News Report w/e 13th February

 Clydesdale Harriers were busy with several races over the past few weeks. Most recent was the Renfrewshire AAA Road Race Championships at Battery Park, Renfrew (6^th February). Young Roisin McShea ran in the 3k finishing an impressive 3^rd overall in a time of 12.27.

The previous day was the Scottish Athletics National Masters Cross Country Championships in Kircaldy. Kath Scott was our sole entrant in the women’s race finishing well in 29.27 over the extremely muddy, challenging 6k course. The Over 65 men’s field had Bobby Young finishing third in a time of 28.09, followed by Brian Campbell in 30.05. Over a 10k course we had the men’s field. Fastest harrier was Paul Carroll (37.38), followed by Hugh Laverty (43.26) and Peter Rudzinski (49.17).

Bobby Young - LSK Relays Strathclyde Park

The weekend before had two events – the Scottish Athletics 4k Cross Country Championships at Bellahouston Park and the LSK Supplies Open Veterans Road Relays at Strathclyde Park (3.8 miles). At the 4k Cross Country fastest harrier was Under 20 Peter Bowman continuing his good form finishing well up the field in a time of 13.18, followed by Paul Carroll (14.47), Iain Robertson (15.18), and Under 20 Ryan Nelson (15.24).

Roisin McShea at Renfrewshire AAA RR Champs

At Strathclyde Park the women’s team finished a respectable fourth behind some tough competition. On a bitterly cold morning Kath Scott started off finishing seventh (24.59), changing over to Marina McCallum who gained three places (24.33), who finally changed over to Pamela McCrossan who maintained her position (24.21). The men had Gerry Montgomery running first (21.23), changing over to Pete Cartwright  who unfortunately lost a few places (25.33), changing to Brian Campbell (26.54), finally changing to Bobby Young (24.31).

Next race for the harriers is the National Cross Country Championships at Falkirk on Saturday (19^th) and the Kirkintilloch Olympians12.5k Road Race on Sunday (20^th).

Marina McCallum
Press Officer

Club Championships

I was at the club championships on Saturday - the weather was beautiful. It was clear, sunny and warm, the races were good on the usual challenging courses and two former members were there. Joe Higgins is a bit of a folklore figure in the club: as a young athlete he was a member of the SAAA multi-events squad and a very good track and cross-country performer as well and Paul was an excellent cross-country and steeplechase athlete. In fact after the West District Young Athlete Relays were introduced, Springburn Harriers won them for the first six years and then, at Port Glasgow, Clydesdale were in fourth place at the start of the third (U17) leg and Paul pulled us up past Clydebank AC, Victoria Park AC and Springburn into first place and the Springburn monopoly was broken. Because of the weather last year and this I have missed a lot of races and what a change in the young athletes! Most of the young girls are now young women, Rachel has sprouted and some of the boys' voices have broken!!!
The only disappointment was the low numbers competing. Only five senior men is not good. The race between Paul Carroll and Peter Bowman was interesting: at first we saw Paul in front, then Peter was in the lead and he increased this until the last lap when Paul came back at him but in the end Peter won comfortably to take the Junior Men's Championship while Paul is custodian of the Senior Men's event. The only mishap was Ryan Nelson losing both shoes (not just one, but two!!!) in the deep muddy swamp that passed for a gate at the end of the big field. Fortunately a kind spectator in welly boots made his way into the depths ad fished them out. Despite losing a lot of ground Ryan ran on and was second at the end of the Junior race. Next week it's the Indoor League on Sunday: turn out and support the club!

Peter's Sunday Session is Cancelled

Peter has informed me that his session on Sunday will be cancelled.

Club Cross Country Championships Saturday 12 Feb 2011

This event takes place at Carleith Farm
Junior race starts approx 1.30pm and Senior race 2 pm

Marking milestones in the history of Clydesdale Harriers.

Over the years, each time a memorable date has been reached in the Club history, the Club members at that time made sure that the “birthday” didn’t pass without some justified celebration.

As we’re sure you know – the Harriers was founded in 1885 which means that in 2010 the Club had been in existence for 125 years!!
The Committee are keen to celebrate this achievement and I’ve been asked to contact members to find out if there would be support for a birthday party of some sort.

In the past the events to mark the 50th & 100th etc have been held as Dinners with speakers – sounds very formal but doesn’t have to be – and gives members a chance to look back at what’s happened in the last 125 years and also a chance to look forward.

At this stage all we want to do is find out how many members and partners would be willing to support a Dinner at a local venue. Costs haven’t been decided yet but with the Club subsidising the evening we were thinking of a cost of £20 - £25 per person.

The date would be sometime during August/September 2011.

Can you please e-mail me to let me know if you can support this very important milestone in the Club’s history.

Yvonne Green
Club Secretary

Scottish Athletics National Masters CC Championships

Here are photographs,courtesy of Brian McAusland & Bobby Young, taken at this event which was held on Saturday 5th February at Kirkcaldy in Fife.