Sunday 18th August saw the latest running of the OneRen Paisley 10k. There was a field of almost 2,400 starters and, as always, it’s a popular race for our Bellas, with an impressive 59 of our members participating! The route starts in the centre of Paisley, extending west towards Linwood before returning to the town centre via the cycle path. The weather was good, although a bit blustery, with some brilliant performances throughout the field. A huge well done to our fantastic top 3 ladies, Deborah Gray (39:27), Emer Campbell (39:53) & Christie Lamb (41:20) who took 3rd place ladies team! Deborah also took 1st FV50, retaining her title from last year. Our top men were Johnny McBeth (31:36), Ross Horgan (33:30), Oscar Coetzee (33:46, 2nd MV40) & Kenny Osborne (33:46 (PB), 3rd MV40). There were some great PBs too including for Bryan Kerr (34:15) & Gerry McDonnell (42:02). Another great day out, and another club championship race completed. Well done everyone! On the same day, it was the GSi Events Scottish Half Marathon on the east coast. The race started at Meadowmill, before extending east out towards Craigielaw then turning back west along the coast past Port Seton, Cockenzie, Prestonpans to finish at Mussleburgh. There were some challenging conditions with a brisk wind, so well done to our very own ‘magnificent seven’ of Tony Connelly (1:14:42, 13th, 3rd M35), Bruce Carmichael (1:19:53, 1st M45), Jay Cowan (1:28:45), Rhona Fraser (1:32:06, 3rd F45), Alan Chalmers (1:34:26), Flora Henry (1:44:21) & Rory Young (1:48:58). A great showing and, again, another club championship race in the bag! It’s a ‘short’ championship race next, at ‘the best wee race in Scotland’ namely 3k on the Green, Glasgow Green, 1230hrs Friday 30th August 2024. See you there! https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
Monthly archives: August 2024
Saturday 10th August saw the 108th running of Elder park parkrun, in the heart of Govan. It also saw the latest Bellahouston Road Runners Club Championship ‘short’ race over the 5k distance covering four laps of the park. Elder Park itself is very important and special to the people of Govan, and has been since it was established in 1885 by Isabella Elder, as a memorial to her husband, the shipbuilding magnate, John Elder. The park was built on the site of Fairfield Farm and Mrs Elder later donated monies towards the building of the beautiful Elder Park Library that was opened in 1903 by no less that Scots-American philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie (the library has recently reopened after refurbishment). Mrs Elder was a remarkable woman who through her philanthropic efforts fought for education for women and girls and secured access to medical training for women in what was to later become part of Glasgow University. It was a bright, blustery morning for the event itself which had 168 runners, including a fantastic 37 Bellas. 1st, 2nd & 3rd men and overall finishers were Ross Horgan (16:25), Grant Murphy (16:37) & Dave Jarrett (17:25). The first three Bella ladies (and women finishers) were Rhona Moran (19:55), Jen Conway (20:21) & Poppy Bowie (20:47). The best male age-grade in the event fell to our parkrun machine Al MacLachlan (20:21) representing 82.39% on his 578th parkrun. There was also another fantastic 5k PB of 23:55 for Shirley Wieland who PB’d on the previous Club Championship parkrun event at Linwood! We had numerous Elder Park parkrun PB’s too, so well done everyone, including our excellent Bella volunteers, Kevin Queenan, Roz Wilson & Hugh Brown. Special thanks of course to out wonderful hosts at Elder Park parkrun that continues to go from strength to strength. It’s a very friendly, compact, flat and well organised event. Thank you for having us, and hopefully see you all again next year! #monthebellas #elderparkparkrun https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
The ‘Off Road’ Club Championship is rapidly coming to a conclusion with only a handful of events remaining this season. To complete this particular challenge, members need to complete any 3 from a dozen trail / hill races between April and September. The latest events were scheduled in close proximity in the calendar. First off, it was down to Ayrshire, on a lovely summers evening, for the Kilmaurs Gala 5k on Wednesday 31st July. Nine Bellas put in great performances with Paul McNairn finishing 8th in 16:56 and claiming first placed MV40 in the process. Claire Wharton also finished third FV50 in 21:36. In addition we had James McGreevy (20:03), Marty Campbell (20:58), Gavin McGowan (21:36), Anne Campbell (22:15), Joni Lindsay (22:54), Laura Wilkinson (23:33) & Caroline Munro (25:05, in her Giffnock North vest). Well done everyone! On Sunday 4th August, it was just north of the Forth to Kincardine for the latest Scurry event, this time around the lovely Devilla Forest. Seven Bellas mustered in the impressive grounds of the Scottish Police College before tackling the 10k run through the woods. A huge well done to Simon Wells who finished in second place, with Rhona Fraser finishing first lady. The next race in the challenge is the ‘Tom Robb Memorial 7 Mile Trail Race’ in the Carron Valley on 24th August. Good luck everyone! Put you in the mood for a race? Remember that the Bella Jimmy Irvine 10k takes place in Bellahouston Park on Sunday 10th November 2024. Places are available at Entry Central https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k