Lucy Cuts Loose in Hollybush Handicap
May 3rd, 2003Mary Poppins came up against an alternative cast of people in vests and
shorts on Saturday when a rehearsal for the Manor School of Dance’s summer
show clashed with the Gala Harriers’ handicap 10K race at Galashiels
Academy.
The result was rather a lot of cars, luckily no umbrellas required
and plenty of spoonfuls of sugar which clearly helped Lucy Alkin-Young bound
home ahead of the field of other nannies……… sorry, runners to take
first prize.
But the destination was Hollybush, not Hollywood as twenty
three seniors completed the tough road to Rinks Farm and back, where the
wind always seems to be against you, whichever way you’re running.
Plenty time off for nannies during the Junior and Young Athletes’ races
which preceded the Senior run, with 13 youngsters taking the winding route
through Scott Park, all finishing strongly and showing that their track
training with the Harriers is beginning to pay off.
In the Junior Race,
Rory Monks came home a clear winner in a time of 7 minutes 8 seconds , with
Sandy Walker taking silver in 7.59 and Kirsty Thomson in 3rd position
overall, and the first girl, in a time of 8.17. Ian Frater put in a
commendable 8.44 in 4th place.
The younger group, who have also enjoyed
their Thursday night coaching at Tweedbank did a shorter course and were
brought home in style by Jessica Elliot in 1st place, (4.11), just ahead of
Andrew McCrirrick running well in 2nd, (4.12) and Cameron Gowans in a very
solid 3rd place (4.19). Ashley Headerly, Lucy Logan, Darren Knox, Tom
Brotherston, Hannah Jones and Charlie Doyle all ran well.
They all went off back to their nannies to feed the birds and fly their
kites while the handicapped senior race got underway, led by Jennifer
MacKenzie. But it was clear from 3 kilometres into the race that Lucy
Alkin-Young was not going to need her umbrella to assist her to the finish
and she was the first Harrier home in an actual time of 48 minutes 22
seconds - a deserving winner.
Brian Bailey didn’t do quite enough to keep
the trophy in the family - his wife, Rachel had won it last year, but he
should be well pleased with his second place and excellent time of 38.59.
Karen Renton ran a stormer into third place and her best time on this course
of 46.34.
It was good to see some of the more ‘mature’ Harriers returning
for their annual May comeback, some new faces doing it for the first time
and very nice to be able to welcome our friends from Lauderdale Limpers.
The complete handicap finishing positions are as follows, with net times in
brackets:
Lucy Alkin-Young (48.22), Brian Bailey (38.59), Karen Renton (46.34), Neil
Aitchison (37.40), Malky Gowans (42.32), Neil Renton (36.38), Graham Jones
(43.01), Eileen Nicol (44.57), Bill Elliot (46.29), Fergus Cochrane (37.33),
George Runciman (38.03), Rosi Capper (55.08), Fergus Johnson (38.37), John
Wilson ((42.29), Mike Young (44.43), Anna White (54.40), Ann Lawrie (54.31),
Mike Bennet (44.04), Mark Bryson ( 40.41), Tom Kerr ( 44.40), Lynn Knox
(54.42), Jennifer Mackenzie (59.45) and Alison Whitehead ( 57.23).
