WEST HIGHLAND WAY
A busy month saw Greenock Glenpark represented all across Scotland at various events, with lots of training culminating in some outstanding performances. We’ll have a separate, full report on the not-for-the-faint-hearted West Highland Way Ultra coming along soon, but several Harriers entered – and completed – one of the world’s longest Ultras, 95 miles and 14,000 feet of elevation. Well done to Kyle Wilson, Kirsty Ormond, Greig Turner and William Taylor, and all their support crews!
DUMFRIES 1 HOUR TRACK CHALLENGE
Next up saw the Lafferty’s (Neil Lafferty and Heather Lafferty) venturing south for a very different sort of event. Dumfries running club were hosting 1 hour track races. A novice race followed by an invitation to those who wanted to challenge for a British Masters Best Performance.
First up was Heather, fresh from her 10K PB last Sunday looking to see what she could do with an extra 10min. After an almost 11th hour call off due to only 2 entrants the team at Dumfries were really friendly and accommodating and agreed to still go ahead with the separate race to allow Heather to be one of Neil’s lap counters later. Conditions were warm and a bit windy and it was challenging to maintain a race pace with only one other competitor and no finish line. A sprint finish after the 1 minute bell took her to an official distance of 11,884 metres. After a quick recovery Heather had to sharpen her pencil and set her watch for the main event.
A small and select bunch of just 8 competitors toed the line for the masters race. Neil still had last weeks Cornalees Hill Race win in his legs but went off strong, at sub record pace which he sustained for the first part of the rest. Fatigue in the legs and the breezy conditions started to hit home around halfway and his pace dropped by just seconds for a few laps. He pressed on maintaining a great steady pace and lapping all of his competitors to finish at 60mins with a distance of 16,536m. This was the farthest distance by anyone on the day, and a phenomenal 41 laps and 136m. Sadly it was just 92m shy of the British record.
BLACK ROCK 5
Over on the East Coast, Friday 21st June saw the Annual Black Rock 5 Race, held since 1987 in the sleepy coastal village of Kinghorn, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland, across the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh. The race is a 5 mile / 7k loop through the town, onto the sands, then out into the low tide water to the far side of the famous Black Rock itself. The atmosphere at this one is second to none, with most of the small town lining the streets and cheering the runners home toward the frighteningly steep inclined finish.
The travelling distance to the race can be prohibitive for the start time of 8pm, meaning only four Harriers made it this year. Running the course for the first time, first Harrier home was Men’s Captain Stephen Harrison in a time of 30:58, 11th in the V50 category. Next in was Black Rock veteran Stuart Austin, continuing his recent run of form with a strong performance in 34:05 and 25th in the V50 group. Ladies Captain Lynne Harrison, also running for the first time in a time of 37:27, her 11th place particularly impressive as she continues to struggle with a foot injury. Angeline Austin completed the Glenpark contingent, over the finish in a great time of 51:33.
