Event 1: Shettleston
Sunday 12 May 2024
The Babcock series comprises three 10k races, hosted across Glasgow and the surrounding area. The first race of the Babcock series was the Shettleston Course, which runs over a traffic-free route around Glasgow Green. The Green contains historical buildings such as the People’s Place and the Royal Doulton fountain – familiar sights to Glenpark Runners who compete in the Great Scottish Run. These always provide an impressive backdrop to the event, a two loop course around the park.
The weather was threatening with the forecast of lightning storms and heavy rain, but luckily the worst of the elements faced was sunshine and humidity which presented its own challenges!
Seventeen harriers completed the race, with Neil Lafferty (34:23) running a particularly strong race on his comeback from injury, coming home first Harrier in tenth place overall and nabbing a cash prize as a result. Neil was second in the V40 category. Next in was Paul Monaghan, with a time of 36:10 and 3rd in the V50 category. Despite feeling the effects of a fast Parkrun the day before, Oliver Reilly (36:21) and Stephen Harrison (40:22) both put in impressive shifts, with Stephen just outside PB time by five seconds and on track for his goal of getting a sub-40 this season.
As 5th male Harrier home, Stephen Hanley (40:39) had a difficult run in the heat after starting strongly but fading towards the second half of the race. Likewise, Colin McKnight (43:21) struggled with an ongoing hip injury but still put in a decent shift on the day. Colin was followed in by Donald Shaw, Malcom MacLean and Paul Meehan.
In the ladies event, Jill Aikman set an early pace and held on to lead the Harriers ladies home in a time of 47:35 and in 5th place in the F50 category. Another really impressive run from Nathalie Smith, who smashed her target 50 minute in a time of 49 minutes. Nathalie has been training hard and it was great to see her getting the sub-50. Next in was Lynne Harrison (49:15), a great time despite carrying a foot injury, followed by Marianne McKay (55:48). Charlotte McKay was next for the ladies with (1h 4m) and an amazing 1st place in her age category.
Doris Heron, Mary Robinson and Alison Smart all put in some great running on the day to finish just outside the hour mark.
Next up in the series is the Dumbarton 10k on the 23rd May.
This was a great event, so we’re looking forward to the next ones!
En Avant.
