The 51st Allan Scally Road Relays - Perfect conditions for a return to road relay action

Ross Mullen leads the M40 team away

2 years ago the Allan Scally Road Relay was the final race in which the Harriers participated before everything was shut down by the pandemic. It was therefore a very welcome return to the sunny paths of Glasgow Green for this, the 51st Allan Scally Road Relays, an event that the Harriers have competed in every year (that it has been held) since our formation and at each of the three different venues used over that time. The Harriers were represented by 5 complete teams of 4 runners, all looking for a test of form and perhaps a PB on this officially measured, flat 5k course. The start/finish line was on a long sweeping bend which seemed to go on forever when straining for the finish. The first 1.5km ran parallel to the river, past the university boat houses and almost to the McLellan Arch where it swept through almost 180 degrees to follow another long straight slightly up hill in the general direction of the People's Palace. Then the route joined the network of wide paths in the middle of Glasgow Green, requiring a few cautious turns where the generally smooth tarmac had a slight covering of damp mud. The paths led back to the McLennan Arch leaving a never ending 1.5km, thankfully wind assisted, effort to the finish line. With almost 140 teams competing there was plenty of support around the course and in particular inside the final 1km, meaning there was no chance to ease back just a little bit before rounding the final bend.

Calderglen's fastest man, Paul Murphy

Fastest Harrier time of the day went to Paul Murphy running the second leg for the M40 team, who surprised himself with an excellent time of 16:53, an M40 silver standard. Our fastest lady was Julie Beveridge, showing excellent form at the start of the road race season with a time of 20:06, only seconds away from an age grade silver standard. Julie joined several Harriers who were just over the round minute, including Gordon McInally, who ran 22:04 which was not only a substantial course best but also an absolute 5k PB and 2:55 faster than the last time we ran here in 2020.

Times were close amongst the Harriers' seniors and M40's with Ross Mullen, Iain Tomb and Chris McCarron finishing in 17:26, 17:29 and 17:43 respectively. Ross and Iain achieved bronze standards in their respective age groups. However, nowhere near as close as the Calderglen ladies' where Frances Ferguson finished in a fantastic 22:08 (age group gold standard) and Karen Allen and Alison Lessells tied on 22:22. Unfortunately this tie was purely down to Karen suffering a strained hamstring at about half way in the race. Up to that point, Karen was on schedule for a time very close to 20 minutes. Completing our ladies' representation, it was great to see Lorraine Buchanan biting the bullet and getting back out there after a few years away from racing. Lorraine finished in 26:55. 

Julie Beveridge, our fastest lady

Having been out of action for a couple of years, Andrew Buchanan has also got the bit between his teeth, making his second race appearance in two weeks to finish in 19:52. I made my first return to a road race after a couple of years plagued with achilles and hamstring injuries (usually happening after long efforts on the road) but had the added pressure of suffering a calf strain earlier in the week and putting myself through another "will I, won't I race" dilemma up until the warm-up was completed. Thankfully, the new, fancy race shoes gave the calf an easy ride at race pace and it was just an age related lack of pace that resulted in a time of 18:07, still an M55 gold standard though and only about 10 seconds slower than 3 years ago. Now that we are back on the roads, Kevin Farmer was much happier and got below 19 minutes again for the first time in several years, finishing in 18:51. David Wardrope suffered from being on the first leg where the very fast field dragged him along a bit too fast for the first km causing him to fade towards the end. However, Davie still ran an excellent 20:11, not far away from his PB and 1:20 faster than 2 years ago, highlighting the hard, consistent training Davie has put in during the pandemic.

Making his road relay debut, Paul Lucchesi was thrown in at the deep end on leg 3 for the M40 team, positioning Paul in a part of the field where the runners were perhaps a few minutes faster than him. Paul held it together though and finished in a fine 21:06 in what was also his first ever 5k. We were really pleased to see Martin Howell return in a Harriers' vest after a period of illness. Martin ran to the limit as always, finishing in 21:43. It won't be long before Martin is back down to his usual times. Jim Holmes had a much more controlled run this week than at the National last week, finishing in 21:58. It is always psychologically better to finish just inside the minute rather than just over the minute, so that should give Jim a positive sign that he is heading back to race fitness. Geo Ferguson was also on first leg duty but is wise enough to not get carried away with the fast pace of those around him and finished in a very respectable 22:55, not far away from an M60 bronze performance award. Robert Gibson is getting back into regular training and will soon be back to better his form of several years ago. This year he finished in 23:09. Russell Couper had the hard task of registering all the teams and dealing with a last minute change in running order due to my strained calf but still was very happy with 26:24, his best 5k for some time and only 11 seconds outside his time from 2 years ago on this course.

Our first team to finish was our M40 team (Ross, Paul M, Paul L and Alan) who finished 4th M40 team behind Corstorphine AC, Garscube Harriers and Edinburgh AC.

Thanks to all our supporters and photographers on the day who added to the atmosphere and also enjoyed their time in the sun. These included Sharon Gregg and Davie Searil and possibly others out on the course that I just didn't see. There are photos of everyone (and everything architectural) courtesy of myself, Frances and Davie in this album. Feel free to add to this.