1,2,3 on the icy Green

1,2,3 for 123 year old Bellahouston Harriers

The inclement weather, which comes with January in Scotland, has made running difficult over the last few weeks and has led to the cancellation, or re-routing, of a number of races, including parkruns. It was no surprise then, that there were concerns as to whether or not the first 3k on the Green of 2015 would take place on the last Friday of the month.

Snow and ice had affected much of Glasgow on the run up to Friday 30^th January but a 9:30am inspection of the 3k course stated: The course is quite icy. The parts that have seen the sun are OK. Turnaround is OK as it's mostly mud and sticks preventing any sliding. Looks like it should mostly clear up for the 12:30 Start of the race. The decision was taken and the race was on!

A number of Bellahouston Harriers had made arrangements, in order to allow them to participate, some for the first time, in the 3k race. They and the others were pleased to get the opportunity to get a race, although a couple of runners decided not to risk the course.

Brrrrr.........

Some 61 runners assembled under the McLellan Arch on Glagow Green and after being reminded that they “run at their own risk” were set on their way at the allotted time.

These were not the conditions for going for a PB, the main target was to get around the course in a reasonable time, without being injured. With a number of runners taking more than 30 seconds longer than usual to negotiate their way around the course, I was happy enough to cross the line in a time of 12:09 and place 29^th. That said, I did have to fight off a strong challenge from the real John Cunningham, particularly around the turning point. I also managed to beat Cambuslang's Eddie Carr for the first time ever.

Up front, Eddie's club mate Shaun Butler placed first with a time of 9:29, ahead of Garscube's Christopher Devine (9:32) and Bellahouston RR Craig Reid (9:40). 

In the women's race, it was 1, 2, 3 for Bellahouston Harriers, with Bernie O'neill, on her debut, taking the honours in a time of 11:44. Fellow debutante, Clare Macaulay, earned Silver with her time of 12:03, with Caroline Cochrane, ensuring a clean sweep for the 123 year old club, with a time of 12:19.

Well done to all the other runners and volunteers for making the event such a success. So much so, that the Herald had it listed as one of the Top 10 things to do this Weekend.

Pics by Darren Murray here

Full Results here