Juniors on Track!
Glenpark Harrier juniors got their outdoor track season off to a flyer recently with lifetime best performances.
Over a busy weekend Harris Morrison (pictured above) was first to compete at the Livingston Open meeting competing over 400m. Harris recently moved to the event and looking to set himself up for the coming season started conservatively as he strode down the back straight before reaching the 200m mark when he moved into a higher gear and moved into contention for a leading position as he hit the home straight Harris was stride for stride for the win crossing line just a fraction of a second of the leader recording a new lifetime best of 52 seconds.
On a busy Joint League meeting at Grangemouth Jude Dolan set the standard for his teammates to follow, keeping in contact with the leading group Jude showed maturity to avoid the blustery head wind on the home straight before he strode for glory with 300m to go, a sprint finish from the 200m mark it was nip and tuck coming into the last 50m as the endurance background of Jude came to the fore as he broke clear to claim victory in a 7 second lifetime best of 2.06.
Jude Dolan
Also in the 800m event Nyah Gillan ran a tactical race as she cruised through the halfway stage before increasing pace to pass her competitors before reaching the home straight where she crossed the line equaling her own best time. Ruby McGill dropped down distance to the 800m and gained valuable race experience in what for her is a shorter distance setting a personal target which she will work toward in the coming season.
Nyah Gillan
In the 100m the ‘Harriers’ fastest athlete Simon Okiti fresh from his recent lifetime best of 11.20 for the event was confident of emulating this run only for the scottish weather to put a dampener on that with a very challenging headwind. Undeterred Simon was out of his blocks and powering through his sprint phases to hit maximum speed as the athletes went through the 50m line, Simon endurance work was profitable as he moved into the lead to claim victory in his heat stopping the clock at 11.57, one of the fastest of the day for the young 17 year old.
Moving from the shortest event to the longest, 3000m Kyle Johnstone put a marker down on the track after his recent aquathon successes, completing the seven and a half laps in a creditable 10.51 minutes.
Glenpark juniors now move onto local club races before coaches and parents start the travels throughout Scotland for the forthcoming National events.
Beinn Dubh Hill Race – 27/04/22
After success at Kaim the previous week, Harriers headlined to Loch Lomondside for the 2nd race in Scottish Hill Runners ‘Bog and Burn’ series.
Beinn Dubh has runners climbing almost 2000ft in under 2 miles, a lung bursting challenge. Yet another sunny and calm evening, perfect conditions which showed off the stunning location at its best.
Glenpark President Andy McCall had another outstanding run. A strong and determined climb, keeping a close eye on the front runners, followed by another masterclass of a descent. Andy picked off all but one of the challengers to take 2nd place on the podium, finishing just 6 seconds behind the winner.
Next Harrier was Kyle Wilson. Confident following his impressive 6th place at Kaim, Kyle set the pace at the front, leading the race for the first mile up the hill. Despite being surrounded by experienced hill runners, Kyle wasn’t daunted and put together a solid race to finish just outside the top ten in 12th place.
Owen Atkinson powered his way up and down the hill and his literally blistering pace, resulted in an eye watering blister on show at the finish line, which he crossed in 16th place. Owen secured a consecutive top 20 in the series with another impressive effort.
Daniel Doherty, hill racing his way back to fitness, struggled on the ascent but managed to pick up a few places coming back down to finish in 50th place. With another race under the belt Daniel will be focussed on moving up the positions next time.
3rd race in the series is the Whangie Whizz , which Andy McCall and Daniel Doherty competed at on Wednesday of this week. With the club hill race tomorrow, it is time for our hill runners to shine!
Check out the Scottish Hill Runners report and positions for the ‘Bog and Burn’ series so far below, which sees GGH sit 2nd in the club table, with Andy rolling back the years and leading the overall standings.