Henderson 2009 Report and Results
September 3rd, 2009The weather has affected most sporting events over the summer in some way or another and athletics is no different – but events are rarely if ever cancelled.
But on Thursday, with the Tweed rising to dangerous levels and the Gattonside side of the river path under water for Gala Harriers’ annual Henderson Trophy, a risk assessment was made and a shortened route planned to ensure that the 14 runners were safe and didn’t require webbed feet for the event.
It’s a race of two halves, designed as a tribute to a former member of the club in the interwar years, J W Henderson, who was both a cross country and a track specialist. The first part is a mile on Tweedbank track with a sealed handicap, followed by a
(reduced) riverside leg of almost 3 miles with a traditional handicap with a staggered start so that all runners should finish in the final straight at roughly the same time.
With constant rain and sodden underfoot conditions all competitors did well
to come close to their predicted times, with eventual joint winners Derrick Brydon and Magnus Inglis sharing the coveted trophy. Their respective times were 5.34 and 5.47 on the track and 17.40 and 17.85 minutes around the shortened riverside course. With the double victors sharing first place, the next placed athlete was a delighted Gerry Moss in 6.24 and 19.92 minutes, with an excellent run by Laura Goodson in 5.34 and 17.90 to take third place and first woman home.
Also running well in the wet and wild evening were: Alan Goodson, Malky Gowans, Eileen Nicol, David Hunter, Rachel Fagan, Fiona Shepherd, Martin Clarke, Dave Nightingale. Katy Anderson and Dawn Grant.
