Uphill Mile, Gypsy Glen Edinburgh Marathon and 1/2
May 25th, 2010Yet another busy week for Gala Harriers, despite difficulties in accessing Tweedbank track due to repair work. So, some of the young athletes in the development squad travelled to Hawick for a bit of a work out up the Uphill Mile Race on Tuesday evening, organised by Hawick’s 1514 Club from the historic Moat Park. It was worth going the extra mile for competition as Rowan Marr, first junior boy (7 minutes 15 seconds), Lucy Henderson-Morris and Kerri Sandilands as 2nd and 3rd junior girls (8.24 and 8.25 respectively) and Georgia Nesbitt, first senior woman in 7.51 proved on a glorious night for racing.
On Wednesday night, the Gypsy Glen race in Peebles attracted Rachel Fagan and Derrick Brydon to pull on their fell running shoes after a hard day’s work, with a grand result for Rachel in particular, coming in as 3rd woman over the tough climb in 38.58, with Derrick not far behind in 39.29.
But the week’s honours must surely go to Dianne Lauder who, along with thousands of others was competing in the Scottish Half Marathon alongside the larger Edinburgh Marathon on what was the warmest weekend of the year so far. The half marathon started at 8am before the streets warmed up and Dianne who has been in sparkling form recently took first place in the women’s race, taking some significant scalps into the bargain with a sizzling run in 1.16.59, a massive personal best, placing her 3rd in the Scottish rankings and within the top 20 women in the UK. Her pace, like the later heat was blistering throughout – completing her first 10k in 36 minutes, reaching 10 miles in 58 minutes and still having enough to hold on to the top slot in a fantastic final time.
The warm weather didn’t provide the kindest conditions for the full marathon which started 2 hours later but several Harriers, including Struan King in 3 hours 14 minutes and 27 seconds raising money for Parkinsons Disease, Alan Goodson - 3.40.14, John Cairns - 3.52.38 (having completed the Hearts & Heroes Challenge just one week earlier!), Dawn Grant - 3.58.33, a personal best by 2 1/2 mins, Nicola Porterfield - 4.00.16 seconds (first timer so also a PB!), Gerry Moss - 4.35.20 & John Paterson - 4.41.17 all completed the distance.
Harriers are advised that there is now restricted access to Tweedbank for training purposes on both track and field.
SPORTING WEEK AHEAD – Edinburgh Urbanathlon in Holyrood Park, organised by Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland, Sunday 30th May 23.
