Polkemmet Parkrun Grand Prix Race

Saturday was the 2nd half of the Parkrun Grand Prix race (2 dates are chosen to give a better chance of being able to take part) and 11 harriers made their way through to Polkemmet Country Park for the run. The first half of the Grand Prix race took place on 26th April where we had Iain Maclean (21:39), Joseph Coleman (25:33), Richard Lawton (26:12) and Russell Couper (31:10) taking part, so everyone knew what times they were aiming to beat. It was pouring first thing on Saturday morning but thankfully it had dried up by the time I arrived to find Charlotte Buchanan well underway with her warm up preparations and had been told she was determined to beat dad Andy.

At the first timers briefing the course was described to us and to me it sounded quite complicated as was 2 laps with each lap having 2 about turns but in fact when running it wasn't complicated at all and was well marked out with cones to direct you. As it was 2 laps and had the sections doubling back on yourself it also meant there were lots of opportunities to see where your fellow harriers were and how they were getting on.

Charlotte Buchanan charged off at the start of the race with coach Alan Derrick also admitting to going off too fast after her, but they both settled their pace down and the first section where I saw them had Alan the first of the harriers followed by Charlotte then Andy, Jason Grant then Julie Beveridge not far behind, then me, Scott Hair, Gordon McInally, Peter Moyes followed by Frances Ferguson and Lorraine Buchanan running together. Frances was taking it easy and trying not too aggravate her pelvis injury too much and she was certainly the most cheery of all the harriers racing round. The next section where I saw everyone Andrew had caught Charlotte and they were running together with everyone else remaining in the same order, by the final section both Andy and Jason had overtaken Charlotte and Frances had pulled away from Lorraine (or I think Lorraine had asked her to run on instead of being so happy on the uphill sections...).

Alan was first harrier home in 7th place, sneaking under the 20minute barrier in a time of 19:57, Andrew Buchanan was 2nd harrier home in 9th place in a time of 21:00, Jason was 2 places behind in 21:11, followed by Charlotte in 21:35. Charlotte was also first female and had a brilliant run for her very first 5k. Andy better watch out as with a few more 5ks under her belt she'll not be long in being the fastest in the family! Julie Beveridge was 3rd female and finished in a time of 22:14, Alison Lessells was next harrier in 24:15 with Scott 2 places behind in 24:34. Gordon McInally is continuing his fitness comeback and finished in 26:32 with Peter Moyes next in 27:20, complaining of too many pints at Laurens engagement party the night before, Frances Ferguson enjoyed her run finishing in 30:19 and Lorraine followed in 31:23, pleased not to aggravate her knee injury anymore.

We all agreed that even though it was a tough course and not one for a good time (its mostly on trail, and mostly either downhill or uphill - the hills are long and gradual as opposed to being steep - except the final 50m which was the steepest uphill) that it was an enjoyable parkrun and we would all like to do it again so thanks Russell for the suggestion of putting it in the grand prix this year. 

Thanks to Susan and Heidi Grant for the support :)

With 3 races to go in the grand prix, Andrew Buchanan is leading the way, with Russell Couper in 2nd place, Scott Hair in 3rd and Jason Grant only 1 point behind in 4th place. Andrew is also leading the scratch.

In the ladies Grand Prix Lorraine Buchanan is leading with Alison Lessells in 2nd place, Julie Beveridge in 3rd and Frances Ferguson 6 points behind in 4th. Alison is leading the scratch.

Post Race Team Photo