Day 2 National T&F Championships under 17s & Seniors

It was another blustery day interspersed with heavy showers at Grangemouth on day 2 of the National Championships.

Scott McCluckie and Mark Magee had an early morning start for the Senior Men’s 200m heats. Mark was first away, having raced very little and only his first time over 200m this season, can take confidence from a time of 25.00 just outside his lifetime best. Scott also put in a solid performance, close to a season best to finish 6^th in 24.00 in the 3^rd heat.

Harry McGill having qualified for the under 17s men’s 1500m final the previous day, had kept himself well in contention for a medal up until the last 400metres, but was unable to sustain his challenge as he faded slightly to 6^th in a time of 4.14minutes.  There was a lot to be pleased about his weekend’s performance; this was an improvement on his 10^th place in last year’s final, and his final two laps of his heat were covered in 66 & 60 seconds, his best for 800m was previously 2.10 minutes. Harry now looks forward to representing Scotland in mountain running at the World Youth Trophy in Susa in Italy next weekend.

Day 1 National T&F Championships Under 17s & Seniors

The athletes at the National Championships at Grangemouth Stadium were met with very blustery conditions, not ideal for fast times, but thankfully for them the forecast of rain held off for the day.

First away for the Harriers was Abbie Tosh in heat 1 of the Under 17 women’s 800metres. Abbie looked strong throughout and contested well in what was her first year in her age group. It was an excellent time considering the strong wind down the back straight to come home in 2.46minutes just a second off her personal best to finish in 6^thplace.

Harry McGill was up next in the 1500m, where there were 2 heats with only the top 4 guaranteed to qualify for the final.

In an extremely cautious opening the whole field were still together, moving at jogging pace for the first 2 laps. From then on it wound up rapidly until the bell, where the top 5 then moved clear of the rest. Into the home straight Harry was under pressure but managed to hold on – with just a little to spare- to take 4^th in 4.25 minutes and a place in tomorrow’s final. It was the closest race of the day with just ½ a second separating the first 5 across the line.

It was then the turn of senior men Mark Magee and Scott McCluckie in the heats of the 400metres. In Heat 1 Mark looked very quick over the first 250m, but tied up a little down the home straight, but should be pleased with a season’s best of 54.99 seconds.

Scott in Heat 3 was a bit disappointed with his performance but was just outside his quickest time this season in difficult conditions . Both go again tomorrow in the 200metres.

Abbie Tosh

Harry McGill

Mark Magee

Scott McCluckie

Scott Hannaway stamped his class on the JK Neave memorial 100m Handicap, at Ravenscraig stadium, as he set 3 championship bests on his way to the trophy. It was impressive running by the youngster dipping under 11 seconds in his Heat, Semi and Final.

It was a great turnout with 54 athletes, young and old,  lining up for the 8 heats of the age based handicap competition.

With 4 qualifying from each of the heats, all the favourites made it comfortably through to the semi-finals, with the Heat winners being Jonathan Lamont, Ava Beaton, Mark Magee, Scott McCluckie, Scott Hannaway, Sophie Campbell, Ben Campbell and Jude Dolan.

The Semi-Finals were much more tense with only the top 2 from each race progressing to the final. The closest race came in S/F 2 when Mark Magee and Scott McCluckie only just managed to catch & pass Emma Aitken on the line. It was another fine run from Emma fresh from her impressive performance at the National Championships at the weekend.

Also making his way quietly through the heats was Micky Dunn a winner and runner-up in the previous 2 years, this time though he seemed to be struggling only finishing 3rd in his heat and 2nd in the semi.

The Final itself had a familiar look as it contained 4 of last years finalists’ – Sophie McGinty, Ava Beaton, and Katie Johnson along with Micky; and as expected the 3 sprint specialists the 2 Scott’s and Mark Magee, with surprise package Leo Beaton joining them.

It was no surprise though to see Scott Hannaway burst into the lead  by halfway to go 10 metres clear on the line, but behind him it was a blanket  finish for the minor places, with Scott McCluckie taking the runners-up spot and Micky Dunn saving his best for the final to take 3rd.

Final: 1st Scott Hannaway 10.75, 2nd Scott McCluckie 11.58, 3rd Micky Dunn 11.87, 4th Mark Magee 12.57, 5th Ava Beaton, 6th Katie Johnson, 7th Leo Beaton, 8th Sophie McGinty.

Full Results:  2019RESULTS NEAVE

The 2018-19 Greenock Glenpark Harriers season came to a close last week with the final race, the Bill Elder 10k. The 3 main championship titles were still up for grabs going into the race, with the standings very tight.

The senior championship was a shootout between Steven Campbell and Andy White. The season started with Chris Mooney carrying on where he left off last year, winning 2 races early on before injury stopped him in his tracks in the new year. Andy White was on a tear through the winter months, smashing PBs and picking up age category medals everywhere. This form carried over to the club races, as Andy put himself to the top of the table in the Spring. However, injury caught up with him too. The ever present Stevie Campbell took full advantage and a string of great races saw him propel himself to the top with one race to go, but Andy was back from injury and could still claim victory with a win. However, Stevie Campbell led from the off and secured not only the race win for the club, but the championship win too. He held off a great challenge from Paul Monaghan in second place. Meanwhile John Bell of Inverclyde won the overall race in an amazing time of 31.06.

Stevie Campbell also secured the V40 championship in the process. Andy’s return allowed him to take the V50 championship in his first year. Graham McGrattan had already secured the v60 category, and will face good battle to retain it next year with Danny McLaughlin now of age.

Claire Monaghan has been improving more than anyone else in the club over the last few years. This year, she ran 10 out of the 11 club races and was consistently in the top 3. This saw her sit 2 points clear going into the last race ahead of Sandra Campbell. Sandra was another one who has succumbed to injury towards the end of the season, which sadly saw her fall just shy of making it to the last race. Sue Hewitson has amassed a number of wins through the season, but having ran only 6 races she was one race shy of challenging. New club member Chloe Simpson had won all 3 club races she had entered in her debut year, and ran a cracking 10k PB in the final race to secure a narrow win from Sue. However, Claire Monaghan finished the season with another top 3 finish to take home the Woman’s Championship. Claire has been brilliant all year and thoroughly deserves her name up on the board.

In the woman’s age category championships, Claire was a clear winner in the v35 category. Lorna Coyle was able to secure the v45 and v55 titles in another consistent year from her.

The handicap championship would also be decided on the night. There were 10 runners within 10 points of the leader. Stephen Hanley went into the race with a 3 point lead, but was off sunning himself in Malta. Probably for the best considering he has some responsibility for the handicaps… Robert Dolan also had a chance of winning, just 4 points behind, but he was also absent to top up his tan ahead of next season. It was John Stevenson who took full advantage with his 6th place finish, picking up 5 points that took him to the top of the standings. His second handicap championship victory, showing that consistent running is the key. Well done John.

The handicap race was tight between two ladies who both smashed their PBs on the night. Fiona MacFarlane ran a fantastic race, and was over the moon with her PB. But it was Chloe Simpson who edged it to take home her second trophy of the night. There were also PBs for Oliver Reilly and Eric Lindsay, who both must be in contention for the best newcomer award this year.

A couple of stats to finish. We had 2 runner who ran all of the races this year. Stevie Campbell (a regular ever present) and Stephen Reid who ran them all for the first time. Claire Monaghan only missed one, and Callum Gorry was literally just one mile short of doing them all! Another great stat is that there were over 110 different harriers that ran in the senior club runners, and another 20+ juniors who ran in the mile race. A tremendous turnout. Hopefully we see you all for the first race of next year on Saturday 21st September! The final standings and the handicap results from last week are available for download below:

Downloads:

Championship Tables 2018-19

Bill Elder 10k Results and Handicap

A reminder that Junior Training returns to Notre Dame High School this Tuesday at 6pm (12th August).

Round-up of a successful weekend for the Harriers who competed in the age group National T&F Championships at Grangemouth stadium. 10^th & 11^th August 2019. With the highlight being Scott Hannaway’s brilliant Bronze in the U20 mens 400m.

Day one at the Scottish National Age Group T&F Championships:

In the under 15s 300metres Emma Aitken produced the run of the day with a 2 second PB. Having only recently started concentrating on the sprint distance, she covered the 300m in just 47 seconds, a significant improvement. Ben Campbell also ran well as he recorded a new best time by just ½ a second in the 1500m. Francesca McKay was slightly down on her 800m best but put in a strong run in a very quick heat. There was disappointment for medal hope Harris Morrison, who pulled out at last minute, on advice of the physio with hamstring strain he had been suffering with all week.

300m Emma Aitken 47.49

1500m Ben Campbell 4.55.09

800m Francesca McKay 2.55.24

Day two at the Scottish National Age Group T&F Championships:

It was the turn of the under13s & under 20s, and the warm sunny weather from the previous day unfortunately didn’t last – but it didn’t stop all  our six under 13 athletes producing their fastest ever times.

1^st year girls Sophie, Maria, Summer and Erin gained valuable experience in heat 1 of the 800metres timed final format. Sophie went out strongly from the start holding onto 3^rd place throughout with her typical gutsy performance. Maria was more measured in her tactics coming through steadily in the 2^nd lap to take 4^th.  Just behind came Summer and Erin giving their all to produce life time bests in their first National final.

Ava Beaton was in the 4^th and quickest of the girls heats, and she kept herself in medal contention. At 600m she had forced her way through to 4^th place and was closing down on the Pitreavie athlete in front, but as her rival picked up the pace in response to the challenge, Ava faded slightly in the home straight, but should take great confidence in that she has recorded a PB every time she has stepped on the track at 800m this season.

David Docherty was in the first of the 3 heats of the boys final. It was an impressive run by the youngster, lying 3^rd at half way, he powered through to win by 20metres on the line. His time was the 14^th quickest overall.

The outstanding performance of the day however came from Scott Hannaway in the U20’s 400metres. He had cruised to a comfortable win in his heat to set up his place in the final, where he would be up against formidable opposition in Pitreavie’s, Billy Doyle, and Englishman  Hakan Dalbal 7^th and 18^th quickest respectively in the UK. By the time the final came the weather had worsened with the wind picking up and the rain lashing down. Despite the conditions Scott was quickly away and into 2^nd place, but with the finish line in sight he was overtaken by Hakan. But he can go home happy with a National Bronze medal in his first year at Under 20 and a time a fraction off his best in terrible conditions.

400m:  Scott Hannaway  3^rd Final 49.75 /  1^st Heat 49.91

800m:  David Docherty 2:34:84 PB

Ava Beaton  2:30.48    PB

Sophie McGinty  2:52.07    PB

Maria McCabe   2:55.86    PB

Summer Taggart 3:02.17   PB

Erin McEleny  3:04.50   PB

There was a large turnout for the Harriers Bill Elder Road Races with 107 athletes competing over the Junior 1km and Senior 10km races.

It was guest runners who filled the top 3 places in the Men’s race with Inverclyde AC’s John Bell in outstanding form with a spectacular 31.06  to take top spot, he was followed by Cambuslang’s Alasdair Campbell, and Glasgow University’s Johannes Arens.  But for the home clubs Steven Campbell his 4th spot was undoubtedly  more important, as it meant that he was to claim the overall GGH Champions title in the final event of the 11 race championship.

Chloe Simpson smashed  her PB by almost 2 minutes to go under the 40 minute mark to win the ladies race, but she was made to work  for her win by Sue Hewitson who also produced an outstanding run, beating her best by 84 seconds.  In 3rd was Claire Monaghan, who’s consistency throughout the long season ensured her the Harriers ladies overall  champions title for 2018-19.

Steven Campbell & Chloe Simpson winners of the Bill Elder Salvers for 1st GGH athletes in the race

It was a record turnout for the junior 1km race (1 lap of the Battery Park) with U17 athlete Harry McGill as expected running clear for the win.  The under 15s were much closer with Harris Morrison doing enough to hold off Ben Campbell and Shaun Wiseman.  Ava Beaton was quickest girl around the park closely followed by Katie Johnson. It was especially encouraging to see 10 of the girls all going under 4 minutes.

Bill Elder 10K Results: John Bell 31.06, Alasdair Campbell 32.33, Johannes Arens 34.04, Steven Campbell 34.24, David Tamburini 34.28, Paul Monaghan 35.15, Daniel Doherty 36.09, Andrew White 36.48, Michael McLoone 37.46, Oliver Reilly 38.23, Andrew McCall 38.39, John Stevenson 38.42, Alan Henderson 39.09, Gordon Hepburn 39.19, Chloe Simpson 39.31, Gavin Morrison 40.07, Chris Jones 40.38, Sue Hewitson 40.42, Chris Watson 40.52, Richard Davidson 41.17, Andrew Norris 41.24, Stephen Harrison 42.58, Danny McLaughlin 43.46,Joshua Ruddy 43.54, James McFadden 43.55, Stuart Crawford 44.02, Stephen Reid 44.07, Richard Newsome 44.20, Ian McKee 44.27, Callum Gorry 44.33, David Ness 45.00, Alan O’Rourke 45.10, Gerry Deveney 45.11, David Rafferty 45.23, Claire Monaghan 45.50, Donna Campbell 46.27, Eric Lindsey 46.28, Kevin Gill 46.48, Fiona McFarlane 46.58, Jim Cuffe 47.00, James Docherty 47.03, Frank McMahon 47.34, Sean McFarlane 47.37, Lorna Coyle 47.55, Mathew Young 48.25, Lisa Boonsanong 49.08, Marianne McKay 49.15, Tam Hamilton 50.12, Brian Dando 50.58, Boyd McKenzie 51.04, Kenny Scott 51.09, Andrew McQueen 51.29, Gerry Gillespie   52.41, Fiona Cushnaghan 53.30, Willie Logan 56.03, Gerry Langan 56.44, Liz McAuslan 58.19, Angela Nelson 58.35, Dougie McEwan 58.48, Stuart David Crawford 58.57, Helen Crawford 58.58, Alison McSween 61.03, Eddie Devine 62.49,  Emma Sinclair 62.54, Charlotte McKay 64.06,

Junior 1k Results: Harry McGill 3.01, Harris Morrison 3.15, Ben Campbell 3.18, Sean Wiseman 3.22, Ava Beaton 3.24, David Docherty 3.25, Douglas Campbell 3.31, Katie Johnson 3.32, Euan Johnson 3.33, Leo Beaton 3.43, Ruby McGill 3.44, Abbie Tosh 3.44, Sophie McGinty 3.45, Emma Aitken 3.47, Francesca McKay 3.49, Connor McCrorey 3.49, Jonathan Lamont 3.49, Maria McCabe 3.50, Summer Taggart 3.51, Ruari Trainer 3.53, Erin McEleny 3.56, Sophie Campbell 4.03, Oliver Jones 4.11, Anna Docherty 4.16, Olivia Trainer 4.20, Sam Cushnaghan 4.25, Charlotte Jones 4.26, Sophie Baker 4.26, Tyler Bryce 4.35, Josh Docherty 4.39, Islay Newsome 4.39, Aimee McEleny 4.39, Rachel Ruddy 4.40, Stella McCabe 4.41, Ben Mullan 4.47, Samantha Lamont 4.54, Beth Docherty 5.08, Ben O’Brien 5.08, Lily Doherty 5.21, Elsie Doherty 5.38,