The West District cross country championships took place on Saturday, 10 December at Irvine. Thankfully for both runners and supporters conditions were better than earlier in the week. Although there was a cold breeze, it was quite pleasant for running in, less so for standing around. The course had altered from previous years, nearly a reversal in direction. The ground conditions were fairly good, a couple of areas of softish ground though nothing like Rouken Glen so it made for fast running. While we were short for a full ladies team the three ladies who made it along (Julia Harris, Romy Beard and Jane Wild) gave an excellent performance and were rewarded with silver vets team prize. Well done to them. In the men’s event, where eight Bellas took to the course, we were 11th placed team overall out of 17 and our vets team came in 5th of 21 teams. Our finishers were: Greig Glendinning, Bruce Carse, Craig Reid, Scott Kennedy, Gerry Scullion, Tomy O’Connell and Rankin Lawther with Keiran Docherty pulling out during the race. We were a bit jealous of the various clubs tents on display where runners could take some shelter before and after running and in particular we noticed that Inverclyde had room for flasks, food and whatever else – now that would have been very welcome. Still I think we all enjoyed the trip to Irvine. Full results available from the Scottish Athletics website. Report from Gerry
Yearly archives: 2011
Dawsholm Park was the venue for the Glasgow Uni 5 miler on Saturday, 3 December. Things weren’t looking too good, as after registering and getting changed I found the entrance foyer of the sports complex jam packed with apprehensive looking runners sheltering from the cold, wet and windy conditions. Luckily the rain stopped for long enough to get out for a quick warm up before heading to the start line. I had been warned before the race to get a fast start as there was a bottleneck at a gate near the start, but it seemed that this year they managed to get the gates open fully and slapped some wood over the cattle grid, so no problems there. After a steady climb for the first 500m we got a nice downhill section which led us through the forecourt of a car was (where we had to dodge some hosepipes!), then it flattened out a bit til we descended into Dawsholm park. Things got a bit muddy through here, and we were then faced with a beast of a hill to climb back out to Maryhill Road, back into the sports complex and then had to do it all again for lap 2, at which point the rain decided to start lashing down again. This was a pretty tough race, so there weren’t many PBs, but it gave us all a good workout. Good spread of cakes afterwards too. The race was won by Thomas Fay of Shettleston Harriers in an impressive 25.14. First Bella home was Kieran Docherty. Full results using link below: http://www.haresandhounds.com/roadrace.php Thanks to Bruce for providing this report.
Great news from the weekend: The club had two representatives at the British and Irish Masters Cross Country in Bellahouston Park. Russell Whittington was running in Scotland’s V35 team (and came away with a Silver medal), and Julia Harris representing Wales in the V40’s. It was certainly a wet and windy Saturday afternoon, so huge congratulations to everybody who took part. Russell sent in this superb event report: On Saturday I had the amazing opportunity to run for the Scottish Masters team in the British and Irish Masters Cross Country in the home surroundings of Bellahouston Park. The race is split up into age categories in five year groups starting at V35 and going up to V70 for the men and V65 for the women. The event is made up of teams from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. I was put in a strong looking V35 team along side David Miller, Jamie Reid, Robert Gilroy, Joe McKnight and Iain Connell. The weather and course conditions were very challenging. The weather was wet and windy and the the course was muddy and hilly so all in all it was a proper cross country. The first race was for all the women and the male V65 and V70 categories and was made up of one big loop and one smaller loop. The Scottish women got the team off to a great start with stand out performances from Lesley Chisholm third overall and second V35, Melissa White 4th overall and first V45 for the second year in succession and Fiona Matheson 5th overall and first V50. The F35 and F45 teams were both one point behind England in second place and the F50, F55 and F65 teams all took bronze medals. Our own Julia Harris was representing Wales in this event and finished 75th overall in a time of 27:15. The male race for categories V35 through to V60 was two big loops of the course. The race started at 12.45 and started on the pitch and put area. From there we headed uphill through the wooded area of the park followed by the downhill heading towards the House for an Art Lover. This descent was the trickiest part of the course as it was very muddy and several runners fell over in this section. After the House for an Art Lover we headed into a strong headwind past the Palace of Art and then up the second of the tough hills. The loop finished with a lap around the back of the cycle track before setting off on the second muddy lap. I finished in 76th place in a time of 28:39. Peter Matthews was first home for Ireland in 24:54. First Scot was Jamie Reid who was 7th overall and 2nd V35. My V35 team finished 2nd overall one point behind the winners Ireland. The four to count for the team were Jamie Reid, David Miller, Robert Gilroy and Joe McKnight. Fortunately for me there were […]
Saturday 12th November saw the second running of the Jimmy Irvine Bella 10K, sponsored by Achilles Heel. The race is named after the founder of Bellahouston Road Runners Jimmy Irvine and the race made its debut on the calendar last year to celebrate the 10th year of the club. Bright autumn sunshine and slightly breezy weather greeted just over 400 runners on the start line in Bellahouston Park. The race was won by Robert Gilroy (Ronhill Cambuslang Harriers) for the second year in succession in a time of 32:07. Second home was Kieran Docherty (33:47) and third was Russell Whittington (34:38), both from host club Bellahouston Road Runners. In the ladies race the honours this year went to Julie Doncaster in a time of 40:03. In second place was Yana Thandrayen (Portobello RC) in a time of 40:30 closely followed by Sheena Jack (Fife AC) in a time of 40:48. The male V40 category was won by Michael McLoone (Greenock Glen Park Harriers) who also finished 5th overall in a time of 34:50. Andy Law (Mid Argyll AC) retained the V50 title finishing in 37:34. Clydesdale Harrier Watson Jones took the V60 category with an impressive 45:58. Katie Mathieson from Bellahouston Road Runners took the V35 female category with a time of 42:06. Julia Harris also from the host club capitalised on good form by taking the V45 category in a time of 43:17. The V55 category was won by Margaret Deas from the Scottish Veteran Harriers completing the course in 52:07. Given the number of purple vests on display it was no surprise to see Bellahouston Road Runners take both male (Kieran Docherty, Russell Whittington and Greig Glendinning) and female (Katie Mathieson, Ann Robin and Ciara Baxter) team prizes. Outside of the prizes all runners received goody bags and medals for their efforts, with an impressive spread of savoury and sweet eats, alongside teas and coffees on offer for all. This years race proved to be extremely popular with all entries sold out in advance of the race. Many returned for a second year, and we hope to see them all again for the Bella 5K next August and the 2012 Jimmy Irvine Bella 10K. Full Race Results are here. Race photos available for purchase from http://www.scottsportphotography.co.uk/
Big big thanks to everyone who made today’s race happen. Provisional results can be found here. Any race queries please send to races@bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk Full race report to come.
Craig Reid sent in this report from last Saturday’s Glen Ogle Ultra marathon. Saturday 5th November saw the first running of the Glen Ogle Ultra Marathon. The 33 mile out and back route started in Strathyre at 8am and followed a scenic route towards Killin. Weather conditions were perfect on Saturday morning and over 120 runners lined up at the start line. Due to the larger than expected field the route had to be cut to around 31 miles. I started at the back of the pack as I didnt want to set off too fast. The first 6 miles or so were very hilly and so it was difficult to get into a steady rythm. As I moved up through the field I met fellow Bella runner, Rebecca Jonson who was also doing the race. Miles 6 – 10 were very gradual and took us up through the glen and over the viaduct to the second checkpoint. My legs felt fresh and after stopping for water I pressed on. Miles 10 – 18 were through the forest on a mixture of paths and trails. By this point I was completely on my own and was making good time on the paths. By mile 14 I hit a massive hill and actually had to stop and walk up it as my legs ached. This left me feeling full of doubt as I wasnt even halfway round and I was walking already, I began to wonder if I would even finish. Thankfully that was the worst uphill section and once I got to the top I soon got back to running and returned to the 18 mile checkpoint. At 18 miles I took my first energy gel even though my legs were still feeling surprisingly good (apart from on that one big hill). I decided to try and run nice and steadily to the last checkpoint at 25 miles but the route was slightly downhill at this point and everytime I looked at my watch I was hitting between 6:30 and 7 mins per mile. At 24 miles I managed to catch another runner. He told me I was looking good and that the other guys werent far ahead so if I pushed on I could catch them. I thought at this point I was maybe in the top 20 or so but this runner informed me that by overtaking him I was now 5th! At mile 25 I got to the last checkpoint. Unfortunately this was where I had left my drop bag so I would have to do the last 6 miles with a rucksack on my back. I wasted a couple of mins trying to find my last energy gel and bottle of lucozade and set of again. The last section was on road and by mile 27 I had caught the 4th place runner and could see 3rd a few hundred yards up the road. Somehow my legs still felt good and I was battering out 6:45 […]
All race numbers were posted today Tuesday 1st November. Please remember to bring your number on the day.
With just under two weeks to go until race day we are delighted to announce that the race is now completely full. All 500 entries have sold out with the last one going earlier today. Race numbers will be posted this coming week. On the day entry is not available.
We now have only a small number of entries available for the race on Saturday 12th November in Bellahouston Park. It is looking highly likely that the online entries will sell out in the next few days taking us to 500 competitors. When this happens ON THE DAY ENTRY WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. To avoid disappointment, please take advantage of the online entry. Race details and entry details are here.
The race takes places in Bellahouston Park on Saturday 12th November starting at 11am. We have 115 places remaining (at 21st October) of the 500 available. There is just under three weeks until online entry closes on Wednesday 9th November. Race Numbers Due to the number of runners entered for the event we have decided to mail the numbers in advance of race date. Numbers will be sent to the home address given when you entered the race. If you have changed address since you entered please contact us at races@bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk asap and the address will be amended prior to posting. We will update the event webpage here and this News section to let you know when the numbers have been posted. Please remember to bring your number on the day. Course Details After taking on board feedback from last years event, we have made a change to the course for this year. Course maps are now on the event webpage here. Series T Shirts Series t shirts should be collected at the Palace of Arts after the race. T shirts are available to those who pre entered both the Bella 5K and the Jimmy Irvine Bella 10K through Entry Central. Post Race Refreshments Remember to head back to the Palace of Arts for post race refreshments. We will have the usual sweet and savoury selection as well as teas, coffees and soft drinks. Spot Prizes We have a number of spot prizes available. Come back to the Palace of Arts after the race, drop your number in the entry box and wait for the draw. Thanks to those who have already entered, we look forward to welcoming you on the day from everyone at Bellahouston Road Runners. Please send any queries to races@bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk.
Chris Brotherston has just sent in his race report from the 2011 Ben Nevis Hill Race: It seemed like a big ask with all that ascent using only two blistered feet, the rain plummeting from the heavens and the gallus mountain clothed in dank mist. This was it……the Ben Nevis Hill race, the thing you hear about as a kid and think to yourself “wow, these guys must be superhuman”. And then as you stand at the start line you see the super human athletes such as Finlay Wild (no relation to the humble Oscar or his long suffering wife) and Angela Mudge (whose dog is even faster than you) or Stuart Mathieson (just being pseudo sycophantic there Stuart). But they are in the minority the rest of us are human; some carrying injuries while others carry hangovers and overhanging bellies. But, that’s hill racing with its motley assortment of craggies on the crags, sloppers on the slopes…..and the illiterate alliteraters…. Anyway, back to the hill race……….and in a hill race everything is about feet….how many feet of ascent and descent…how are your feet…..what are you wearing on your feet……did you keep your feet (no I gave mine away to a passing tourist who got in the way on the bloody zig zags!)…wow what a feat (!). Anyway back to the hill race….it starts as most race do and then finishes. In between there are a hell of a lot of feet (4370 feet of ascent, 1000 runners feet and 500 incredible feats). To some it is running up and down in an incredible 1 ½ hours, to others it is completing it in just under four hours, while all those in between have their own personal goals. An experience it was; an achievement it was; an emotional experience it certainly was; a joyous pleasure…..well I think I will leave that feat to the imagination……. Wouldn’t change it for the world though…. More details, results and… FEATures (boom *tisch*) about this famous hill race at http://www.bennevisrace.co.uk/
Thanks to everyone who took part in the race today. We hope you enjoyed it. Well done to all the runners and many thanks to the supporters. Full results are available here (click on link). Any queries should be sent to races@bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk
Pre entries are coming in quick and fast for this Sunday’s Achilles Heel Bella 5K which is great. Still room for plenty more but online entry for the 5K closes at midnight tomorrow!!! If you haven’t entered already then there is still time to take advantage of the series discount and get a series t shirt. If you have entered then we’ll see you on Sunday. All the details are on the Events page.
Just over a week to go until pre entry closes for the 5K and 10K race series. After this the discounted entry is no longer available, and the series t shirt is no longer on offer. Online entry for the Bella 5K closes on Wednesday 17th August, after this date it is on the day entry only for an additional £2. All the details are on the Events page.
Grant MacDonald sent in this excellent race report from this year’s running of the Clyde Stride 40 mile ultra marathon: I had been toying with the idea of an ultramarathon this year so when I found out there was one that started a few yards from my front door I thought it would be rude not to really. So, the Clyde Stride. A 40 mile jaunt from Partick train station to the slightly more scenic New Lanark via the not very well signposted Clyde walkway. About 100 of us gathered at the back of the train station and were set off running down the clyde battling against confused cyclists and dogs coming in the other direction. The 1st section goes along the clyde towards Glasgow Green and it was here I passed a few Bellas running in the opposite direction on their Saturday morning run, strangely none of them were tempted to turn around and join me. Otherwise it was an uneventful and almost pleasant run to the 1st checkpoint at Cambuslang. I shoved a banana down my gob and continued along the 2nd section towards Strathclyde Park. This section is mostly offroad trails and was a bit of a relief after pounding the tarmac. The only shock during this section was coming out of miles of serene woodland and suddenly finding yourself having to cross a massive roundabout with no marshals for assistance. After giving myself a pat on the back for not getting runover by a massive lorry I trundled on to the 2nd checkpoint where Elsie was helpfuly waiting to load me up with sugary things before shoving me in the direction of strathclyde park. The race then follows the river through Barons Haugh Nature Reserve. It was around this point I suddenly heard the friendly voice of Matt W (who was doing the race in a relay team) say hello. Not someone I would normally expect to see at this stage in a race. He kindly slowed down for a chat before effortlessly bounding off into the distance. At this point I was still feeling really good and wondering how long it would last. The answer to that question was about 3 more miles. As I came into the final checkpoint i started to feel a bit sick and was starting to bonk a bit too. I tried to shove some food down me for the last 12 mile hilly section but was really struggling to swallow anything. I shuffled onwards and was confronted by a near verticle series of steps. At this point the most rational thing to do seemed to be to lie down and have a good cry, but probably due to dehydration the tears wouldn’t come so I had to carry on. After a seemingly endless series of ups and downs I eventually came into New Lanark, but here the race has a sting in the tail. Just when you think you are finished you are diverted back into the woods for […]