The third Polaroid Series 10K of 2015 took place last night with 32 Bellahouston Road Runners taking part. Russell took 2nd place V40 and Tom was 3rd V60. Once again there were a clutch of PBs. Well done to everyone who ran, and a big thank you to the “travelling support” shouting encouragement on the way round. Full results can be found here: Clydebank 10k – 28 May 2015 Photo Copyright Steven Hill used with permission
Monthly archives: May 2015
14 posts
Just a quick round-up of the results from Thursday night’s race in Dumbarton. Well done to Tom McMillan, 3rd place in the V60 category and Andrew Allen 4th V50 category (narrowly behind 2nd and 3rd place). Also well done to Bruce Carmichael, 6th place overall in a very competitive race and sub-33 mins for the first time! Photo copyright Daren Borzynski
After 15 successful years at Glasgow Ski Centre we have outgrown our home and have a new meeting place offering better facilities for our members at Craigholme Sports Complex. Training nights are Monday and Wednesday from 1830 as per usual. Our new home can be found at: Craigholme Sports Complex 97 Haggs Road Glasgow G41 4RD We look forward to welcoming you from Monday 25 May.
Distance: 15.5k Climb:870m The sight of blood running down the knees of the unlucky ones made me more determined to get down Fellow Bella Jamie Howie & myself ran up and down Arran’s highest along with another 200. During our voyage across from Ardrossan the waters were choppy with rain thrashing down on us – memories came flooding back to last years Bella Arran weekend – “Martie Pellow”. Stepping onto the Island and by some miracle the skies cleared and the rain shifted over to the mainland which brought a smile to all. Heading on foot over to the Ormidale Pavilion the atmosphere was building, jackets & layers getting stuffed into rucksacks leaving Goatfell with a blue background. Once dressed we decided to go for a little run around the grass field at the back of the Pavilion chatting to other runners with the main topic being “who’s going to finish in second place?”. You start with a lap on the grass with plenty of support from the sides then out onto the road for about a mile leading up onto forrest trails before you start to climb onto the hill. Trying my best to keep going the steepness really kicks in which brings you to hands on knees dance forward – most people do this. About mile 4 a tall bearded guy wearing a white vest with a blue band across it came flying towards me, this guy was motoring and was obviously in a hurry to get down – it was Finlay Wild – David Beckham of Hill Running. By then I realised I wasn’t going to win this race, I was 20mins away from the top. It gets tricky near the top with a little scrambling involved, however, the descent is bonkers, finding top gear comes easy but dangerous dodging folk that have still to summit. The sight of blood running down the knees of the unlucky ones made me more determined to get down before I got bitten by the Mountain Beast. Running down boulder fields allows only for nano-second decision making on foot landings, plays havoc on the brain especially when other runners are trying to overtake you. Eventually you hit the trail allowing to push a little harder and any luck over-take a few that went out too strong. The last section brings you back down through the forest onto the road for the last mile. Well marshalled throughout, you finish with a grass lap and plenty of shouts to run faster(I will next time) then over to a water station followed by tea,coffee and all the cake you can devour. Nobody really cares who finishes second, which is a shame. Finlay Wild 1hr 14mins “unofficial” giving him a 2min Pb on last years time. This race is well organised from top to bottom, with the Arran Mountain Rescue guys out on the mountain which brings a massive sense of security. Derek’s time 1hr 50min {unoffical} Jamie’s time 1hr 58min {unofficial} Look forward to […]
Well done ladies, an impressive turnout on a slightly soggy morning. Special congratulation to Debs Gray, who was 7th overall and 1st FV40! Let us know if you’re missing a PB trophy icon. Photo by Rose McRobert
Last night was the first of this years Polaroid 10k Series in Helensburgh. With the race added back into the Club Championship this year there was a great turn out of 30 Bellas. The Men’s team took 2nd place and Bruce took individual 6th place prizes. Results below, race report to follow. Full Results from Stuweb here Photo from Henry Merriweather
Some strong runs across the team from our bunch of Road Runner’s at the Whangie Whizz on Wednesday. Bob Reid in particular breathing down the neck of former Bella Kenny Richmond (Shettleston) at the finish, and Elaine Somerville losing out to Michelle Hetherington of Helensburgh and having to settle for 4th place female. Full results on Scottish Hill Racing website Photo by Danielle Glendinning
Given the weather during the week we were blessed on Saturday when the sun came out for Ben Lomond Hill Race. 166 runners took part and despite my pre-race nerves I was enjoying the relaxed atmosphere before the start until David (Stakes) mentioned times! Yikes! Had been thinking more along the lines of “I hope I get up and down this in one piece!”. My fear gave way to excitement as we set off and started snaking our way up the hill. The conditions were great with just a small amount of snow to contend with. It was hard work but I enjoyed every part of it to finish with a time of 1:40:07 (I’m convinced I would have been under the 1:40 if that dug hudnae stopped dead in front of me!) Well done to David who finished with a great time (PB I think) of 1:41:37. We even got to get some sunbathing in at Rowerdennan Hotel before the minibus took us back to Balmaha. A smashin’ race if you fancy something a wee bit different. by Elaine Photo croppped from original photo taken by Ian Dick – CC BY 2.0
Two Bella’s made their way north east to take part in the Loch Leven Half Marathon, Kinross, Saturday 9th May. Starting at 1pm meant the sun was out, and I have the sunburn to prove it. The race is part of the local gala day celebrations so we had the local pipe bands out in force at the start. Toeing the start line alongside me was George Rooney, running his first half marathon. I’ve run many but this was my first since 2011, I feel a bit out of practice these days at longer races. The route basically loops Loch Leven anti clockwise on open roads and with the pipers sending us on our way we headed south out of Kinross on gently undulating roads for 2.5 miles. We turned east along more undulating roads (get the pattern here?). Along this road we passed farm after farm and I had suddenly remembered a conversation I had prior to my last run here in 2009 about the flies. Back then it was so windy there were no flies but not today, oh no. For the next 4 miles I ran through cloud after cloud of flies! I am still finding them in my eyes as I write this, complete with scratched eyeballs such was the ferocity of their attack. That got us to 6 or so miles and another turn to head north west towards the hills of Scotlandwell and Kinnesswood, with great views of the Lomonds of Fife. In fact, there were great views throughout the entire race. Then one of those wee things that annoy you as a runner at 7.5 miles. We were directed off the main road, along a dirt track, also difficult underfoot, for 100 metres, 180 degree turn and back again to re join the main road. I don’t remember this last time, but I assume to make up distance that could easily have been added at the start or the end. Anyway, onwards and upwards climbing through Scotlandwell at 8 miles, it was really tough at this stage, but working hard nonetheless. I seen a couple of people walking here and caught a good few people through this section. More ups and downs and we get to 10 miles with only 5K to get home. A big downhill was welcome here and we approached and passed the 11 mile marker speedily. At just shy of 12 miles we were routed onto a cycle path which was another change from the last time I ran here. The underfoot conditions weren’t as good as tarmac but the legs were buckling by this time anyway as I desperately tried to hang onto a decent pace. A wee sting in the tail as we had to climb out of this cycle path to the main road but surely the end was near as I could hear the bag pipes at the finish. Indeed, a short run along a grass finish to the Loch Leven Community Campus and a mass of gala […]
At the start of the week, a glance at the 5 day weather forecast suggested that the weather would have the final word on the 30th running of the Troon 10k. High winds and heavy rain don’t fill you with any sort of enthusiasm for being outside, much less dashing about in shorts. Thankfully though the weather forecast gradually improved over the week, and Wednesday evening was with cool and dry, if still a little windy. Not ideal, but certainly better than feared. The event proved immensely popular: sold out within a week of accepting entries. So despite being a championship event, only three Bellas got through. Results show 933 finishers, so a big field. A mixed bag for the Bella results: Rose was pleased with a solid 44:39, just a minute behind her 10k PB.Shona’s a regular participant at Troon, but didn’t feel too good on the day, so was pleased to get around and finish with a sub-45 time of 44:46. I somehow managed to take a full minute off my 10k PB at my first outing at Troon, finishing in 42:25. I fear I’ve been talking about it to anybody who’ll listen (and one or two folks who feigned disinterest…). A particular mention required for the Troon Tortoises who organised the event. Whilst it was my first time running this event, I was hugely impressed with the event, the course, the goodies at the end, but particularly the marshalling. A phased start was honoured by participants and worked, and friendly, supportive and effective marshal out on the course directing runners and traffic. The nice weather ensured a good turnout from the town too, so lots of high-fives to the children, and plenty of cheers on the return leg through the town. All in all, fantastic stuff and a great evening. I can see how this event’s proved popular over the years, and look forward to giving it a bash again in future years. Well done Troon for putting on a superb event, and to everybody who took part. Richard Photo by Richard Webb cc-by-sa
A number of Bellahouston Road Runners were in action at Spring Marathon’s in Rome, Brighton, Rotterdam, Manchester and London. Although not everyone achieved their goals, there were inspiring performances across the field. Well done everyone. Photo by David Lockhart
Silverknowes in Edinburgh seems a long way to go for a 5k, but this was a Club Championship race and also included the Scottish Athletics 5k Championships. Although it’s a pancake flat course with great views down by the Forth, the strength of the field was only exceeded by the strength of the wind. The strong field spurring runners round to good times, the strong wind holding them back. Not that this seemed to hamper winner Calum Hawkins, who broke the course record to finish in 14:17, nor Hayley McCrorie who took the Bella “Performance of the Day” award – demolishing her previous 5k PB by over a minute. Photo from Peter Gallanagh
I hadn’t ever thought about doing an ultra, until I saw the message from Grant: “the Fling is open, and will sell out by lunchtime”. Nine fellow Bellas quickly replied “I’m in”, and I got caught up in the moment. Suddenly I was “in” too. It took a couple of snowy trail runs for me to realise just what being “in” meant, including (but not limited to): a) running on trails is brilliant but utterly knackering b) everyone signed up is massively fitter, younger and stronger than me c) long trail runs take absolutely ages, something I haven’t yet broached with my family I wasn’t really sure I’d stick with it. One early training run from Milngavie to Balmaha over Connick hill was a real wakeup call – if I felt that bad after 19m, there’s no way I’d even make it half way. I overheard Matt Williamson at the club saying “you should still be pretty fresh when you get to Balmaha.” Fresh?! Cut to 4 months later, and it’s the morning of the Fling. I’m a ball of nerves sheltering from the rain at 5:30am in Milngavie train station with 750 other ultra runners who look calm and experienced. It’s an amazing thing, the Fling; John Duncan’s self-supported jaunt up the West Highland Way has grown from less than 20 people in 2006 to 1000 entries in this its 10th year, with full Scottish Ultra Championship status. None of which is making me feel any more relaxed. After the initial shock, training had gone ok with plenty of back-to-back long runs, but as the clock got nearer to 6am I couldn’t dislodge the fact that I’d never run further than 30 miles in training. As for a race plan, despite having set my sights on “just finishing it”, I’d secretly worked out that if all went well I might finish in around 10hrs 20’ – which Grant then posted on Facebook. So that was it then! A quick “Good luck” to fellow Bellas Tommy and Stuart and it was time to go. The hooter sounded and hundreds of us set off through Mugdock and out to the Beech Tree Inn. I’ve done this bit loads of times, so I got chatting to a guy who had come all the way from Devon. It’s a weird feeling chatting while ‘racing’, but it definitely helped to settle the nerves and keep the pace sensible, and we arrived at Drymen (CP0,12.6m), 10 mins ahead of ‘schedule’, to huge cheers from the Bella support crew. As the trail heads out towards Loch Lomond, the dreaded Connick Hill reared into view. With Matt’s words ringing in my ears I kept asking myself how ‘fresh’ I felt a I ran-walked up to the shoulder, passing a few runners whom had started too quickly. As we reached the summit, the clouds cleared and Loch Lomond sparkled into view – stunning! A quick smile for the camera and I was bounding down the other side and […]
Scottish athletics article about the Anglo-Celtic plate – 100km, includes our own Grant MacDonald. Bellahouston Road Runners wish Grant, Ross Houston and Andrew Murray the best of luck tomorrow. Scottish Athletics- Anglo Celtic plate