Neil McCover Memorial Half Marathon - Sunday Oct 9th

It is now, almost 12 months since Kirkintilloch Olympian stalwart Neil McCover died after his bike collided with a car in East Renfrewshire. The memory of the popular 55year old Police Superintendent is being celebrated with the staging of a half marathon along the route of the Luddon Half Marathon, held in the 1980s and 1990s. Starting and finishing in Woodhead Park, Kirkintilloch, the scenic route takes in Milton of Campsie, Lennoxtown, Torrance and Lenzie.


The cost of the event is £17 (£15 SA affiliated) whilst there will be t-shirt for all finishers and over £2000 of prizes, the real reason to participate is to mark the memory of an inspirational runner who tragically died too young.

The closing date for entries is Monday 3rd October and you can apply here.

When?
The race commences at 9.00am on Sunday, October 9th 2011

Where?
Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre
Woodhead Park
Kirkintilloch
G66 3DD

Organisers
Kirkintilloch Olympians

Going Steady...................

I had had a decent week training: including running; cycling and swimming. I’d looked into signing up for swimming lessons with one of the local tri-athlete clubs but had noticed that the minimum ability was to be able to swim four lengths freestyle. Of course, I can swim four lengths, the only problem being that I tend to stop after every one, or sometimes two. So on Wednesday morning, in the pouring rain, I headed to Bellahouston Sports Centre. I entered the 25m pool and swam four lengths, had a wee rest and then did another four. I repeated this until I had completed 16 lengths. I think 400m is about right for a novice tri, so I rewarded myself with a rest in the steam room. Cooled down and did a further four lengths, rewarded myself with a sauna, did another four lengths and then had a relaxing spa before heading homeward.


My knee seemed alright after my swim, so I gave it a test on Thursday, by running 11.8 miles on the treadmill. There was some minor pain but nothing serious, although my hamstrings started to tighten up after my run. Friday was the local September Weekend holiday, what used to be known as the Blackpool Weekend – as bus loads of Glaswegians used to head to the Lancashire resort for their fun. I settled for a seven mile cycle, in an effort to slacken some of the hamstring tightness.

Saturday is parkrun day
Saturday morning arrived and my hamstrings were still tight, so I gave them a massage with some balm that I’d bought in Thailand last year, before making my way to Pollok Park for the Glasgow parkrun.

Although a number of the regular club runners were not participating, as they had the George Cummins Relays in the afternoon, there was still a surprisingly large turnout of some 245 runners. As well as my usual warm up and pre-race chats, I had a wee blether with Smiley Pace’s Charlotte Jenkinson. The Sheffield lass was running the Glasgow course for the first time, whilst I was doing it for the 71st!  Well she said that she was from Sheffiled but she'd never heard of Graham Fellows, Jilted John or John Shuttleworth !

My Race
Knowing that the field wasn’t as strong as usual, I made my way to closer to the front than normal. I had decided to try my knee without any support and started more conservative than usual. The 1st k took me 4:22. By the time I was approaching the 2nd K, I was quite happy as I was set to catch Clydesdale’s Watson Jones. It had taken me 4k to catch him last week at Strathclyde Park. However I then heard someone sprinting down the hill and looked on with disbelief as I noticed that it was my old Nemesis, Norman Boyle, who was storming past me. I passed Watson and was surprised to see Norman just ahead of me at the first hill after the glade. He complimented me on my running as I overtook him on the hill. I was focussing on Irvine’s Mike Flinn and Giffnock’s Martin Myant who were both well ahead of me. Mike seemed to find another gear going down towards the glade in the second lap and I saw him pass Martin with relative ease. I stuck to my task, presuming that any slip in my pace would allow Norman to catch me. l passed Ken MacArthur just before the sign for the last 200m and although I caught up with Daniel Robertson, my challenge wasn't enough to beat him but it did help spur him onto a great finish and a PB of 22:19.


I finished in 57th place, with a time of 22:24. Exactly the same time as it had taken me to complete the quicker Strathclyde race the previous week! Mike Flinn placed 44th with 21:46, whilst I ended up surprisingly just four places behind Martin Myant, who had taken 22:08 for the undulating 5k. Watson had placed 60th with 22:39, whilst Norman’s burst of speed had cost him and he placed 68th in 22:47. The Bellahouston Road Runner, being overtaken by rival Harriers William McAllister and Michael Healy, who placed 66th and 67th consecutively, with times of 22:45 and 22:46. Ayrshire lass Marianne Wilson placed 71st in 22:48, with Angela Campbell running yet another PB to finish in 72nd spot with a time of 22:56.

Results
Up at the front of the race, Victoria Park/City of Glasgow’s teenager Ethan Sloan- Dennison crossed the line first in a time of 16:19. Runner-up spot was earned by Sheffield’s Philip Cooper with 16:48, with Giffnock teenager Andrew Clark collecting bronze with a new PB of 17:03.

Youth was also to the fore in the women’s event, where Giffnock’s J14 Chloe Cowan took pride of place with a time of 20:11. In a successful day for Sheffield runners, Charlotte Jenkinson earned silver, in 21:14, with someone who may hail from even further than South Yorkshire, Nataliya Polozhehentseva placing third, with a time of 21:32.

Full Results

Thanks
Well done to all concerned and thanks, for the 71st time to the volunteers who make it all possible.

No Coffee for Me
I’m afraid I had to miss the post race banter over coffee, as I had a photo shoot arranged, pictures to follow.

Henshite Helps Fiona to First Fifty Vet in UK !!

UK Half Marathon FV50+ Record Holder
Fiona Matheson

Following my previous post, on the outstanding performance of Falkirk's Fiona Matheson at the recent GSR Half Marathon, I raised the matter with UKA, pointing out that, evidence would suggest, that the time recorded by a 'Carla Ibrahim' in Brighton in 2004 was a rogue result.

I am pleased to report that I have now received a response, from Dr Tim Grose, confirming my suspicion that Fiona's fantastic time at Glasgow was infact the best EVER run by a 50+ British Female athlete.

It's now OFFICIAL Fiona is the Best in Britain!

UK Records (amended)

My Alternative Great North Run Report - Strathclyde parkrun #73

I’m going to try to keep this as upbeat as possible, as I know that I much prefer to read positive blogs, so keep with me through the intitial paragraph.


The last two weeks should have seen the culmination of my 16 Week Half Marathon Training Programme come into fruition, hopefully with me achieving a new half marathon PB of around 1:35. However, as you may know, I injured my knee in the final strait at the Irvine 10k on August 21st. Although I could barely walk the next day, when I should have ran 15 miles, I have gradually been building up the strength in my knee by running flat routes and on the treadmill. I had no chance of running the GSR Half Marathon or 10k but had hoped to at least get round the Cumbria 10 mile race, as it was the last race in the Kilmarnock Harriers Club Championship. However a test run, the day before, was a bit of a reality check and I realised that my knee wasn’t up to 10 miles on the road. I also accepted that I would need to give the Great North Run a miss. I toyed with the idea of doing the Stirling 10k, which is a flat course but in the end decided to have another race free weekend and watch the Rugby World Cup instead.

I’m now lodger free, for the first time in years, and can now get up in the middle of the night to watch live sport, without having to tip toe around. I also took advantage of my new freedom by watching the box on Friday night with a rather good bottle of Rioja. I awoke at 7am, as usual, and made my way downstairs to watch South Africa play Fiji. My attention started to drift as the gulf in the teams became obvious and, rather than looking forward to the Australia v Ireland match, I thought that I should really squeeze in a run sometime during the day. I was feeling a bit rough and thought that the sooner I could sweat out the alcohol in my system the better. It wasn’t long until I had decided that my run should be now and, with the cancellation of the Glasgow parkrun because of the Highland Cattle Show, I headed out towards Motherwell for the Strathclyde parkrun.

Smashing Time
I had left it late and had forgotten to take my Lucozade Energy drink, water or wallet with me. However my barcode was in my car and I managed to get to Strathclyde Loch safely with about 5 minutes to spare. I say safely as I observed two other parkrunners bumping their cars together as they entered the car park.

Record Turnout
With my knee support on, I had a quick warm up before joining in with the record turnout of 160 runners, for the 9:32 Start. There were a number of weel kent faces participating as the numbers had been boosted by an influx of Glasgow parkrun regulars. After a few pre-race greetings and instructions we were set on our way along the soggy grass and onto the loch-side path. The underfoot conditions didn’t seem to concern many of the runners as I was left somewhere near the middle of the pack. I was a bit concerned when I had lost sight of the 22minute pacer within the 1st kilometre but my time of 4:18 was reassuring.

I noted that Clydesdale Harrier’s septuagenarian Watson Jones was also in front of me. By the time I got to the 2k point, my pace had dropped to 4:34. Angela Stewart had overtaken me at about 1 mile and I was running alone with sizable gaps in front and behind me. I decided to increase my work rate slightly but running through the numerous puddles, slowing for the turn point and a slight wind, meant that my pace only increased to 4:30. I was happy enough with that and as I maintained my pace I managed to pass seven runners before catching Watson at the 4k point. The only target I had now was Angela, who was a good bit in front and I was struggling big time as I pushed myself physically and psychologically through the last kilometre.

Both, race winner, Stuart Gibson and Gavin Harvie, who had completed the 5k in 15:43 and 18:14 respectively, shouted words of encouragement but there was no chance of me having a sprint finish over the last 200m. This wasn’t the case for Mhairi Duff’s husband, Raymond, and Gary Henderson who both went flying past me as they battled it out towards the finishing line.

Top Fifty Finish
I crossed the line in 49th place with a time of 22:24, some six seconds ahead of Watson in 50th spot. I congratulated him and the other runners as we lined up to hand our barcodes in. It was good to chat with Mhairi, who is injured at the moment and some of the Pollok Park regulars, many of whom were delighted with the times that they had achieved at the faster Strathclyde route. I had offered to give Bellahouston Harrier John Softley a lift home and, after a quick chat with Bellahouston Road Runner Stuart Mcmillan, we left the park to the sight of John Gilhooly warming down after completing his 88th parkrun in his fastest ever time of 19:24. Well done John! I settled for getting my 82nd parkrun and my 53rd race of 2011 under my belt, with little adverse reaction from my knee.

First Woman
Claire McArthur was the first woman (17th overall), crossing the line in a time of 18:42.


Thanks
Once again HUGE thanks to the merry bunch of volunteers who make the Strathclyde parkrun one of the friendliest events in the country.

Full Results

Mum of Five Fiona Sets New Record at Great Scottish Run



Fiona Wins the Edinburgh Marathon

 One result, which seems to have slipped under the radar from the Great Scottish Run 2011, was that of Fiona Matheson who set a new Scottish FV 50 Record for the Half Marathon.
The Falkirk Victoria Harrier, and Scottish Veteran Harrier, has set numerous records, since taken up running at the age of 40. The mother of five already holds the UK records, for her age category, at the: 3000m; 5000m and 10000m track events, as well as the 5k and 10k outdoor events.

Fiona finished 6th woman and 57th overall in the Glasgow sunshine. She was the first European female to cross the line. Ahead of fellow Scot Hayley Haining, who has represented her country at the Commonwealth Games and IAAF World Championships.


Third Fastest Ever in the World?

According to The Power of 10 website, Fiona’s time of 78:26 was the second fastest ever recorded by a British athlete in her category. They have a Carla Ibrahim setting a record of 75:43 at the Sussex Beacon Brighton Half Marathon in 2004. However this result is not included in the World Masters records, which have Paula Fudge as the UK Record holder with her time of 79:39, set in 2003. Not only does Fiona’s time beat this previous UK time but it beats all other times apart from those set by the Ukrainian Tatyana Pozdniakova, who ran 76:07, in New York, in 2006 and Australia’s Beverly "Bev" Lucas, who ran 77:52 in Melbourne, ten years earlier.

First Female Scot at the GSR

So there we have it, a Scottish women sets a new Scottish Record and probably a new UK Record and third fastest ever in the World and it goes relatively unnoticed.  Fiona's performance does really elevate the Glasgow Half to a Great Scottish Run.

The previous Scottish Record of 80:41 was set by City of Glasgow’s Sandra Branney at the Great Scottish Run in 2006.

Glasgow Races, Golden Mo and my 81st parkrun.

Bryan Stevens

My injured knee curtailed the final couple of weeks training prior to my target race, the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon, or as I prefer to call it ‘the Glasgow Half’. Every other city lends its name to the local race but not Glasgow which has to put on an event for the whole of Scotland. Although I don’t think that geographic profile of participants would reflect this. Most runners do tend to come from the west of Scotland. Gripe over.


I had been testing my knee by running on flat surfaces, around Crossmyloof and on the treadmill. I had built up the distance gradually as the pain and stiffness decreased and my confidence increased, to the point where I had run 10k on Thursday 1st Sept. I also cycled, swam and did some core work on Thursday, knowing that Friday would be a ‘rest’ day. I’ve swum more this year than ever before and have been working on my technique, with one eye on doing an entry level triathlon some time in the future.

Unfortunately I slipped and hurt my back on Friday. Not as the result of any alcohol but due to the combination of leather soles and wet pavements. I didn’t feel that my knee was up to a 13.1 mile race, never mind my back, so I decided to run the Glasgow parkrun 5k instead.

The route, with all its turns and hills, would be a good test. I wasn’t going to be able to get a great time, so I decided that I would do an experiment by trying to maintain my work-rate, rather than pace. It was strange not picking off runners as I made my way around the two lap course but it was a worthwhile exercise and I felt strong and confident enough to increase the work-rate a little on the final strait and catch a couple of youngsters. I know, I know but it was good for the confidence! I was happy enough with my time of 23:15 and 49th place. Whilst Sunday’s races had obviously decreased the quantity and quality of the parkrun, there were still some 161 runners.  This was my 52nd race of the year and my 81st parkrun.

Full Results


The Glasgow Races

Out in Front - Luke Traynor

GSR 10ks

Elspeth Curran

I hobbled along to the corner of Maxwell Road and the A77 in plenty of time to catch the first runners at around the 7k point of the 10k race. The first athlete was Bryan Stevens in the wheel chair event, closely followed by Luke Traynor - the lead car indicating a tremendous time of 25:03 for the Giffnock teenager. Next was Cambuslang’s Robert Gilroy, closely followed by Shettleston’s Michael Deason, Cambuslang’s Stewart Orr and then Kilmarnock’s Roger McNaughton. Cambuslang’s Bobby Bistrow was next, followed by Kilbarchan’s Elspeth Curran, the first woman. Elspeth was followed in the women’s race, at this point, by Garscube’s Kirsty Husband and then Jennifer Emsley of Arran and Central. Next was Central’s Alison Docherty and then, a very focussed, Claire Couper.

Results Wheelchair
Results

Photos


Golden Mo
I saw loads of running buddies and managed to photograph a few them before heading home, in time to catch Mo Farah’ stupendous, Gold winning, performance in the IAAA Men’s 5000m Final at Daegu.

Kilmarnock's John Parker struggles in the heat

GSR Halfs
By the time I headed back out to photograph the Half Marathon runners, I had missed the first 200 or so runners. However there were still plenty more to shoot and give a little support to. By now the sun was beating down on the runners and I was almost glad to be injured. I say almost because it’s not true. I wanted to take some photos from low down as it gives a different perspective. However as I crouched down I could feel my back my back ‘killing me’ and I crawled to the external wall of a house and propped my back against it. Once positioned, I was able to get loads of photos of the runners including a number of Kilmarnock Harriers, Bellahouston, Giffnock, Garscube, Motherwell, Calderglen and Dumbarton AC, who were all well represented, as well as those from other clubs and many from none. After an hour, I managed to haul myself off of the ground and made my way home, where I took a couple of pain killers and headed back to bed.

Results

Photos

Well done to everyone who participated in either of the races, especially those who suffered in the heat!

My 50th Race of 2011 - Photo

Here's a pic of me and the rest of the Kilmarnock Harriers before running in my 50th race of 2011, the Crazy Craigie Handicap at.......Fenwick on Thursday 18 August.


Scottish and Universal - Buy A Photo - Photo Sales: View Picture: sfkst180811harriers-2.jpg

Race report

Bute Highland Games 10k Sat 20 Aug 2011- Full Results

1 S. Trainer (Greenock Glenpark Harriers) 34min 5sec,
2 J. McKnight (Garscube) 34:10,
3 N. Lamb (Corstorphine) 34:26,
4 A. Henderson (GGH) 34:33,
5 M. McLoone (GGH) 35:10(V),
6 S. Lyon (GGH) 35:19,
7 D. Armour (Vegetarian Cycle & Athletic Club) 35:46,
8 C. MacDonald (Motherwell AC) 35:49,
9 D. Henderson (GGH) 35:56,
10 T. Loehndorf (GGH) 36:19.
11 G. Kennedy (Motherwell AC) 37:07(V),
12 S. Hill (Gala Harriers) 37:13(V),
13 J. McFadden (Inverclyde AC) 37:24,
14 R. Rogerson (Kirkintilloch Olympians) 37:26(V),
15 A. O’Rourke (GGH) 37:41(V),
16 G. Mitchell (Kirkintilloch Olympians) 38:05(V),
17 A. Harkins (GGH) 38:21,
18 M. Diver (Clydesdale Harriers) 39:00(V),
19?
20 B. McLinden (Motherwell AC) 39:18(V).
21 C. Harrower (Rothesay) 39:37,
22 N. Hughes (Motherwell AC) 39:45,
23 J. Hughes (Motherwell AC) 39:52(V),
24 R. Wilson (GGH) 40:28,
25 P. McNally (Bellahouston Harriers) 40:51(V),
26 N. Mellor (Arran Road Runners) 41:20(V),
27 P. McCrossan (Clydesdale Harriers) 41:26(LV),
28 C. McEwan (Motherwell AC) 41:35,
29 C. Harrower (Rothesay) 41:36,
30 M. Claxton (Rothesay) 41:36.
31 A. Dick (unattached) 41:45,
32 J. White (Irvine Harriers) 42:03(V),
33 M. Farrol (unattached) 42:09(V),
34 J. Smillie (Inverclyde AC) 42:33(V),
35 R. Shaw (Inverclyde AC) 42:35(V),
36 M. Martens (unattached) 42:56,
37 J. Logan (Motherwell AC) 43:05(L),
38 G. Thom (unattached) 43:12,
39 J. Fennessey (Motherwell AC) 43:20,
40 K. McVey (VP City of Glasgow) 43:42(V).
41 S. Keir (Arran RR) 43:43(V),
42 H. MacKay (LSAA) 43:44,
43 J. Wedlock (Motherwell AC) 43:47,
44 R. MacLeod (Rothesay) 44:42(V),
45 J. Grewar (unattached) 44:45,
46 B. Hughes (unattached) 44:56,
47 R. Dolan (GGH) 45:00(V),
48 W. Martin (Motherwell AC) 45:08(V),
49 S. McDade (GGH) 45:15(V),
50 C. Knox (unattached) 45:44.
51 N. MacLeod (Rothesay) 45:45(V),
52 R. Mitchell (SAL) 45:57,
53 G. Howat (Helensburgh AC) 46:17,
54 J. Mellor (unattached) 46:30 (V),
55 M. Rodger (unattached) 46:54,
56 T. Wall (GGH) 47:01(LV),
57 M. McIsaac (Motherwell AC) 47:05(LV),
58 M. Purser (Motherwell AC) 47:09,
59 R. Britton (unattached) 47:15,
60 A. Stewart (Kirkintilloch Olympians) 47:54(LV).
61 J. Edge (Motherwell AC), 47:59(V),
62 A. MacDonald (unattached) 48:00(L),
63 D. Armour (Veg Cycle & Athletic Club) 48:05,
64 B. Thomson (unattached) 48:05,
65 N. Merrimar (Rothesay) 48:19(V),
66 J. Reilly (Motherwell AC) 48:20(V),
67 I. Devoy (Motherwell AC) 48:35(V),
68 T. Lamont (SAL) 48:42(L),
69 C. Chambers (Motherwell AC) 48:43(L),
70 L. McDougall (unattached) 48:43.
71 E. Jamieson (Motherwell AC) 48:44(L),
72 F. Hall (unattached) 48:52(V),
73 T. Hassan (unattached) 48:55,
74 R. Pettigrew (unattached) 49:04(V),
75 S. Loehndorf (GGH) 49:12(LV),
76 D. McCaffer (Motherwell AC) 49:53(V),
77 P. Newport (unattached) 50:04(LV),
78 A. Moore (unattached) 50:10,
79 G. Trotter (unattached) 50:24(LV),
80 J. Clark (Motherwell AC) 50:28(LV).
81 F. Cushnagan (GGH) 50:31(LV),
82 P. Blackmore (Motherwell AC) 50:49(V),
83 A. Mellor (unattached) 50:52(LV),
84 R. Stewart (unattached) 50:55(LV),
85 J. McAlister (Rothesay) 51:20 (LV),
86 C. Guy (Rothesay) 51:45,
87 A. Martin (unattached) 51:59,
88 J. Morrison (Rothesay) 52:00;
89 B. Staters (unattached) 52:00,
90 A. Scott (Motherwell AC) 52:18(V).
91 A. Jones (unattached) 52:29(LV),
92 L. McAlister (Rothesay) 52:49(LV),
93 E. Brown (Springburn Harriers) 52:52(L),
94 K. Moore (unattached) 53:01(V),
95 M. Butchart (unattached) 53:04,
96 Y. Prager (GGH) 53:14(LV),
97 J. Ross (unattached) 53:15(L),
98 J. Brennan (Motherwell AC) 53:16(LV),
99 C. Chateau (unattached) 53:24(V),
100 P. Murty (Rothesay) 53:28(LV).
101 S. Forrest (GGH) 53:36(V),
102 G. Forrest (GGH) 53:36(LV),
103 P. Allen (Motherwell AC) 54:10(L),
104 V. O’Reilly (unattached) 54:16(LV),
105 T. Connor (Rothesay) 54:25(LV),
106 M. McKerary (unattached) 54:45(LV),
107 K. Blanker (unattached) 54:52(LV),
108 E. James (unattached) 55:27,
109 A. MacDonald (unattached) 55:53(LV),
110 C. Elphick (unattached) 55:56.
111 D. Riddell (unattached) 55:57,
112 J. O’Hagan (unattached) 55:58(LV),
113 K. Gallacher (Springburn Harriers) 56:05(L),
114 D. Greer (unattached) 56:12,
115 E. Blair (unattached) 56:19(LV),
116 K. Western (Rothesay) 56:34,
117 M. Balsteam (Rothesay) 56:41(LV),
118 A. Hughes (Motherwell AC) 56:45,
119 E. Martin (Motherwell AC) 56:45(L),
120 E. Smillie (unattached) 56:48(LV).
121 H. Hutchison (unattached) 56:59(L),
122 N. Graham (Rothesay) 57:29(LV),
123 E. Hamill (GGH) 58:22(L),
124 S. McVicar (GGH) 58:23(V),
125 L. Connor (Rothesay) 58:41(LV),
126 L. Verdermen (unattached) 59:58,
127 P. Kelly (unattached) 1:00:17,
128 T. Knight (GGH) 60:54(V),
129 J. Sweeney (Rothesay/SAL) 1:00:58,
130 A. Lindsay (Springburn Harriers) 1:01:26(LV).
131 F. Gatongi (Rothesay) 1:01:40(V),
132 S. McElroy (unattached) 1:03:31(L),
133 J. Hodelet (unattached) 1:05:21(LV),
134 D. Hodelet (GGH) 1:05:21(V),
135 M. Pettigrew (unattached) 1:05:40(LV),
136 M. Chateau (unattached) 1:05:40(LV),
137 F. McElhinney (unattached) 1:06:11(V),
138 M. Reynolds (unattached) 1:07:34(LV),
139 B. Heggie (unattached) 1:07:53 (LV),
140 L. Barbender (unattached) 1:07:53(LV).
141 D. Nardini (unattached) 1:09:00(LV),
142 R. Sweeney (unattached) 1:11:25(LV),
143 ??? 1:37:30(LV),
144 T. Armstrong (unattached) 1:39:00