The Most Fun You Can Have With a Vest On

Wilson Trophy 7th December 2024

Many thanks to our race sponsor: Wilsons Coaches http://www.wilsonsbuses.co.uk.

For many Harriers the Wilson Trophy is the flagship race of the club’s race calendar, despite what the presenters on the GGH Pod would lead listeners to believe. Set in the hills of the Greenock Cut in early December, this is the perfect cocktail for the 4.5mile Wilson. After an early pitch inspection deemed the course safe and perfectly Wilson-esque excitement soon began to build and the important decisions about footwear were made. Numbers were pinned to vests and the clock ticked towards the 2 0’clock kick off. 

The Wilson is a conceding handicap race with runners starting at different times depending on form with four trophies up for grabs. Fastest male, fastest female, first past the post as handicap champion and first v45 lady. With the volunteers in position and Kermit the van providing some shelter from the wind. We had 76 runners registered to race but even with some call offs 59 still toed the line on the day. Some that never made it to the start line included Lynsey Mooney, under physio orders, Kev Craig, illness, Lewis McCrae, ferry troubles and both Andy McCall  and Neil Lafferty denying spectators a tasty battle at the short end of the handicaps.

Charlotte McKay led the runners off followed closely by Yvonne Prager. The runners then set off at short intervals in small groups chasing down those in  front. The route takes runners up the Stony Road and leads into a number of different sections of gravel, mud, downhill, uphill, grass with the odd ‘puddle’ thrown in for good measure.

Jude Dolan was first home in the handicap race with a time of 49.42 (31.12). Second home after a strong run was Aaron Fullerton 50.29 (34.29) followed by Paul Meahan 51.05 (38.35). The handicap committee did another fine job as a steady stream of runners headed down the Stony Road and up the tough, short, sharp finishing hill with little between them. First Lady home in the handicap race was Ashley Anderson 51.10 (36.40), closely followed by Jennifer Rooney 51.43 (37.13) and Jill Turner 52.04 (43.04).

In the Scratch Race, Dylan Crawford led home the men in a strong time of 27.27. Lewis Khan had a fine second place in 28.45 with John Logan having another solid run, and third place, in 29.30.

The ladies were led home by Jill Cox, followed by Sue Hewitson and Ashley Anderson in times of 34.24, 35.51 and 36.40 respectively. Jill’s performance also saw her collect the for 1st Lady Vet across the line. 

Following the race there was soup, tea and cakes back at the clubhouse for the trophy presentations and the London Marathon Ballot in advance of the Great Glenpark Christmas Cracker.

Many thanks to our hardy volunteers for making the race possible.

Aidan Coyle, Danny McLaughlin, Fiona Cushnaghan, Richard Newsome, David Carruthers, James Doherty, Heather Reynlds-Glasson, Lynne Fulton, Alison King, June Anne McKight, Greg Luke, Claire Monaghan, Kev Craig, John Stevenson, Stephen Reid, Nathalie Smith, Stephen Reid.

Looking forward to future races and events in the near future. It is hoped that Greenock Parkrun will have runs on both Christmas Day and New Years Day( Volunteer numbers permitting). Also on New Years Day will be the GGH hosted Lyle Run (formerly known as the Lyle Mile), this is always run for charity and this year will be run for the Callum Tosh Memorial Fund, supporting the Schiehallion Ward at the RHC in Glasgow. Into the New Year the next club race will be the Harris Trophy which will be over a slightly amended course this year in the first week of January. 

Getting involved with our club couldn’t be easier. We offer a 4 week free trial and have a number of sessions weekly. Give yourself the best Christmas present ever and get in touch on our socials or greenockglenparkharriers@gmail.com 

We wish all friends of the club, near and far,  a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy the Festive Season and head into the New Year ready to smash your running goals in 2025