galaharriers.com

On one of the windiest days of the year, ten Gala Harriers took part in the Lasswade 10-mile road race on Sunday.
They used that word ‘undulating’ again, when the entry form described the scenic route round Rosslyn Chapel, Auchendinny and Howgate. Anyone who has crawled up some of these undulations in 1st or 2nd gear in their car will know that steep climbs would better describe the terrain.

Hilly courses are all part of running road races but Lasswade also seems to manage to get the wind to blow in your face going up the hills, down the hills and for most of the bits in between.

Despite all this Ron Logan ran well to finish 17th from the 270 starters, in a time of 61.17 and he was followed home by Martin Clarke (34th) in a time of 64.28 and Robin Murray (43rd) in 65.56 minutes.

Sally Calder was very pleased to break the 70 minute barrier, the BGH physiotherapist finished 58th, in a fast time of 68.03 and will be hoping to go even faster at the Alloa half marathon in a few weeks.

The other Gala Harrier ladies packed in well with Angela Foss running hard to finish 94th in 72.46, Eileen Nichol, using the race as a speed session in her preparations for the London Marathon, ran strongly to finish 102nd in 73.44. Marion Facchini warmed up eventually to record 82.14 in 181st place and both Aileen Anderson and Kate Grimsditch, used the testing course to plan out their tactics for their attempt at the London marathon to record similar times of 82.44 and 82.52 to finish 189th and 191st respectively.

In one of her last runs for the club before she sets off with her family down south, was Paulette Ashford-Smith. Stating that this will be one race she will not be sad never to run in again, she still managed a respectable 83.15 minutes to finish 194th. It was the girls turn to take the honours this year, following the men winning the team prize last year, the girls won the ladies team prize this year.

Next race for the harriers will be the final event in the Eastern Borders Winter Cross Country Series on Sunday 16th March.

Posted on Sunday, March 9th, 2003 at 11:07 pm and is filed under Race Reports.
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