Toon & Country (2 very different races in Northern England)

The Lakeland trails series takes in a number of trail races in and around (unsurprisingly) the Lake District between March and October each year ranging from 5k to 100k. I had opted for the 15k trail challenge as i thought this would be good training the week before the Great North run the following weekend. As described on their website, the 15km Derwentwater Trail Challenge is a circuit along well marked and marshalled footpaths and bridleways, taking in panoramic views of Derwentwater, the surrounding peaks of Skiddaw and Blencathra and the northern fells.

Views along the route

The course starts off with a flat circuit of the cricket ground and a slight incline begins to take you out of Keswick and into forest trails. This turns out to be a much needed warmup before what is to follow which is essentially 7km of uphill jog and at several points walk for the majority, including myself. The highest point of the course at 400m is finally reached at the 8km mark. The hard slog which preceded is made worthwhile by the stunning views and at this point it was encouraging for me to see a good few hundred people snaking up the hill behind me. A couple of well timed hill reps at harriers training must have helped. The remaining 7k is pretty much downhill all the way with a much needed water and jelly baby stop at 11k. This was a relief for the legs up until the 12k mark where I was starting to find the now steep downhill sections taking their toll. This then flattens out for the last 1.5km which brings you back to the finish area and some much appreciated cheers from the spectators.

After collecting the memento t-shirt and changing, it was a (slow) wander through the town for a pub lunch to refuel. On the way back I checked the event tent to check results to learn that I had finished 69th out of around 500 in a time of 1:33:48. The winner was none other than the founder of the Lakeland trail series Graham Patten of Ambleside AC who finished in 1:14:27, (maybe he knows a shortcut?).

Glad to be in the home straight

For anyone thinking of doing a trail run and able to make a day of it i can recommend doing one of the Lakeland trail races, in particular the ones in Keswick which is a nice place to have a wander. They’re also well organised and the scenery is stunning, though it helps if it’s not raining I’m sure.

Exactly one week later I was headed south of the border again for the Great North Run.
We got parked as near as we could for picking up wristbands for the metro on Sunday, which happened to be the Hilton (we weren’t staying there or anywhere in Newcastle for that matter due to the hugely inflated hotel prices during the GNR weekend!). Unknown to us this was where the elite athletes were based going by the various signs and security in the hotel. This was backed up by spotting Lynsey Sharp in the reception who I later learned was taking part in the City games that day.

Arrived in Newcastle where the junior and 5k races were taking place next to the Tyne

After carb loading at pizza express (any excuse), it was back to the Hilton to pick up the car and head to our hotel some 13 miles out at a small place called Houghton le Spring (it’s not as posh as it sounds trust me!). While Tanya was validating the parking at the reception a woman in the queue next to her politely said that she wasn’t skipping the queue but picking up a message. This turned out to be Gabby Logan (not Gabby Roslin as Tanya thought she was called).

After getting parked at South Shields and travelling down on the packed metro to Newcastle, it was time to follow the line of runners and supporters making their way down to the start line about half a mile way. As usual with events of this size, too many people and not enough loos, time to join the queue! With only about 10 mins to the start I was anxious to get down to the first entrance into the orange wave section. After stopping briefly to re-tie my laces before joining the mass of runners, on looking up they had closed the gap in the fence I was going to go in so I had to go another 50 yards or so back. Unknown to me Tanya had waited at the start to take a few photos before heading for the metro back to South Shields. She managed to get a few shots just before the elite men started.

Mo before winning the race for a 4^th time, closely followed by Jake Robertson, only 6 seconds behind

It was some 12 minutes before I crossed the start line. The mass of runners spreads out a little before compacting again at the Tyne bridge where the Red Arrows flew overhead, an impressive sight! This combined with lots of cheering spectators along this part of the route and you feel like you’re part of something special. I’ve never run the London marathon but I’d imagine it’s on a similar scale. After the buzz of the first couple of miles, the next 3 climb steadily as you start to make your way out of the city centre. Despite this there is still a huge spectator presence and this is basically the case for the entire 13.1 miles! Along the way it was impressive and almost moving to see so many people running for a charity that is important to them. There was also a fair share running in fancy dress, a sumo wrestler and unicorn being 2 that I remember.

The only downside I found was with it being such a popular event it is difficult to get into a good rhythm with most of the route feeling quite crowded with runners and i found myself having to look for gaps to get into a better position on many occasions.

I was feeling fairly good at 7 miles and averaging just under 8 min/mile pace. The course undulates until about 10.5 miles where it goes uphill again until 12 miles. At this point i was starting to tire and my pace dropped a little. It’s not until the top of the hill that you see the beach at South Shields which is the backdrop of for the last mile which starts steeply downhill before quickly flattening out.

I crossed the line in 1:45:08. Had hoped to be a minute or two quicker but pleased with my effort overall. Shortly after the below photo the beer tent was (eventually) tracked down. You’d think they’d put it nearer the finish line!

I really enjoyed my first Great North Run and I’ve signed up for the 2018 reminder, so who knows maybe again next year. Thanks to my wife Tanya for doing all the driving to and from both races

and taking photos.

Paul Rooney

Houston Road Relay 2017

Due to Houston changing their date after we had to commit to the TTC accommodation booking, the George Cummings (Houston) Road Relays are not in the Grand Prix this year as many of the club and Grand Prix regulars are on the TTC. However, there are enough Harriers not doing the TTC that we should be able to get a few teams at Houston and support Kilbarchan AAC's long standing event.

The George Cummings Road Relays are to be held at Houston Renfrewshire on Saturday 07 October 2017 at 2:30pm.

Leave your name here if you wish to do the relay. Names received so far are here. As both Russell and I are on the TTC, we will need a volunteer to collect the money and enter the teams on the day (I will post the teams on the blog after training on Thursday 5th October).
Alan

Details as follows:

THE GEORGE CUMMINGS RELAYS 

SAL Permitted 

Open Road Relay race (register on the day) 

on SATURDAY 7th October 2017 

at Houston, starting 2.30pm 

Men’s teams of 4, compete for the George Cummings Trophy 

Women’s teams of 3 for the Trust Inn Trophy 

Declarations at Houston Church Hall, Main Street, Houston, by 2.00pm please. 

Men’s Team of 4 x 2.7 ML (£20 per team) 

Women Team of 3 x 2.7 ML (£15 per team) 

(non SA members £2 extra) 

Prizes to first six men’s teams and first three women’s teams 

First Vets teams, men and women 

Travel from Glasgow by M8 and then the Johnstone bypass (signposted Irvine. A737), off at Johnstone, turn right, through mini roundabouts, 600m straight through roundabout and follow road approx 2ml to large roundabout, turn left, 1st right, across  roundabout down the Main Street in Houston, the church hall is about 50 metres on the left. 

On the advice of the police there will be limited parking in Houston Village. Please follow the parking 

signs to Gryffe High School, which is 400m from the venue. 

Further information from John Rodger 07719 781776 

Staged by 

KILBARCHAN AMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUB

WEST DISTRICT XC RELAY

This years West District XC relays will take place at Hamilton Park race course on Oct 15th.
Start times are 12.40 for Ladies and 13.40 for men.
Distance is 4k per leg
Cost will be £5 per head and should be paid before race day.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR SA REGISTRATION IS UP TO DATE.
I need names by Thursday 28th Sept as this is pre entry.
If you wish entered please leave your name HERE.
Those already entered are listed HERE.

TTC Dinner Menu Choices - If you want fed fill it in!

All menu choices have now been received. Thanks All!
Alan

For the two Harriers still to fill in their TTC dinner menu choices (you know who you are!), can you please make your choices before the end of Sunday, 1st October please. If you have lost the e-mail sent out to all participants on 3rd September, here are the links to the form and the menu:

on-line form
Lade Inn Menu

It would help greatly if you could fill this in this weekend rather than leaving it to the last minute such that I have one less thing to organise the week of the Training Camp (when I am away with work).

I never thought I would see the day when we couldn't get Harriers to respond quickly to a choice of food (or drink)!
Alan

Run Mhor- Hidden Glen 10K

4 Harriers set off on Saturday morning to compete in an off road 10K just outside Balquidder. I
wasn’t entirely sure what to expect as we drove along a single track road which appeared to be
never ending. On arrival we were met by several friendly marshalls who directed us to a ‘car park’ I
use this term loosely as it was a large grass field on the side of a steep hill. The registration area was
an old converted barn and to our surprise had been converted into venue for music bands and
weddings (hint hint Kirsty!!)

The race was set off in waves and the 1 st 2K was an out and back route along a single track road. I
found myself running on my own as the 1 st pack were pushing the pace and we still had a long way to go. The next section was where the race really began as we entered the Glen and started to climb up to the high point at 6K. The conditions under foot were hard going and were a mixture of off road
trails with deep puddles. I heard a piper in the distance and I knew we were approaching the turn.
At this point I was sitting in 8 th place. The next section was a mad dash downhill and I remember
Kenny’s advice about just letting go (easier said than done). I must admit that running downhill on an off road trail is not my favourite thing!! I was quickly passed by 2 runners and tried to keep with
them but they quickly disappeared into the distance. The final section was about 1K back onto the
road and I felt much better and managed to make up some distance on the runners who had
previously passed me.

I finished the race and I don’t think I could have ran any faster. Next home was Kirsty, Graham and
then Sandy. We quickly headed over to the bar for our free pint. Graham and I then tucked into BBQ
Pork burgers whilst Sandi and Kirsty has chips. We all agreed it was a fantastic event, a great
atmosphere and we would definitely be back next year.

Graham and I headed home whilst Sandy, Kirsty, Callum and Winston the dog headed for a post-race
party and the local camping site. Early reports indicate a shortage of Wine and Prosecco in the
Callander area.

A big thank you to support from Callum, Winston and Louise Beveridge.

The results were as follows:

Mark Saez 41.32 10 th place
Stuart Douglas 42:06 13 th place
Kirsty Wilson 51:11 58 th pace
Graham Rammage 51:37 61 st place
Sandy Hayden 58:38 160 th place

A total of 400 runners finished
Mark

Cumbernauld 10k

I have written this race report in two parts. Firstly in terms of the general race organisation and race itself as I was not the only Harrier who took part in this race.

So having done the North Ayrshire 10K two weeks ago I moved on to the Cumbernauld 10K. Also following the same path were Lorraine Buchanan, Sharon Gregg and Julie Thomson.

From when I arrived at the school allocated for parking it was evident this was well organised with marshals directing you to a car park spot and it was well sign posted for the 10 minute work to Broadwood Stadium.

Approaching the stadium the pipe band were playing and it gave a general feeling of what you would expect at a 'big city race'.  As well as the 10k there was a 3k race, races for primary school aged kids (I think there may have been junior Harriers who placed at this - Richard may have more about this on the junior blog) and a 1 mile victory walk. Generally a good race for families to attend.  The races start in the stadium (on the football pitch) and spectators can sit in the stands.

This is one of the few races I have done lately where part of it is run on closed roads with the race heading out of the stadium, along closed roads towards the Irn Bru factory. The race in the first half is flat with a slight downhill after the Irn Bru factory.  There are a few road junctions you come to but the police were marshalling these and stopped the traffic - yet again not something you see in too many smaller races these days. The second half of the race remained relatively flat with a couple of small gradients. The last 3 kilometres are run around scenic Broadwood Loch and the race finishes in the stadium on the football pitch. All in a very good course for a PB. Well supported throughout by the locals and this also helped to make it a good race.

This is the second race I have done this year which North Lanarkshire Council have organised and I have to say I have been very well impressed by the organisation.  The price to enter this race was only £13 (there may even have been early bird prices) and was well worth the money for all I have described above.

As I mentioned above Lorraine, Sharon, Julie T and myself have now done the North Ayrshire 10K and Cumbernauld 10K before moving on in a fortnight to the Great Scottish Run and then the cross country. Can I just say well done to all three of them! As I remarked to them at Cumbernauld it is good to see them out racing and good to see so many of the women's section out racing in general.

Race Results (all chip times):

Sharon Gregg - 47:40
Julie Thomson - 53:07
Lorraine Buchanan - 58:05

Footnote: My Cumbernuld 10K

At the North Ayrshire 10K two weeks ago I came close to a first sub-40 minute 10K with a time of 40.00. As this weekend came around I wondered if I would possibly achieve it at Cumbernauld. This would be my third 10K since the 23rd August ( I ran 40.36 at the Marymass 10K that day) and there was also the doubt that maybe it was too much racing over a short period of time.  With the course being flat I was a bit concerned I may go off too fast and not have the hilly sections I love which can help to conserve energy for later parts of the race.

Result - I led the race from the start and was 'over the moon' to cross the line in 39:26 (chip time).
Julie

LINLITHGOW 10K

Dear Club Secretary,

The 25th edition of the Linlithgow 10K Road Race, organised by Linlithgow Athletic Club, will take place at 2.30pm on Sunday 8th October 2017.
The race starts on Linlithgow High Street and finishes in the historic Linlithgow Palace Peel area.
Technical T-shirts with the 2017 logo design will be presented to all finishers at the finish. There will be a range of individual and team prizes. We're hoping to see as many club runners as possible this year to increase competition for the club prizes!

There is also a 1.9k fun run for juniors aged 8-15, so it promises to be a great family day out.

Entries are available at
https://www.entrycentral.com/ccw-linlithgow-10k
https://www.entrycentral.com/CCW-Linlithgow-Junior-Fun-Run

Hope to see you on 8th October.
Graeme Lawson, Race Director.