An autumnal day greeted the runners for the 3rd running of the Jimmy Irvine Bella 10K on Saturday 10th November. Over 500 runners took to the start line in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow. Music and commentary from club member Bryan Burnett got the runners set, with club founder Jimmy Irvine sending the runners on their way round the six and a bit miles within Bellahouston Park and the adjacent Mosspark Boulevard. In the men’s race Michael Deason from Shettleston Harriers led from the gun and finished the race 1st overall in a time of 31:52. Second place went to Jozsef Farkas finishing in a time of 32:08. The third man home was Chris Devenney from Kilbarchan AAC with a time of 32:19. The veteran prizes went to Cris Walsh from Bellahouston Harriers (M40, 34:52), Graham McGrattan from Greenock Glenpark Harriers (M50, 37:24) and Norman Baillie from Garscube Harriers (M60, 42:57). The women’s race was a close run affair with first and third only 31 seconds apart. First home for the ladies was Clare MacAuley from Bellahouston Harriers, with a time of 39:18. The host club Bellahouston Road Runners provided the ladies in 2nd and 3rd with Deborah Gray, glowing from a recent PB run at the Dublin marathon, finishing in 39:36 closely followed by Romy Beard in 39:49 and with that Romy’s first sub 40 min 10K run. Prizes in the veteran categories went to Ann Robin (F35, 41:12) from the host club Bellahouston Road Runners, Mary Western from Carnegie Harriers (F45, 42:08) and Denise Lindsay from ADAC (49:24). The team prizes for both men and ladies went to Bellahouston Road Runners who were well represented throughout the whole field. Men’s counters were Ciaran Dougherty, Mark Johnston and Scott Kennedy and the ladies team comprised Deborah Gray, Romy Beard and Ann Robin. There was also a prize for the Bellahouston Road Runners 2012 race series which included the 5K race in August and today’s 10K. These prizes also went to runners from the host club with Scott Kennedy taking the male prize and capping a very successful day, Ann Robin took the female prize. Well done to all the runners who took part today. Everyone who finished took away water, bananas and a goody bag, with some bags having surprise spot prizes. Everyone was cheered home by an enthusiastic support and commentator Bryan Burnett. After the race everyone headed to Mosspark Bowling Club to enjoy a celebratory buffet of sweet and savoury foods washed down with tea and coffee, followed by the presentation ceremony. Another highlight of the day saw Bellahouston Road Runners awarded the Club Accreditation Foundation Award from Scottish Athletics which completes two years of hard work. A massive thanks from all at the club to those who assisted with the event. Thanks to the runners for taking part, all the helpers from the club, their friends and family without which this event would not be able to take place. Thanks to our race sponsors Achilles Heel who provide […]
Monthly archives: November 2012
Full results are available here (click on link). Full race report to come. Any issues should be sent to races@bellahoustonoroadrunners.co.uk.
The entrant list for Saturday’s race complete with race number and the desk to collect your number and chip is available here (click on link). See you all on Saturday.
Latest race info follows… Event Timings 0900 Registration Opens 1000 Commentary and DJ at race start 1045 Registration Closes 1100 Race start 1130 First finisher. Race commentator and DJ will be at the finish to encourage you all home. 1130 Food and drinks available at Mosspark Bowling Club 1245 Presentation at the Bowling Club Registration Registration is at Mosspark Bowling Club on Mosspark Drive (G52 1LJ), and is open from 0900 to 1045. This is just off Mosspark Boulevard where the Women’s 10K finishes. Please check your number and check in desk on the lists available in the hall, with names displayed in alphabetical order (The entrant list with numbers will be available on our website at www.bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk on Thursday morning, so you can note your number and desk ahead of time if you prefer), and then proceed to the correct desk where you will receive a number and timing chip. Registration will be very busy so please arrive early, and give yourself plenty of time to collect your number and chip. The start is a short walk from registration. Your number should be displayed clearly on your running top and your timing chip is to be attached to your shoe with the cable ties provided. Toilets Toilets are available at the Bowling Club and there will be portaloos in Bellahouston Park between the start and the finish. Course Details Course maps are now on the event webpage. https://www.bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk/events/bella-10k/ Water Water is available just after half way on the course, and at the finish. Results Results will be available via our website shortly after the race. https://www.bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk/events/bella-10k/ Series T Shirts Series t shirts should be collected at Mosspark Bowling Club at registration or 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 in the same transaction. Post Race Refreshments Remember to head back to the bowling club for post race refreshments. We will have the usual sweet and savoury selection as well as teas, coffees and soft drinks. Thanks for entering the race, we look forward to welcoming you on the day from everyone at Bellahouston Road Runners. Please send any queries to races@bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk.
Report from Grant. A good turnout of 5 Bellas made the trip up to Menstrie for one of the last remaining Hill races of the year. Myself, Steve, David and Barry were joined by Stuart who had been given the morning off nappy changing duties for a wee blast in the Ochils. The race starts with a fairly steep but runnable climb into Menstrie glen before dropping back down for a couple of burn crossings to get the feet nicely cold before a surprisingly brutal slog up Dumyat. There is no time to admire the view as you turn and descend back the way you came on a steep tussocky descent which at least offers a nice soft landing if/when you faceplant. You cross back into the glen along a narrow footbridge which we had been pre warned would be slippy. Despite this warning I took a hefty fall on the bridge nearly sliding into the river. As I pulled myself up the runner behind me shouted “are you alright maaa……” followed by a thump as he fell in the exact same place. Take home lesson: x-talons and wet wood not a good combination. The rest of the race followed a narrow muddy path which I ran down doing my best Bambi impression. Then a sprint finish back down to the village green. Unfortunately you cross a road coming on to the green and in my efforts to chase down the Westie in front of me I didn’t notice a car pulling out in front of me until the last minute. With all the adrenaline pumping I briefly considered doing a commando roll over the bonnet before remembering I am not Daniel Craig and instead went for the safer option of the emergency stop. Definetely the 1st time I have nearly been ran over by a Jag in a hill race. I resumed a half hearted sprint to the line mainly happy to still have my legs intact. Stuart and Barry followed not far behind, with Stuart coming out on top in a sprint to the line. David was next in about 72mins, closely followed by Steve who took about 5 mins off his previous years time. A fine post race spread of tea and biscuits was provided, and if there was a team prize for post race biscuit consumption I’m pretty sure team Bella would have taken it. Results
Report from Craig. Saturday 3rd November saw 200 runners line up at the new start line for the Glen Ogle ultra marathon. Starting and finishing just outside Strathyre it follows a hilly but amazingly scenic out and back 33 mile route. I did this race in 2011 and know the course well so I went up with a race plan this year, hoping if I stuck to this that I could improve on my 3rd place last year. The start line for the course had moved this year as the route was a bit short in 2011. The newly added mile at the start of the course was straight uphill so when the race started I set off at a very slow pace and eased my way up the hill. As we reached mile 1 I moved into the lead and just continued to run at my own pace over the next 2 miles which were very steep uphills. Miles 4-6 have some good descents, my plan before the race was to take advantage of these and as the course zig-zagged down the hill I looked back up and couldnt even see the runner in second at the top of the hill! Miles 7-12 take you up over the Glen Ogle viaduct. There are a few very steep climbs early on but its mostly just gradually uphill. Despite a fast start my legs felt strong so I kept going at what felt like an easy pace but in reality I was hitting sub 6:30 miles so I knew I would be opening a good lead over the rest of the field. I was caught in a small blizzard during this part of the race, there was already some snow on the hills and path which made the course even more scenic but thanfully it didnt last too long. I passed checkpoint 2 and ran into the 8/9 mile forest loop. The start of this loop is very much downhill so again, I put the foot down and put in some quick miles. Unfortunately the last sections in the forest feature some long, steep uphill sections. I stuck to my plan and decided to run very slowly up these, even walking at a couple of sections. Unlike most races, walking is quite common in ultras to save energy in your legs. It also gives you a chance to refuel so at mile 18 I took my first energy get. I cruised through the rest of the forest section and stopped for a cup of water at the checkpoint before heading back down the Glen. I had made the decision not to carry anything other than 2 energy gels on me and only left a drop bag with a bottle of Red Bull, another gel and 5 jaffa cakes at the last checkpoint at mile 26. As I approached an undulating section at mile 24 I began to feel hungry and my energy levels were dropping. I made steady progressed and reached […]