Super Volunteers Ensure Victoria parkrun 62 Takes Place

Runners listen carefully to an explanation of the amended route

It was 50/50 as to whether Victoria parkrun would take place on the last day of January. The ice had taken its toll on the course, particulary on the route through the floral gardens. However the volunteers excelled themselves by not only braving the cold weather but quickly amending the Start and Finish and rerouting the course along the side of the pond, rather than through the gardens. They even managed to grit some of the worst parts of the path before 176 runners descended on the west end park. Whilst the conditions may have deterred a few regular runners, a number of others had made their way westward from the cancelled Pollok parkrun.

After the route changes had been explained to us and we had been warned of the icy undefoot conditions, we reassembled at the amended Start and were set on our way at 9:36am. It wasn't a day for PBs so I settled into a steady pace. I still had to work hard, particularly in the long sections which ran into the Arctic headwind. After three laps, I sprinted down the rerouted final strait, overtaking, sub 20min runner, Chris Furse to cross the line in 21:14, although this was 30secs slower than my PB but I did manage to place 27^th, my highest ever at Victoria park. I was happy enough with my race in two days, considering the conditions. However one person who performed even better was my fellow Bellahouson Harrier, Derek Shand who ran a PB of 21:00 to place 23^rd.

Results

Up front, Stewarton's Andy McGhee completed the 5k in a time of 18:00 to take Gold, ahead of Keith Wall (18:18) and Iain Littler (18:22).

Antrim's Jo Patterson

In the women's race, Antrim's Jo Patterson ran to glory in a time of 20:16, ahead of Garscube's Aileen Wilson (21:07) and Westerland's Karine Salin (21:46).

In the Super Veteran Category, John Gilhooly's time of 18:28 was enough to beat his Bellahouston RR club mate Al MacLachlan (18:49) with myself (Ian Goudie) placing third.

In the women's 50+ Cat, it was Maggie McKeith who took the honours with a time of 25:30, ahead of Elaine Chellew (26:24) and Jane Scullion (26:35).

Well done to all runners and huge thanks to the volunteers who braved the elements to allow us to run.

Pics by Mary Senior and Ian Goudie Photography

Full Results here