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Gala Harriers had 3 teams in Livingston for the Scottish Athletics National Road Relay Championships on Saturday.

The Harriers women’s team that made the trip to West Lothian finished a credible 8th from over 30 teams.

The women’s 4-stage event alternates between short (3.15 miles) and long (5.8 miles) legs. Rachel Fagan was first off for the Harriers, coming home in 12th in 20.00 over the short leg.

Katy Anderson took over on the second leg, and after chasing down two athletes, and one team dropping out, handed over to Karen Haldane in 9th place, recording 37.19 for the 5.8 miles.

Despite battling a cold, Karen held on to 9th clocking 22.09, and passed on to anchor leg Kate Jenkins who stormed home in 37.16, picking up one place on the way to ensure an 8th place finish for the club.

The women’s 4-stage was won by Kilbarchan AAC, Commonwealth Games athlete Hayley Haining smashing the course record for the long lap as she raced through the leaders to take the title.

In the men’s 6-stage relay, which followed the same alternating format as the women’s, the Gala ‘A’ team finished in 26th place, a good result in such a highly competitive and high standard competition.

Derrick Brydon was first off, running a steady 20.11 to get the Harriers challenge up and running. Not far behind, Tommy Knox recorded 20.54, less than a minute separating the two teams going into stage 2.

Euan Jardine gave the ‘A’ team a huge boost by clocking 32.04 for the second leg, elevating the Harriers from 49th to 33rd from 60 teams. Alastair Wright ran 38.03, picking up a position to take the ‘B’ team into 51st place.

Triathlete Rory Methven ran an outstanding third leg in 17.13 picking up a number of places as the ‘A’ team moved into 24th place overall.

The ‘B’ team also moved up a place, John Paterson handing over in 50th place.

Men’s captain Graham Murdoch led by example as he ran a brilliant fourth leg in 33.11, the ‘A’ team climbing to 19th position. Martin Clarke ran 36.52 as the ‘B’ team also gained a few places.

On the penultimate leg, Euan Lindores recorded 20.26, handing over to anchor Fergus Johnston who brought the Harriers top team home in 26th.

Davie Darroch and Graham Pogson ensured a 44th place finish for the ‘B’ team.

Posted on Monday, April 2nd, 2007 at 9:16 pm and is filed under News, Race Reports.
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