Kilmarnock 10k
This year’s Scottish 10k championships were held at Roon The Toon 10k in Kilmarnock. This was a change of venue from the previous years championships, but still on a popular route that Harriers had ran in the past. The route heads out from the athletics arena and heads through the residential streets of Kilmarnock, eventually finding some small hills in the fields to the west. The route then returns right through the town centre before finishing with a half lap of the track.
Neil Lafferty lead the harriers home in a fraction over 34 mins, with Paul Monaghan and Oliver Reilly in hot pursuit. Paul Monaghan landed himself a v50 gold medal, edging ahead of his competitors by around 20 seconds. Andy White just edged out Chris Mooney, and Stevie Campbell completed the set of 6 runners breaking 39 minutes for the club.
Neil Lafferty 34.01, Paul Monaghan 34.29, Oliver Reilly 35.23, Andrew White 36.48, Chris Mooney 38.07, Steven Campbell 38.25
Brian Goodwin 10k
The Bellahouston Harrier’s club 10km race in Pollock Park is always a popular one with Glenpark athletes, and this year we were able to fill a bus load of keen runners and supporters. Enticed by the fast course, and maybe by the finish line beer and burger, they headed up to the big city in fine spirits! The course is 2 loops of Pollock Park, over a slightly undulating course, but one that always manages to bring out some quick times.
On the ladies side, Fiona MacFarlane smashed her PB with a run of 45.39! (Note for this report that these are gun times, so the actual times will be quicker!) Lynne Harrison made her 10k debut and impressively broke the 50 minute barrier in 49.02. Nathalie Smith ran 53.29, 1 second off a PB but still a fantastic run, and there was also good runs from Cheryl Thomas and June Anne McKnight (another debutant).
The GGH men brought a strong team up to Pollock trying to compete for county medals on offer for the Renfrewshire 10km championships. Stuart Greenway, off the back of illness, took the first spot for the club, pipping Neil Lafferty in 34.13, but Neil picking up v40 silver for his 34.21. Neil was a fraction ahead of Paul Monaghan in 34.27 who cruised to v50 gold. It would be remiss not to mention Oliver Reilly in 4th place for GGH, who absolutely smashed his PB with a fantastic run in 34.40! Finally getting one over his training buddy Andrew Osborne in 5th. The top 4 were able to take home the team.
Daniel Doherty had a fantastic return to racing action with a 36.23, great to see Daniel back to something close to his best after a time out. Same can be said for Duncan Anderson who ran 38.39, but not quite taking the title of fastest Duncan Anderson on the night…. Steven Campbell and Stephen Hanley also ran sub 40, both nursing some injuries but coming along for the banter and free socks!
Stephen Harrison continued his great running since joining the club, and he smashed his PB with a time of 41.15. Just behind him was Greig Turner, also PBing in 42.44 over a much shorter distance than he is used to. Elsewhere there were good runs from Richard Jow, who had great support on the course, Colin McKnight, John Stevenson, Stephen Reid, Malcolm MacLean, Lucas Bezian and Andy MacLean. David Hamill finally took the plunge and donned the GGH colours for the first time, and hopefully he doesn’t look back from here!
Thanks to Bellahouston Harriers for a great event, and to all the volunteers on the course. Even our own David Carruthers got a job in a yellow vest!
Loch Lomond 10k
Held on the Saturday straight after the Brian Goodwin, the Loch Lomond 10k took place in Balloch. Traditionally part of the Polaroid Series, it now stands alone as an event itself and attracts a good crowd for the race. The route starts and finishes in Balloch Country Park, and heads out and back along the River Leven.
Nobody would be mad enough to do this as well as the night before would they?? Nah, just Paul Monagahn. Paul cruised round in 35.27 (taking it easier) and finished 6th overall and 2nd v50. Ross Morrison was next for Glenpark, with Craig Melrose and Gerry Gillespie rounding out the male harriers in action.
A good number of the Glenpark Monday/Wednesday sessions put their training to good use, with Olivia Devine, Ca
Paul Monaghan 35.27, Ross Morrison 45.18, Marianne McKay 53.00, Olivia Devine 53.26, Craig Melrose 58.02, Jennifer Turner 59.12, Caroline Sharpe 59.20, Lynsey McLaughlin 60.36, Gerry Gillespie 62.10, Charlotte McKay 68.26, Sandra Devine 68.30
Port Glasgow 10k
This local 10k event returned for its 3rd running, and first outing since pre pandemic. As always, the famous blue vests of Greenock Glenpark Harriers dominated the start line, but it was good to see vests from far and wide make the trip doon the water on what turned out to be a wet and windy ‘summers day’.
The runners were greeted with the sight of the passing Waverly as they got under way in Coronation Park and headed west to Kingston Dock. After a trip through the town centre, the runners headed east towards Kelburn and Parklea, where they’d turn and head home along the boardwalk, wind assisted to the finish back in the park.
The lead pack consisted of our incumbent senior champion Neil Lafferty, trying to hold off the talent of IAC’s Jon Hammerman and Dylan Crawford, as well as Bellahouston RR’s Brian Mulgrew. Andrew Osborne was clinging on to the back of this group, and continuing his fine form finished in 5th. Inverclyde’s Nynke Mulholland took the female prize and 6th overall with a great run. Neil took the win in 34.08, and Nynke the ladies in 35.51. Hometown boy Daniel Doherty managed a top 10, with Andy White also in that club. Duncan Anderson made a great return to racing in 38.31, with Owen Atkinson not far behind in 38.44.
Just over the 40 minute mark, William Taylor and David Holmes ran really well, and Chris beat Steven in the first battle of the Watsons for a good few years. Harriers were coming in out of the rain thick and fast, with John Stevenson, Stephen Harrison and Eric Lindsay coming home. Too many men to mention them all, another superb turnout!
First lady for GGH was Fiona MacFarlane in just over 45 minutes in 8th place overall, with Lynne Harrison and Terri Wall rounding out the top 3. Heather Lafferty, Debbie McKenzie and Lisa Boonsanong followed them home. Jennifer Hanley ran great for her first competitive 10k, and edged ahead of Karen Tullett who has been training with us for a few months now.
Again, there were so many harrier ladies that ran great on the day in horrible conditions, and it was nice to see a couple of those that couldn’t run out helping on the course to make the event run smoothly. It is great to have a mass event like this on our doorstep, with the next external one to be the Kilmacolm running festival in September. Before then, we have out club 10k, the Bill Elder in August, so let’s see everyone put the work in this summer and smash some PBs that night! We have a club race before then though, with the Singlehurst in Bute next Saturday.