Good Luck in the National Championships

This posting is to wish all our competitors (male and female, young and old) in the National Championships at Falkirk on Saturday the best of luck. Clydesdale Harriers has a proud record in these championships and have been an established part of the event since 1886. Success comes and goes in cycles in all sports and for all clubs. If Celtic or Rangers goes ten or twelve years without success, they are still Celtic and Rangers. The same is true of athletic clubs like Clydesdale Harriers: if we don't have success for a number of years we are still Clydesdale Harriers with a vest and record that all recognise. In my first Edinburgh to Glasgow relay I was running down the road on the third stage when a bus passed me with a guy leaning out of the door shouting "Come on Clydesdale!" It wasn't our bus, I didn't know him and he didn't know me but he was shouting for the vest. The men have had the vest with the big C since 1911 and it has been worn by many - I repeat many - top class athletes and good club men. Remember - some might run faster, but don't let any run harder! Our women are also of a good standard today and they can run well too. There are a number of youngsters taking part and although Peter Bowman will surely win the Local Athletics Partnership Championship given the lead he has at present, others are in with a chance of topping their own age groups. Good luck to them all - I wish I were running with you.