East District X/C Stirling & Other News
October 26th, 2009As the glorious autumn days continue to shorten, Gala Harriers are determined to make the most of them with races, competition and training runs designed to maximise both the weather and the countryside.
On Saturday, conditions could not have been better for the East District Cross Country in the lovely surroundings of the University of Stirling. The weather was bright, warm and calm and the grassy, undulating course attracted both juniors and seniors, well, mostly men – and one woman!
For two juniors in particular it was the first time in this level of competition but young Jo Arres and Alex Pye were not overawed by the occasion. In the under 13 girls, Jo finished well in 12 minutes and 10 seconds exactly halfway up the field in 20th place out of 40, pleasing coaches Neil Renton and Graham Capper with her gutsy performance. Alex also ran confidently in 11.58 to finish 30th out of 47, a most satisfactory debut.
Rowan Marr has moved up into the under 15 boys category and is now racing against much stiffer competition but he nevertheless put in a characteristically strong run, finishing in 4th place from 35, in 10.35, an excellent opening to the winter season. Lucy Morris and Hannah Jones, racing in the U15 girls category started off their seasons solidly with 11th and 21st places from 50, in 12.20 and 12.57 respectively.
The senior men were well represented with 7 Harriers ensuring that they achieved 12th place in the competition overall, giving adequate room for improvement. Running well in the field of 197 were: Euan Jardine, 41st in 31.27; Fergus Johnston, 64th in 33.01; Gregor McAneny, 73rd in 33.48; Martin Clarke (vet) 90th in 34.37; Magnus Inglis, 109th in 35.44, Derrick Brydon, 111th in 35.49 and Alastair Lawrie, 132nd in 36.42.
Ladies’ captain Rachel Fagan had found it hard to round up a similar representation from the club’s female section, which left her flying the flag alone but coming an impressive 18th in 24.39 out of a field of 75.
On Sunday, the Tweeddale hills and Edinburgh’s Arthur’s Seat enticed runners to prepare for the tough ascents of the forthcoming Borders winter cross country series: 8 Harriers joined forces with Border Triathletes and others to tackle the beautiful John Buchan Way, which runs for 13 miles between Broughton and Peebles and takes in 800m of uphill trails amongst some stunning country.
Meanwhile, 3 other Harriers were taking on the Urbathon challenge in Edinburgh, described as a 10k with a twist. Organised by leading Scottish medical charity, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, the route circled the capital’s most popular hill and threw in a selection of hurdles on the way – Scott Forsyth, Carolyn O’ Docherty and Anna White found themselves scaling haybales, leaping cars and negotiating an army bootcamp en route around Arthur’s seat. Scott was 25th out of roughly 650 in 44.36, Carolyn 237th in 1.01 and Anna 304th in 1.07.
Harrier Dawn Grant PB’d at the beautifully scenic Aviemore Half Marathon in 1.47.27 on Sunday 18th October, 1 minute 20 secs faster than ever before
For the Sporting Week Ahead: Harriers are in action next week on Saturday 24th at the National Cross Country Relays at Cumbernauld AND on Sunday 25th at the Jedburgh Half Marathon and 10k.
