Miles in the Bank- Holiday Weekend

Mull of Kintyre Running Festival (MOKRUN) and Edinburgh Marathon Festival

On a busy weekend where the weather decided to turn back to being typically Scottish and those racing in Edinburgh this weekend were pre-warned about extreme weather Greenock Glenpark Harriers were represented in different events over a variety of distances.

Mull of Kintyre 10km and Half Marathon

Five Harriers made the journey to the Mull of Kintyre to race in this beautiful part of the country. On the 20th anniversary of the race a special mention was made of the quality of the goody bag. Nothing puts you in a good mood after a tough race like an excellent goody bag especially after experiencing four seasons in one day. Robin McAuslan made a return appearance in the 10km and in difficult winds finished in 47.04 and 3rd V60. He was joined in the 10km race by Gerard Robertson who had a fine run, crossing the line in 52.52 and in one piece. Lorna McMillan joined the gents racing the 10km and finished in 1.01.54 and 4th V60 female.

In the half marathon distance, on a tough undulating course that encapsulates sand dunes on the golf course and a 1.5 mile out and back on the beach and throw in some 30mph winds for good measure and you have all the ingredients that ensure that Robert Dolan returns year after year and once again had a strong run in 1.43.17, 4th V50. Clare Leung, continuing a streak of racing, finished just under the hour, in 1.59.15 as she continues to improve on the back of consistent training in a variety of disciplines.

My MoK Half- Bob Dolan

“Chose the half over the 10km which, I’ve been doing the half for about 8 years now. A tough undulating course taking in a dunes section of a golf course then about 1.5 miles out and back on the beach with very soft sand and water inlet hazards.Some 30mph winds for the first half made it a bit of a tough shift. Again like my recent Brighton marathon I decided on trying to do sub 5 min km for as long as i could and luckily with the wind at my back for the last stretch managed a 1:43.”

Edinburgh Marathon Festival

Weather warning, not of the good kind for running didn’t deter the Harriers contingent headed for Edinburgh on 25th May 2025.

Half- Marathon

In the half marathon Greg Luke put his recent training block to good use and finished in a good time for the conditions of 1.46.27. Rachael McDaid, who seems to be racing every other week, put aside last week’s worst run ever, to smash a time of 2.19.10, a whopping 25 minute PB over this distance. A superb performance from Rachael.June Rattray had a solid performance finishing in 2.35.09, another great performance on a tough day

Marathon

In the Marathon distance Mary Robinson tackled her first marathon and after an honest appraisal of an inconsistent training block toughed it out to finish her first marathon in just over 6 hours. If only she had known that she would get 3 free bursts of hailstones for her entry fee. Not far away in terms of time was Hanna Docherty who ran her first half just two years ago, before swearing off such a distance ever again. We can see how that worked out but well done to both of you on completing your first marathon in GGH colours. Allison Baird has been clocking up miles galore in the last wee while and has ticked another endurance event off her list and finished in 5.24.38. Rebecca Laird McCluckie has been laser focussed in her training and had a great run, crossing the line in 4.23.08. Graeme Percival went out for a sub 3 hour marathon, but was unsure due to the weather conditions. His race went perfectly, battling against the wind for the last 10/12km but unfortunately got caught out with the race distance (42.52km) and completed with an official time of 3 hours 3 seconds! As is the case with many marathons athletes often end up running slightly longer than race distance with weaving and not being able to stick to the measured racing line. Graeme will be pondering those 3 seconds for a while but we are sure he will put the record straight at his next attempt, although he should be delighted with a 12 minute PB from his previous and only other marathon to date.

An extra mention for Cheryl Thomas who made the difficult decision to retire due to an issue with her knee at about half way. We are sure that sensible decision will ensure a return to running sooner rather than later and also Olivia Devine who took part in the relay race.

My EMF Marathon – Graeme Percival

“Went out for a sub 3 hour marathon, but was unsure due to the weather conditions. Race for me went perfectly, battling against the wind for the last 10/12km. Unfortunately got caught out with the race distance (42.52km) and completed with an official time of 3 hours 3 seconds! Those 3 seconds will annoy me for a long time. Strava says 2.58.23 so can I claim a sub 3 hours?

. A massive PB on only my second marathon, previous was 3.12.

Thanks for the encouragement from those who seen me, the cheers definitely help!”

My EMF Marathon – Allison Baird

“I didn’t plan to do Edinburgh as have health issues however as I had booked to stay there for the weekend I decided at last minute to give it a go! Rebecca Laird McCluckie was super supportive and we travelled to the start line together.

I am so glad I did it. The event, support and the day was phenomenal. I had a ball. It’s the first marathon I have done truly untrained! I don’t recommend it as the legs are feeling it today but it was worth it. I also ran in new trainers! Not recommended either.”

My EMF Marathon – Rebecca Laird McCluckie

“I ran my first marathon in Edinburgh yesterday in 4:23:08. It was an all four seasons in one day type of day! I managed a fairly steady pace until we got hit by a hail storm with about 8km to go. I hit the wall there a bit, but I was feeling good until that downpour! I guess if you’re going to have something slow you down it’s better if that thing is totally out of your control. I was eventually able to pick the pace back up after I got through the worst of the wind. My main goal originally was just to finish a marathon, but after training with a coach (John.Bell.Runs) for the last year and bit my hopes were to get a time between 4:00 and 4:30. I’m absolutely delighted I still managed it given the weather on the day! I think I can definitely improve on my time in the future so I’m already looking forward to the next one. Hopefully it’ll be on a day with less volatile weather!”

My EMF Half Marathon- Rachael McDaid

“I ran the Edinburgh Half Marathon yesterday. It felt like absolute redemption after the Thornhill 10k disaster a few weeks ago. With an 18 week training block coached by club senior coach Alan O’Rourke and navigating a couple of asthmatic issues on the way, I thoroughly enjoyed the race. Despite the crazy headwinds in the last 2 miles I managed to get myself a 25 minute PB, finishing in 2:15:17 Absolutely over the moon (and covered in deep heat). Aaron Fullarton and his brother Scot were both out for injury, so took the spectating pretty seriously and made sure they were well hydrated to support on the course.”

My EMF Half Marathon- Greg Luke

“It would be fair to say that my race did not go to plan. The first half went well, I stuck to my goal pace. The weather turned out to be warm and windy instead of the rain we were expecting. This was tough as I have proven before, I don’t run well in the heat!

Also, shortly after halfway a bit of pain started in my right knee and built until I was forced to take a walk break around the 9 mile mark. I had two thoughts in my head, either push on to 10 miles and chuck it or sacrifice the time and push on till the end. I stubbornly opted for the latter.

At the end of the day, it was far from my PB and the goal I set but still i’m proud of myself for getting it done. Getting to the start line alone was mentally very challenging as the last time I ran the distance I took unwell and my confidence has been really low since then.

Despite the time, I’ve proven to myself that I am still capable of the distance as well as being mentally tough enough to keep going when things get rough.

Next race will be the Brian Goodwin 10k, looking forward to what else this year has in store!”

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Fancy getting involved in the best wee running club in the West then get in touch via our socials or sending an email to greenockglenparkharriers@gmail.com. All of our sessions are tailored to be suitable for all abilities where our accredited coaches will support you to achieve your running goals in a supportive and friendly atmosphere.

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Look out for our upcoming week of events to tie in with National Running Week.

Miles in the Bank- Holiday Weekend