Glentress Trail Races

Four harriers took part in last weekend's Glentress trail races.

Having given her Dad Billy a Christmas gift of an entry to the half marathon Dawn contrived to be unable to take part herself! Dawn's husband Matt did run however and took sixth place in 1.39.21 while Billy was 314th from a field of 667 in 2.28.25. Before anyone starts questioning the slow times I should mention that this is probably the most severe race terrain I have ever come across. Most days of the year it is a mountain bike course and there is no part of the route that comes even close to being flat, constant ups and downs being the order of the day.

With the half being run on the Saturday Billy sent Jim a message that night saying that if he had had to do a second loop (our race the following day was to consist of two loops of the half marathon course) he would have asked to be put down there and then as it would probably have killed him anyway.   

Billy and Matt got the best of the weekend weather although it was still amazingly warm once the fog had cleared for us the following day and was especially appreciated when Ruth reminded us of the snow she'd had to contend with in 2018.

At least two of us were smiling before the start

Despite the organiser saying before the start that the first half of the loop was basically uphill and the second downhill I genuinely felt that it was more like eleven miles uphill and only two down!

The race very quickly became a survival slog for me and even Jim confided later that he found the latter half of the race a real struggle. If you want some hilly pre-spring marathon training then this event is the one for you.

The sting in the tail was this nasty uphill finish

Jim came in 119th in 5.34.36, hopefully only a marker for Manchester.
I finally came back in 6.26.13 and 150th place from 165 finishers.
Ruth ran the first loop only, as she had predicted before the start, but I can't find her anywhere in the results so can't report her time (she doesn't actually know herself, not that times matter much on a course of such severity)

The winners were Alexander Beaton of Highland Hill Runners in 3.24.58 and Nicola Duncan of Portobello in 3.41.18 while Mark Wheeler of Hamilton Harriers (aka Kai's dad) was an impressive 30th in 4.18.30

Photo credits go to Susan Murchie and Sandra Hunter

ALLAN SCALLY RACE DAY DETAILS

This Saturday is the Allan Scally Relays in Glasgow Green.
Race starts at noon but I would like everyone there for 11.00 am to distribute numbers and allow a familurising of the course.
With that in mind some are leaving from the club at 10.30 so if you wish to travel in a group be there in plenty of time.
Race headquarters are at the Football centre 28 Kings Drive G40 1HB.

Teams and running order are here.
Course map here.

If anyone is not going to make it please give as much notice as possible.

Alan Scally Memorial Road Relays

With the Alan Scally Memorial Road Relays taking place next Saturday on Glasgow Green some members may find this article interesting... 
The Scally Dynasty 

Totally Tropical

Many great photos from our man in the field, Davie Searil in this album.

Some of the men's team in the foreground and the ladies team behind, with a Harrier of the future showing good speed

In contrast to previous years it was summer attire for the National Cross Country Championships in 2019. Geo Ferguson was in his regulation shorts, nothing new in that you say, however the men with their taps aff are not a common (some would say welcome) sight in February at Callendar park.

Are they supposed to match?

Frances and Richard had left for an early start with the juniors while the seniors (some more senior than others) endured the baking hot midday sun crossing the parched Falkirk landscape to reach the respite of the Harriers' tent. We were met by our coach who had told us that his medical adviser had countenanced against him running due to the risk of heatstroke, either that or he had a virus. Our ladies national medal winner had also allegedly received an urgent message delivered that morning by hand from her national colleague Andy Butchart who rushed over to the Harriers' tent to pass on the news that the national ladies coach had recommended that Frances save her strength for her next international event, the Falesia 5k in Portugal in two weeks time. At the time of going to press, and after some serious interrogation by your intrepid reporter, I can also reveal that the blazers at Scottish Athletics let it slip that the well-known veteran Edward Reid has also been advised to rest in preparation for the same event. An enquiry is now underway, headed by no less than the First Minister, to ascertain if it is now the policy of Scottish Athletics to stop our best international athletes from competing in their National Championships in favour of a third rate scramble in Portugal. The people demand an answer!

Karen Allen powers up one of the hills

Further confusion was sown when Calderglen’s star racer was also posted missing. There was a rumour circulating that a heavily pregnant spectator was heard to say "as Hearts are playing at home there is no chance of seeing my big sister today." No one who heard this could believe that Julie would prefer supporting her beloved team to running round a field three times.

Alison Lessells looks strong on the hill

The roll call of missing runners was offered further intrigue when it was noticed that super veteran Billy Buchanan had failed to appear. On further enquiry it was confirmed that the hard man of Scottish running had been overheard saying " why would I want to get my studs dirty in a 10k romp at Callendar Park when I can be running a half marathon on the trails of Glentress."

Lorraine Buchanan had a frustrating race but made up many places despite shoe lace problems

Away from the duplicity and  high politics of our national sport, it was refreshing to note that a number of our top athletes from Scotland's foremost athletics club had decided to wear the famous yellow and black vest at the pinnacle event in the Scottish racing calendar.

Former Calderglen Harrier, Kevan Harvey, leads the field up the first hill

The ladies team were low in number but high in enthusiasm as they lined up in prime position on the front row ready for a fast start in the sprint to the crucial first bend. Their enthusiasm remained undiminished as the massed ranks conspired to swallow them up and soon the more familiar territory of the middle ground beckoned. Over the hard packed turf they ran for three laps, confidence gaining with every stride. Lorraine Buchanan even managed to stop to tie her laces on each lap in order to let the others catch up. All too soon the final straight was in sight and Karen Allen put her winter hill training to good  use finishing as first Harrier home in a time of 51.39 , followed closely by Alison Lessels in 54.05. Lorraine Buchanan admitted that her strategy had backfired having finished in a time of 61.12 and confided to your reporter afterwards that she really should know how to tie a double knot now that she has recently reached a key milestone in her life.

An impressive sight as the senior men's field is strung out from the start.

The stage was set for the last race of the day and the senior men hobbled to the start line in a confusion of aches and pains. The weeks leading up to this key race had understandably been characterised by intrigue, claim and counter claim. Some would describe this as mind games however given that most of the characters are mindless this would stretch it a little.

Chas Steven in a tough battle

Andrew Buchanan progresses through the field

The thunder of studs and the clatter of spikes indicated that the men's race was in play. Andy Buchanan, having wisely tied his own shoelaces, was soon striding out among the fast guys and found the hard ground suited his recent training. Stephen Phimister, having conducted an options appraisal on the most effective shoes, had a great run and was eagerly supported by family members Frances and Emma. His son Mark had strategically decided to stay at home in case he embarrassed his father further by beating him, as he is now taller, faster and better looking than his dad. Although Stephen still claims that he is the better dancer.

Stephen Phimister puts on the style as he passes the family

The Richard Lawton v Geo Ferguson race long tussle

The mid table (well, OK, mid to lower table) battle was well underway as predicted by those who think they know a thing or two about such vital matters. In a titanic struggle of cat and mouse proportions that ancient veteran, and secret trainer, Kenny Leinster managed to dupe Jim Holmes, Richard Lawton and Geo Ferguson into thinking he was injured and scraped home in front of them with seconds to spare (although Geo Ferguson proved easier to dupe given he didn't realise he had run the course previously until he started the race).

That well known racer of yesteryear, Alan Cullie, who is on the comeback trail kept the rest of the field on tenterhooks. Known for his late surge in races there was some consternation when he retired due to back pain, as manifest in sciatic pain on the hills. Russell Couper is having his own late surge and managed to improve his time this year, reaping the benefit of his marathon training.

Jim Holmes takes an early lead over Kenny Leinster

Alan Cullie before injury stopped him.

That stalwart of Calderglen, Chas Steven, finished his umpteenth  national championships proving that experience and persistance  still counts despite the course. The final times were:
 Andy Buchanan 45.00
Stephen Phimister 49.24
Kenny Leinster 50.57 (your intrepid reporter)
Jim Holmes 51.18
Richard Lawton 53.19
Geo Ferguson 53.21
Russell Couper 57.55
Chas Steven 63.27

Russell Couper running well

Report by your intrepid report, Kenny Leinster. More photos from the spectating coach and Frances are here. A big thanks to Davy Searil for taking on the volunteer marshal duties required of the club and spending the full day out on the course.

NATIONAL XC CHAMPS TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

If anyone requires a lift to Falkirk tomorrow please meet at Sports Club between 1045am and 11am to car share.

Frances and I are leaving EK just after 9am to set up the club tent in the usual spot as the club has 5 junior Harriers running at Falkirk with the first race at 11am for under 13 Girls.

See you all tomorrow,
Richard

NATIONAL XC CHAMPIONSHIP

This Saturday is the National XC Championship at Falkirk
Those entered are.
A Lessells, F Ferguson, K Allen, L Buchanan, S Hayden and J McEvoy.
R Couper, A Derrick, R Lawton, G McInally, A Cullie, J Holmes, C Steven, A Buchanan, K Leinster, G Ferguson and S Phimister.

If anyone is not going to make it please let me know asap so im not collecting numbers and chips that are not required.

Ladies race is at 1pm so I need all the Ladies there by 12.15 to allow for number distribution and warm ups.

Mens race is at 2.50pm so I need all the men there by 2pm for the reasons above although it would be great if you could come along and support our Ladies racing.

I will collect all the numbers and chips in advance and be at the tent if someone could arrange to bring that along. Bring your own Ketchup.

Strathaven Striders Run With (Into) The Wind half marathon

Nine harriers made the short journey to an extremely windy Strathaven yesterday for the fifth running of the inaccurately named Run With The Wind half marathon. Some major course adjustments had been made and I, among many, remarked afterwards that it felt both harder and hillier than in previous years. Russell made a superb job of finding a space in the very busy car park leaving us only around twenty meters to walk to the gate, I was even more grateful for that after the race!

Just as I was leaving the Academy I spotted Strider's ultra-running stalwart Irene Wilson with a 100th balloon attached to her waist and, upon asking the obvious question, it turned out that we were both about to run our hundredth half marathon that day. Someone took a photie to mark the occasion, wish I'd thought to bring a cake as Irene did! That's two thousand, six hundred and twenty miles of half-marathon racing between us!

One hundred up -Irene smiling and me looking gawky as ever just before the off

Between the much-changed first mile or so and the different aspect to the next couple due to forestry felling I felt disorientated and was struggling, not coping at all well with the strong and gusting wind.

Having told me he would be tracking me for pace Billy soon realised I was way too slow for him and eased away after a mile or so and was soon lost to sight.
I slogged along ever-so-slowly catching Sandy and eventually, just after the eleven mile mark, the strong-running Russell.

Perhaps not surprisingly, given the mileage I've been putting in, I came good over the last two or three miles and finished with a couple of sub-8:30s for 2.00.13. I wasn't at all surprised when Russell came over the line soon after, in 2.01.55. His London training is clearly paying dividends already.

Sandy Hayden may have been final harrier but raised the biggest cheer of the day from the watching combined ranks of harriers and AthEliters, coming home in 2.05.19, rather impressive and a tribute to her strength of will given her lack of training.

Naturally I saw nothing of the racing ahead of me so can mostly only report times. You will not be shocked to learn that leading harrier was Julie Beveridge in 1.35.37 for 4th female, second F35 and 49th overall. Superb running in those conditions Julie.

The inimitably cheery Martin Howell came home in 1.37.16 having had a battle with friend Ian Birch of Bellahouston Harriers and only being pipped to the line by nine seconds.

Despite trying to do two things at once, simultaneously training for ultras and a marathon, yet running stronger than I've ever known him was Jim Mearns in 1.40.47. actually saying he 'enjoyed' himself despite (because of?) the conditions.

Having had a bad day at the office was Kevin Farmer, having (I think, correct me if I heard that wrong Kev) walked at one point, in 1.42.08

Despite looking very sleepy earlier in the day Karen Allen woke up to finish in an excellent 1.43.01 and only twenty six seconds shy of the tenth placed female.

Next harrier home was Billy (I'll just follow you Davie...aye, right!) Buchanan in an superb 1.51.26 and sixth M60.

A big shout out for their support on what was at times a thoroughly miserable day (or was that just me?) goes to the Howell family, Frances, Chas and Charlie - it all helps guys. I heard Frances even played the good samaritan and not only assisted a distressed runner but also gave him a run (in the car) back to Strathaven, from Ardochrig! Hope you got him to sign a membership form Frances, Geo tells me he was unattached!

The race winners were Douglas Roberts of Cambuslang Harriers in 1.14.42 and Sheena Logan of Fife AC in 1.26.45 and 13th overall.

I've put a few photos into an album which you can see here Run With The Wind. Credits go to Frances Ferguson, Lorraine Howell and Derek Stewart.

Strathaven Run With The Wind half marathon

Billy and I thought it might be a good idea to meet at the club tomorrow morning, planning to leave for Strathaven about 08:45 - no point in us taking a fleet of cars, all welcome to join. The more the merrier.

WHW 18th MAY 2019

The cost will be £70. £20 deposit to secure place. As it's new management final room numbers must be confirmed 28 days prior to arrival. The rooming list has to be sent to the hotel 14 days in advance and full payment is due 7 days prior to arrrival. As the bus is for 17  I've only reserved 7 twins and 1 triple. I would prefer to stick to 17 as I wouldn't  like to get any extra charges for rooms we don't use. I know it's early but we've got strict time limits and it'll give people time to save. I'll start collecting money now. First come first served. 

Thanks

Frances 

Run With The Wind half marathon

Please note the race is now full

Just a reminder that if anyone fancies a tough local half the Strathaven Striders Run With The Wind is this coming Sunday and there are just 21 places left on Entry Central. There are currently nine harriers on the start list, can we make it to double figures?

Falkirk 8 hour Trail Ultra

Just as ultras are run much slower than other races so the reports are often as slow if not slower, hence this rather belated missive from last Sunday.

Sunrise over Callendar Park

This year's Falkirk 8 hour trail ultra was exactly the same as in 2018, comprising as many circuits as you could manage of a hilly 3.8 mile circuit followed by an equally hilly wee lap of around 600 meters, again as many as you could squeeze in during the allotted time - for a while it felt like being part of the working population again, starting as we did at eight and finishing at four!

The wee loch with snow covering the ice

The February weather played a big part with ice to contend with for the first few laps along with snow, sleet and rain as the day went on making each lap different from the ones before. There was even some sunshine...

Ian and I together at the start

The winners together, James and Iona

The winner, James Stewart of VPCOG, ran 57.8 miles or 93 kilometers whereas in complete contrast the 149th and final placer covered only 6.2k, presumably due to injury or illness. The results were most confusingly presented in both metric and imperial distances leading me to confidently inform a friend the following day that Jamesey had covered 90-odd miles. Oops!

Leading female was Iona MacKay of Carnegie with 49.5 miles

I was 34th from 149 solo runners and managed ten big laps and seven wee ones for a total of 41.9 miles, some 1.4 miles further than I managed in 2018 - I even managed to run further than two of the relay teams! Ian Rae was 70th covering 9 big laps and 4 small ones for 36.8 miles.

Kai's dad, aka Mark Wheeler of Hamilton Harriers, had a mostly excellent race reaching a grand total of 47.8 miles and the dizzy heights of eleventh place although by his own admission it should have been more. He committed the cardinal sin of not fuelling sufficiently and bonked, or energy bombed as he put it, during the short laps near the end. The last I saw of him was sitting to the side of the course having someone's Dryrobe placed over his shoulders. We can all make those mistakes now and again, no matter how experienced.

Julie's brother-in-law Stuart Douglas of local club Falkirk Vics had an excellent run covering 47.21 miles and only two places behind Mark, in thirteenth. He is targeting his third WHWR goblet later this year.

The race even made the Herald's sports section during the week

I will be marshalling at the National XC in a couple of weeks time so I'll see many of you back in Callendar Park at the biggest event in the Scottish Athletics calendar.

Footnote to Hawick Masters XC

The following post appeared on the host club's Facebook page remembering the National at Hawick 30 (!) years ago that I mentioned in my report:
Memories of The Hawick National
As I boarded the bus yesterday to head to my hometown for my first Veterans c/c championship my mind drifted back to a similar journey almost 30 years ago.
Then as yesterday the weather was to play a major role in proceedings.
It had snowed for the 24 hours prior to the event and an already challenging route around Wilton Dean and Overhaugh was about to take on legendary status.
6-8 inches of snow combined with mud and slush and as yesterday hills and rough fields met the 600+ starters in the senior race.
In those bygone days the National was 7.5 miles but I'm still convinced this one was 8 miles - there must be better ways to spend your last weekend as a twenty something.
The race was won by Tommy Murray whose 8 stone frame floated over the ground, 2.10 marathon runner Paul Evans was 2nd but most people remember the 4th placer Steve Ovett- the 1980 Olympic 800m champion.
No tented villages back then Ovett like everyone else stuck there kit in the team bin bag and shoved under the nearest bush.
Everyone who ran that day ha a story to tell - I was more than happy to survive half way down the field(307th).
Teviotdale had 36 runners in the senior field that day.
Six of those 36 toed the line yesterday Alistair Walker,Brian Emmerson, Alan Samuel, Alan Coltman, Francis Cannon and myself. In addition Alistair Biggar represented Edinburgh Uni in the junior men's event.
Many other survivors of 89 were at Stirches yesterday marshalling or spectating they to have stories to tell.
One last thing Messrs. Walker and Emmerson were part of Teviotdale's Silver medal winning team that day.
Both were medalists again yesterday.
Even after thirty years the old adage still hold true "form is temporary but class is permanent"

Thanks to all who made yesterday such a success it was a great course well marshalled and no snow!
Mind you I'm not sure running cross country is the best use of your last month as a fifty something😂.

NATIONAL XC

This years National XC will again be held in Falkirk on Saturday 23rd February.
Ladies start time is 13.00 and the men at 14.50
distance again is 10k for both.
Cost is £7.50 per head and should be paid in advance.
Please make sure your SA number is up to date.
I need names by Monday 4th February.
If you wish entered please leave your name HERE.
Those already registered are listed HERE.

National Masters Cross Country Championships - Hawick

In the finest weather conditions I have ever seen in Hawick, the Scottish National Masters XC championships attracted veteran runners from all over Scotland for a truly challenging cross country test. My previous two experiences of Hawick were the National XC about 25 years ago and the Masters XC 5 years ago, both of which were run in blizzards, so the weather record was not a difficult one to beat. Once again, Teviotdale Harriers had set out a fantastic course in a farmer's fields and open hillside overlooking the town. Unfortunately we had only 3 Harriers entered and with Frances injured, only Chas and I were there to represent the club.

I arrived about two hours before the race and had plenty of time to collect my number and jog the kilometre or so uphill from the sports centre to the course to remind myself of the lap. Chas was already there and raring to go when I arrived.  The last time I was here there was zero visibility and horizontal sleet so it made  change to have clear blue skies and view over the surrounding Teviot hills capped with a dusting of snow. Although there was an icy breeze it was nothing compared to last week's gale force winds. However, the decision to do a lap of the course was sensible as this was a very undulating lap and pace judgement would be vital. Furthermore with the sun only glancing off the surface, the ground was largely frozen solid and fell shoes rather than spikes were the order of the day (I spoke to one of the Bellahouston Harriers after the race and one of his clubmates had worn spikes and was in agony with the spikes hammering through the sole of his shoe).

The start of the Ladies and M65+ 6km race

The ladies and men over 65 were off first on a 6km race, two slightly reduced laps. The first three were quite tight for the first lap but then Lesley Chisholm of Garscube pulled away for a convincing victory. Andy McLinden of Hamilton Harriers won the over 65 men's race by a large margin from Frank Hurley of Cambuslang. This race was notable for the reappearance of some great runners from the past 30 years who I had not seen running for a decade or more. Brian Kirkwood was one of the greats and used to win everything 15 to 20 years ago and today was 4th M65. Brian Emmerson of the local club, Teviotdale Harriers, is another great from 25 or so years ago and he medalled (bronze) in the M70 category, with Alex Sutherland from Inverness Harriers winning that category.

The open hillside awaits

Then it was time for the M40 to M60 race to be contested over 8km which would be two large laps of the course. It was actually quite nice having only the two laps to do rather than the usual 3 or 4 lap courses but on the other hand, its just as well there were only two laps as it was some lap! The race started uphill through a rock hard, field of stubble. After 150m we did a U turn through a gate into the next field and back down the hill to the bottom corner of the field from where we followed the perimeter of the field all the way around and back up for a long climb to the top corner. To get out of this field we had to run up a near vertical 5 foot bank into the next field, across a farm road and onto the open hillside where the route now looked like a hill race with a grassy surface underfoot. We headed across the open hill side to the furthest away point of the course, following the natural contours of a series of long banks or mounds which defined the hillside. The course dived down around the end of one of these ridges before doubling back below the next ridge and then another U turn around the end of that ridge into the next trough as we gradually zig zagged down the hill.

The first of 3 near vertical banks

We then started the long journey back towards the start area but the climbing was not over. Before entering the original series of fields we turned sharp left to face the first of a series of three 15 foot high banks which we hit one after the other. Fantastic! Then we turned right through a gate and into the fields and got a wee down hill respite before a final turn back up hill around the top field and a long descent past the start finish area to start another lap.

This would be my first serious individual race since my lung problem last October and I was a little worried as I know I can't hold myself back in a race. However, the legs rather than the lungs were the problem and I found myself dropped on the uphill start and being bashed and pushed on the charge to the first gate. By the time we were in the second field I had already lost 100m or so on the leaders and was staggering. I'm usually strong on the climbs but I was struggling on the way out of this second field. Once we were on the open hillside, the course levels a bit and I latched onto a train of runners charging along the indent in the ground left by a tractor wheel and which provided good grip. A few M50's slipped past here but not quickly. When we hit the trio of banks for the first time, a local M50 athlete charged past me, cheered on by local support. I thought he was making a suicidal effort and indeed, by the time we were over the third hump, I was able to cruise past again. By now I was starting to feel better and was passing people constantly on the way back to the end of the lap and had passed and dropped all those M50's who had gone by earlier in the lap. By now I had latched onto a Moorfoot Harriers M40 who seemed to be running strong. However, once again, on the open hillside, I was feeling good and was able to comfortably pass and pull away before we hit the mounds for the last time. By now, there was a huge gap to the next runner who I could see from the number on the back was an M40 or M45 so not a direct competitor. I was running fast now and was able to finish the lap and the race at speed. There were plenty of shouts of support to help me around that lap including many from SVHC and a good contingent from EKAC down to support Grant Baillie.

The uphill start!

Unlike last time in Hawick, the organisers had erected two large marquees for bags and changing which were nice and warm given the number of runners squeezed in and I was soon wrapped up in the leggings and club jacket and back out in time to see Chas finish. Before the race started, Chas and I were lamenting the lack of Harriers here and saying that this sort of Championship race that moves about year after year is what running for a club is all about. A different challenge every time; none of us with any real chance of winning but keeping the grass roots of the sport going. Indeed Chas said before the start that there was every chance he would finish last in this race but that did not matter and that is how it turned out. Chas was 167th and last after a duel to the end with the famous Robin Thomas of Hunters Bog Trotters but thoroughly enjoyed himself in the process. Well done Chas.

Chas running well
(photo Pete Bracegirdle)

The easy walk downhill to the sports centre was rewarded with a complementary tea/coffee, hot pie/sausage roll/chips. Great value indeed and just what was needed after a cold afternoon on the hillside. So efficient was the results service (Kilmarnock Harriers were doing the timing and results) that the prize giving was brought forward a half hour and the provisional results were on-line before I had even finished my pie. This revealed that Central AC's M45, Scott Brember, had beaten everyone, including all the M40's to become Scottish Masters Champion, covering the 8km course in 28:00, closely followed by M40's Graeme Murdoch of Gala Harriers and Jethro Lennox of Shettleston. The evergreen Charlie Thomson of Cambuslang had won the M50 race in 30:23 (22nd overall), followed by Stephen Allen of Motherwell (30:56) and Ross McEachern of Cumbernauld AAC in 31:23 and 33rd overall. My main achievement was to finish 57th wearing race number 57! I was 8th M50 in 33:16, so well off the pace but something to work on as I get back to fitness and full training. A great album of photos from Pete Bracegirdle are here.

Alan taking the racing line
(photo Pete Bracegirdle)

Alex Jackson, the Scottish Athletics cross country secretary, announced that next year it is the West District's turn to host the event and as Kilmarnock Harriers have hosted this event the last four times the West have been the hosts, ideally he is looking for another West District club to step up and take this on next year. Hopefully there are some volunteers as variety of courses is what makes this event a must do on my calendar.
Alan