty and we both thought this would be the case for the race giving us a better chance of us getting our quick time, however after meeting Russell in the car park and the 6 of us walking across the field to the start we soon found out that whatever frost had hit the east coast it was well and truly thawed out by the time we got there and  the course was actually wet in places.

Charlotte, Ben & Jackson
with Derek Hawkins

Lorraine was the only female harrier running on the day and felt under a bit of pressure to give a good performance. As Lorraine got to the start line the course had started to cut up after the U15 and U17 races, this was going to be a new experience for Lorraine as she had predominantly ran XC races in relatively dry conditions with the recent exception of the Cumbernauld Relay. The gun went off and the ladies were stampeding up the comparative incline on the first lap and in to a windy section of the course at the top of the hill. Lorraine ran her first lap slightly too quick by her own admission after finding herself only 3 rows from the front on the starting line however relaxed in to the second lap and kept within a good pack for the next section. Coming into the final section of the course along the road side and by the football pitch Lorraine began to make her way through this pack taking a few places and with the encouragement of our male Harriers, Frances, Charlotte, Ben and Jackson Lorraine had a storming finish completing the course in 20min 37sec almost a 2min course PB.

Up next were the male Athletes, I had been away doing my own warm up, on the start line trying to psych out Butchart and then met with Jim, Russell, Gordon, Kenny, David and we wished each other good luck as we took our positions. I found myself about 4 rows from the front which is where I wanted to be as I planned to run conservatively on the first lap and not get carried away with the occasion.

Andrew mud plugging at speed

Charging up the hill it was hard to tell if I was over taking or being over took or running to quick as it was a tight squeeze with everyone jockeying for a position, the top of the hill was a quagmire with runners going wide in this section, I opted to plod right through this in proper XC style.

Andy Butchart showing a clean pair of heels

Going down the hill I was beginning to take places and opted to put in a burst on this section. A wee turn back up the hill and back down I was encouraged by former Harrier Neil Green who was spectating, I was feeling great by this point and made sure that no one was passing me today. I legged it to the next section where the course was parallel to the road and again was well and truly cut up, the spikes were doing their best to keep me level as I plunged through this muddy section taking 4 or 5 runners.

Jim who was under constant pressure from Kenny

Round to the end of the first lap and I was encouraged by our entourage to, “get them on the flat!” which I truly did and was feeling great! So great in fact as I ran up the hill I took over a few more runners. Back to the top of the hill and through the quagmire once more,  a Metro Aberdeen runner was ahead, he was my focal point and I duly over took him. Down the hill, round the bend and back up before heading down again over taking a West End Road Runner and I had an EKAC runner in my sights. Heading down to the road the EKAC runner was within striking distance and I took him along this muddy section.

Kenny makes his bid for glory

By this point there were quite a few runners who had been in a relatively tight pack up ahead, as I crossed on to the last section of the course near the football pitches I thought, “ I’m having them!” I ran past a few and an unknown runner tried to keep with me, I could see him on my shoulder I knew I had to kick hard, with the last 250m to go and my now patent grunts and screams of agony I shook him off and took another runner before the line almost catching a 2^nd and 3^rd runner finishing in a time of 15min 53 sec.

David making the most of his spikes

I love running X country and really wasn’t bothered about what time or position I came in all I wanted to do was put in a good performance and run through the mud.

Russell moving well

The national and district races are great events and I can’t think of any other sport where as an amateur you get to rub shoulders and compete with some of the best athletes in the world.

Gordon keeps the pressure on Russell

Jackson race ready

The Finishing times are as follows according to the Scottish Athletics Provisional Results;

Lorraine Buchanan 20min .37 sec.

Andrew Buchanan 15min .53 Sec

Kenny Leinster 18min .23 Sec.

Jim Holmes 18min .12 Sec

David Wardrope 18min .56 Sec

Russell Couper 19min .29 sec

Gordon McInally 19min .57 sec

Thanks to Andrew for this report. All the photos from Frances and Alan are here.

WEST DISTRICT XC CHAMPIONSHIP (BALLOCH)

This years West XC will be held at Balloch Castle Country Park.
Date is Saturday 7th December
Distance is 8.5k for men and Ladies.
Ladies start at 13.15 and men at 14.15
Entry fee is £7.50
If you wish entered leave your name HERE.
Those already registered are listed HERE.

Nigel Barge 10k

Hi,

The Nigel Barge 10k, one of Scotlands oldest and most historic road races, is back in 2020 after a short hiatus.

Entries are now live, and we would be delighted to welcome runners from Calderglen to the event.

I enclose a copy of our race flyer, and would greatly appreciate you circulating this to your members.

Hope to see some of you there!

Http://www.entrycentral.com/NigelBarge10k

Maryhill Harriers

NATIONAL SHORT COURSE XC

CHANGE OF TIMETABLE
LADIES START AT 12.40 and MEN AT 13.05

I WOULD LIKE EVERYONE THERE FOR 11.50am

THOSE LEAVING FROM THE CLUB SHOULD LEAVE BY 10.30

Saturdays race at Kircaldy starts at 13.10 for Ladies and 13.40 for Men
Those listed to run are
L Buchanan
A Buchanan, M Saez, D Wardrope. R Couper, A Derrick, J Holmes, G McInally, S Phimister,
G Ferguson, K Leinster, C McCarron.

I would like everyone there for 12.15 and I will pick up the numbers and bring them to the course.
Some are leaving from the club for 11.00am if anyone wants a lift.

If anyone else listed above can no longer make it let me know asap so im not picking up numbers and chips.

Russell

BY ECK WE DID IT

The six Harriers who completed the Chester marathon last year decided they would undertake the marathon challenge again this year by doing the Yorkshire marathon.  However due to injury Frances would not be able to replicate her fine run last year when she represented Scotland as part of the Celtic nations team.  However she still came to York to support us as did Kevin who had also signed up for the marathon this year but had to pull out as well.  Our club chairman Kenny therefore stepped into Frances’s ‘trainers’ this year and wore the Scotland vest as part of the Celtic nations team.  Also joining the Yorkshire team of Harriers this year was a late entry from Billy who would run the 10 mile race.

Upon arrival at York Kenny made a quick exit as he needed to go to the university to register, part of being an elite athlete.  The rest of the party headed into York city centre for some site seeing.  While browsing ‘The Trembling Madness’ an establishment which sold alcoholic drinks (don’t ask Alan why the Harriers would be in such a place the day before a race) we were given the surprise of bumping into Seonaid and Ian.  Seonaid was another Harrier who was also signed up for the marathon but also had to pull out too.  Seonaid had sent us all a message the night before wishing us luck and sorry she would not be with us in York.  So imagine our surprise when we bumped into them in the shop.  We regrouped in the evening where Kenny joined us having been driven to the dinner location by chauffeur, Billy - the perks of being an elite athlete.

Race morning was a bit of a rush as we had to get a bus from the train station to the university.  By the time we waited for the bus and then waited in the toilet queue it was fast approaching the start time.  Luckily we had Frances and Kevin who took all the bags to the baggage drop off for us.  This saved us all valuable time as it was a bit of a walk up to the start line.  Even when we got up there it was like an obstacle course for Andrew and I as we tried to reach starting pen 1, climbing over a wall, through thick grass and then dodging in and out of the crowds of spectators gathering at the side as we tried to reach the start.  I hope Lorraine, Sharon and Julie had a better route to their starting pen.  We got in just as the race was starting.  Not ideal preparations for the start of the marathon.

Miles 1 - 3 see you leave the university and head towards the city centre passing by York Minster.  After this you head into the countryside.  You pass through a village called Stockton on the Forest where there was a vicar giving out ‘high 5s’.  I am sure it was around about this point that Kenny had remarked on one (of two ) pipe bands out in the course starting up as he passed by in his Scotland vest.  At just around about the half way point you come to a village called Stamford Bridge (no we hadn’t run off course and ended up in London as some football fans might have thought).  It is at this point you come to the first of two turns - essentially an out and back stretch.  I particularly did not like this - seeing other runners coming back as you were heading out and also the turns as well.  The second turning point at about mile 18 was worse as it was a long out and back section and by this stage in the marathon I felt it was hard to slow down at the turn and move off again.  When I reached mile 25 I was greeted by Kevin who gave some much needed support for the final mile and I think Kevin stayed at this point to help all the Harriers.  It may have been the final mile but I personally found it the hardest mile.  The sting in the tail was still to come with about half a mile out when I encountered a hill to climb.  Yet again our Harriers supporters were there to spur us on as Frances and Billy were stood half the way up the hill.  After gathering my breath at the top of the hill it was then a case of mustering what energy I had left to run the short distance to the finish line.  Yet again more support from the Harriers could be found with Seonaid and Ian stood near to the finish line.

For anyone thinking of running the Yorkshire marathon I would say it is a relatively flat course and the field was a decent enough size that I always had other runners around about me.  High 5 gels were handed out during the race and it was the first time I had been given an electrolyte drink during the race (high 5).  There is also a 10 mile race which takes place on the same day as well.

The finishing times for the Harriers were:

Julie Beveridge - 3:12:30
Andrew Buchanan - 3:19:06
Kenny Leinster - 3:29:09
Lorrain Buchanan - 4:20:29
Sharon Gregg - 4:20:36
Julie Thomson - 4:20:37

As mentioned earlier Billy Buchanan had taken part in the 10 mile race and his time was 1:20:22.

I would like to say thanks to the Harriers that all went to York.  I had a great weekend and it is trips like this which emphasise the club spirit,  I think if you are going to tackle the marathon it is best done with friends.  Thanks to Frances, Kevin and Billy for their support over the weekend and Seonaid and Ian on surprising us all by turning up in York.

All the photos from Frances are in this album.

Julie