Lyle Run 2025

The Lyle (Mile) Run 2025

Over 170 runners turned out on New Year’s Day, supported by our hardy volunteers to take on the annual one-mile uphill challenge from the railway bridge at Fort Matilda to the Free French Memorial Cross at the top of Lyle Hill. On a cold morning as befits this time of year, athletes were out in force starting the new year with a true test of mettle and fortitude. Many of the runners were fresh from completing the New Year’s Day parkrun and a determined few went on to complete the local trilogy that includes a New Year’s Day dip at one of the local boat clubs. This year, as always, we aim to support a local charity and this year was no different with donations supporting the Callum Tosh Memorial Fund.

The race was a fast-paced and competitive event, with strong showings from top athletes, particularly from Greenock Glenpark Harriers (GGH), who secured numerous top positions across both male and female categories. Leading the charge in the men’s race was Johannes Arens from Dentons, who claimed the overall victory with a remarkable time of 6:47. Close behind in second place was GGH’s Daniel Doherty, finishing at 7:08, first Harrier home,followed by Daniel Lynch from Manchester Alehouse in third with a time of 7:16.

GGH continued to show some excellent performances with multiple athletes making their way into the top 10. Stephen Hanley crossed the line in fourth place( 2nd Harrier) at 7:30, while William Taylor finished 8th (third Harrier home) with an impressive 7:44. Colin McKnight(4th) also performed strongly, finishing in 9th place with a time of 8:02, closely followed by David Martin (8:08) and Dylan Weir (8:09), who represented GGH in 11th place and 5th Glenparker to finish.

In the junior male category, GGH had a standout performance from Elijah Taylor, who clinched the 1st Under-11 Male title with a time of 8:15,(Overall 12th place) finishing just ahead of Lucas Gardiner in 13th place with a time of 8:16.  Callum Vargason, who placed fifth overall with a solid 7:36 time, claiming the title of 1st Junior Male.(u16)

Joanne Paterson made an equally strong impact in the female competition, taking the victory as the first female overall with a time of 8:18. She was followed by GGH’s Evie Harrison,(1st female Harrier) who finished in a remarkable 16th place overall with a time of 8:22, also claiming the U20 female title. Additionally, GGH had Ashley Anderson finishing in 24th with a time of 8:47(2nd female harrier) and Rachel Dance coming in at 27th with a time of 9:04.

Graeme Tosh (Urban Fit) (8:32) finished in 20th place, Greig Turner (8:35) and Greg Luke (8:38) also maintained strong finishes, securing 21st and 22nd positions, respectively. Alan Robertson (8:39) wrapped up a solid 23rd position for GGH, while Kevin Begley (9:37) placed 45th overall.

Among the notable performances in the female category, third female Harrier home on the day was Jennifer Rooney (9:07), closely followed by Lorna Mitchell (9:21), and Melissa Wilson (9:36) showcased solid pacing, finishing in 30th, 38th, and 44th places, respectively. Meanwhile, a number of other GGH competitors continued to push through the ranks, such as Sue Hewitson (9:39), Stephen Campbell (9:41), and Micky Dunn (9:19), all of whom made their mark in the top 50.