Bel- Fast Running Lands Medal Haul

35th British & Irish Masters Cross Country International 

“However ordinary each of us may seem, we are all in some way special, and can do things that are extraordinary, perhaps until then…even thought impossible.” Sir Roger Bannister

Belfast played host to the annual highlight event in the Masters calendar after a 12 year hiatus and what a show they put on. 

With three Harriers places booked after strong performances at the trial race at Tollcross in September, the team received a boost when club mate Paul Monaghan received the call from selectors to confirm his place on the team, joining Neil Lafferty, John Logan and Andy McCall representing Greenock Glenpark Harriers at National level. Showing that Inverclyde has real strength in numbers two other runners, Gregor Yates and Robert Patterson, added to the local representation.

On a beautiful  crisp Irish November morning, the team made their way to Billy Neill MBE Country Park which would play host to the various Masters races across the day. The 8km course was a challenging mix of short, sharp hills in the first kilometre with a lovely long downhill where runners could stretch their legs and gather some speed. The last kilometre zig-zagged through the football pitches with a fast finish waiting for runners. The senior runners would compete over four tough two kilometre laps. Paul has been really successful in his normal V50 age group but found himself drafted into the V40 team, which he would take in his stride. As a result all  4 Harriers toed the line together in the senior 35 – 49 race, making for some tasty battles and a wee  bit extra motivation.

Neil Lafferty, fresh from his incredible marathon performance in Frankfurt, set the early pace with the top Veterans in the country. Neil’s pacing was exemplary as he kept a consistently quick pace across the 4 laps. Finishing with a brilliant sprint finish, Neil pulled clear of team mate Grant Baillie(current World Masters 3000m Steeplechase Champion) to overturn the corresponding result from the trial race, just 6 weeks previous. 

Wearing his first Scotland vest in 17 years, Andy McCall was the next harrier home. Having benefited from a more cautious start, Andy was able to pull his way through the field towards the final lap, taking several home International vests along the way. Andy has been in great form over the last few months including a superb performance at the Great Scottish Half Marathon to PB and also a PB at 10km. Andy has also ran his quickest  5km in some years which is testament to his consistency and dedication. Andy however is truly at home on the trails, grass and hills and will surely go from strength to strength in the coming years.

The experienced Paul Monaghan was next to cross the line with another solid run. Despite being drafted into the younger age category, Paul put in his signature gutsy race, leaving everything on the course. He maintained a good lead on his club mate John, finishing well up in the race. Paul continues to excel in his own age group and is again a living advert for the consistent approach to training and has become something of a regular at this event.

Our final Harrier home, John Logan deservedly received his first Scotland selection. John is one of the so- called Lockdown Runners who picked up running post COVID. Since joining the club John has went from strength to strength and earned his place on the team with a superb performance, despite feeling more at home over the longer distances as proven with a recent second palace at Inverness 24. This first experience at International level has surely whet his appetite for the different opportunities that are available to someone with his adaptability. John learned first hand all that National level offers with the pre-race nerves, adrenaline rush and being on the start line with the best veteran runners in the country. An experience you can’t prepare for until you are there. John set out at aiming to keep within touching distance of Paul. This led John into a ding-dong battle with Scottish team mate David Scott who John eventually got the better of in a sprint finish. 

It was a nervy and long wait for the runners as the results were kept under lock and key until the awards dinner later that night. There were whispers of team medals, top places and so on but the Glenpark quartet kept their cool. Eventually as the results were revealed it was clear that the Glenpark contingent and their Scotland teammates had had a pretty decent day at the office and providing just rewards for all runners after an excellent day of racing. 

• Neil Lafferty’s brilliant run saw him finishing an incredible 5th overall in the V45 category, 1st counter for the Scotland team leading the V45 team to a Bronze medal. 
• Paul Monaghan was rewarded with a team V40 silver medal. Interestingly, Paul’s time would have placed him 3rd counter in the V50 team showing his strength over the race. 
• Andy McCall and John Logan both recieved a bronze team medal in the V35 category with Andy finishing 3rd counter for the Scotland and John 6th. 

All runners want to thank the club for their support in getting to the race and were proud to represent Greenock Glenpark Harriers at this International event. 

Results

Neil Lafferty – 26:37 (Team bronze)

Andy McCall – 27:09 (Team bronze)

Paul Monaghan – 29:31 (Team silver)

John Logan – 29:55 (Team bronze)