On Sunday it was the Young Athletes League Match at Wishaw on a glorious afternoon for track athletics. There were several weel kent faces competing such as Tony Dolan and Lewis Wood but there were a number of absentees due to the fact that it was right at the start of the Clydebank Fair. But there was a number of young athletes new to the game who really looked the part - Roisin McShea in the 1200, Connor Ewing looks like one of the best prospects for quite a while, Darren Halpin (Derek's son) looked good in the U13 800 metres with his buddy Michael McCann. It was a good day and no doubt Donald will get the detailed results to Marina for the 'Post' and to Yvonne for the website results page.
Next Sunday it is the turn of the Seniors in the Men's League Match at Meadowbank. I was kind of surprised to find that as in the first two matches we would be short of guys for the 1500 and 5000 metres. What's that all about??? With 25 men taking part in the Winter League and numbers for the summer being similar, how come we are short? Anyone with the attitude that they would rather see the club have no one in an event than do it themselves is not a real Clydesdale Harrier in my opinion. 25 in the winter league - and only seven ran in the national championships. It is a disgrace. It is on a par with the attitude to the club Christmas Handicap a couple of years ago. The Committee agreed that it would be on a Saturday afternoon - it would mean that the children would run in daylight on a course that they knew rather than in the dark on a course that they didn't know and it would mean all the club at the same venue. Even although it was a 'once in a year' event, so many seniors wanted to run in their own wee comfort zone and not be part of the whole club that the children ended up in smaller numbers than usual running round Duntocher at night. The trail was altered the following year but it does not reflect well on those seniors who didn't want to be part of a club event.
Real middle distance runners (like Marina for instance) run on the road, over the country and in the hills. Others run only on road and only over 10K or half marathon.
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Have to agree with the point raised regarding the fact that there are often empty spaces in the middle and long distance events at the track league.
There is no getting away from the fact that most members of The Clydesdale Harriers are, at the moment, predominantly longer distance athletes who compete for the most part on the roads. Every week we read, in the Clydebank Post, the results of the previous weekends 10k race. Which don't get me wrong, are obviously well supported.
However, Brian has raised the point previously that to become the 'complete' or more 'well-rounded' athlete there has to be competition on all surfaces. Whether it be on the roads, the hills or THE TRACK. I don't think many would like to admit it but I believe that many athletes in the club like their own comfort zone and as such would be reluctant to venture onto the track. But, for the good of the club, I emplore you. Take the initiative and race on the track. Not only for yourself, but for the club.
I agree Brian. For those of us who have a free Sunday please get along to Meadowbank,dig out your spikes and give the 1500 or 5k your best shot.
OUR club could do with the points and most importantly for those running,your support.
I have to agree with the guys above, we have some good distance runners at the club who could be very good if they had a go on all surface. Perhaps when/if we get access to the new track it will allow more members to get a wee shot of track running.
Oh and just as a footnote. I 'competed' in last meeting at Grangemouth and finished LAST in both 1500 and 5k races.
However,i know from the advice of Phil and Brian etc,that i will improove,by doing these sessions and hopefully get some points for the club in the process.
Even if i get no points the younger members of the club really appreciate the support we give one another on day's such as these.
We expect a lot from our coaches...
give them something in return.
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