Harriers Flock To Jedburgh
November 1st, 2005There was an excellent turnout of Gala Harrier athletes at the Simply Scottish Jedburgh Half Marathon on Sunday, with 23 running in the half marathon and one in the wheelchair 10Km race. Running back into some good form is John Borthwick who recorded an excellent time of 1.17.47 to finish 9th overall, with Struan King next harrier home in 1.25.30.
Kate Jenkins is more used to running on the hills but she ran an excellent road race to finish 4th lady in a time of 1.28.23. Robin Murray was the next to cross the finish line, the weather had really turned for the worse, the torrential, horizontal rain slowing him down to a time of 1.29.10.
There was a steady stream of harriers crossing the finish line by now, with Graeme Pogson recording a PB but just failing to dip under the 90 minute mark, with a time of 1.30.12. Stuart Gillan had to run hard to keep in front of Davy Darroch, both finishing in 1.32 but Davy came off second best after slipping and falling on the wet and muddy grass on the final run in.
John Cairns celebrated the birth of a new son on Thursday, he obviously had nappies and sleepless nights on his mind as he ran five minutes slower than last year in a time of 1.33.34. Dianne Lauder had high hopes of getting under 90 minutes after her performance at Glasgow last month but it wasn't to be on the day and she had to be content with a time of 1.33.48.
Steve Gillan was running his first half marathon and will be satisfied with his time of 1.36.28, as will Will McDermott who ran strongly to finish in 1.38.00. Allan Gordon's target was to get under 1.40, after just failing to do so over his last couple of half's, Allan finished when the weather was at it's worst but he still managed to run 1.39.08.
Graeme Sutherland ran a good 1.41.40, with Fiona Dalgleish delighted with her time of 1.42 in her first attempt at the distance. Paul Morris and Flea Elliot have not trained as much as they would have liked to but they will be reasonably satisfied with their times of 1.44.50 and 1.46.30 respectively.
Julie Anderson couldn't hide her delight at finishing in 1.54.21, she ran very strongly despite all the weather could throw at her and her smile at the finish was a great advert for running. Ruth McCann just dipped under the 2 hour mark, finishing in 1.59.48 and she was followed home by Anne Lawrie who ran 2.09.20.
Susan Howell was well paced by her husband Tim to record a PB time of 2.09.38, with Tina Hulton close behind in 2.09.53. Caroline McDermott also recorded a PB time, finishing in 2.10.12, while Tania Bridges completed the harrier's compliment, running for the McMillan Cancer Relief charity, she clocked 2.12.25 and raised ми£120 in the process.
Wheelchair athlete John Hunter was rubbing shoulders or wheel hubs, with some the best athletes around, such as Tani Gray-Thomson who was adding her support to the wheelchair 10K race. Tani was second behind her husband, while John knocked two minutes off his previous best time, recording 43.17 to finish 4th.
Gala Harriers will be hosting their annual presentation night at the Gala YM club rooms on Roxburgh Street on Thursday 3rd of November. The evening starts at 8.00 pm and is open to all members to attend.
Next race for the harriers will be their club cross -country championship on the 12th of November, starting at 2.00 pm from the Boleside picnic area.
All members are reminded that membership fees are due now and must be paid before running in this race.
