Glasgow Uni 5 Mile Road Race - Nov 7 My 60th Race of 09

I’ve struggled on this course and it’s slightly longer version, the Nigel Barge Memorial 10k, on a number of occasions but this year I was more confident that my training would pay off and that the hills wouldn’t be as challenging as in previous attempts. It’s a Bella Club Championship race and although it clashes with the Tinto Hill Race, there was a decent turnout from the purple posse with four Bella Belles and 13 Bella Fella participating.

I lined up somewhere in the middle of the pack and noticed Tom McMillan overtaking me on my left hand side. However there was a repeat of the ‘gate problem’ which marred the race last year as we found ourselves having to stop and queue up to make our way through a single pedestrian gate as the road double gates were closed. After I had negotiated my way through the gate I set off with a new gusto ahead of Tom and hopefully ahead of Norman Boyle too. The route continued uphill past the Vet School before making its way down through residential Llay Road to Bearsden Road, where a sharp left turn took us onto the narrow leaf strewn pavement of Temple Road. With branches and bushes hanging over the pavement I stuck to running on the road for a while before reaching a less congested bit of pavement. I could see Shona Donnelly, Ewan MacDonald and Louise Gray ahead of me, “what the hell is she doing there?” I thought to myself, “She’s running too fast and won’t be able to keep up this pace”. It was at this point that I noticed that Garscube’s Jill O’Neil was running on the road, shoulder to shoulder with me. I don’t know what it is about this course but I always seem to race against her here. As we turned left up Dawsholm Road I pushed in knowing that there was a wide downhill section next. “It’s all downhill from here, Ian” cried Scott Johnson astride his bi-cycle. I overtook a number of runners on this part of the course, including Louise. I thought about commenting to her but decided to say nothing. I kept running over a narrow bridge and then up a challenging double hill, where another left turn took us onto Maryhill Road. I was just starting to think how well I had done on the hills compared to previous years when both Jill and Louise overtook me! Although this part of the course is a long a busy road, the plus point is that the pavement is nice and wide and I accelerated along overtaking Louise first and then catching Jill as the route turned left and downhill back into the Garscube Sports Centre. A runner pushed me on the back but I didn’t object as it made me run that wee bit faster.

We then passed the throng of supporters and officials around the finish line as we entered the second part of the race. It’s not quite two laps as the start is quite a bit further along. I knew that Jill was close behind me as I kept on hearing cries of support for her from friends. I was determined to hold her off as we crossed another narrow bridge and headed up past the start line and through the gate. Of course, now that the race was spread out the gate was no impediment to us. I had noticed that a guy I had met in the dressing room was running along with us but I wasn’t concerned about him (Newton Keenan) as my race was against Tom and Norman who I presumed to be not far behind us. I knew that I was a bit slower than in the first lap but I figured that if I could keep in front of Jill I’d be doing well. I could see Billy Reid, Ann Marie McCafferty and Christopher Craig of Kirkintilloch ahead of me and I concentrated in trying to keep them in my sight. I overtook Newton and Edinburgh youngster Rebecca Hannah before catching Billy Reid as we made our way along Temple Road for the second time. However I now noticed that A Westerlands runner, Hamilton Semple was racing against me. I overtook him on the Dawsholm Road hill and he returned the favour but I had the better of him by the time we had reached Maryhill Road. My legs were like jelly at this point but I knew that the course was flat and downhill and it was a good part of the route to catch up with those in front. I managed to up the pace to pull away from Newton, Hamilton and Jill and gave it my all as I overtook a few more runners before reaching the finish line in a time of 33:27. I had completed my 60th race of 2009, had run the course some 108 seconds faster than last year and finished first Bella Super Vet. It’s a hard wee course but it was an enjoyable race, pleasantly surprised to see that I was so close to young Sarah Munn at the end.

Selected results are below, indicating impressive performances from, in particular, Mary Senior and Louise Gray.


110 425 33:24 Shona Donnelly F vet Bellahouston Road Runners
113 280 33:36 Ewan McDonald M senior Bellahouston Road Runners
115 271 33:57 Ann Marie McCafferty F vet Kirkuintilloch
117 326 34:08 Christopher Craig M vet Kirkintilloch
118 469 34:10 Sarah Munn F junior Glasgow Uni
121 344 34:27 Ian Goudie M super vet Bellahouston Road Runners
124 419 34:33 Hamilton Semple M vet Westerlands
125 283 34:34 Newton Keenan M vet Unattached
127 303 34:38 Jill O’Neill F vet Garscube
129 253 34:48 Billy Reid M super vet Kirkintilloch
139 376 35:18 Mary Senior F vet Bellahouston Road Runners
141 356 35:28 Louise Gray F vet Bellahouston Road Runners
144 352 35:33 Keith Gibb M vet Bellahouston Road Runners
147 327 35:37 Tom McMillan M super vet Bellahouston Road Runners
155 373 35:55 John Sandbach F vet Bellahouston Road Runners
157 324 36:05 Norman Boyle M super vet Bellahouston Road Runners
167 408 36:46 Lynne Andrew F senior Bellahouston Road Runners

Scottish Running Guide Report Here

Allan Scally Road Relay

Saturday, October 31 the last day of a successful month and a chance to try out another new race. This time it was the Allan Scally Road Relay, although this was actually the 40th staging of the event, it’s the first time I’ve participated in it and it was a held using a brand new route. Bella had a great six teams entered, three men’s and three women’s. I was in Team C and running in the third of four legs.
The race is held by Shettleston Harriers and starts near to the Bannerman High School in Baillieston. The start itself was scheduled for 2pm but was slightly delayed to allow runners to make their way to the new start line.
Over two hundred runners had assembled at the little park which was being used as the start/finish and as well as those participating elite runners Casey Morgan and Lindsay McNeil were in attendance. The race is also the Scottish University Championships and a large proportion of teams were made up of students.

The race is 4.8 miles long, which is quite far for a relay however the weather was kind to me as I waited for the first leg and then the second leg runner to appear before heading off into the sun. Unfortunately there were three runners warming up/down in front of me and I ended up colliding with one as I made my way on to the road. A quick right turn and an easy downhill part of the route was next. As I turned right along the straight a Hunters Bog Trotter went shooting past me and disappeared in to the distance. The route now made its way through a housing estate and as I entered it I could see other runners exiting. A little further on I was aware of someone behind me and when I eventually was overtaken by a Kirkintilloch Olympian he commented “good running big man”. Although I kept him in sight for longer than the HBT it wasn’t that long until he too had disappeared. When I eventually exited the estate I could see Struan from Bella entering. As I ran up the first hill I thought I could see someone ahead of me and as time went on I finally caught up with and overtook Tommy Gore from Glasgow Uni. I kept up the pace to get away from the student but couldn’t see anyone else in front of me. However as I entered another housing estate I noticed the Lead Bike overtaking me and for a few seconds I was running behind it wondering what was happening…. until I was overtaken by one of Shettleston Eritrean runners completing the fourth and final leg. Not surprisingly he too disappeared from my sight. As I made my way up another hill I noticed another runner behind me and as I heard words of encouragement I looked to see that it was Iona, Bella’s fastest woman runner completing the third and final leg of the women’s team race. I managed to keep Iona in my sight for most of the rest of the race. I thought I heard the marshal saying that the 4 mile mark was just around the corner but I missed it as I had missed all the previous ones. Although to be fair one of our first leg runners had told me that there were no markers on the course. One other hill and I could see supporters and marshals ahead shouting me on. Only 200 metres to go they shouted as I made my way up the last incline encouraged by the other Bellas, a sharp right and I sprinted over the finish line with a time of 33:58. Fetch calculates this as a wava of 72.95% which I’m a bit surprised at.

I had completed my 59th race of 2009 but I could have run faster, not knowing the route and not being aware of the distance markers had held me back as did the lack of anyone around my ability to race against. As it was Iona had giving me an incentive and my time would have been slower without her to chase and the support of the Bellas in the final straight.

After the post run chat and the completion of the race by the fourth legers it was back to Bannerman High for some tea and ham rolls before heading home for a much deserved siesta.

National Cross Country Relays, Cumbernauld Oct 24, 2009

The weather was looking ominous for my 58th race of the year and I was fighting off a touch of the cold, when we managed to lock my driver for the trip to Cumbernauld’s car keys in his boot things could only get better….and they did!

After collecting his spare keys from the other side of the city and driving through the pouring rain to Cumbernauld the rain abated for the duration of the races. Bella had a record seven teams entered, two women’s and five men’s. I was down to run the first leg of the E Team and although I was confident that I could run the fastest leg in the team, I would have still finished very near the end of the 120 athletes running the first leg. However when Kenny Richmond our top runner called off with an injured back I was promoted, not to the A Team but to leg 4 of the D Team.

The rain kept away for the duration of the races and the Bella Brollies (this year’s prize for completing the club championship) were in attendance but not required until the post race walk back to Cumbernauld High School. With the conditions so much better than last year there were PBs aplenty as the purple posse put in some credible performances.
I probably spent more time in the waiting pen than any other runner as I keenly anticipated my first cross country of the year. I chatted with the other competitors and warmed up before I spotted Ewan McDonald making his way back to the handover point. I shouted words of encouragement but to no avail as he was overtaken by a Lothian Runner just before he crossed the line.
I was the last Bella to set off and as I raced down the initial hill past the Bella posse, I heard the cheers of the other Bellas ringing in my ears. As I approached the first hill I noticed that the Lothian runner was struggling with the incline and as I overtook him I increased my pace to make sure he didn’t catch up with me. However it wasn’t that long until I was overtaken by Clydesdale Harrier Gerry Montgomery, who I knew to be a much faster runner than me. I made my way round the heavy course to the sound of “C’mon Ian” as friends and running buddies provided vocal support. An HBT runner (Ian Campbell?) overtook me and although I returned the favour on the next hill he managed to get away from me a wee bit later. I had now lost a place and I took advantage of my ‘gun ho’ down hill running technique to overtake someone else as we approached the last leg of the course. The Bellas and others were encouraging me to catch the next runner in front of me and although I was trying I doubted if there would be sufficient time to catch him. However as I approached the final uphill section I could see that he was slowing and I gave it my all as I produced from who knows where a grandstand sprint finish to overtake him before I crossed the line. I had managed to out sprint a Shettleston Harrier, I don’t think I’ll get the opportunity to say that very often and just as important I had gained one place for the team. We finished in 77th place and I had taken 18:49 to complete my lap, 2:34 faster than last year! Another PB my fourth in the month.
Everyone had done well in a great turn out from the club.

Women’s
13 Bellahouston RR “A”
Claire Thompson 17 17:18 17:18
Emma Birnie 10 16:52 34:10
Jane Simpson 13 17:20 51:30

42 Bellahouston RR “B” (V)
Jane Wild 57 20:20 20:20
Jacqueline McGuire 50 20:10 40:30
Julia Harris 42 19:21 59:51

Men’s
19 Bellahouston RR “A”
Alasdair McLeod 39 14:58 14:58
Marcos Sanz Gomez 34 15:26 30:24
Matthew Williamson 28 14:41 45:05
Liam Conway 19 14:55 1:00:00

31 Bellahouston RR “B”
Neil Farnell 44 15:10 15:10
*Grant Edmondson 40 15:36 30:46
Craig Ross 34 15:08 45:54
Russell Whittington 31 15:16 1:01:10

48 Bellahouston RR “C“
Brian O’Donnell 60 15:55 15:55
David Weatherhead 51 15:53 31:48
Andrew Birnie 47 15:54 47:42
Brendan Moriarty 48 16:08 1:03:50

77 Bellahouston RR “D”
*Peter Goodwin 76 16:34 16:34
Robert McEwan 70 16:29 33:03
Ewan McDonald 78 18:31 51:34
Ian Goudie 77 18:49 1:10:23

Bellahouston RR “E“
Norman Boyle 118 19:53 19:53
Douglas MacGregor 114 20:46 40:39
Mike Devlin 105 23:09 1:03:48

My First 10,000m on a Track

I made my way out to Coatbridge on Sunday, October 18 to run in the Scottish Vet's 10,000m championship race. I hadn't been at the outdoor track before and it wasn't well signposted, so I was later arriving at the stadium than I had planned. As I parked the car, one of my running buddies informed that I better hurry as the race started in ten minutes. I got to the registration desk and convinced the woman that was packing up to give me a late entry and after I got changed and made my way out on to the track, I was paired with a lap counter and the race started. No time for a stretch and no Garmin to monitor my time, I decided to run behind Marie McChord. However as soon as the gun fired there was a lot of pushing and I ran out and ahead of her to get away from the scramash. However as other ran behind me there was a few accidental heel clippings and I was wondering what I'd let myself in for. Marie overtook me and as my legs were still tired from Saturday's PB, I decided just to sit behind her and see how I got on.

The race consisted of some 25 laps and the role of the lap counter was to shout at me every time I passed the start/finish line to advise me of how many laps were remaining. I had heard that there were sometimes mistakes and thought that at least if I stuck close to Marie then there would be less of a chance of me having to run an extra lap. I noticed that she increased the pace every time we turned around the bend and entered the straight to the start/finish. I kept with her and although I was forced to run shoulder to shoulder with her for some parts as we either lapped other runners or were overataken or or lapped from the inside, I decided not to push on but to resume my place behind her. As the laps dissapeared one by one, I kept my mind busy by converting the remaining number of laps into actual distance or percentages of 10,000m.

The bell rang to indicate that the faster runners were now on their last lap. We had lapped Gordon McDonald a couple of times and the slowest runner a lot of times. I noticed that fellow Bella Road Runner and friend Al MacLachlan was sprinting over the finish line as my lap counter was informing me that I had three laps remaining. I was feeling OK and had noticed that Marie's faster pace down the home straight seemed to have decreased. I was wondering how best to finish the race. If I could out sprint her, or cross the line together but as it happens as we commenced our last lap, I was forced on to her shoulder and decided to go for it. I heard her say something as I passed her and presumed it was words of encouragement. I couldn't hear her or anyone else behind me as I completed the rest of the race and crossed the line to the cheers of the officials and those already finished. I caught my breath and turned around to thank Marie for the run and to ascertain what time she had taken. She informed me that she thought that there was no way that I would be able to keep up with her for the duration of the race as we exchanged hugs. Marie had completed the event in a new 42:59. I was guaranteed a PB as this was my first 10,000m but it was also only the second time that I had ran 10k in less than 43 minutes. I later discovered that I had finished in 22nd place with a time of 42:53 (wava 71.35%), which meant that I had made six seconds on Marie in that last lap. Marie had finished second women, to Marina McCallum, and first W50+.

I had enjoyed my run and was pleased to know that my recent good form was still paying dividends. A free race, hot showers, tea and biscuits and a new PB, not a bad Sunday afternoon. The race was followed by the SVHC AGM where I agreed to join the committee in order to help promote the organistion.

Bella Awards Night With a Gallus Besom

The Bellahouston Road Runners Club Awards were held recently in Cafe Source at St Andrews in the Square. It's always the event of the year for the club and sees the awarding of the prizes for the club championships. A few years ago only a few people would complete the eight races required to fulfil the championship criteria and only one or two of the elite runners had any chance of winning. However last year I successfully campaigned for mementos to be awarded to everyone who achieves the criteria and this year I convinced the club to include a super veteran category in the championships. This year I've been the club statistician and I’ve made it my mission to ensure that as many people as possible completed the championship and despite some stick, I’ve constantly laboured the championship throughout the year. It was therefore with some pride that I announced that the number of Bellas qualifying this year was 44, 31 Bella Fellas and 13 Bella Belles, far surpassing anything that the championship has ever achieved. New Club President Robert McEwan asked if I would hand out this year’s mementoes, club umbrellas, together with the certificates which I had created providing information on every individual’s performance over the year. I was honoured to oblige.

Congratulations to Claire Thompson and Colin McGill for winning the championship for the second year in succession, to Gerry Scullion and Emma Birnie for winning the veteran prizes and to Norman Boyle for winning the inaugural super vet championship.


The First Ever Bella Road Runners' Super Vet Champion Norman Boyle

They were joined by:

Bella Fellas
Alasdair McLeod; Scott Kennedy; Greig Glendinning; Nick Reid; Andy Birnie; Kenny MacBeth; Russell Whittington; Brian O'donnell; Peter Gallanagh; Alastair Maclachlan; Bruce Carse; Brendan Moriarty; Joe Sheridan; Mark McGoldrick; Andrew Rooney; Andrew McDonald; Jim O'Hara; Tony Cairns; David Boyle; Gavin Greene; Ewan McDonald; Keith Gibb; Tom McMillan; Scott Johnson; Richard Leyton; Chris Doak; Stephen Bell and of course my good self who managed to race more than anyone else completing 17 championship events.

Bella Belles
Claire Wharton; Jane Simpson; Pauline Wright; Karlyn Forsyth; Katie Padgham; Louise Ross; Lynne Andrew; Linda Kennedy; Jackie McGuire; Louise Gray and Jane Galt.



One pleasant surprise on the night was to discover that one of our runners is married to Muriel Gray, the journalist and broadcaster. We seemed to ‘hit it off’ when we were introduced and she was wonderful company during the dinner as we exchanged anecdotes and jokes.

The First Edinburgh parkrun and a Great New PB

Cramond was the sunny, cold but wind free setting for the inaugeral Edinburgh parkrun held at 9:30am on Saturday October 17. Just over 200 runners of mixed abilities turned up for the event including Parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt, Glasgow parkrunners Richard Leyton, Tom Keenan and Tom Ross.

I joined in with the mass warm up provided by Katrina O'Hagan of David Lloyd before the race and then lined up near the start line with my sun glasses, Bella top and knickerbockers on. I wished Neil Renault good luck just before the off and made my way behind those at the very front.

The cold temperature was soon forgotten as I and the runners set off along the foreshore towards Granton. I knew that the route was out and back and included a long turn. Kilometre markers were placed but as my Garmin had finally died and with no stop watch, they were of limited value to me. I didn't really know any of the runners around me to race against them so I decided just to give the race my best shot.

Just as the route veered left wards at the start of the long turn parkrun creator Paul overtook and we both shouted words on encouragement to Neil Renault who was making his way back, well ahead of the rest of the front runners. I could hear a woman running behind me as I made my way around the turn but I worked hard to ensure that she didn't catch me. After the turn I increased my pace and caught a runner within a few metres. I could see Paul and John Owens a good bit ahead of me with about six other runners in between. With views of Cramond Island on my right hand side and the iconic Forth Bridges in the distance in front of me I tried to reel in the other runners and close the gap between myself and Paul and John.





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I managed to up the pace for the last kilometre and was happy with my performance as I crossed the line and was handed token no.44. I made my way for my free banana and coffee and then rembered that I should join the queue to hand in my token and chat with my fellow runners, including Davie Black, who was one of a healthy contingent from the West Lothian Triathlete Club and had warmed up for the event by cycling some twenty odd miles to Cramond and of course back home again after the 5k. I also spoke to Tana Walker and her friend Morna Reekie who had also cycled to Cramond but only from the other side of Edinburgh. They asked me how I had travelled to the race and I advised them that I had driven, I then realised that they hadn't appreciated, despite my Bella vest, that I had came through from Glasgow.

Richard Leyton told me that he had finished in 48th position in 20:43, a new PB by 16 seconds and that I was a good bit in front of him. However it was only later on that evening when the results became available on-line that I learned that I had achieved a time of 20:19 (a wava of 73.75%) some 19 seconds better than my previous best 5k time! This was my 56th race of 2009 and my tenth PB.


First Ever Winner

Edinburgh AC's Neil Renault (S25-29) earned the distinction of being the first ever winner of the Edinburgh parkrun. The tall Team GB athlete led from the start and finished in an incredible 14:59. Almost one minute ahead of Harmeny AC's Robert (Boab) Turner (S35-39), who ran a personal best (PB) to finish second with a time of 15:53. Border Harrier Colin Welsh (S25-29) finished one second out from his PB to earn third place in 16:47.

First Ever Woman Winner

The women's event was much more closely contested with only ten seconds between the first three finishers. Edinburgh Road Club's Rachel Ramsay (S30-34) got off of her bike to become the first ever winner, with a time of 20:48. Unattached Holly Orr (S25-29) finished just three seconds behind, earning second place in 20:51. Whilst, triathlete Varry Mccullough Young (V45-49) finished in third spot and first super vet in a time of 20:58.

My 25th Glasgow parkrun

My 55th race of the year and my 25th Glasgow parkrun took place on Saturday October 10 at 9.30am. It was the morning after the Bella Awards Dinner and some people commented on how remarkably fresh looking I was. I advised them that it was only a facade! As the race approached, I had to decide how I was going to approach the run. My heel is injured but I managed five miles on the treadmill on Friday and of course, I was slightly worse for wear from the previous night's consumption of copious amounts of alcohol. However I found my self near the front of the runners and decided to work hard.

At the off, I tried to start my Garmin only to discover that the batteries were flat. I would need to run blind of my time. I set off at a decent pace and rather than slowing like last week I attempted to keep up the pace for as long as I could. Of course this didn't stop the better runners from overtaken me before we reached the woods. First Marjon said 'good luck' as she passed me on the right hand side and then Robert McEwan patted me on the back as he overtook me on the left. Although Robert soon dissapeared ahead of me, I was able to keep Marjon in my sight.

As I ran down the 'glade' Jules Rose overtook me and settled in front of me. I pulled out and returned the favour. He was on my tail until the start of the third hill, where I accelerated uphill and left him behind. However it wasn't long until he caught me and left me behind as we approached the glade for the second time.

I hung on in and could see Jules and Marjon in front of me all the time. Although I had no chance of catching them, I was trying to close the gap between us. As I ascended the last hill and made my way to the finishing straights there was no one within catching distance. However I knew I was running well and decided to go for the best possible time I could achieve.

I sprinted down the hill and over the line. I had no watch to stop and could only ask Jules and Marjon their times to gauge my result. 20:58 and 20:51 respectively, I was five places behind Marjon and three behind Jules, so I had a good chance of getting a PB but I would need to wait to find out.


Me chatting with Mairi Stangley, winner of the women's race.

As I enjoyed my Ayrshire Bacon roll and soya latte in the Burrell Cafe, I was pleased to be informed by Richard Leyton that they had compiled the results and I had finished in 21:18, a further improvement from last week of 12 seconds. I new course PB for me and my ninth PB of 2009. A good start to the weekend.