Press Report week ending 31st May

Clydesdale Harriers younger members were out in action at the Linwood Open Graded Meeting at the Sports Complex last Wednesday. Under 15 David Newton was first in action running the 200m in 30.76s. Under 13 Kirsty Alexander was next in the 800m running 2.59.4. Also running 800m was Claire Reid clocking 2.46.2. Under 13 Tony Dolan also ran the 800m in a time of 2.27.9. Senior Under 20 runner Ryan Nelson was the last harrier to run 800m clocking 2.24.8. The 1500m had Roisin McShea finishing in a personal best of 5.40.41.

That same night had Paul Carroll travelling to Dunfermline to run the Auld Toun 10k coming well up in the field in a time of 37.45.

The Clydesdale organised Polaroid Eyewear Clydebank 10k was last Thursday. Most of the Club were helping in marshalling and organising the race but six of our runners still took part. Fastest finisher for the club was yet again Gerry Montgomery running a personal best in the process with a time of 35.59. This was followed by Anne Murray in 41.06, Bobby Young (42.02), Brian Campbell (42.26), Heather Calderwood (47.20) and Colin Gray (51.22).

The weekend of the 23rd May had several races being contested. The first was the Stornoway Half Marathon and 10k. No less than ten of our runners flew out for the weekend. Before the race everyone settled on the island with an island tour. Then next day saw the races themselves. The Half Marathon was like two races in one. The first six miles were flat and fast on good roads. The last seven were reported to be very undulating on mainly trail, but despite that excellent times were recorded. Fastest finisher was Anne Murray finishing in 1.33.58 (2nd female), followed by Fiona McCue in 1.34.03 (3rd female and a pb), then Hugh Watson (1.34.50), Christine Duncanson (1.42.26 and 1st veteran over 45), Watson Jones (1.44.48 pb) and Marie Rippon (1.59.57). The three women also managed to secure 1st Ladies Team Prize in the process. The 10k was no less easy. Four of the harriers took part. Fastest finisher was Martin King (42.13 pb) followed by Terry Shannon (42.38), Brian Reilly (43.10) and David Mitchell (46.44).

Michael Diver was also island hopping that weekend running in the Isle of Tiree 10k coming an excellent 2nd overall (36.15). Last race that weekend was the Dunblane Hydro 7.5 Mile. Over an exceedingly hilly course with the cruel twist of finishing at the top of a hill Bobby Rossborough ran strongly to finish in 49.28. Not far behind him and winner of 1st veteran over 45 was Kath Scott (52.00).

Next race for the Harriers is the Kilpatricks Hill Race (Wednesday) and the third in the Polaroid Eyewear 10k Series – the Dumbarton 10k (Thursday).

Marina McCallum
Press Officer