Robert Macleod just sent in this race report from yesterday’s Tom Scott 10 mile road race: If you had asked me 5 or 10 years ago would I take up running in the years to come I would have just laughed at you, the most running I ever done was running from people wanting to batter me in school, I officially ran my first race in June 2016 doing the men’s 10k in my Adidas sambas and the reason that was I didn’t intend to continue running after that, I struggled with that race and I stumbled over the line in just over an hour, fast forward to April 1st 2018 otherwise known as April fools day well I certainly wasn’t planning on being a fool today as I prepared myself for my very first ever long race, the 56th Tom Scott memorial road race which was a 10 mile race around Strathclyde park, Earlier in the week my 5 year old daughter Mirrin asked me Daddy why do you never win races, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry but I answered because there are faster people running than me that’s why, I had the added bonus of the children being away for the weekend with their Auntie so there was no added distractions, We set off in plenty of time and arrived at Strathclyde park just before 9 to get my race number, I definitely underestimated the coldness and I only had a top over my running top, we went inside and then later I nipped out for a wee warm up, the start of the race was quickly approaching so I quickly took my top off and threw it to Elizabeth, the race started quickly and I probably started off a bit quick, that would catch up with me later, I set myself a target of 1 hour 20 minutes which is 8 minutes a mile and I thought I’m more than capable of that, I was unsure of what route this race was taking me but following who’s in front of me I can’t go wrong, on the other side of the loch I seen Graeme Paterson and he told me to stay steady all the way round and that’s what I intended to do, as I was about to start the last lap the winner Luke Traynor was finishing his race which is very impressive and hopefully he will go to the very top and I certainly believe he will, when I got round to the other side I was overtaken by Lynne Hamilton, I asked her if she would wait for me but I don’t think she heard me, I occasionally looked behind me and I noticed Lynsey wasn’t far behind me so I managed to catch a second wind, this was my first visit to Strathclyde park and I could just about see where the finishing line was so I made a run for the finish I seen the clock ticking at […]
Yearly archives: 2018
We’re pleased to announce that the club is now in a position to claim back Gift Aid on membership fees, and any donations you have made (or may make in future) to the club, at no additional cost to yourself. This is worth an extra £5 per member from the annual £20 membership fee. You can find the form available on the website at bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk/gift-aid A few more details about what we’ll plan to do with the money on the member’s forum here.
Matthew Campbell sent this report in shortly after taking part in the Rome Half Marathon The race started on the outskirts of Rome and finished on the coast in a town called Ostia. The weather on the day was ideal a few light showers and fairly overcast although I still managed to get slightly burnt! The course didn’t take in any of Rome’s tourist sites and for the most part was ran on one big long straight road, it was a fairly flat courses although between mile 6 and 7 there was a quite steep incline that eventually leveled off at about the 8 mile mark. The rest of the race was gradually downhill. At the three mile stage I was regretting the amount of walking I did the days before sightseeing as my legs were already starting to feel a bit heavy but I found a second wind (I knew there was a good reason to eat all that pasta) and reached the 10 mile mark, the last 3 miles were a bit of a struggle but I dug in and managed to finish in under my 2 hour target (1.56.53) Looking forward to my next one.
Many thanks to the many members who came along to last week’s AGM, and helped support the club. We’re absolutely delighted by the attendance, and think it might even be a first to have standing room only! It certainly reflects well on the club to have so many engaged, passionate and interested members. Well done and many thanks to you all! Copies of the slides, and a breakdown of the key decisions reached (full minutes will be available in due course), have now been posted on the club forum for members to access. But a ‘summary of the summary’ amounts to: Procedural motions to review and accept previous minutes, presented finances were accepted. The club strategic plan was presented, and accepted. The proposed adjustment to membership fees, allowing the club to dispense with stripping fees, and introduce a fees structure supporting concessions, and more flexible payment methods and schedules, was accepted. There’s no immediate change, as we’ll be moving forward with this later in the year: We will post details as we proceed with the implementation. We said a big thank you to trustees standing down, and welcomed new members as trustees to help take the club forward. Lots of great questions, suggestions and comments were made by members, and we hope to ensure those are properly considered as we take the key proposals forward. Members do please speak to any of the Board of Trustees with any questions, or post a note on the forum. The new board are all looking forward to getting started with taking the club forward with it’s new strategic plan. If you’re interested in becoming a member (or rejoining if you’ve lapsed), please pop along to training one evening for a chat! Lots of details on our website!
What a fantastic morning at Pollok parkrun! 71 Road Runners competed against 63 Harriers with the Road Runners coming out on top again, to retain the title, although the Harriers had more presence in the top ten. Many PBs were had, and our turnout contributed to the 2nd highest ever attendance at Pollok. Full results are on the parkrun website. Thanks to the Pollok parkrun organising team for accommodating us, and putting on such a great event ? Thanks also to the Harriers for their great hospitality at the after party/presentation back at Cartha. All participants also received a commemorative buff to mark the occasion. C’mon the Bellas! ?? Photos from the day are being added to our facebook page, so give us a ‘like’ there to see them all!
Club members were recently sent formal notification of the club’s first AGM since becoming a SCIO charity. We’re hoping as many members can make it along on the 19th February to help support the club. if you didn’t receive the email, please check your membership to ensure you’re able to take part, or contact the membership secretary, or another trustee, if you’re uncertain. As well as a few housekeeping items (details here), we’ll be putting a couple of proposals to members to review and consider: A Strategy for the club – The Board has taken the results of our recent members’ consultation, and discussions with members over the last six months, to publish an outline strategy for the club over the next 3-5 years. It’s published today on the forum for members to read through and comment on in advance of the AGM. Members can access it here on the club forum. We’re also publishing a proposal to reorganise our club membership fee structure, to replace ‘stripping fees’, to help put us on a strong financial base, and offer greater flexibility to existing members with flexible payment options, concessionary rates, and hopefully extend our appeal to new members as a great value place to train. Members can access the proposal, and figures behind it, on the club forum. We’ll also be taking the time to thank a number of Trustees who are stepping down, as well as appointing a number of new members who are keen to get involved with the club. We look forward to seeing you on the 19th, Bellahouston Road Runners
Conditions couldn’t have been better for the annual Renfrewshire AAA 5mile road race at Battery Park in Gourock today. A flat calm and bright sunshine are unheard of for this race as anyone who took part in 2016 will tell you! The Purple Posse had a bumper turnout, and carried home a good haul medals with Cat MacDonald, Claire Wharton and Shona Donnelly 2nd overall ladies team, with Claire 1st FV40 and Shona 1st FV50. In the men’s race it was a Bella clean sweep in the MV50 category with Colin Hughes 1st, Gerry Scullion 2nd and Al McLachlan 3rd. Congratulations to them, and to all who took part, and many thanks to the great support out on the course! Pics from the day courtesy of Caroline Turner are available on our facebook page. A copy of the provisional results were sent through to us, and available here (please direct any queries at the organisers)
BELLA MEN WIN SCOTTISH VETERAN HARRIERS ROAD RELAYS! LADIES FINISH THIRD! The men’s team of Bruce Carse, Bruce Carmichael, Graeme Paterson and Andy Campbell ran out of their skins to become Scottish Champions at the SVHC Road Relays, beating 51 other teams to the trophy. Our ladies team of Romy Beard, Emer Campbell and Claire Wharton won a fantastic bronze medal! Congratulations to you all, the club are very proud of you! Well done to everybody who took part and supported our members on the day. Well done!
The Road Runners vs The Harriers! Saturday 17th February. RSVP on Facebook, or just rock up on the day in your purple top! Following on from last year’s brilliant event, we’re bringing it back again for 2018. This time it’s part of our club championships so we’re hoping it’ll be even bigger and better this year! You pitch up at Pollok parkrun on 17th February (you are registered at parkrun, right?). Run 5K, fast. Finish as high up the field as you can. Scan your barcode. Then join everyone back at the Cartha for the after run fun. How does it work? • Turn up ready to run. Wear your club vest so that you can be easily identified. • Run the Pollok parkrun. Trying to finish as high up the field as possible. Your only job is to beat the Harrier in front of you. But watch out behind, there’s a Harrier chasing you! • After finishing parkrun, show your finish token to the Bellahouston Road Runner volunteer (who will be standing near the barcode scanners), they will take note of your name and placing. • All placings will be added up. • We will count the lowest club attendance, minus three. So, if we have 50 runners and the Harriers have 45, then the first 42 places will be counted in each team. (That’s the Harriers attendance (45), minus 3. Equals 42. You still with me!?) • The club with the least number of points will win the prestigious Mob Match Trophy……until the 2019 return of the mob match. After the race we will join the Harriers at the Cartha Rugby Club for food, drinks and prizegiving where we can all make our excuses for not running down that final hill as fast as we could have. If you can, please come along. Every runner counts. There’s no gender, age, or entry requirements. If you are a club member turn up and give it a go. You just have to beat the Harrier in front of you while not losing to the Harrier behind you. This event is designed to be all inclusive. It’s a race. A good ol’ mob match. And hopefully something to give everyone in both clubs some motivation to really attack that parkrun course.If you can’t run, please consider volunteering at the parkrun. Family & friends are more than welcome, both to run with us, and to join us back at the Cartha. Every club member who runs, volunteers or turns up to support will receive a commemorative gift! Event: Mob Match Bellahouston Road Runners vs Bellahouston Harriers Where: Pollok parkrun which starts and ends at the Burrell When: Saturday 17th February 2018 at 9.30am After party: The Cartha Rugby Club, 92 Dumbreck Road, Glasgow, G41 4SN Who: All members, family and friends.