Gala Harriers in National XC Relay Action
October 16th, 2004Gala Harriers turned out two ladies teams and three men’s teams on Saturday at the National XC Relays in Cumbernauld. Gala Harriers had another big turnout of runners taking on the undulating course from Jedburgh to Eckford and back again, with Tony Lunn leading the harriers home with another personal best performance of 1.22.40. Tony’s time was good enough to see him finish in the top twenty of a good quality field of runners coming from as far as Aberdeen to Keswick.
Bryan Bailey also produced one of his best performances finishing in a time of 1.24.48, with Martin Clarke close behind in 1.25.36. Alastair Laurie, John Cairns and Robin Murray paced each other for most of the race until the Bonjedward hill took its toll at 11 miles, with Alastair eventually coming out tops in a time of 1.28.10, followed by John in a personal best time of 1.28.14 and Robin in 1.28.51.
Roger Kerr has been concentrating more on his duathlon races recently having recently finished 4th in his age category in the European championships and 1st in the British. Roger was a bit slower than last year but was still able to go under the 90 minutes, running a time of 1.29.43.
Rachel Fagan showed why she is the ladies club champion this year by finishing in a time of 1.31.10, slower than her time last year and just keeping her out of the medals in the East District Championships, which were incorporated into this years race.
Paul Morris ran a good steady race in a time of 1.37.21 and was followed over the line by Katy Anderson, who despite suffering from an asthma attack for most of the race, was determined to finish and produced a creditable time of 1.39.18. Local policeman Steven Gillan was running the distance for the first time and can be pleased with his time of 1.39.27. New club member Alan Gordon has been putting in the training over the last few weeks and was hoping to better his time set in Glasgow earlier in the year but the Jed course is a much tougher test and Alan had to be content with a 1.40 finish.
Eileen Nicol ran a comfortable 1.41.50, which is more than can be said of Tommy Knox who ran 1.41.52 and has decided that muddy cross country races are not that bad after all! Lucy Alkin-Young ran a very good race to record 1.47.50, which was good enough to keep her in front of ‘Flea’ Elliot who recorded 1.48.20.
Ruth McCann was running with tired legs after her Amsterdam marathon exploits a couple of weeks ago but she can still be pleased with her time of 1.53.28, as was Sharon McClemont who ran a time of 1.56.30. Lynne Knox was running her first half marathon, like husband Tommy and probably enjoyed it a bit more, clocking a time of 2.04.16, Lynne was closely followed by Anne Lawrie and Tina Hulton who recorded times of 2.05.22 and 2.05.43 respectively.
Shiela King also found the Bonjedward hill a real killer and had to be content with a 2.10 finish, while Caroline McDermott worked off some of her aches and pains after a recent car crash with a time of 2.12. Last harrier home but by no means the last runner was Susan Howel who recorded a time of 2.18.11.
Taking advantage of the closed road along the Crailing straight, Sport Scotland held the national wheelchair 10K championships, with Gala Harriers’ John Hunter confident of doing well after a season of hard training and racing.
John has recently been rewarded for his efforts with the sports personality of the year award for Ettrick and Lauderdale. He can now add the Scottish National 10K Wheelchair Championship to his trophy cabinet after an excellent race, which saw him beat of all his fellow competitors in a fast race. Well done John, everyone in the club is proud of you.
