National Relays: Cumbernauld
October 28th, 2008As the old saying goes: When the going gets tough, the tough get going. However it was more like “when the going gets tough, the Harriers stay in bed!” on Saturday.
Although the Borders weather started off with just a breeze on Saturday morning, by the time the intrepid few reached Cumbernauld for the National Relay Championships the rain was lashing the already sodden course and the wind was up to gale force.
A single girls team, a single lady and a single men’s team were all that made the start. The first event of the day - the girls 3 x 2500 metres relay - saw young Katherine Arkley called in to run, first off, in her first big race and she ran a superb race against much older opposition. She finished in a time of 13 minutes and 38 seconds to hand over to Charlotte Brown (12.24) with Hannah Jones (12.28) on the final leg. The girls finished a creditable 31st out of 59 teams.
The only lady to turn out on the day was Rachel Fagan, back in good form in a time of 19 minutes and 12 seconds, but with no-one to hand the batton to! The men’s team suffered from numerous call-offs in the hours leading up to the race and eventually five brave souls reached the starting line - albeit some obviously not quite used to the demands of racing - as they only had four pairs of shorts between them!
Derrick Brydon and Al Laurie ran the first leg with only a few seconds separating them at the finish (18.45 and 18.58). Derrick handed over to former club captain Graeme Murdoch who ran the fastest lag of the day for the Harriers and finished in 16 minutes and 2 seconds. The last two of the 4000 metre laps were run by Graeme Pogson (19.53) and Gregor McAneny (18.43) and the Harriers eventually finished 53rd team out of 89, just holding off Teviotdale Harriers.
Next race for the Harriers is the club’s cross country championship race over the Southern Upland Way course on Saturday, starting at 2.00.
Gregor McAneny Says:
Rosi - I’m thinking of running the Amsterdam marathon next year and was wondering if there are any more pairs of crotchless running shorts left in the club supplies? Derrick Brydon is constantly raving about them and their air flow characteristics. I think they’d go down (if you pardon the pun) a treat in The Dam!!
Tony Says:
Gregor, this is a serious website and comments posted should not be there to get cheap laughs. But to the matter in hand: Have you thought about running the Amsterdam marathon in a pink shirt with yellow dots as you will get huge amounts of encouragement as people will be shouting “Come on mr blobby”.
Webmaster
PS There could be a new prize at presentation night for best posted comment and you may have just taken the lead.
Gillian Says:
It will be the first time he’s taken the lead!
rosi capper Says:
Time to reinstate the bad taste prize to the Henderson Run methinks! Think we might have some takers for it this year! Seem to remember you were a one-time winner Tony!!!
Gregor McAneny Says:
Nice one Gillian. Tony - You just stick to the babysitting and let your good lady fly the flag for your family.
Not sure if Mr Blobby is that popular in Holland. However, a pair of silver hotpants and a bow tie and I could go as Daffyd from Little Britain.
Yang Whitegoat Says:
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