Saturday 13th June 2026
Another race that firmly splits opinion amongst runners, the Cornalees Hill Race is arguably the toughest day out in the club calendar. Kicking off from Woodstock Road, the 8k route is a solid climb across hill, field and trail before hitting the tarmac for a further lung bursting effort up Scroggy Hill toward the turn at the high trig point, with some hands over feet scrambling sections levelling the field. This is the 29th time the race has been run since it’s first time out in 1997, organised by Stevie McLoone, and incorporated the Scottish Junior U20 League.
In the U20 league, a small group of made the trip to Greenock for this year’s race. Andrew Grant of Strathearn and QPAC’s Katie Meek won the male and female overall races and so also picked up maximum league points. Mirabelle Meade of Pitreavie was 2nd female with Glenpark’s Evie Harrison picking up 3rd U20.
We had a fantastic 44 runners take part in the 3 distances supported by an even more fantastic 15 volunteers, and the senior race was had the highest ever turnout of ladies with 11 taking part this year. With the club championships close to being decided across several categories, as well as the overall men’s championships, there was a lot to play for as the runners headed into the hills. The absence of Dee Waka, the only realistic challenger to Stephen Trainer for the overall title meant the championship would be decided today; being only two more races in the club season meant there wouldn’t be enough points available for Waka to catch Stephen. The current course record holder had a steady run, his overall third place (38:36) a strong performance on the day from the outstanding runner across a tough season. Well deserved congratulations to Stephen, winning his 7th championship and his first since 2016.
The men’s race was anyone’s guess at the start with Trainer not needing the victory, and it was great to see Vice Captain Daniel Doherty take control of a strong pack ahead of Paul Monaghan, Steven Campbell, Stephen Hanley and William Taylor, all great runners on the hills. Doherty gradually pulled away to secure his first club race win in over ten years of trying, his time of 35:52 over a minute ahead of Paul Monaghan in second place with a brilliant 36:58. Steven Campbell was working hard to catch Paul as they battle out the V50 championship, but couldn’t hold onto strong early pace and had to settle for 4th overall with 39:02, with Hanley close behind in 39:42. William Taylor ran well in 5th as the only other runner to go under 40 minutes with 39:46.
Arguably the outstanding run of the day came from Ashley Anderson, taking on the race for the first time. Ashley has been training hard under the watchful eye of club champion Jill Cox, and put in an incredible effort to comfortably win the ladies race with a time of 41:37, the second quickest ever recorded by a female Harrier. Evie Harrison had a good day on the hills for second place, overcoming her recent injury problems and going round the course in 46:54. Evie was followed by mum Lynne, her time of 48:18 just short of a pb but enough to make her the only other female to go sub 50 minutes.
A huge thank you to all the volunteers who turned out for this one!
Next up – over to the hills of Rothesay for the Singlehurst, Saturday 11th July.
Top Three Club finishes in each distance
- 500m
1st Lauryn McLauglin 3.23
2nd James Mooney 3.52
3rd Luke Watson 4.16
4th Caitlin Taylor 4.54 - 2k
1st Elijah Taylor 10.12
2nd Isaac Robin 10.16
3rd Iona Quigley 11.14 - 8k Ladies
1st Ashley Anderson 41.37
2nd Evie Harrison 46.54
3rd Lynne Harrison 48.18 - 8k Gents
1st Daniel Doherty 35.52
2nd Paul Monaghan 36.58
3rd Stephen Trainer 38.36
A Special well done to our guest runners.
500m – Conal Rooney 3:08 (1st overall 500m)
2k – Keyan Patel 9.53 (1st overall 2k)
8k U20 Gents – Andrew Grant 33.42 (1st overall 8k)
8k U20 Ladies
Katie Meek 40.19 (1st overall 8k ladies)
Mirabelle Meade 41.19
Maisy Meade 47.21
