As you may have previously read, Andy Tomlinson completed the 6 Marathon World Majors following his running the TCS London Marathon on 21st April this year. Andy’s time for London was 3:58:53. This has now been confirmed by Guiness World Records as a new WORLD RECORD for a CiH Male (Coordination impairment- Hemiplegia). What an achievement Andy, huge congratulations!!
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Everyone at Bellahouston Road Runners who knew Russell is devastated to hear of his passing. Russell was a much loved member of the club for many years before moving onto Giffnock North. He was a lovely guy, a friend to many and a fantastic athlete. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.
This week saw our final Club Championship ‘short’ race this season at the aptly named ‘Fast n’ Flat 5k’ on Friday 20th September. It was quite a night for the 10 Bellas who made their way east to historic Linlithgow to run in the event, that consisted of five waves of starters. The weather was cooler than it had been earlier in the week, meaning that conditions were good. An outstanding run meant that Tony Connelly broke his own 5k club record and PB of 15:20 (from last year’s Allan Scally meet) to clock a fantastic 15:12! Huge congratulations to Tony who also holds the club records for 10 miles (51:58) and Marathon (2:26:28). The remaining field of Bellas fared not too badly either with just a few PBs!! Very well done to Ross Horgan (15:28 PB), Calum Borthwick (15:46 PB), David Jarrett (17:07 PB), Bruce Carse (17:19), Jay Cowan (17:21 PB), Ryan Macready (17:30 PB), Alan Moss (17:33 SB), Joni Lindsay (21:57 PB) & Mark Young (17:03 PB, in his Aberdeen Metro vest). Very well done everyone! If this puts you in the mood for a late-Autumn race, with a great long-sleeve shirt and post-race buffet, it’s the Bella Jimmy Irvine 10k at Bellahouston Park on 10th November 2024! https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
Twenty Bellas headed to Tighnabruaich, Argyll, for the Kyles 10 Miler on Saturday 14th September which was the penultimate ‘long’ Club Championship race. It’s a very scenic, well organised event on a challenging course, and this year saw some wet and windy conditions with fairly mild temperatures. Brilliant performances again from our purple posse with Neil McSeveney (59:33) 2nd place, 1st MSnr, Craig Ross (1:02:40) 3rd place, 2nd MV40, Colin Hughes (1:04:47) 4th place, 1st MV50, Louise Ross (1:09:20) 1st Lady, 1st FV40, Ross McGeoch (1:09:31), Gregor Crawford (1:13:10), Jonny Moran (1:13:30), Marty Campbell (1:14:49), Deborah Wright (1:17:22), Anne Campbell (1:18:26) 3rd FV40, Gavin McGowan (1:19:57), Alex Sutherland & Leanne McIntosh (1:19:59), Charlotte Parkinson (1:21:31), Lyndsay Kennedy (1:22:29), Pauline Wright (1:23:30) 3rd FV50, Shirley Wieland (1:24:28, PB) 1st FV60, Laura Wilkinson (1:24:49), Gary McIntosh (1:30:06), Babs Wilson (1:34:31), Stevie Bell (1:40:14) 1st MV70 & Terry Nimmo (1:45:00). Brilliant running, well done everyone!…and not forgetting Bella No. 21, Kevin Queenan, for his excellent race photography! Just over to the east, it was some effort by Jamie Wieland (6:34:26) who ran the 30 mile (nearly 4,000ft of elevation) Dunoon Ultra on Saturday capping off another fantastic weekend of running for Team Wieland! www.kyles10miles.co.uk https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
What a recent weekend of running by our Bellas! Podium news first, and congratulations to Jordan Davidson (1:21:42) on winning the Run Nation Strathclyde Autumn HM at Strathclyde Park on Sunday 7th Sept AND to Kenny Osborne (34:33) who won the Kilmacolm 10k. Then, up in Carnoustie, Kirsty MacFarlane (1:18:53) had a great run to finish 2nd lady at the Barry Buddon 10 Miler. Sunday also saw the ever popular Podfather Stirling 10k with 20 Bellas racing in a Club Championship (CC) event. A big well done to Ross Horgan 32:22 (PB), Calum Borthwick 33:21, Grant Murphy 33:26, Bryan Kerr 33:53 (PB), Bruce Carmichael 35:11, Paul McNairn 35:38 (PB), Mark Young 35:58, Callum Dickson 37:01, Jay Cowan 37:11, Liam McNally 38:50, Sam Thompson 39:02, Grainne McGrath 39:14, Christie Lamb 39:48 (PB), Jane McNeilly 40:34, Andrew McCulloch 40:53, Debi Scott 41:08, Gerry McDonnell 42:18, Joni Lindsay 47:35, Murdoch Rodgers 53:50 & Lucy MacKay 55:51. Another CC race also took place on Sunday at a very warm and ever ‘undulating’ Kilmacolm Half Marathon. 16 brilliant Bellas ran, with great performances by: David Jarrett 1:22:24, Colin Hughes 1:25:55, Sandy Macdonald 1:32:15, Al MacLachlan 1:34:33, Dave Ferguson 1:36:06, Tomoyo Fujiwara 1:41:14 (2nd FV) Cathy Wood 1:43:19, Veronica Fusaro 1:45:08, Louise Ross 1:45:10, Ashleigh Love 1:56:54, Tony Breslin 2:02:10, Lynne Goldie 2:11:09, Christine Milligan 2:16:09, Michelle Smith 2:16:09, Robert Macleod 2:18:36 & Nicola Barrington 2:32:11. A special well done to Michelle on her first HM. And just south if the border we had Bella members running the very wet and murky Great North Run, namely Chic Forsyth (1:26:29, PB) and Jamie Wieland (1:49:19). And then we had those who laughed at these ‘short’ races and decided to ramp it up. Tommy Burridge ran the 33 mile Tiree Ultra, while the machine that is Bryan Mulgrew completed the Glenmore 24 Hour Trail Race near Aviemore, and pending confirmation, finished 4th with 109 miles in the bag, and raising funds for the Beatson https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bryan-mulgrew Now, breathe……. So….if that has inspired you, sign up for our own autumn 10k at Bellahouston Park, Sunday 10th November 2024 https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
It’s been a busy few weeks for members participating in a number and variety of Club Championship (CC) races as we see off a disappointingly wet summer into, hopefully, a dryer autumn! Saturday 24th August, saw the final ‘Off-Road’ championship race at the challenging 7 mile long Tom Robb Memorial Trail Race, in the lovely Carron Valley. Very well done to Stephen McQuade (11th, 48:57), Joni Lindsay (13th lady, 1:01:04), Stuart Mathieson (1:02:09), John Sandbach (1:06:34), Aileen Coulter (1:08:59), Brian McQuade (1:09:34), Fiona Birrell (1:09:35), Chi My Ta (1:12:57, in her Westerlands vest) & Sue Campbell Senior (1:13:56). The stats team will be busy tallying up the final points and placings before our annual awards night on 19th October! The sky eventually ran out of water on Friday 30th August for ‘3k on the Green‘ at Glasgow Green. 134 runners took part including 21 Bellas for this CC ‘short’ race on it’s flat, out-back route along the Clyde. Well done to Oscar Coetzee (9:13, 2nd), Grant Murphy (9:22, 3rd, PB), David Jarrett (9:46), Jay Cowan (9:56), Jordan Davidson (10:08), Rich Evans (11:03), Jimmy McGreevy (11:18), Gerry McDonnell (11:20), Gerry Scullion (11:28), Dave Ferguson (11:37), Al MacLachlan (11:48), Jen Conway (11:48), Tom Thorne (11:55), Jamie Wieland (12:39), Frans Roelofse (13:00), Henry Merriweather (13:15), Tony Breslin (13:21), Lyndsay Kennedy (13:40), Graeme Pert (16:04), Stevie Bell (16:04) & Rachael Goslan (16:17). Have a read at the race report from the organisers, some quite incredible performances! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JoqqZPeNVQHyTxP2/ And so, on the first day of meteorological autumn (Sunday 1st Sept), it was the North Ayrshire Athletics Club 10k at Ardrossan. This popular race has a track start and finish, with nice flat seafront stretches. It was a cool, overcast and blustery day for the 300+ runners including 11 Bellas keen to tick off one of the few remaining ‘medium’ CC events. Great performances as ever from our Bellas: Fraser Kelly (36:57, 5th overall, 3rd MSnr), Jordan Davidson (37:01, 6th overall), Colin Hughes (38:33, 1st MV60), Alan Chalmers (40:58), Jane McNeilly (41:44, 5th lady, 3rd FV40), Rhona Fraser (42:14, 6th lady), Marty Campbell (43:06), Andy Tomlinson (44:20), Jamie Wieland (46:23), Laura Wilkinson (49:43) & Laura Templeton (53:09). Cross Country season isn’t far off with the first race being the West District Relays on Saturday 5th October in Kilmarnock. And, it’s only 9 weeks to our own big race event of the year, the Jimmy Irvine Bella 10k at Bellahouston Park, 1200hrs on Sunday 10th November 2024. It promises to be its usual great outing, including a locally inspired long-sleeved shirt and great post-race buffet. Sign up at: https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
Sunday 18th August saw the latest running of the OneRen Paisley 10k. There was a field of almost 2,400 starters and, as always, it’s a popular race for our Bellas, with an impressive 59 of our members participating! The route starts in the centre of Paisley, extending west towards Linwood before returning to the town centre via the cycle path. The weather was good, although a bit blustery, with some brilliant performances throughout the field. A huge well done to our fantastic top 3 ladies, Deborah Gray (39:27), Emer Campbell (39:53) & Christie Lamb (41:20) who took 3rd place ladies team! Deborah also took 1st FV50, retaining her title from last year. Our top men were Johnny McBeth (31:36), Ross Horgan (33:30), Oscar Coetzee (33:46, 2nd MV40) & Kenny Osborne (33:46 (PB), 3rd MV40). There were some great PBs too including for Bryan Kerr (34:15) & Gerry McDonnell (42:02). Another great day out, and another club championship race completed. Well done everyone! On the same day, it was the GSi Events Scottish Half Marathon on the east coast. The race started at Meadowmill, before extending east out towards Craigielaw then turning back west along the coast past Port Seton, Cockenzie, Prestonpans to finish at Mussleburgh. There were some challenging conditions with a brisk wind, so well done to our very own ‘magnificent seven’ of Tony Connelly (1:14:42, 13th, 3rd M35), Bruce Carmichael (1:19:53, 1st M45), Jay Cowan (1:28:45), Rhona Fraser (1:32:06, 3rd F45), Alan Chalmers (1:34:26), Flora Henry (1:44:21) & Rory Young (1:48:58). A great showing and, again, another club championship race in the bag! It’s a ‘short’ championship race next, at ‘the best wee race in Scotland’ namely 3k on the Green, Glasgow Green, 1230hrs Friday 30th August 2024. See you there! https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
Saturday 10th August saw the 108th running of Elder park parkrun, in the heart of Govan. It also saw the latest Bellahouston Road Runners Club Championship ‘short’ race over the 5k distance covering four laps of the park. Elder Park itself is very important and special to the people of Govan, and has been since it was established in 1885 by Isabella Elder, as a memorial to her husband, the shipbuilding magnate, John Elder. The park was built on the site of Fairfield Farm and Mrs Elder later donated monies towards the building of the beautiful Elder Park Library that was opened in 1903 by no less that Scots-American philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie (the library has recently reopened after refurbishment). Mrs Elder was a remarkable woman who through her philanthropic efforts fought for education for women and girls and secured access to medical training for women in what was to later become part of Glasgow University. It was a bright, blustery morning for the event itself which had 168 runners, including a fantastic 37 Bellas. 1st, 2nd & 3rd men and overall finishers were Ross Horgan (16:25), Grant Murphy (16:37) & Dave Jarrett (17:25). The first three Bella ladies (and women finishers) were Rhona Moran (19:55), Jen Conway (20:21) & Poppy Bowie (20:47). The best male age-grade in the event fell to our parkrun machine Al MacLachlan (20:21) representing 82.39% on his 578th parkrun. There was also another fantastic 5k PB of 23:55 for Shirley Wieland who PB’d on the previous Club Championship parkrun event at Linwood! We had numerous Elder Park parkrun PB’s too, so well done everyone, including our excellent Bella volunteers, Kevin Queenan, Roz Wilson & Hugh Brown. Special thanks of course to out wonderful hosts at Elder Park parkrun that continues to go from strength to strength. It’s a very friendly, compact, flat and well organised event. Thank you for having us, and hopefully see you all again next year! #monthebellas #elderparkparkrun https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
The ‘Off Road’ Club Championship is rapidly coming to a conclusion with only a handful of events remaining this season. To complete this particular challenge, members need to complete any 3 from a dozen trail / hill races between April and September. The latest events were scheduled in close proximity in the calendar. First off, it was down to Ayrshire, on a lovely summers evening, for the Kilmaurs Gala 5k on Wednesday 31st July. Nine Bellas put in great performances with Paul McNairn finishing 8th in 16:56 and claiming first placed MV40 in the process. Claire Wharton also finished third FV50 in 21:36. In addition we had James McGreevy (20:03), Marty Campbell (20:58), Gavin McGowan (21:36), Anne Campbell (22:15), Joni Lindsay (22:54), Laura Wilkinson (23:33) & Caroline Munro (25:05, in her Giffnock North vest). Well done everyone! On Sunday 4th August, it was just north of the Forth to Kincardine for the latest Scurry event, this time around the lovely Devilla Forest. Seven Bellas mustered in the impressive grounds of the Scottish Police College before tackling the 10k run through the woods. A huge well done to Simon Wells who finished in second place, with Rhona Fraser finishing first lady. The next race in the challenge is the ‘Tom Robb Memorial 7 Mile Trail Race’ in the Carron Valley on 24th August. Good luck everyone! Put you in the mood for a race? Remember that the Bella Jimmy Irvine 10k takes place in Bellahouston Park on Sunday 10th November 2024. Places are available at Entry Central https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
It was an island theme this week for racing, with some warmer weather contributing to some tough conditions on the west coast. Firstly, it was the beautiful Isle of Mull on Saturday 27th July, for the annual Mull Runners hosted Half Marathon, It was a tough undulating route, with the sun shining, and the course extending from Craignure to Salen, with great views over the Sound of Mull to Morvern. Very well done to Stuart Laurence (1:29:36, 10th), Gerry McDonnell (1:38:25) & Catherine Laurence (2:04:42) on finishing and completing another Club Championship ‘long’ qualifying race. The following day, Sunday 28th July, it was south to the Firth of Clyde for the Kenny Phillips 10 Mile Race around the Isle of Cumbrae. It was baking hot for the field of over 400 hardy runners. This too was a Club Championship ‘long’ qualifying race. Our Bellas stuck to it to register some great performances, viz Alan Moss (1:03:03, 15th), Ruairi Barfoot (1:03:17, 16th), Johnnie Felton (1:05:38, 23rd), Simon Wells (1:05:47, 24th), Grainne McGrath (1:08:18, 4th lady, 3rd FSnr), Christie Ford (1:10:57, 9th lady), Al MacLachlan (1:11:49, 1st MV60), Victoria Curley (1:14:11), Andy Tomlinson (1:16:05), Harris Millar (1:19:51), Hayley Drysdale (1:31:39) & Jamie Wieland (1:33:35). Really hot conditions, so well done all, especially our medallists, Grainne and Al.
There’s been a bit of an international theme over the past week, all the way from Wales to Africa! Congratulations to Cat MacDonald who represented Scotland at the 49th Snowdon International Hill Race on Saturday 20st July 2024. The race extended over 15km with almost 1,000m of elevation on a wet, cool day. Cat ran a strong race, finishing 8th lady in 1:26:58 to help the Scotland ladies team take third place. Well done to Oscar Coetzee, who ran a 1:13:43 Half Marathon in a cold and very rainy Cape Town, South Africa, on Saturday 20th July, placing 6th overall and 2nd Male Vet. Oscar also won Elite Male Vet of the year for 2023 at his home club in South Africa, Brimstone Itheko AC. Fantastic performances from Oscar this year, both home and away! And lastly, our good friend in Kenya, Isaiah Kosgei, ran an incredible 1:09:34 at the Uasin Gishu Half Marathon in Eldoret Town (Kenya) on Sunday 21st July. Isaiah was proudly sporting his Bella vest, and he continues to raise funds for, and do great work with, the Kosgei Walpole Foundation to support childrens education in his local area. Another inspiring outing for Isaiah, an incredible athlete and a former Loch Ness Marathon champion.
The weekend of Friday 19th – Sunday 21st July 2024, saw the annual ‘Run the Blades’ (RTB) races at Whitelee Windfarm. It’s a tough, undulating, exposed, but eerily beautiful place to run, with frequent unseasonable weather changes. The events are always really well organised by Breaking Strain. Begining with the 10k on a pleasant Friday evening, we had brilliant running from Claire Wharton who was 3rd lady home (47:03). Our men finished, Jethro Browell (39:00, 4th), Jordan Davidson (39:10, 5th), Simon Wells (40:43, 11th), Gerry McDonnell (46:00) & Andy Tomlinson (49:05). Great performances, especially given the challenging climbs towards the finish line. It was the big one for our on Saturday with the 50k Ultra Marathon on a cloudy, humid, then rainy day. Amazing running all round from Stephen McQuade (9th, 4:07:47), Jordan Davidson (11th, 4:13:36), Siobhann Dunn (18th, 5th lady, 4:27:27), Brendan McGuiness (4:44:23), Jamie Robinson (5:18:16), Jimmy McGreevy (5:18:18), Alan Digweed (5:51:17) & Cormack Smith (7:58:18). Great commitment and resilience to tackle this discipline, so a huge well done to all. To finish, it was the Half Marathon on Sunday morning. Again, a tough undulating course, starting off in chilly conditions, although not the stormy weather of 2023! It was an absolutely outstanding run from Ross Horgan in 1:15:15 to win and break the course record, while Fraser Kelly finished in a brilliant 3rd place with 1:23:34. Following on were Jordan Davidson (1:32:09, 13th), Alan Chalmers (1:32:40, 14th), David Vallance (1:49:55) & Gavin Elliott (2:02:45). Another great morning of running. And the recurring name in the three races was Jordan Davidson, running 10k, 50k and 21k RTB races in a single weekend. An epic starring role!
The Scottish Veteran Harriers Club 5k ran in Clydebank on Wednesday 26th June on a cloudy but warm evening. Whilst not the most scenic of courses, it’s a great well-organised event on a flat and fast loop. There was some great running from our Bellas as always with, in finishing order; Oscar Coetzee (15:50, 2nd place), Calum Borthwick (16:09, 5th place), Paul McNairn (16:51), Alan Moss (17:59), Kelly Taylor (18:03, 2nd lady), Al MacLachlan (20:06), Calum Sinclair (20:51), Andy Tomlinson (22:18), Joni Lindsay (24:13), Robert Macleod (27:20). This was another short course Club Championship race completed. Congratulations to Oscar on his second place finish, and Kelly on second female placing! Great return performances too from Joni and Andy who were both recovering from injury and illness. Well done everyone! The latest Off-Road Championship race followed on Friday 28th June with the Calderglen Harriers 10k. Calderglen Country Park provides a tough challenge, with the course undulating through the woods and with having to bat away the midgies! Seven hardy Bellas ran with, in finish order: Simon Wells (46:41), Rhona Fraser (47:49, 4th lady), Anne Campbell (55:32), Stevie McIntyre (56:37), Charlotte Parkinson (58:01), Henry Merriweather (59:10) & Laura Wilkinson (60:20). Congratulations to Rhona, Anne & Charlotte who made up the third place ladies team. If this puts you in the mood for a great 10k run later this year then check out our very own at https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
There’s no stopping Catriona ‘Cat’ Macdonald who has been in brilliant form on all fronts of late. On Sunday 9th June, Cat (representing Morpeth Harriers) ran in the 5.8 mile ‘Blaydon Race’ in Newcastle. This is a large annual road race with around 4,500 competitors. Cat finished 3rd female senior (6th placed female overall). On Friday 21st June, Cat raced the ‘Black Rock 5’ a unique road and beach race that takes place annually in Kinghorn, Fife. Over 1,100 runners took part over the 7km long route that is timed to coincide with a sufficiently low tide to enable runners to pass behind the Black Rock, about 1km offshore from Burntisland. Cat finished 2nd place female. Then, the following day, Saturday 22nd June, the summer solstice, and it was onto Melrose for the ‘Eildon Three Hills Race’ which covers 7.2km with 510m of ascent, traversing the iconic three Eildon hills. Cat was 1st female, capping off quite a weekend!
It was fantastic to see so many Bellahouston Road Runner volunteers helping out with marshalling at the recent GSi Events Ltd, Mens and Womens 10k races in Glasgow on Sunday 16th June 2024. The Club has regularly turned out at these particular events over the last number of years and it’s always a great day out. We had members at the start and throughout the course to help ensure things ran safely and smoothly, to pardon the pun! Seeing so many people being cheered on and enjoying themselves on a great city course was wonderful. Our members also regularly volunteer at other great events including the Bellahouston Harriers Brian Goodwin Memorial 10k, the Great Scottish Run each autumn, cross country league and of course parkrun. It’s a great way to spend a few hours and get to know fellow club members a bit more. It’s also a great way to stay involved if you are between races or are injured, or if you just fancy cheering the runners on! So well done everyone, and “…thanks marshall!!”