Boulevard Marathons

Some club members have said that they didn't know that the SAAA Marathon had been held on the Boulevard but the truth is that there were actually two run on the same trail. The second was in 1966 and was won by Charlie McAlinden of Babcock's. Also in the field was Hugh Mitchell of Shettleston who had been told that a 2:25 time would get him into the Commonwealth Games team and he set off hard in what was again very warm weather. Like Alder he reached 20 miles before having to drop back out of contention. This was where Charlie McManus came into the picture - but he had not had a drink at all during the race. He was supposed to get a drink from his friend Tony McManus at 20 miles but it was not allowed because 20 miles was not an official feeding station and he had to do without.
At 24 miles - the point where Ian Harris passed Jim Alder - Hugh dropped out. Meanwhile Charlie was being pursued by the 1960 champion, Gordon Eadie of Cambuslang. He made a serious attempt to catch Charlie but he had given him too much and he was also suffering in the heat from the trail and from lack of fluids. Charlie found a wee bit extra at the end and won in 2:26:31.
Two SAAA Championships on the Boulevard, two very hot days and two dramatic finishes!