London Marathon and Previous Weekend’s Report
April 14th, 2008The streets of London were bathed in early morning spring sunshine on Sunday, in contrast to the previous week when the Olympic torch made its controversial way through a snow covered city – and the spirit on the streets was in even sharper contrast. Four senior and four junior Gala Harriers lined up at their respective starts to cover the 26.2 miles and the mini marathon route, in what started as perfect conditions and which ended in wet streets and driving rain….but for which the crowd support was as amazingly positive as ever.
Rowan Marr and Alice Haining, and Hannah and Emily Jones had been selected to run for Scotland and Northumberland respectively in the Mini Marathon and all equipped themselves well over the 3 mile course from London’s Billingsgate to the Mall. Rowan ran an excellent 18 minutes 57 seconds in the 11 and 12 year old boys’ race, while Alice, in the 13/14 girls was 10th overall in 18.10 and the second Scot home, also ensuring a second placing for the Scottish team. Twins Hannah and Emily were only 25 seconds apart as they romped home in the 11/12 girls’ race in 20.55 and 21.20.
Because of her excellent time in last year’s marathon, Rachel Fagan secured a place in the elite womens’ start, which featured the other team GB runners, the Africans and eventual German winner. She ran a beautifully judged race, ensuring her a place in next year’s elite start, which is for female runners under 3 hours 15 minutes, finishing in 3.14.28. Only 26 seconds slower, but running with the masses was Katy Anderson, obliterating her previous personal best in a stunning 3.14.54, also ensuring her an elite start next year – by 6 seconds! Dave Nightingale ran a steady 3.25.53 and Carole Fortune, an impressive 3.26.43. Harriers will remember Paulette Ashford-Smith who used to run with the club and who turned in a time of 4.50.53 for her new club in the south west of England.
The previous weekend also saw action for the Harriers in both Livingston and Meadowbank. On Saturday it was to West Lothian and the Scottish National Road Relay championships, in which several teams were competing. Over the 4 stage race, the womens’ team came 6th out of 29, with Rachel Fagan, Katy Anderson, Melanie Goodson and Dianne Lauder running well to complete the alternate short and long distances in 1 hour 54 minutes and 46 seconds overall. Melanie in particular, standing in for Kate Jenkins who was not available, ran out of her socks and did her team proud, and along with Dianne Lauder’s superb final leg, both Katy and Rachel used it as a brisk final sharpener for their upcoming London Marathons.
Two mens’ teams competed over the longer 6 stage course and the A team comprising Derrick Brydon, Steve Martin, Gregor McAnemy, Martin Clarke, Magnus Inglis and Fergus Johnston did well to hold out for 31st team out of 47 in an overall time of 2.51.46. The B team, and in particular its first two runners had to do a double effort for their team to count as 38th team in 3.03.09. Graham Pogson and Malky Gowans completed the 1st and 2nd legs and then the 5th and 6th, with John Paterson and Alastair Wright sandwiched in between.
The next day, it was the juniors’ turn for the action in the Lothian Trials at Meadowbank last Sunday. Sophie Elder, Charlotte Brown, Demi Yorke and David Bonnar were all competing over a variety of distances with some excellent results. David romped home first in the Under 13 boys’ 800 metres in a time of 2.37.37, while in the same distance for the girls, Charlotte achieved a creditable 4th in 2.45. Sophie picked up a 3rd place in the U15 100m in 13.66 and went one place better in the 200m. Demi came home first in the U13 200m in 28.46 and also ran very well in the 100m in 13.76, as well as leaping 4 m.22cm in the long jump.
Well done to all athletes, young and old for a fortnight of superb athletic action up and down the country!
PHOTOGRAPH OF RACHEL FAGAN ON LONDON’S EMBANKMENT AS SHE NEARS THE END OF THE LONDON MARATHON
The next event for the Harriers is our own OPEN 10K around the streets of Gala on Sunday 20th April. Junior race and Fun Run to start at 10am, 10K to start at 11am. ALL WELCOME.
