Brighton Marathon

Two Glenpark ladies recently traveled to Brighton to run 26.2 miles. The race started on a downhill from Preston Park in the middle of town, it was an undulating route which included many twists and turns and and out and back to the furthest points at the opposite ends of Brighton. The supporters were fantastic and kept the 19,500 runners well fed with jelly babies, jelly beans and oranges along the route. The weather started off hazy, then the sun came out and both runners finished in the rain!

Cheryl Thomas, was running her 1st road marathon, having previously done Fort William trail marathon in 2016. The Jog Scotland leader and regular parkrunner smashed 55 minutes off of her previous best, finishing in 4hrs 15mins seeing her hard work and training pay off. Fiona Cushnaghan is a veteran marathon and ultra runner and was completing her 20th marathon since 2006. Having picked up a recent injury, she was happy to finish the race in 4hrs 35mins. Both ladies said never again, but watch this space!!

Both ladies had a great support team down in Brighton with them and wanted to thank them all for their help and support.

Kaim Hill Race 2018

4 Glenparkers  made the short trip to Fairlie for this years running of the Kaim Hill Race. The 1100 feet ascent to the top of Kaim Hill is made over tough terrain, and runners were generally slower this year than last due to the marshy underfoot conditions.

Marianne McKay and Mick Dunn made the return trip to North Ayrshire but neither were able to beat their times from last year. Although Mick will be happy to come home with one less broken finger this year! Juniors Harry McGill and Ryan Brown made the return trip and ran together the whole way and showing good form over the tough course.

Scottish Track 10k  Championships

Stephen Trainer and Chris Mooney ran at the 10k track event at Glasgow’s Crownpoint track on Friday 20th April. Stephen, running in the A heat, finished in 9th overall in 32.08, just 30 seconds behind his pb. Chris ran in the B heat and finished in 33.27 to take over a minute off of his 10k pb set on the road 2 years ago.

parkrun

Claire Melville made it back to back to back pbs at Greenock parkrun on 7th, 14th and 21st April. Claire has taken almost 2 minutes off of her time in that period, and dipped under the 30 minute mark for the first time. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come over the summer with the return of the popular Wednesday night sessions in the Battery Park.

Charlotte McKay and Derrick MacNish added to the Harriers PBs on 21st April on a morning where Chris Mooney took another first place finish, showing no ill effects of his 10k efforts on the track the previous night.

Juniors are reminded that training is at Ravenscraig Stadium on Saturday at 11am to 12pm (21st April)

The 2018 Docherty Cup race was held on Saturday 14th April in one of the first good weather days of the year. The 10 mile race takes the runners on a 1 mile loop of the Gourock Esplanade before heading out the Cloch Road to the Bankfoot Roundabout and back to the finish in Gourock.

The runners were greeted with a steady headwind for the first half of the race, meaning they had to judge their effort on the way out. In the conceding handicap race, Stuart Crawford managed to get himself into contention around the turn and when Andy McLean had to stop at McInroys Point, Stuart was able to hold on to the lead and take his second victory in the race. Terri Wall and Lorna Coyle battled it out for 2nd and 3rd respectively, with Duncan Anderson not far behind in 4th.

The mens race saw Chris Mooney take his 4th victory of the year. Chris, fresh off of a great run at the recent Tom Scott 10 miler, was able to put in a similar effort over this course and come out victorious. Andy White showed no sign of any tiredness from his excellent marathon last weekend and put in a strong performance to take second place. Steven Campbell was just over the hour mark in 3rd place with Andrew Osborne and John Stevenson just behind. John also ran the Manchester marathon last week and continued his great form with a 30 second improvement on last year.

Sue Hewitson made in 2 wins in a row this year with victory in the womans race. Sue tends to run well over the longer distances, and had a great time at this event last year while finishing 2nd. Ladies club champion Marian Monk ran through the pain barrier in finishing second, which ensures she keeps her lead at the top of this year’s championship. Donna Campbell capped off a great few months for her with a strong run to finish 3rd.

Elsewhere there were good runs from Gordon Hepburn, Ross Neilson and Stewart Anderson, who dipped just under that 70 minute mark. Another Manchester marathoner who made it out was Angeline Austin, who despite the tiredness from her efforts last week still got round the tough 10 mile course on Saturday.

A big thank you to the Spinnaker Hotel for their continued support for the race. Also to the club volunteers who made it out on the day to help out.

Results (handicap times in bracket):

Chris Mooney 55.44 (97.44), Andrew White 57.16 (97.16), Steven Campbell 60.09 (99.59), Andrew Osborne 61.47 (99.47), John Stevenson 61.57 (96.57), Daniel Doherty 62.09 (100.09), Sean Marshall 64.01 (95.31), Gordon Hepburn 64.52 (96.22), Robert Dolan 65.15 (99.15), David Roberts 65.27 (98.27), Chris Watson 65.42 (97.12), Danny McLaughlin 66.29 (98.29), George McCallum 67.26 (95.56), Ross Neilson 67.49 (96.45), Richard Davidson 68.00 (99.00), Andrew Norris (guest) 68.32, Graham McGrattan 68.41 (97.41), Stewart Anderson 69.58 (96.53), Duncan Anderson 70.27 (95.27), Stephen Hanley 71.58 (100.58), Sue Hewitson 73.11 (100.41), Stuart Crawford 73.17 (94.17), Marian Monk 74.58 (97.58), Donna Campbell 75.11 (101.11), Lorna Coyle 76.17 (95.17), Matthew Young 76.55 (98.55), Robin McAuslan 77.10 (102.10), Terri Wall 80.44 (95.14), Colin Campbell 80.57 (102.57), Steven Watson 81.29 (105.59), Stuart Austin 81.29 (105.59), Kenny Scott 81.47 (96.17), Ian Hanley 82.24 (98.24), Sandra Campbell 83.05 (97.05), Clare Monaghan 85.02 (99.32), Stephen Reid 86.50 (110.5), Lucas Bezian 86.55 (101.25), Angeline Austin 94.29 (102.29)

In a nail biting finish Ryan Brown held off the challenge of Harry McGill, who suffered his first taste of defeat in this race – a remarkable run of victories dating back to 2012, to win the 2018 Junior Docherty Cup race.

Brown who had been outstanding in training recently, immediately went to the front and set the pace throughout the 2.5km two lap race of Ashton promenade, but as Brown approached the finish, McGill kicked to draw level and it looked and it was going to be the familiar sight of him crossing the line in first. However Brown responded with his own sprint to edge it on the line. Scott Meechan came through strongly for 3^rd.

In the girls’ race Ruby McGill set a massive personal best by taking almost a minute from her time of last year to take her clear of Katie Johnson and Ava Beaton, who couldn’t be separated as they crossed the line together.

The under 11 youngsters competed over one 1.4km lap of the promenade and it was the on form athletes who stole the show with big personal bests.

Euan Johnson, 41 seconds quicker than last year, was impressive in pulling away from Douglas Campbell, who took a 100m lead over 3^rd placed Connor McCrorey.

Sophie McLaughlan with a 21 second PB, was a clear winner in the girls’ race with Taree Hutton taking the runners-up spot from third placed Leah Knox, and Connie Dolan in 4^th.

1400m race: Euan Johnson 4.42, Douglas Campbell 4.54, Sophie McLaughlan 4.57, Conner McCrorey 5.14, Leo Beaton 5.41, Taree Hutton 5.51, Leah Knox 6.17, Mathew Ross 6.18, Josh Docherty 6.33, Finlay McKeegan 7.26, Zak Dolan 7.52, Cameron Hanley 8.34, Connie Dolan 12.53,

2500metre race: Ryan Brown 8.58, Harry McGill 8.59, Scott Meechan 9.54, Shaun Wiseman 10.13, Ruby McGill 10.17, Ava Beaton 10.56, Katie Johnson 10.56, Alex Wiseman 12.05, Kirsty Hutton 12.53, Francesca McKay 14.04,

Manchester Marathon

10 Harriers headed south to Manchester for the first big marathon of this season in what was a busy weekend for the North England city. Even with some hiccups on their travels down, the hardy group put in some stellar performances in the sky blue vests (unlike their sky blue Manchester counterparts the evening before).

Andy White was first harrier home in an impressive pb of 2.41.48, taking over 5 minutes off of his previous pb in his 8th attempt at the marathon distance. A really strong period of training in recent months has seen Andy’s times plummet on all fronts and this was a well deserved pb. His pacing on the day was impressive, and a lesson for any runner looking to master this distance.

Mens captain John Stevenson broke the 3 hour barrier in style with a run of just over 2.55 which smashed his previous best marathon times! John has improved his running over the last few years by piling on the miles and his times over every distance have been slashed as a result. Next home was George McCallum who broke his target of 3 1/2 hours and has shown signs that this time could continue to fall. Kevin Gill and newcomer Dannie Seddon came in around the 4.12 mark. it was Dannie’s first outing in a harriers vest and Kevin continued to impress on such little training for the distance.

Ian Hanley can in in 4.26, a pb for Ian even if it wasn’t quite as fast as his training had merited, however you cannot deny that he put blood, sweat and tears into his effort. Especially blood…

Not to be outdone by her husband, Eileen Stevenson smashed her previous marathon pb in a great run of 4.31. Not far behind were the Austins, with both Angeline and Stuart making their debut over the marathon distance. Angeline’s marathon training paid off with a great run of 4.38, comfortably beating her better half by 15 seconds. Stuart has of course ran an ultra before, and will be happy with the progress he is making towards the Highland Fling in a fortnight’s time. Simon Hutton battled through the worst of the travel problems and accommodation issues to finish his first marathon in just over the 5 hour mark.

Results:
Andrew White 2.41.48, John Stevenson 2.55.02, George McCallum 3.27.01, Kevin Gill 4.12.03, Dannie Seddon 4.12.48, Ian Hanley 4.26.13, Eileen Stevenson 4.31.23, Angeline Austin 4.38.07, Stuart Austin 4.38.22, Simon Hutton 5.03.52

Tom Scott 10 Mile Road Race

Stephen Trainer took almost a minute off of his 10 mile pb at this year’s Tom Scott 10 mile road race en route to a 4th place finish in a strong field at Strathclyde Park. His run of 50.36 was good enough for 2nd place in the West District Championships, with GB athlete and Giffnock North runner Luke Traynor taking first overall in 47.59. Stephen was able to turn the tables and finish ahead of Corstorphine athlete Dougie Selman who pipped him at the recent 5 mile Renfrewshire Road Race.

Another string performance on the day from Chris Mooney seen him finish 18th overall and fighting off some real strong runners from across Scotland. Mick McLoone was happy to break the hour mark on the day and finished in 59.04 which was good enough for 2nd v50. Paul Beaton continued his recent improvements and put in a good run to finish in 63.39.

Results:
Stephen Trainer 50.36, Chris Mooney 54.13, Mick McLoone 59.04, Paul Beaton 63.39

Greenock parkruns

Greenock parkrun celebrated it’s 200th run in style with 195 runners turning up at the Esplanade on the last day of March. To mark the occasion, a bunch of Harriers put on a pacer number and helped many others achieve a pb. Claire Monaghan, Nicola Stevenson, Ian McKee, Lucas Bezian and young Erin McEleny all getting pbs on the day. Andy White and Donna Clark took the first places.

It was great to see over 50 Harrier there on the day running and plenty more volunteering at the free timed local event. The parkrun in Greenock has brought so many new faces to the club in recent years, so here’s to the next 200 runs!

A week later, over 30 Harriers turned out for the first parkrun in April with Paul Beaton and Claire Melville getting PBs on the day. It was 2 PBs in 3 weeks for Paul who is hitting some good form coming into the busier Spring running schedule. Stephen Trainer was first over the line in around 15.15 which would have been a clear Greenock parkrun PB if he had remembered either of his barcodes!

Some harriers were parkrunning further afield that weekend, with the Stevensons doing the Stretford parkrun as a warm up for the marathon the next day. Marianne McKay and her girls were part of the first ever Fort William parkrun, which sound like it could be a great event.

Countdown is on to Saturdays 10 mile Docherty Cup handicap race on 14th April. The  First runners get away at 2pm with a staggered start for the quicker runners. Register at first shelter on Ashton promenade from 1pm. Changing/showers available at Gourock Pool.  Post race refreshments in the Spinnaker Hotel afterwards.

All juniors are reminded that the next club race is this Saturday 14th April. Lots of points are up for grabs in the  championship for Under 11s to Under 20s. Registration is at the first shelter on Ashton promenade from 1pm. Races start at 1.45pm.  Under 11s run 1200metres, everyone else 2400metres.