Our junior athletes made the most of the sunny weather with a tough session at Ravenscraig Stadium this morning.

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Helensburgh 10k

The first of this year’s Babcock 10k series started on the familiar route in Helensburgh last Thursday. The route starts at the high school and takes runners the length of the Argyll town before turning back for home. These events are always popular with Harriers, giving them a great opportunity to get a shot at 10k PBs. This year was no different, with the first 2 harriers home getting PBs. This set up our senior men for a 3rd place in the team prize, with Chris Mooney, Andy White and Paul Monaghan bringing it home. Andy continuing his good form by securing 1st v40 and a pb and going on to get a 5k PB a few days later at Greenock parkrun. Chris was impressively 6th overall, which earned him a PB. It was good to see Paul Monaghan back out running a strong time, with Steven Campbell just behind him.

Cheryl Thomas was the first female harrier home and also secured a pb for herself. All Harriers are now set up for this week’s Dumbarton 10k, wth another night of bright sunshine forecast. Dumbarton tends to reward runners with a great PB chance, so fingers crossed!

Results: Chris Mooney 33.46 (6th overall, PB), Andrew White 34.29 (1st v40, PB), Paul Monaghan 35.18, Steven Campbell 35.27, Andrew Osborne 37.11, Stephen Reid 45.18, Cheryl Thomas 47.20 (PB), Craig Melrose 50.31, David Benstead 50.46, Emma Benstead 70.10

Whangie Whizz

Nicola Stevenson gave one of the Westerland Hill Races a go at this years Whangie Wizz. The race is to the summit of Auchineden Hill and back down near Carbeth. Nicola completed it in 47.29 and was not put off the thought of completing more hill races this summer!

Road to the Isles Half Marathon

Ross Neilson ran in this years Road to the Isles Half Marathon. The route takes runners from just shy of Arisaig into the town of Mallaig, through stunning scenery along the way. Despite stopping for a breather behind a level crossing, Ross still completed the route in 1.35.53.

Ben Lomond Hill Race

Andy McCall and Paul Beaton treated themselves to fantastic day out at Ben Lomond on Saturday for the Westerlands Ben Lomond Hill Race. The race to the summit and back down on Ben Lomond is a climb of over 3000 feet. This year’s race was ran in scorching sunshine, and both Andy and Paul deserved their well earned beer and dip in the Loch after. Paul wasn’t far off of Andy at the top of the hill, but Andy likes to fly down the slopes and finished a few minutes ahead of his team mate. Great running from both of them.

Results: Andy McCall 1:31:22, Paul Beaton 1:34:34

Over 100 Harriers and supporters braved the choppy crossing to Dunoon on Saturday for the 12th annual running of the Willie Jukes Road Races. Ran in memory of the late Willie Jukes, the annual club race takes place at the far end of the town’s Victoria Parade and is always a popular race for the club.

The senior race takes the runners south from the Promenade out 2.5 miles along the main road to Toward. After 2.5 miles, the runners turn back and head to the finish line on the Promenade. This year we were not treated to quite the same fine weather as previous years, but the lighter breeze into the runners face on the way out was a much welcome change. This made for better times too, with some runners taking great chunks out of their personal bests on the route.

Donna Campbell got her first win of the season in the ladies race. Donna now jumps to the head of the Championship table owing to her consistency over the season, finishing on the podium for 5 of the 6 races she has ran. Marian Monk leads the chasing pack but missed out due to injury, but was still out there on the day giving encouragement at the turn. Lorna Coyle was not far behind with Marianne McKay in third.

Claire Monaghan had another great run, adding to some other fine performances this season. She was narrowly pipped to first place in the handicap ace. New member Matthew Young took home his first club trophy in only his third race for the club. After all the maths were done, Matthew finished 14 seconds ahead of Claire with Lucas Bezian and Duncan Anderson sharing joint third place. Duncan has now made a late surge up the handicap standings with this 3rd place added to his 4th place at the Docherty Cup. It was a tightly contested handicap race with the top 12 all finishing within 2 minutes of the lead.

The senior race was hotly contested by the club’s two form horses in Chris Mooney and Andrew White. They both set out into the wind at a good string pace, and did not let up on the way back either. Chris was able to build a small gap on the way back, which despite Andrew’s strong finish, he was able to hold onto for his third win in a row. Steven Campbell clung onto his lead at the top of the senior championship by finishing in 3rd position on the day. The next 3 finishers were all recent marathoners in Andrew Osborne, Robert Dolan and Chris Watson.

Young Alan Mollins took part in the race on his return from injury. The Glenpark youngster was able to get in a good group of runners and worked with them to finish in a good time of just under 32 minutes. Elsewhere there were good runs on the day from Ian McKee, Chris Jones and David McCorkindale.

The harriers would like to say a big thank you to the Jukes family for their continued support of the race and for the donations on the day. Thank you also to Sinbads for hosting our post run celebrations. Finally a big thank you to James Campbell and  Travis Perkins for race sponsorship.

Results (handicap time in brackets): Chris Mooney 27.18 (26.18), Andrew White 27.23 (25.23), Steven Campbell 29.38 (27.08) Andrew Osborne 30.07 (26.07), Robert Dolan 30.14 (24.44), Chris Watson 30.43 (24.43), Chris Jones 30.58 (25.58), Paul Beaton 31.05 (26.05), Alan Mollins 31.58 (26.58), Danny McLaughlin 32.10 (26.40), Duncan Anderson 32.44 (24.14), David McCorkindale 32.46 (26.46), Stephen Hanley 33.27 (25.27), Graham McGrattan 33.40 (26.40), Malcolm McLean 34.14 (26.44), Matthew Young 35.00 (24.00), Ian McKee 35.04 (25.04), Alan O’Rourke 35.30 (26.30), Donna Campbell 35.50 (26.20), Lorna Coyle 36.29 (25.59), Marianne McKay 37.16 (25.16), Robin McAuslan 37.30 (28.30), Claire Monaghan 37.43 (24.13), Ian Hanley 37.50 (24.50), Lucas Bezian 38.14 (24.14), Cheryl Thomas 38.27 (26.57), Steven Watson 38.32 (30.32), Kenny Scott 38.42 (25.12), Gerry Gillespie 38.54 (26.24), Ashley Anderson 39.47 (27.47), Leslie McKay 40.16 (27.16), Viki Smith 41.13 (29.13), Patrick Harte 42.15 (27.15), James Campbell 44.01 (28.01)

It was an impressive display of front running from Ryan Brown who recorded a convincing win in the Junior 1 mile road race along Dunoon’s West Bay esplanade. Behind Brown there was a tremendous tussle between Cameron Patton, Jude Dolan and Sean Wiseman. At the half way point Patton was 20metres clear of Dolan and a further 20metres ahead of Wiseman. After the turn the trio faced a strong wind and it was to Wiseman’s advantage as he used his strength to haul in the two in front. But on the line nothing could separate them in a blanket finish with all 3 crossing in 6.09 minutes. Close behind them came Euan Johnson, the first under 11 athlete in a fantastic 6.18.

In the girls race it was neck and neck all the way, but Ava Beaton managed to go clear and hold the advantage over Sophie McLaughlan despite Sophie’s late sprint to the line.

It was a notable performance from Abbie Tosh in her first club race to take the final podium spot just ahead of Maria McCabe and Erin McEleny.

Prior to the 1 mile race 42 youngsters took part in 9 heats over 200m giving the opportunity to some of the younger Harriers their first taste of competition. The heat winners were Nathan Adams, Sophie McLaughlan, Aimee McEleny Ryan Brown, Ava Beaton, David Docherty, Teyla Henderson, Leo Beaton and Harry McGill.

Senior Race Report to follow.

Thanks to our Race Sponsor Travis Perkins, Sinbads for hospitality, all the staff at Riverside Pool, the Three in One for hot food,  Argyll Ferries for transport, and to the Jukes family for presenting medals to all the juniors.

1mile results: Ryan Brown 5.22, Shaun Wiseman 6.09, Cameron Patton 6.09,  Jude Dolan 6.09, Euan Johnson 6.18, Ava Beaton 6.36, Sophie McLaughlan 6.37, Nathan Adams 6.53, Connor McCrorey 6.53,Patrick McCabe 6.54, David Docherty 6.57, Alex Wiseman  7.07, Douglas Campbell 7.07, Abbie Tosh 7.09, Maria McCabe 7.12, Erin McEleny 7.20, Leo Beaton 7.21, Oliver Jones 7.25, Olivia Trainer 7.39, Teyla Anderson 7.55, Sophie Campbell 7.57, Francesca McKay 8.04, Reyna McWilliams 8.12, Nathan McCorkindale 8.19, Leah Knox 8.29, Ashley Monaghan 8.36, Matthew Ross 8.42,  Finlay McKeegan 8.50, Madeline McCabe 8.58,

5 mile results (handicap time in brackets): Chris Mooney 27.18 (26.18), Andrew White 27.23 (25.23), Steven Campbell 29.38 (27.08) Andrew Osborne 30.07 (26.07), Robert Dolan 30.14 (24.44), Chris Watson 30.43 (24.43), Chris Jones 30.58 (25.58), Paul Beaton 31.05 (26.05), Alan Mollins 31.58 (26.58), Danny McLaughlin 32.10 (26.40), Duncan Anderson 32.44 (24.14), David McCorkindale 32.46 (26.46), Steven Hanley 33.27 (25.27), Graham McGrattan 33.40 (26.40), Malcolm McLean 34.14 (26.44), Matthew Young 35.00 (24.00), Ian McKee 35.04 (25.04), Alan O’Rourke 35.30 (26.30), Donna Campbell 35.50 (26.20), Lorna Coyle 36.29 (26.29), Marianne McKay 37.16 (25.16), Robin McAuslan 37.30 (28.30), Claire Monaghan 37.43 (24.13), Ian Hanlon 37.50 (24.50), Lucas Bezian 38.14 (24.14), Cheryl Thomas 38.27 (26.57), Steven Watson 38.32 (30.32), Kenny Scott 38.42 (25.12), Gerry Gillespie 38.54 (26.24), Ashley Anderson 39.47 (27.47), Leslie McKay 40.16 (27.16), Viki Smith 41.13 (29.13), Patrick Harte 42.15 (27.15), James Campbell 44.01 (28.01)

Highland Fling Ultra Marathon

Three hardy (and slightly mad) Harriers took part in this year’s Highland Fling Ultra Marathon. The event sees the runners take on the first 53 miles of the West Highland Way. The race starts in Milngavie and travels through Drymen, Balmaha, Rowardennan, Inversnaid, Beinglas and Crainlarich before reaching its conclusion in Drymen. The double marathon distance takes on an elevation gain roughly equivalent to two munros!

First home for the club was Mens Captain John Stevenson in just over 9 1/2 hours! This was John’s second ultra marathon, having completed the Devil of the Higlands last Autumn. John was rightly delighted with his time and was in great spirits after the race, even if a little leg weary. Behind him came Stuart Austin, also taking part in his second Ultra Marathon after last year’s Dunoon Ultra. Stuart completed the course in around 11 hours 45 minutes, well within his target of 12 hours. Stuart ran a very well paced race fuelled on a diet of Babybell cheese… Stuart even had the energy at the end to get himself onto the podium, maybe next year for real!

Experienced ultra runner/madman Kevin Gill completed the trio. Kevin had to fight through the urge to stop at the final checkpoint at Beinglass, but was able to keep himself going on until the end, reaching home in just over 15 hours.

Sadly there was no relay event this year, but a good group of Harriers made it out to differnet heckpoints to cheer the runners on. The runners would like to say a big thank you to all of the support teams on the day for keeping them going and the many well wishers on social media. Next stop for each of them is the full 95 mile West Highland Way race in June… Maybe.

Results: John Stevenson 9.33.44, Stuart Austin 11.40.25, Kevin Gill 15.11.54

Stirling Marathon and Half Marathon

This year’s Stirling marathon festival was well attended by Greenock Glenpark Harriers. There were 3 runners in the full marathin and 4 in the half marathon.

The marathin route this year changed from the innagural race last year, with the runners starting in Stirling City Centre rather than Blair Drummond Safari Park. The route took the runners on a loop of Stirlingshire taking in the towns of Doune, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan. The race culminated back in Stirling, this year without the need for a few additional loops at the end.

Marathon debutants Chris Watson and Stephen Reid bothed faired very well in their first attempts at the distance. Chris Watson was able to get under the 3 hour 10 barrier on his first attempt. Chris had a good spell of training and will be confident that he can close the gap to the 3 hour barrier in the future. Stephen Had a more distrupted training spell, with injury forcing him to walk the latter part of the recent Glenpark Harriers 10 mile club race. However, on the day, setting off at a steady pace that Stephen was able to maintain for the 26.2 miles, and came in under 4 hours.

Lucas Bezian made his return to the Stirling marathon for his 3rd marathon in the last 12 months. Although he started out with the 3 hour 45 pacer, Lucas was not quite able to stick with it! However, he still put in a great performance to bring home a PB of 4.21.17.

In the half marathon, new Harrier Lisa Boonsanong completed her first ever half marathon in just over the 2 hour mark. Derrick MacNish carried on his recent good form to get a time just over the 90 minute mark. There was also a return to racing for Robert Wilson Snr and Jnr, good to see them back!

Marathon Results: Chris Watson 3.09.45, Stephen Reid 3.54.59, Lucas Bezian 4.21.17
Half Marathon Results: Derrick MacNish 1.30.35, Robert Wilson Jnr 1.30.59, Robert Wilson Snr 1.41.37, Lisa Boonsanong 2.02.37

3k on the Green

A familiar trio of City working Harriers headed down to Glasgow Green for the April running of the 3k race, and all three bagged a PB! Chris Mooney, Andy White and Nicola Stevenson revelled in the spring sunshine to produce fine runs at the friday lunchtime event.

Chris Mooney was first home for the club in 9.12 with Andy not far behind in 9.33. Nicola’s PB on the day was just under the 13 minute mark for the first time. Well done everyone!

Results: Chris Mooney 9.12, Andrew White 9.33, Nicola Stevenson 12.54

parkrun

Chris Mooney and Andy White showed no ill effects of their runs at 3k on the Green the day before as they took home 1st and 2nd place at Greenock parkrun on Saturday. Elsewhere there were PBs for Sarah Aitken and Kenny Scott.

One of the most popular Harriers races in the club calendar.  Always a big turnout. This is for All juniors & seniors. Meet at the Argyll /CAL-MAC ferry terminal at Gourock at 11.20am sharp on Saturday 5th May.

Juniors will compete in 200m & 1 mile races / Seniors 5miles.

Changing & showers will be available at the Riverside Pool at Dunoon. Post race food and refreshments  for all in Sinbad’s upstairs lounge afterwards.

Juniors can go to fun session at pool from 3 to 4pm after their race. (under 8s must be accompanied by an over 16).

Cost is £3 for Juniors/ £7 for seniors & supporters / under 5s Free.  – Price includes Ferry ticket and race entry and food. (please bring correct change)

Return Ferry to Gourock every 30 minutes.

*Races start and finish at West Bay Pavilion, Dunoon – a 1km walk from the Ferry

Three of our members headed down south for the 38th Virgin London Marathon at the weekend, with record temperatures forecast race plans would be fully tested.

First back for the club and running his 15th London marathon since 1996 was Robert Dolan. He set off at a pace which would have given him a personal best of 2.56 but by mile 8 realised with the very hot and breezy conditions that it wasn’t a day for heroics and deliberately slowed the pace back to ensure getting round safely as the temperature did eventually hit a record high for the event of 24C. Robert came home in a time of 3.15.

Andrew Osborne, who a week before was still uncertain about running the race due to a lack of consistent training and high milage, toed the line with the other 40,000+ starters. He also knew early on that it wasn’t the day for it and decided to enjoy the event and soak up the amazing atmosphere with over a million spectators lining the route coming home in a time of 3.39.

The run of the day and delighted with his chance to run through the club ballot place was David Roberts. Going through halfway in 1.34 and pushing on to mile 16 started to slow slightly and at mile 21 as a bit of cramp set in, he said he just smiled and pushed on in an uncomfortable running style finishing in 3.26, which was still an amazing 15 minute personal best.

Robert Dolan 3.15
David Roberts 3.26
Andrew Osborn 3.39

Blackpool Marathon

Viki Smith headed to the Fylde coast for the 2018 Blackpool Marathon. The route keeps runners entirely on the Blackpool promenade for the entire run. This was Viki’s second marathon and her training was sadly interuppted by injury. But thatnks to hard work and physio, Viki was able to complete the course in 4.28.11. Well done Viki!