Babcock 10k Series
The Babcock 10k series is an annual fixture that welcomes runners into the spring/summer road racing season, and offers the chance to improve your times week by week on three relatively fast courses. This year there was the added bonus of the Scottish Championships at the Shettleston event.
Helensburgh 10k – Thu 4th May
The first of the popular Babcock race series got underway on Thursday night with 15 Harriers traveling across the water. Runners enjoyed a wind assisted first half but faced strong gusts as they made the return to the finish. The course runs through the streets of Helensburgh starting in the east and heading west, and turning around half way, when the strong easterly wind confronted the runners to make it a tough slog for home! A slight change of the normal route also meant the runners tackled a couple of steeper short hills than normal.
There were still good runs in there, with Andrew Osborne dipping under 35 minutes. Donald Shaw donned the harriers vest in his return to the club and narrowly missed a sub 40. Marianne McKay was first female harrier, and her mum Charlotte was 8th in her age category.
It was good to see a big squad make the journey over for this, and with a large group of our female runners having signed up for the whole series, it is great to see such camaraderie in the ranks.
Results – Andrew Osborne – 34:55, Daniel Doherty – 36:37, Stephen Hanley – 39:18, Donald Shaw – 40:09, Malcolm MacLean – 40:56, Alan O’Rourke – 45:06, Gerry Gallacher – 46:22, Marianne McKay – 48:29, Nathalie Smith – 53.05, Sarah Whalen – 53:48, Gill Gilmour – 61.42, Charlotte McKay – 65.01 (8th v60), Mary Robinson – 68.40, Alison Smart – 73.31, Lorna MacLean – 74.47
Shettleston 10k (inc. Scottish 10k Championships) – Sun 14th May
The Shettleston 10k was selected this year for the Scottish National 10k championships. The course is very flat, but a bit twisty through two laps of Glasgow Green. Again, we saw a good turnout from the club, with 14 in attendance. It would be amiss not to give out a massive congratulations to Inverclyde’s own John Bell on claiming the Scottish title at the event in 30.29.
First harrier home was Neil Lafferty in 34.23 and was 7th v40 in a stacked field, with Paul Monaghan not far behind in 34.38. This was another National medal for Paul (see previous report!!) a bronze to add to the collection. Andy Osborne ‘saved his legs a bit’ ahead of his marathon in 37.28. Kirsty Ormond was first female harrier in 41.40. Alan O’Rourke improved on his time from Helensburgh, as did Stephen Hanley, Charlotte McKay and Mary Robinson.
This was another great event, on a calm Sunday morning in Glasgow. It was a packed field full of some of the best in the country, a good experience for all.
Results: Neil Lafferty – 34.23 (7th M40), Paul Monaghan – 34.38 (3rd M50), Andrew Osborne – 37.28, Stephen Hanley – 38.38, Donald Shaw – 40.25, Malcolm McLean – 41.18, Kirsty Ormond – 41.40, Alan O’Rourke – 44.22, Marianne McKay – 50.20, Charlotte McKay – 63.38 , Mary Robinson – 65.28, Gill Gilmour – 66.21, Alison Smart – 74.46, Lorna MacLean – 75.04
Dumbarton 10k – Thursday 25th May 2023
Our biggest turnout for the series was for Dumbarton, with it being noted as usually the fastest of the routes. The race runs along the cycle path eastwards towards Bowling before returning for a loop of the houses near the town centre. A hot night for this one, with little breeze to cool us all down.
Stuart Greenway edged out Shaun Lyon as first harrier in 33.40. Neil Lafferty made up the top three in 35.18, and claiming 4th in the v40 category. Donaldo Shaw dipped under that 40 minute barrier for the first time in the series by 2 seconds! Colin McKnight secured a 10k PB in 41.33, and more is to come from Colin since then!
Marianne McKay was first female in 49.01, with Nathalie Smith second in 53.01. Nathalie was 1 second behind non chivalrous club mate Craig Melrose who sprinted past her on the grassy finish.
Well done to Stephen, Donald, Malcolm, Marianne, Charlotte, Gill, Alison and Lorna who ran all 3 races this year. Thanks to Darren Borzynski Photography for the photos on the night.
Results: Stuart Greenway – 33.40, Shaun Lyon – 33.48, Neil Lafferty – 35.18 (4th M40), Oliver Reilly – 36.35, Stephen Hanley – 37.23, Donald Shaw – 39.58 (10th M50), Colin McKnight – 41.33, Malcolm MacLean – 43.50, Scot Hill – 46.01, Marianne McKay – 49.01, Craig Melrose – 53.00, Nathalie Smith – 53.01, Gill Gilmour – 63.13, Charlotte McKay – 63.46, Alison Smart – 72.27, Lorna MacLean – 75.21
