WEST HIGHLAND WAY WEEKEND

Its now that time of year to plan our West Highland way weekend. We have booked the Ben Nevis hotel for Saturday the 16th May. For those new to the club we hire a 17 seater minibus and leave East Kilbride about 4am on the Saturday morning and drive to Milngavie where Alan will allocate a section of the way to be run by each person although you can if you wish run with others on their legs. Arriving in Fort William early evening for a swim if theres time and dinner with some refreshments. Depending on the weather we may do an activity on the Sunday before arriving back in East Kilbride around 6pm. As places are limited it will be a first come first served basis upon giving Frances a deposit of £20. Total cost for the weekend will be £75 and this includes your place on the bus and DB&B in the Ben Nevis Hotel. Places will go fast so don't delay.


P.S. It may be possible to book a few extra places in the Hotel if anyone misses out on the bus places and wishes to drive.

SVHC ROAD RELAY

Today seen 13 Harriers head to Strathclyde park for the SVHC road relay. Early weather was very wet and the forecast showed no improvement coming. However upon arrival the rain had abated to light drizzle and a slight wind. Onto the start time and our first leg runners lined up and ready to go and pretty good conditions for running at this time of year (weve had some awful weather over the years). On leg 1 we had Alison Lessells for our Ladies team, Davy Watt for the M50 team, Mark Saez for the M35 team and Gordon McInally for the incomplete team. First in was Davy with 21.51 our fastest of the day and in 4th position in the M50 category. Next was Mark with 22.32 bringing the M35 team in 29th. Alison came in next with 26.36 and 12th place followed by Gordon 28.42 and 55th. There was I believe a PB for Alison.

Alison powers to the line

Onto leg 2 and we had Julie Thomson for the Ladies, Martin Howell M50, David Wardrope M35 and Russell Couper for incomplete. Martin was first to start and ran 23.55 handing over in 5th place. Next in was David Wardrope in 25.11 and in 40th place. For the Ladies Julie finished in 29.40 having had an upset stomach during the run and having to stop to be sick which I was assured she demonstrated again after the finish Julie kept the team in 12th. Next in Russell Couper in 29.29 and 54th place. This leg had a few PB's. I believe it was a PB for David and was a PB for Julie and Russell.

Russell puts Robert Gilroy under pressure (I think)

Leg 3 and we had Lorraine Buchanan for the Ladies, Gerry McParland for the M50 and Graeme Lindsay M35 making his debut for the club. First in Gerry 22.01 bringing the team up to 3rd. Next was Graeme 23.10 and 34th a fantastic debut and only going to get better and Lorraine 29.16 for 13th place. A PB for Lorraine and I suppose graham too and im not sure if Gerry has done this event before so he can have one too.

Gerry finishes strong after pulling the M50 team back to medal contention

Leg 4 and 2 runners left. Allan McLellan for the M50 and Robert Gibson M35 also making his debut for the club. Allan finishing in 24.53 for 4th place just missing the podium but a fantastic performance from our oldies against really strong competition, Then Robert with 27.01 and 36th place. Another one that's only going to get better and better and I suppose that's a PB for Robert. We had Frances, Anne, Alan, Chris, Kirsty, Callum, Maud and Stuart down to support us and it was very much appreciated. Good running all round today so well done everyone.

Allan heads off at pace on the final leg

Photos will be added when available. Some of Alan's photos in this album.

Devil's Burdens Hill Relay 2020 - Up and Down x 4

A hardy team of 5 Harriers arrived in Falkland early on Saturday morning for the annual Devil's Burdens Hill Relay. Only 5 I hear you say! Power nap expert Billy Buchanan had arrived the afternoon before with his camper van to enjoy not only the local hostelry (too big a steak pie for even Billy to finish) but a lie in on Saturday morning ahead of his first leg duties which didn't start until 10am. Actually Billy also registered the teams saving those travelling from EK and extra early start. Thanks Billy.

First leg runners gather

Billy would be joined by Eddie Reid and Jim Holmes on the paired up leg 2, Chris McCarron and Geo Ferguson on the paired leg 3 and Kenny Leinster on the solo leg 4 (note that the official results have leg 2 and 3 names reversed). The routes for all the legs were changed this year as the format had also changed with all the legs starting and finishing in a field in Falkland Estate rather than being point to point legs with all the logistical problems that brings.

Billy at speed

The first leg was a 10km ascent/descent of East Lomond, a good 1000 feet plus of constant ascent followed by a short, lumpy, partial descent before joining a good under foot but very steep trail for the fast finish. Billy flew over the course in a very respectable 1:11:45 to finish 115th out of 154 starting teams on leg 1.

A fine run by Jim and Eddie

Eddie and Jim were primed and ready when Billy charged into the changeover and were raring to start the 12.8k (8 mile) leg 2. This was the leg with most ascent as the furthest away point on the route was the peak of West Lomond at 506m above sea level. This was also the muddiest leg with a climb through a very boggy forest and would have been navigationaly challenging had we not done two course recce's in the preceding weeks. There are no reports of any mishaps apart from the inevitable falls on the steep descent from West Lomond. Both Jim and Eddie thoroughly enjoyed the route which had plenty of hard but good running on it too. They finished in 1:29:49 bringing the team up to 103rd place (and were 92nd fastest on that leg).

Imagine that's Chris and Geo (it isn't but they didn't come back this way!)

Chris and Geo were on leg 3 which also had a considerable amount of climbing but lacked the mud. This leg took in a hill fort (a first for this event) and much of the ascent up West Lomond. The last minute deletion of the final checkpoint on this leg resulted in most teams changing their planned route and turning it more into an out and back run rather than a large loop as originally planned (and recced by us last week). This caught me out as I was waiting to photograph them on the original loop and after watching various teams come through I at ever more leisurely paces, I realised that something must have happened. Fearing the worst, I phoned Billy back at base who told me that they were finished and Kenny was off on the last leg. The changed out and back route did not pass the point I was standing at obviously. So no action photos of Chris and Geo! Chris and Geo completed the 12.8k leg in 1:27:55 and brought the team up to 98th position (101st fastest on the leg).

Kenny's second checkpoint and the highest point of leg 4.

Kenny's leg was the only leg that had a totally free choice of route although the reality is that there were really only two obvious options. Again, the preceding recce's had given Kenny all the confidence he needed to just focus on running as he knew exactly where he was going. Kenny reported that there was complete chaos up near the monument checkpoint as runners approached and departed from all directions. Kenny flew around the 10km route in a time of 01:01:05 (note that Kenny was running under one of his many pseudonyms of Kenneth Crimster; goodness knows what Kenny did such that he can't use his real name in Falkland!) and brought the team up to 97th position (Kenny was 91st fastest on that leg).

Kenny looking relaxed near the end of leg 4

This was a thoroughly enjoyable event as always and the change of format only added to the atmosphere as 150 teams with 6 people per team brought hundreds of runners to a small field in Fife.  The driech weather was perfect for running (but not for photography). Soup and a roll in the village hall completed the day. Hopefully this format remains for next year and perhaps we can have a few more Harriers competing on an event that suits our style of training.

More photos in and around the event are in this album.
Alan

MASTERS ROAD RELAY (provisional teams)

Please find below the teams for the Masters road relay on Sunday in Strathclyde Park
The race starts at 11.00am so please be there for 10.15 to allow for warm ups etc. If your going to be later please let me know your anticipated arrival time. We have spaces for Ladies and Men so if anyone else wants a run please get in touch and I will see if your on the reserve list. Also if anyone can no longer make it please let us know ASAP so we can shuffle the teams.

Teams Updated

Ladies F35              Men M50             Men M35            Men M35
A Lessells                D Watt                 M Saez                G McInally
J Thomson               M Howell            D Wardrope         R Couper
L Buchanan             G McParland       G Lindsay            
                                A McLellan          R Gibson

Trail Race 2020

Our annual Trail Race will take place on Friday 26th June.

As always this is a huge team effort and I would be grateful if you would save the date.

There will be frequent updates on the Facebook trail race festival group page. Can I ask that if you are on Facebook that you like and more importantly share the posts.

Race entry opens on Sunday 2nd February.

Jim

Was It Really That Steep Before!

On the first Saturday of the year, 4 hardy Harriers were out in force at the annual Callander Crags hill race. One was taking on the role as photographer and supporter the other three were climbing up to the Crags. Myself, Russell and Junior Harrier Kai started close to the front as always. Once the brief pre-race brief by Alistair on how to make friends at the kissing gate was done, off we were with the shot of a gun.
The first 200m up on to the trail and the first hill was as crowded as always. Steadily we climbed up through the early hills, this being such a  short 'sprint' hill race you really have to go for it from the off. I climbed quickly with Kai's dad Mark a strong hill runner himself to the top of the gravel hill section and out on to the Crags. I had forgotten just how steep this section was, I reached the top at around 12.50-13.00 mins. Then over the Crags and the descent begins. Here I slipped on a rock and twisted my left ankle, down but not out YET. I took a moment to test the ankle before continuing through the trees and on to the road. Here I had lost time and with a sore ankle, I knew I had to push on the road. Overtaking at least 8 people with a 2:56 km, I was now rocking again, through the trails and to the finish followed. All 3 harriers put in a great performance.
Chris in 30:16,
Kai in 34:54,
Russell in 45:30,

Special mention to Kai, second U14 and a big course PB, Russell as always a great servant for the club, especially as he came straight from a parkrun and finally coach Alan for supporting us and taking photographs on a miserable day. Hopefully, Alan and others will be back to race next year.

Chris

The record field of 130 sets off on the "B" of the Bang from the smoking gun.

Devil's Burdens Final Recce

Looking at the availability responses, we shall do the DB recce on Sunday 19th January which is the one date that everybody can make (although Kenny put down the week before for the recce, I understand that he is actually still skiing then but should be available on the 19th). We will work out further details nearer the time.

If we had another four or five names we could enter two teams. If you are available for the race on the 25th January and can make the recce on 19th January, then please put your name down. As all of the routes have changed this year and all the legs are out and back from the same point rather than point to point, it is vital that everyone does the recce as it will not be possible to just follow someone else away from the start (who could be doing a different leg and turning off in a totally different direction). This would particularly suit those who are too young to do the SVHC relays on the 26th January!

A few of us did a pre-recce earlier this week and thought that the new routes offered some great running and a fresh challenge.

Looking for a checkpoint at a monument somewhere near here!

Alan

Glasgow University 5 Mile Road Race

Another regular race on the Harriers' calendar over the years, the GU 5 Mile Road Race starts at 11am on Saturday 15th February. Registration is either on-line via Entry Central up until 14th February or you can enter on the day for an extra one pound on the entry fee. As usual the race is at the Garscube Sports Complex.

Please enter your self. Also fill in our own form so we know who we have going and whether we might be able to make up teams for the team race. Those going are listed here.

You can find links to all of the above forms and resources at the "Future Events Link" at the top of the blog.
Alan

The 50th Allan Scally Road Relays (Grand Prix)

Now in its second year at the "new" venue of Glasgow Green, the 4 x 5km Allan Scally Road Relays are on Saturday 29th February at 12 noon. It's a fast, officially measured 5k lap of Glasgow Green per leg and some excellent times were set by the many Harriers participating last year.

Full details on the Shettleston Harriers web site here.

To be included in a Calderglen team, please leave your details here. Those entered so far are listed here. Cost is going to be £30 per 4 person team, so £7.50 per person.

All the above entry form, etc links are also repeated in our "Entries for Future Events" link at the top of the blog for this and all other events for which we currently have details. So check your diaries now and get them in!
Alan

MEMBERSHIP FEES 2020

Please find below a list of membership fees for 2020

These are the fees for the sports club and harriers together

Family            £194
Ordinary         £130
Intermediate   £80
Ret Family     £114
Ret Ordinary  £90

Please adjust your direct debits accordingly or pay me directly on training nights.

Russell

New Year's Day parkrun Roundup

Hi, everyone, just a round-up of all new years day parkrun action.

Great to see so many harriers out at parkrun.

Here's a run through all results. warning its long.

Chris

Strathclyde- 
10 Christopher MCCARRON Male SM18-19 Calderglen Harriers 19:46
14 Ian HUGHES Male VM50-54 Calderglen Harriers 20:02
37 David WARDROPE Male VM45-49 Calderglen Harriers 22:03
51 Jim MEARNS Male VM50-54 Calderglen Harriers 22:51
73 Julie THOMSON Female VW40-44 Calderglen Harriers 24:12
85 Lorraine BUCHANAN Female VW40-44 Calderglen Harriers 24:46
252 Ruth KELLY Female VW50-54 Calderglen Harriers 31:23
253 David SEARIL Male VM65-69 Calderglen Harriers 31:23

Pollok
80 David HERBERTSON Male VM45-49 Calderglen Harriers 22:46
104 Stuart WAUGH Male VM70-74 Calderglen Harriers 23:53
219 Ian MCKENZIE Male VM45-49 Calderglen Harriers 27:24

Tollcross
Chris McCarron- 19.48
David Herbertson-22.56
Ian Mckenzie-27.59

Girvan Prom
28 Russell COUPER Male VM55-59 Calderglen Harriers 27:01

Ayr
7 Graeme LINDSAY Male VM40-44 21:27
47 Russell COUPER Male VM55-59 Calderglen Harriers 28:40

Troon
10 Graeme LINDSAY Male VM40-44 19:48
24 Ian HUGHES Male VM50-54 Calderglen Harriers 20:39

Linwood

David Wardrope 21:57