Gala 3K Fun Run & 10K Results
April 19th, 2009Full report and results attached.
Gala Harriers’ centenary year in 2002 was marked by, amongst other events the inaugural running of the club’s open 10K race and over its short history the event has enjoyed all weathers – from scorching heatwaves to driving rain and blustery winds. There could have been no better conditions however than last Sunday for the 7th running of this fast, flat and very popular little race and this is evidenced by the positive comments on the Harrier’s website and the healthy numbers of runners who turned up to Gala Fairydean in the warm sunshine.
47 juniors and fun runners started the 3K fun and junior race and streaking through the field to take top place overall was Gala’s own Rowan Marr in an impressive time of 11 minutes and 14 seconds. He beat second placed Craig Scott from Berwick Harriers, who ran well to finish in 11.38 and third home was the first placed girl, Louise Mercer from Teviotdale in an excellent 11.52. Third boy was Harry Marshall in 12.15, while Catherine Mercer (12.28) and Lauren Corbett (13.19) took second and third placings for the girls.
Darren Knox running in his Harriers vest came a superb 7th in 12.53 and finishing strongly for the local club also were Fraser Gowans (15.40) Corrie Paton (16.22) Rhiannon Fagan (17.42) Mark and Lucy Purves 19.33 and 24.58, Chloe-Ann Woodward (23.46) and Holly Shepherd finishing with Lucy in 24.58 too.
127 seniors started the 10K race and the sunny and windless conditions boded well for some personal bests over the winding but pleasant course around the paths of Gala. First home in a superb time of 31 minutes and 51 seconds was far-travelled Robert Gilroy of the Ron Hill Cambuslang Club, with Stevie Cairns and Dave Wright of Edinburgh’s Hunters Bog Trotters second and third in 32.18 and 32.55 respectively.
Young Andrew Crichton of Dunbar who is coached by Borders-based Henry Gray showed his prowess on the roads by coming fourth only 13 seconds later in 33.08, taking the male junior prize and just 2 places behind was Gala’s own Euan Jardine in a well-judged 33.21, taking the first local male prize.
For the women, Susan Ridley from Edinburgh Athletic Club was the lady’s champion in 37.08, Anna Galbraith (unattached) second in 40.10 and Rhona Anderson from Dunbar AC third in 41.09.
Gala Harriers’ open races such as this require many hands on deck for planning and organising, registering, marshalling, recording and catering but 15 members managed to represent the club and 3 recorded PBs as a result. In addition, the first female team prize went to the ladies’ team of Fiona Shepherd , Dawn Grant and Andrea Pogson (48.14) with Fiona and Dawn achieving life time best times of 44.22 and 46.29 and Fiona taking the first local female prize.
Also recording a super PB was Alan Goodson in 38.12, only 10 seconds behind Gregor McAneny in 38 02 and the other club representatives also running well at the start of the road season were:Dave Nightingale (38.40) Martin Clarke (38.49) Bob Marshall (39.00) John Cairns (40.25) Malky Gowans (40.51) Douglas Paton (41.31) Tommy Knox (43.43) Gerry Moss (49.58) and Matthew Purves (55.50).
Other prize winners on the day were: Alex Campbell, 1st junior female, Roger Alsop, 1st male veteran, Julia Connor, 1st female vet, Brian Kirkwood, 1st male super-vet, Wilma Kerr., 1st female super-vet.
On the day Teviotdale Harriers, consisting of Darrell Hastie, Wayne Mackintosh and Raymond Jaffray took the male team prize, but after a recalculation of the male team placings, it would appear that Dunbar Running Club were the victors.
The winning trio of male runners from Dunbar were: Andrew Crichton, Ian Rowland and Ian Sills.
The Harriers would like to thank all those who helped on the day, most especially to Magnus Inglis who masterminded the race and to Dalgleish’s Garage, Tescos and Purely Scottish for their invaluable and most appreciated sponsorship-in-kind.
Next Sunday (26th) sees the Flora London Marathon where several Gala Harriers will be heading but before that, the club’s 5000m track race will be held at Tweedbank on Thursday 23rd at 6.30. All members welcome.
David Hunter Says:
Last Saturday.Tony,Neil,Fiona and myself had the privilage of picking up the Club Development award at the James McLean Trust Dinner. This is in recognition of the club achieving the Scottish Athletics Clubmark accreditation last year.Well Done to all involved
rosi capper Says:
Well done all - a well deserved award! And an apology from your press officer after having trained with Malky last night. I failed to spot Cameron Gowans in the Under 17 Men’s results from the National XC. It’s too late to change for the papers Cameron but this is your moment of fame on the website - Cameron lost a shoe but nevertheless completed the course in 31.25 - quite a ‘feet’ with one of them without its shoe! Well done.
rosi capper Says:
Of course I knew that the Dunbar XC was at Whitesands not John Muir Park as last year!!!!! …sorry, cutting and pasting sometimes lets you down!!