Clubmark

On Thursday evening the Harriers hosted one of Scottish Athletics "6 year plan" road shows. Earlier in the evening, Geoff Wightman, chief executive of Scottish Athletics presented the club with the clubmark accreditation. The Harriers are only the 4th club in Scotland to receive this award which signifies our commitment to being a safe, effective and child friendly athletics club. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Jim Goldie, South Lanarkshire Athletics Development Officer and Ewen Cameron Scottish Athletics Education and Development Manager for their help and support in gaining this award.

Malcolm

Parkrun 5k - Pollok Park

For those looking to get a series of 5k times on an officially measured course or just to have a regular time trial through the winter, a company called Parkrun is organising a free 5k race in Pollok Park every Saturday morning starting at 09:30. The only entry requirement is that you fill in the simple on-line entry form before 6pm on the Friday night before the race. There is no on-the-day entry. Click here for further details. The start line is on the road in front of the Burrell Collection/Burrell Car Park. Please follow the directions on the above web site link for parking instructions though.

The event has been going on for the past 6 or 7 weeks although it seems there was a course measurement error (80m short) which has just been spotted. From now on, the 2 lap course is a verified, accurate 5k and hence will count for your Calderglen Performance Award. Thanks to Stephen Phimister for bringing this to my attention.

Alan

Young Athletes: Scottish National Cross Country Championships

A warm welcome to the Harriers blog to all the parents and carers of the fantastic young athletes who meet at our club ( in all weathers ) on a Wednesday at 6.30 pm. The cross country championships take place on Saturday 21 February at Callendar Park in Falkirk. All eligible young athletes at the club have been entered as follows :

Under 13 Boys 3,200 metres at 11.30 am - Ross Barrie, Ian Rae, Ross Paterson, David McMonagle, Paul Mullen and Alistair Crawford.

Under 13 Girls 3,200 metres at 11.45 am - Amy Mulholland

Under 15 Boys 4,000 metres at 12 noon - Ewan Murray, Richard Campbell, Kris Stewart, Daniel Mullen, Josh Ladds, Stuart Hill and Ross Jarvie

Under 15 Girls 4,000 metres at 12.15 pm - Emma Campbell

All Under 13 athletes includes those who are 11 years old on the day of the race.

It is advisable that you are in the park a minimum of 30 minutes before the start of each race. Spikes or studded footwear is appropriate. Club vests for those who don't have one will be provided. Suitable clothing eg tracksuit and waterproofs are required for warming up / cooling down.

AS 2009 IS THE 25th ANNIVERSARY OF CALDERGLEN HARRIERS IT ID HOPED THAT AS MANY AS POSSIBLE WILL SUPPORT THIS AND THE MANY EVENTS (RUNNING AND SOCIAL) WE WILL BE INVOLVED IN THIS YEAR.

West Highland Way Weekend

This year’s outing will take place on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May. So with summer just round the corner it’s time to get this year’s event organised. Last year saw a marked increase in the numbers leading to running 2 mini-buses. Hopefully we will have similar numbers this year. We have again secured bed, breakfast and evening meal at the Ben Nevis Hotel & Leisure Club with the cost of the weekend being kept at or below £50/person for the bus and accommodation. Soft drinks and any other expenses incurred will be the responsibility of the individual. To reserve accommodation and/or a place on the bus, a non refundable deposit of £15 will be required. I’m at the club at least one night a week, but if you want to send me a cheque (no plastic) or if you require any further information give me a call.

Malcolm

National 4km Cross Country - Bellahouston Park

The sun shone on Bellahouston Park today but not before the previous week's rain had turned the course into the usual quagmire. The men's race was off first and the large field was soon strung out by the leading Eritrean duo from Shettleston Harriers. Leading Calderglen Harrier was Stuart Gibson who covered the 2 lap course in 14:02. Eddie Reid showed his developing form with a strong finish in 15:59 pulling gradually away from Jamie McMonagle (16:29) throughout the race. Jamie was just glad to finish, cross country not being his thing and indeed Stephen Phimister was closing him down rapidly towards the end (16:40). Amazingly, George Stewart (17:57) and Jim Holmes (18:02) were as close to each other in this head to head race as they had been the previous week in solo relay legs. David Herbertson (18:11) and Graham Lindsay (18:30) were not far away either. Richard Lawton (21:15) made his Bellahouston debut and found the hot pace a bit of a shock to the system. Finally Russell Couper was ahead of his pre-race estimate, finishing in a comfortable 22:57. Jim Holmes has now extended his lead over Jamie McMonagle in the Grand Prix. 

Sandra Reid and Mary Goldsmith lined up for the ladies race, the course having been nicely churned up by the men. Sandra ran strongly throughout to finish the 4km in an excellent 19:37. Mary also had a strong run (20:53) although the distance was a bit short for her. Mary and Sandra are now tied for second place in the very close ladies Grand Prix.

ATHelite Run in the Park 5k

Its that time again folks for the ATHelite 5k on Sunday 15th February.

The race will follow the usual 'undulating' course in a loop within Chatelherault Country Park, Hamilton, starting & finishing in front of Chatelherault House.

The event is run in conjunction with Calderglen Harriers & as always we are looking for both help with the marshalling & finish line but also a good Harriers turnout for the race itself (age 13 upwards).

The race starts at 10.00 but we will obviously need marshalls up ahead of that to get you out on the course. All marshalls receive lifetime friendship, an optional hug & also a complimentary goodie bag including a gift from Mr Tunnock.

It would be great to see as many of you as possible either helping out or taking part in the race. Only £5.00 to enter & loads or prizes!!

Entry forms will be available at the club or downloadable at www.athelite.net.

Please leave a comment here if you are able to help on the day.
Thank you!

Colin

JACK CRAWFORD SPRINGBURN CUP

Two Harriers Dave Searil and Chas Steven travelled to Bishopbriggs on Saturday for the Jack Crawford Springburn Cup 10 k race. Fortunately the worst of the days torrential sleat and rain coupled with strong winds were in abeyance for the 2.30 pm start . Parts of the Forth and Clyde canal tow path on which the race is ran were muddy but were insignificant to the seasoned veteran Harriers. Nip and tuck for 7k of the race and in a pack of six runners Dave found a spring in his step at the course turning point and fully deserved his excellent time of 48 minutes and 23 seconds. A sub 50 minute 10 k is now a realistic target for Chas who crossed the finishing line in 50 minutes and 28 seconds ( although missing from the official results).

The race , organised by Springburn Harriers, was once again an excellent event and in the goodie bag was a club pen which was a very nice touch and something we could purchase for our 25 th Anniversary.