West District XC - Balloch

 

The Senior/Masters Women charge away from the start line

Better underfoot conditions and a slightly modified course greeted large fields in all the age groups as we returned to the West District XC Championships for the first time in two years. The Harriers were represented in the Under-15 girls, the senior/masters women and the senior/masters men races. Good to see us represented through the age groups. The seniors definitely got the better of the weather though as the younger age groups were exposed to very rainy and cold conditions, so well done to Anna Lindsay on a fine time of 20:16 for the U15 girls' 4km race, ably supported by dad Graeme who had to spend a good few hours keeping loose between the U15 race and his own senior/masters men race later in the afternoon.

The seniors/masters were running a 8km race of two laps. The course was essentially the same as two years ago but without the spur off to the middle of the course for the start/finish. Instead, the start/finish was at the highest point of the course more or less in front of Balloch Castle. Although this provided for a very narrow start straight with a big tree in the middle of it to split the field after 50 metres, the benefit was that the first two thirds of each lap was essentially gradually downhill and hence fast as the course wound its way down to the lowest point of the course almost on the banks of Loch Lomond. This was all good underfoot with plenty of firm grass and efficient running. However, as soon as the course turned up hill for the final third, underfoot conditions became decidedly more tricky. The course climbed and then traversed the slope on a narrow, extremely slippery, muddy footpath. There were plenty of fallers in the senior races on this part. Then it turned to climb steeply to the top level brining the runners back towards the castle. As the runners reached the castle, the course dived steeply down the grassy slope (and some runners did take a dive on this slippery slope) before doing a treacherous U-turn and heading up hill for 150m to the start of the next lap and the finish line on the second lap.

Frances chases down another place on the uphill finish

We were represented by Kirsty Wilson and Frances Ferguson in the senior/masters women 8km race and they turned out to be very closely matched. As the first lap unfolded, Kirsty took a slight lead of what seemed like around 15 to 20m and carried this through to lap 2. However, Frances timed her effort perfectly and by the time they came back into view on the final climb to the finish, Frances had established a lead, running powerfully up the hill to finish in 40:34 and 4th W55 overall. I don't know what training Frances is doing outside of club training and body pump, but whatever it is, she is well on the way back to top form. Kirsty was only a short distance back and finished in 40:42. Despite still being somewhat uncomfortable with cross-country, Kirsty also showed good form up that final hill and will carry the strength benefit from this race into future performances.

Kirsty powers away on the final hill

Callum sprints to the line

We had good numbers out for the men's race, being one of only 15 clubs to field a complete team of 6 (we had 8) and as always, every place counts! As this was my first proper head-to-head rather than relay race since pre-pandemic, I was a little bit nervous and wasn't expecting much on lining up on a very tightly packed start line in a field approaching 300 in number. I ran more or less a steady paced run, not really fit enough to take anyone on head to head or target someone to chase down but as the course unfolded, particularly on the second lap, I found people coming back to me despite me slowing. On both laps I had a few near falls on the slippery traverse but otherwise it was great to be out pushing myself (might wear spikes if we come back to this course though). I finished in 33:22 and also 4th in the M55 category. Callum Wright was our next Harrier home in what looked like a close battle with Graeme Lindsay. Callum finished in 35:26 with Graeme in 35:57. As both Callum and Graeme are relatively new to cross-country, I fully expect them to develop into stronger XC runners through the season as suggested by their road pace and evolving training history. Kevin Farmer is piling in the miles on the road just now and is a little bit wary of the country resulting in a cautious 37:45. Jim Holmes continued a strong Grand Prix season with a time of 40:39. Gordon McInally has made a remarkable recovery from his foot operation and in what I think was his best race performance post-op so far, finished in 41:25. David Wardrope is an out and out road runner but is taking the strength benefit of a cross country season in his stride, finishing in 41:31. Russell Couper had a much less eventful run than the last time we were here when he had multiple falls in the mud. This time he stayed on his feet to finish strongly in 48:45. As noted above, our first 6 counters (Alan, Callum, Graeme, Kevin, Jim & Gordon) formed a complete team and were 15th in the team competition and our first 3 masters (Alan, Graeme and Jim) were 18th in the masters team competition.

Thanks to the club members who carried the tent up the hill and set it up and to Geo for enthusiastic support and photography. An album of Geo's photos and a few from me are here and can be added to if anyone has any.

Alan