Shettleston, Trails, Hills, Islands

Weekend running update 9th /10th May 2026

National Triumph at the Babcock Shettleston 10k – On Sunday 15th May the first race of the Babcock 10k series took place in beautiful conditions around Glasgow Green, with 15 Greenock Harriers taking their place at the start line. As the host of the Lindsays Scottish 10k Championships, the event offered a stage upon which the Greenock club continued its recent run of national success.

Jill Cox, current GGH ladies champion and an ever-present contender on the national circuit, delivered an exceptional performance over the two-lap course. Displaying a formidable return to form, Jill had an excellent run that saw her climb from third place at the start of the final lap into a commanding second. Jill crossed the line in 37:31, her best 10k time since 2012 – to secure a well-deserved national silver medal. The calibre of the field was reflected in the V40 category results, where all three podium finishers recorded the fastest times in Scotland for their age group this year.

The Harriers’ medals continued with Charlotte McKay, who claimed a national silver medal in the V70 category. Charlotte’s performance was a masterclass in pacing; her time of 62:54 marks the fourth fastest in the country this year and maintains a remarkable four-year streak of 62-minute finishes. While she has previously tasted success in cross-country, this silver represents her first national road medal – a milestone that leaves her only a gold away from a complete collection.

In the V50 category, Paul Monaghan faced perhaps the most competitive field of the day. Coming off recent successes on the track, Paul demonstrated his ability on the road by matching his recent track 10k time exactly. His chip time of 35:05 placed him in a joint-second position; however, in the pursuit of championship medals, the result is determined by the order of finish (gun time) and Paul’s race suffered from being badly boxed in along the first two kilometres, leaving Paul in fourth place, just shy of the podium.

There were several other personal achievements across the squad. Steven Campbell secured a strong 11th place in the V50 category, supported by Colin McKnight, who achieved a course personal best to finish 20th. Nathalie Smith and Sarah Jane Whalen also represented the club with distinction, finishing 12th and 17th in the V50 group. In the V60 category, the trio of Doris Heron, Janice Lowles, and Alison Smart all placed within the top 20 after a closely contested race.

Still feeling the effects of his recent Marathon, William Taylor finished 26th in the V40s with a time of 40:03, narrowly missing a sub-40-minute finish. The day concluded on a high note for the Taylor family, as Elijah and Caitlin Taylor competed in the 2km junior race, with Elijah claiming an impressive overall victory.

• Results
  Paul Monaghan 35:05, Steven Campbell 36:43, Jill Cox 37:31
  William Taylor 40:03, Colin McKnight 40:30, Aaron Fullarton 42:24, Gerry Gallacher 44:33, David Roberts 46:23
  Nathalie Smith 51:08, Sarah Jane Whalen 55:25
  Charlotte McKay 1:02:54, Doris Heron 1:03:34, Jay Dunning 1:05:20, Janice Lowles 1:10:53, Alison Smart 1:13:07

Ben Lomond Hill Race – Representing second claim club Westerlands CCC, Greenock’s Andy McCall had an outstanding day on the hills in one of his favourite races, covering 13k but with nearly 1000m elevation. Andy ran the climb in 49:35 and back down in 26:23 to take bronze in 1:15:58.

Cateran Trail Ultra – Ultra specialist Viki smith was back on the trails this weekend for the Cateran Trail Ultra, 55 miles and a frankly terrrifying 7,450 feet elevation around (apparently) the old drove roads and ancient tracks used by the Caterans – fearsome cattle thieves who raided Starthardle, Glenshee and Glen Isla from the middle ages to the 17th century and from whom the trail is named. It’s a circular route start and finishing Gulabin Lodge at the Spittal of Glenshee, approximately 90% off road, made ups of forest trails, rough tracks and trails of open hillside, with stunning scenery in a rural setting. Viki got round the course in 12hrs and 7 minutes, despite admitting to getting lost a few times on the way!

Millport 10 Mile Fun Run – a 10.2mile Fun Run/Walk around the beautiful Isle of Cumbrae. All proceeds donated to Parkinson’s Scotland & Alzheimer’s charities. Jill Turner, Julie Morrison, Claudia Walker, Jenna Lee and David Thomson all caught the early ferry over to take part in this fantastic charity event – results still to be posted.