Friday 7th August 2026 – Greenock Esplanade
Greenock Glenpark Harriers rounded off season 25/26 in style on Friday evening as 168 runners took part in the club’s flagship 10k event, the Bill Elder Trophy. Once again, the club opened the race to runners from across Scotland and the new evening start time proved to be a great success, with representatives of over 20 clubs taking part. The course was the same as last year’s slightly altered route, kicking off from Greenock Boat Club, heading out along the Esplanade before turning onto Container Way and following the waterfront route out to the Point, before looping back for the finish. Conditions were perfect with a slight wind meeting the runners on the back stretch,
MENS RACE:
There was some fantastic running across all the categories, but there was no questioning the winner on the evening – John Bell took the blistering early pace on and there was nobody able to stay with the Inverclyde Athletics man. Bell built up over one minute on second placed Stephen Trainer by the turn, and continued to power through the closing stages, crossing the line well ahead in 30:25. Stephen Trainer had a fantastic run for second place, the new Harriers Club Champion recording a solid 33:22 for second. In third, Greenock’s Jamie McEwan had an outstanding finish to his first full season with the club with a third placed effort in 35:16.
Paul Monaghan was another Greenock runner to have a superb race, his V50 1st time of 35:40 also fourth fastest overall on the night, Paul’s training efforts really coming good at the moment and he’ll be hopeful of continuing to improve into the next season. Other Harriers inside the top ten finishers were Jamie Percival (4th SM, 37:02), and Steven Campbell (3rd V50, 10th overall in 37:07). Just outside the ten was John Hampsey (5th SM, 37:20) – the three Greenock Men battling hard throughout and separated by only seconds at the finish.
Sub 40 minutes for the distance is a formidable achievement and a further eight male Harriers managed it on the night – Graeme Percival (38:08), Oliver Reilly (38:28), Duncan Anderson (38:26), Michael McLoone (38:43) Kev Craig (38:46), Stephen Hanley (39:07), Andrew McKenzie (39:31), and Owen Atkinson (39:37). William Taylor crossed the line in 40 dead. Notable from that group, Michael McLoone’s run was in the V60 category, easily the fastest in that category!
LADIES RACE:
In a similar fashion to the mens race, there was no doubting the outcome as ladies champion Jill Cox powered to victory with an amazing effort of 37:59, easily clear of second place and a very creditable 14th position overall. Cathy Wood and Deborah Gray of Bellahouston Road runners rounded off the medal positions for the ladies, with Greenock’s Evie Harrison beginning to return to some form after a long period of injury, the U20 runner’s time of 42:30 also putting her first in her age category. Another Greenock lady putting the miles in on training days is Ashley Anderson (42:54), competing in the senior category and just ahead of a chasing pack of Sue Hewitson (2nd V40 43:33), Mabel Balfour (43:34), Lorna Mitchell (2nd V50 44:10), and Jennifer Rooney (46:07).
HANDICAP RACE:
As the final handicap race of the season, the Bill Elder has two handicap trophies attached – firstly, the George McCallum memorial trophy for the fastest handicap time on the day; and the race always has a massive say in the final outcome of the handicap championship season. It was great to see V60 runner James Eardley take the trophy on the night, his finish time of 48:48 against a handicap of 18 giving him (HC – 30:48), well ahead of second place.
HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP:
Proving the old adage that it’s not over till it’s over, Andrew McKenzie’s time of 39:31 against a handicap of 7.5 gave him a HC time of 32:01 (2nd) and that was enough to pull back a massive 13 point gap over Lynne Harrison in the table to take the HC championship for season 25/26. Andrew has performed brilliantly over the season, his times improving consistently and it was great to see him add to his Docherty Cup win earlier in the season.
FINAL STANDINGS CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
There wasn’t a great deal to decide on the day with most categories done and dusted or with the leaders just about uncatchable. The final standings across the club are as follows, well done to all runners!:
Ā Overall Club Champions
Ā Over 40Ā Over 50Ā Over 60Ā Over 70Ā Over 80
Harrison, Cambell, Hanley, Robin
A special thank you to the volunteers on the evening:
Alan O’Rourke as Race Director.
The Marshalls for keeping the runners safe
Elaine Medinelli and her husband running the barbecue;
Alison King , Stephen Harrison , Emma Sinclair and Graham McGrattan for setting up the start area.
To all the runners – for taking part. Hopefully you enjoyed the course and achieved good times.
To all the supporters for cheering on their family and friends!
The Bill Elder 2026 was sponsored by Patten & Prentice, Specsavers, Esplanade Cafe and Royal West of Scotland Boat Club, Greenock – please give them a follow on their Facebook page!
Photos by David Duncan and Emma Sinclair
The race was held as a charity event and at the time of writing has raised over Ā£1000 for local Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Charity ‘The Anchor’
