Jed 10K & 1/2 Marathon, Harrier’s X/C & presentation Evening
November 8th, 2010Two weekends of local successes and high turnouts for Gala Harriers bode well for the winter ahead as the cross country athletics season kicks in.
Last weekend in the Jedburgh Running Festival there was a record turn out of Harriers and it was grand to see the sea of green and white vests as they featured highly in both the 10k and half marathon distances.
In the 10k, Alan Goodson was first harrier home, 15th overall in a great time of 38.22, finishing 2nd in his age category of 50+. Next came super veteran Bob Marshall as he scampered home in 21st place out of 352 as well as first in the over 60 category in a spritely 40 minutes and 09 seconds. Not far behind was Dave Nightingale in 41.51, coming a creditable 4th place in the 50+ category. Also returning great times were Nicola Porterfield (47.44) Vicky MacDonald (49.19) Gina Allen (49.39) Alan Murray (50.27) Matthew Purves (55.19) and Lisa Hogg (55.39).
The half marathon attracted a high representation of local clubs and amongst the 523 runners were 11 Harriers, 5 of whom finished in the top 50 ensuring the men’s team prize. First home was in-form David Moffat in 1 hour 23 minutes 21 seconds, two minutes ahead of Billy McCulloch (1.25.15) knocking more than 4.5 minutes off his personal best and giving him top place in the 50+ category. Paul Daly, the club’s recently anointed ‘Most Improved Senior’ came home in a pleasing 1.26.50, just 6 seconds ahead of Martin Clarke who finished 3rd in his 50+ category. Tony Westbury (49th in 1.28.11) was the 5th home in the top 50, with grand runs also coming from Colin McCall (1.33.10) Carole Fortune (1.38.38) new President David Hunter (1.39.05) Fiona Forrest (1.46.50) Dawn Grant (1.48.00) and Lisa Daly (2.09.54).
On Saturday the club’s own second cross country race was held, enticiing a record turnout of 39 runners to the Southern Upland Way and the 6 mile route from the Hollybush Road to Boleside – starting dry overhead but finishing in rain which had already created wet underfoot conditions.
First to finish in an amazing 36.06 was Graeme Murdoch, averaging 6 minute miles over what is one of the most testing off road routes in the area, with heartbreak hill to start off with. Splitting the first and second placed men was guest runner Craig Mattacks in 37.27, but only beating second placed club runner Fergus Johnston (38.31) by a bare minute. 3rd home for the men was Mark Bryson in 40.41 who put his experience as a plumber to good use over the sodden terrain. Dianne Lauder ran a scintillating race in 39.03 to storm home as first woman, with guest runner Kate Jenkins splitting the 1st and 2nd placed women in 41.02, beating young Georgia Nesbitt by only half a minute in 41.36 to take her well earned runners up place. Rachel Fagan (42.57) worked hard and richly deserved her third position. (Full results are on the Harriers website – galaharriers.com
Within the XC event there is also a sealed handicap race, in memory of a former Harrier and the Niel Potts trophy was won this year by Kevin Stevenson (50.43) followed by James Purves (52.23) and Fiona Shepherd in 3rd place in 48.24. Well done to all 3 and to the handicapping committee for their first time in this role, as well as Billy McCulloch for his excellent race organisation.
Not long afterwards the Harriers were showered, fed and watered ready to attend the Annual Presentation Night, held this year in Gala’s Royal British Legion. A veritable legion of prizewinners stepped up to receive the historic cups and rewards on offer, including: Magnus Inglis (Hollybush 10k) Jenny Forbes (Henderson Trophy) Gillian Bryson (Ladhope shield) Graeme Murdoch (first male Harrier home in the National XC) Dianne Lauder (first female Harrier home in the National XC) and Neil Renton (the J Nisbet Endeavour trophy for his contribution to the club.) Kerry Sandilands won the Most Improved Junior trophy, while the senior version went to Paul Daly.
