Christmas Handicap - Another Colourful Menagerie

Fast Santa - Alison Lessels

The annual Harriers' Christmas Handicap took place in fine conditions on Sunday morning with 21 Harriers in fancy dress ready to run the 4 mile course and many more out to support and observe the colourful spectacle. Road works had closed off part of the route to traffic which meant that at least half of the lap was totally traffic free. After a last minute course inspection, the route was declared safe to run on with no ice underfoot and we were ready for the off. Everyone had to run 5 laps totaling 4 miles, starting off in reverse order of predicted finishing time.

Santa up the chimney - Jim Holmes

This year we had many of our new members taking part as well as the regulars showing amazing imagination in costume design. As usual there were many variations on the Santa and elf theme. Unlike previous years (and unlike the traditional Santa), all of our Santas and elves (Alison Lessels, Sandra Reid, Richard Lawton, Neil Green) had learned that a big Santa belly was not good for running and they were all remarkably slim and fast this year. The only exception was Jim Holmes who, despite his slim stature, brought the chimney that he was stuck in.

The world of stage and screen small and large was well represented this year with a cast from The Wizard of Oz (Ruth Kelly doing a star turn), what looked like Calamity Jane (Lorraine Buchanan), Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmare (or Psycho, not sure which! Phil Kerrigan), Keystone Cop Criminal (Gordon McInally), a Pirate from the Caribbean (or more likely East Kilbride, David Herbertson)  followed by Wee Willie Winkie (Billy Buchanan type cast again) and, of course, a pair of 118 style runners (Frances Maxwell and Cheryl Simpson).

Ruth Kelly on her way to Oz

2 x 118: you do the maths

This event would not be complete without a male member of the Harriers looking remarkably comfortable in women's clothes. This year that accolade fell to Jim Mearns.

A very convincing Jim Mearns

The animals were out in force too with everything from Martin Howell as a leopard (or a clown but definitely not a cheetah; he wasn't fast enough), Hugh Simpson and Kenny Leinster as cheeky monkeys (say no more) to Eddie Reid trying to find one good leg out of his eight as a spider.

Surprisingly for a running club, there were various types of sporting character represented. Most authentic was David Searil who was the complete baseball player, completing 5 home runs in the course of the race. Martin Duthie was the other Wizard of Oz in his Australian triathlon outfit whilst once again Russell Couper (fresh from a great victory in the SVHC Handicap on Saturday) was an implausible athlete.

 

David Searil on home base

The finish was tight this year with Hugh Simpson just holding off Gordon McInally to win, making this his "winniest" season ever having also won the Grand Prix. Fastest time of the day went to Martin Duthie in a very impressive 23:28. The fastest ladies were Alison Lessels and Frances Maxwell who dead heated on 29:08. All the results are here (there are still some minor adjustments to the times to be made). However, of most interest is the extensive gallery of photos which is here. A huge thanks to all the photographers Liz, Mandy, Kay, Alison, Andy and the professional, John McIntyre (watch out for a spread in the EK News in the coming weeks).

Alan

In search of one good leg - Eddie Reid

Hugh Simpson being chased to the line by Gordon McInally

Fastest of the Day - Martin Duthie

Grant McLullich Sports Therapy Harriers' Prices

Note that Grant will be increasing his prices from 1st January 2016 (last increase was August 2014) but that Calderglen Harriers are still receiving a £5 discount per session such that we pay £27.

Up to 31st December 2015 it is still £25.

Richard

XMAS HANDICAP RUN

Provisional results at the link below. What a great turn out today. A race report will follow. Could those with photos of the event please e-mail to me or bring on a memory stick up to the club as I did not take any photos today (note that the lap times, particularly for the earlier runners on the first few laps are somewhat erratic as the touch screen on the timing tablet was not liking the sub-zero conditions. It took me a while to realise that it was not recording lap times. Later laps and runners should be OK).
Alan
Click here for results

This Sunday 13th Dec is our Xmas Handicap run at the Sports Club. The better the fancy dress the more consideration Alan will give to you handicap. The hall will be open from 9.30am and our first event will be the Juniors followed by the Adult run. I will update exact start times later.
The Juniors will start at 10am with the adults at 11am.
As usual for the adults its Bring a prize and receive a prize

CARLISLE FLOODS

It was brought to our attention that with all the flooding in and around Carlisle and with Calderglen Harriers having a long standing association with Border Harriers and their Brampton to Carlisle race that we should get in touch. Below is the correspondence.

Richard, 
 I am writing to you having seen the devastation in Carlisle and the surrounding area caused by the recent storms. Calderglen Harriers have been participating in the Brampton to Carlisle race for many years and we enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the race and the warm welcome we receive each year. I wanted to express the concern felt by our club for your members and their families many of whom will have been affected by the terrible flooding in Carlisle and the Borders. Please accept our best wishes to all at Borders Harriers and know that you have our support during what must be a difficult time.

Kenny Leinster
President Calderglen Harriers

Kenny,
 
Your concern and best wishes are much appreciated. After £39m having been spent on defence works in Carlisle since 2005 it came as a huge shock. One of our Committee members has been flooded out of her home for the second time and there are sure to have been other members affected.
 
Eden Bridge - next to the race finish - remains closed pending structural assessment and we anxiously await news of the Sheepmount track, which lifted last time.
 
Thanks again,

Richard


 

WHERE HAS ALL THE GRASS GONE

Well where do I start. With the weather weve had over the last 2 days we knew the West District XC was gone to be tough. Ive seen some tough courses over the years but this one is up there with the toughest. Its impossible to compare courses but it compares well with Inverkip although the mud was deeper then than today but there was no respite today the grass had gone completely to be replaced with a course of mud. First off was our 4 gallant Ladies doing a short lap then 2 full ones. Alison Lessells had tucked in behind Frances Maxwell on the first lap using her as a pacemaker but with Frances having the marathon training in her legs the strength sapping course took its toll on Alison by the end of lap 1 with Frances starting to pull away. A little behind but clearly enjoying herself was Kay Conneff who no matter what you throw at her just enjoys running smiling and waving to the fans all the way. Shortly behind was Ruth Kelly back into xc, unfortunately Ruth has had some hip problems in recent months and this course not being suitable for any strains whatsoever took the wise descision to pull out after the 1st lap. Onto laps 2 and 3 and the Ladies maintained the positions between themselves and worked hard to make places amongst the other athletes with Frances finishing in 53rd place in 34.17. Next in was Alison in 70th place in 35.48. Finishing off our Ladies was Kay in 98th place in 39.07. Well done to all our Ladies.
The last race of the day was the mens to be run over 4 laps but before we even got started there was an equipment failure in the form of Jim Holmes shoe. Jim discovered 10mins before start time the sole was split from the shoe down one whole side. Luckily Richard had some tape which Jim quickly wrapped round and round. I did have a chuckle to myself thinking that's got no chance of lasting 10k on this course and neither it did with Jim finishing with half his foot out the shoe. Onto the race itself and we lined up ready for the off and away we went. By the time we completed the 1st lap I really wasn't sure I wanted to do another 3 laps but carried on anyway as I had Colin Banks and John McBride just in front of me. Lap 2 was the hardest I found and I chose a different route at one point thinking it would be ok to run through a small puddle as I might get more purchase than the heavy mud beside it. How wrong was I, it was merely covering a deep dip and as I stepped into it it was up to my knee and I nearly took a tumble. I wont make that mistake again. My third lap was my best as I caught the pack of 3 in front of me at the same time they where closing on Colin. With a lot of dead turns on the course there was ample oportunity to see your clubmates. I noticed as I turned onto my 4th and last lap that Andrew J Buchanan was only about 50 metres from the finish so managed to dodge that lapping. With the effort to catch the group in front on lap 3 it took its toll and they managed to pull away from me during the latter stages. Onto the finishing order and first Harrier was Andrew J Buchanan 48.12 (105th) then David Herbertson 52.37 (157th),  Kenny Leinster  54.20 (175th),  Jim one shoe Holmes  56.15 (190th),  Stuart Waugh 56.40 (194th), Richard Lawton 57.20 (198th), Jim Mearns  60.46 (212th), John McBride 62.05 (215th), Colin Banks  64.19  (218th), Russell Couper  65.49  (222nd) and Hugh Simpson 67.25 (224th).
Many thanks to all who came down to cheer us on today if I miss anybody here please accept my apology as there was loads of you. Kays family, Neil Green, Martin Howell and family, David Searil, Emma Mearns your support on such a hard day is very much appreciated.
If anyone further up the field wants to drop me a report from further up the course I will add it onto this one.

WEST DISTRICT XC ARRANGEMENTS

This Sunday we have the West District XC at Bellahouston Park.
The Ladies race is at 1pm with the men at 2pm
I will pick up the numbers in the sports centre and take them to the start.
We should have our tent with us so look out for it and me. I want the ladies there by 12.15 and the men by 1.15 but if some can come earlier to help put the tent up and support our ladies.
Kenny will be there with tent about noon.
Those running are.
F Maxwell, A Lessells, K Conneff, J McEvoy and R Kelly for the ladies.
R Couper, R Lawton, J Holmes, H Simpson, J McBride, D Herbertson, C Banks, AJ Buchanan, S Waugh, K Leinster and J Mearns.

If anyone can no longer make it please let me know.

HARRIERS AGM 2015

Our AGM will be held on Thursday 3rd of December at 8.15 pm.
Training on that evening will commence at 7pm.
Any motions should be made in writing to the club secretary before the 26th November.
We will try to get the agenda to you before the AGM
At least one office on the committee will be needing filled so please consider making yourself available for nomination. If we could have nominations for office bearers in advance that would be helpful but we will also take them on the night if need be. If your going to nominate someone please have their permission before doing so. If anyone is unsure about whats involved please ask any of the current office bearers and im sure they will answer any questions you have.