Assorted Items

First off, it was a surprise to hear a few weeks ago to hear that outstanding club member of a few years ago Pat Younger had bowel cancer and had to be operated on. The operation was two weeks ago and it seemed to be successful then at the start of this week, it was discovered that one of the stitches was leaking. This meant another operation after which the medics said that they were happy with the result and the outlook is positive. Pat has won medals for the club on the rpoad and over the country, he is a noted hill climber, sailor, singer and has many other talents. he was for many, many years 'the harriers' harrier' and we all wish him the very best.

Prasad Prasad is back in action and will have his first race in weeks when he turns out in the Glas Tuileachan Uphill Only race this week end at the Spittal of Glenshee. Watch the papers on Sunday for a result.

I was talking to a senior member of the scottishathletics coaching team earlier this week and he was lamenting the standard of road running in Scotland. "None of them want to run track," he said, "that's where you sharpen your speed, where you learn to run in a tight pack and where you learn how to pace yourself." Certainly the standard in the country on the roads just now is dire. In 2007 there were only two men in Scotland who were inside 2:30 for the marathon inside Scotland, in 2008 there was only one inside 2:30 in Scotland and his time was 2:29:57! Slightly slower, there were only 30 inside 2:45 in 2008, there were 32 in that bracket in 2007 and 33 in 2006. At the league match last week, I changed the habits of a lifetime and spoke to several people. They all said the same as the gen already referred to - with many road runners in their respective clubs, they had difficulty getting them to turn out for the club in league meetings. What seems to be the problem?

Finally, the Monday night field event coaching takes place at Postie's Park on Mondays. Next week we will have Paul doing the high jump, Donna (just back from a brilliant holiday in Gran Canaria) at the long jump pit and Bobby Bell working with Lewis Wood, Donald Macleod and any other throwers there. Yes, I said Donald Macleod! A few years ago Donald did some throwing for the senior men's team and last week he ventured into the hammer cage and Bobby gave him some tips on how to get event further. Any other Seniors who want a go at jumps or throws, don't be blate, just come along for 7:00 pm!

The Scottish Schools Track and Field Championships are at Grangemouth on Friday and Saturday, 12th and 13th June and the Masters T&F Championships are on Sunday 14th June at Pitreavie. As already said, Prasad is at Glas Tuliachean this Saturday while the Gargunnock Hill Race in on the same day but a bit nearer home. Meanwhile congratulations to John Kennedy who was first club runner in the Kilpatricks Hill Race and also first veteran. Michael Diver, Craig Calderwood, Jim Shields and Marina McCallum all ran as well.