What a night at Bellahouston Park on Wednesday 15th May for our President’s Cup 5k Race. A fantastic 74 members ran in this annual ‘handicap’ event with each individuals start time calculated against their recent 5k /10k race performances. This ensures that everyone has a chance of winning, and also involves a very busy finish line! It was fantastic to be holding the event in Bellahouston Park again after a couple of years at Rouken Glen, although a fine substitute. We were blessed with a fine spring evening, with good running conditions on a reasonably flat course. Congratulations to our champion on the night, Graeme Pert;, who was cheered on by our army of volunteers and supporters. Overall, there was some fantastic running and several PBs, with 44 members finishing within 30 seconds of their predicted finish times. Testament indeed to the hard work put in by our stats team. Our President, Emer Campbell, commented “This was another superb night for the club. Huge thanks everyone who helped organise this event, the volunteers, supporters and of course congratulations to Graeme”
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Our website news page has been a touch quiet over the last wee while, we’ve been busy at the club! Do check out our social media feeds (facebook.com/bellaroadrunner, twitter.com/bellaroadrunner) for the latest. A couple of big highlights from the last month! 2021 President’s Cup The President’s cup is a big part of the club year: It’s run as a handicap, with members setting off in time stagger relative to their estimated time. Theoretically, everybody should finish at the same time, and has a chance of winning, but there’s always a mix of circumstances to add a huge amount of fun. Last year it was run virtually, but with the easing of restrictions and group size limits for organised activities, we were able to stage it ‘for real’ on the 13th June. Organised in a couple of heats, and members who weren’t running or volunteering, were able to support everybody out on the course. Over 90 runners, spectators and volunteers stayed within Covid rules and had a fantastic time. And of course we can’t have a Bella occasion without plenty of cake afterwards!! Congratulations to our winners Joni Lindsay and Nick Windley , who collected their trophies from our President Richard Leyton 2021 AGM Tuesday 15th saw us hold our 2021 AGM, virtually on Zoom. Much as the President’s cup is a big part of the participation, the AGM is a big part of our governance. Member’s can access a recording of the AGM, the video featuring Leanne, Kevin and Richard, reflecting on the last 12 months, on the members’ forum. Our annual report is available on our public website. Key outcomes from the AGM, all of which allowed members an opportunity to question and discuss elements: Finances and Treasurers report were accepted Club annual report from the President was accepted COVID Coordinator, Emer provided an update on our Coronavirus plan Membership secretary Susan updated members on our membership A motion to formalise virtual meetings and voting (per OSCR recommendations) was passed unanimously. Membership fees were retained at present rate. Our Trustees were approved for another year. We held an open discussion about local sports facilities at Nethercraigs, and associated issues. Full details on the members forum
66 Bellas competed in another hotly contested President’s Cup on Wednesday 20 June. The 5K handicap race around Bellahouston Park was won by Julia McDonald for the women and Andrew Haddow for the men. Each runner sets off after a time handicap based on their recent race performance. So every club member has a good chance of winning and the finish is always exciting. More than three quarters of runners crossed the finish line within one minute of each other. Even so the team of volunteers at the finish funnel coped brilliantly. Club president Richard Leyton led the winners to victory on the lead bike before presenting the prizes afterwards over sandwiches and cake at Nethercraigs. Congratulations to all the runners and well done for all those new PBs. Full results for the race are available on the club member’s forum.
Well done to everyone who took part tonight in the President’s Cup. Congratulations to our winners Stephen Harris and Gillian Hamilton. Fastest times on the night were Bruce Carmichael (16:15) for the men and Shona Docherty (18:34) for the ladies. Shona Donnelly ran exactly her predicted time. Many thanks to all the volunteers tonight who made the event go smoothly, it’s very much appreciated. Full results can be found in the table below. Photo credit Gordon Goldie
It’s now a shield, there’s two of them, and we don’t have a President any more, so “President’s Cup” is perhaps a little inaccurate, but if I’d said “Chairman of the Board of Trustees Shield” race you’d have no idea what I was talking about. The annual 5k handicap race in Bellahouston park takes place on This Wednesday, 21st June. Please wear your vest and we’ll try and get a Club photo if the weather’s half decent. If you don’t wish to run but can make the date, please let us know on the forum, as we always need marshals/timers/finish funnel/registration/camera help. It’s also fun/terrifying (depends on your disposition) to watch a whole heap of runners finish very close together. Numbers can be collected from 6:15pm at Nethercraigs (or in exceptional circumstances from the start at the cycle track in Bella park). If you’ve signed up to Runbritainrankings.com/powerof10.info with Bella as your club and raced a 10k this year we’ll have a time for you. Likewise if you’ve run one of the Club Championship parkruns or 10ks I’ll have a time for you. If you want to make sure then you can add a recent 5k/10k time on the forum. Image designed by Freepik, and font from fontmeme
Results from tonight’s President’s Cup are shown in the table below. Congratulations to tonights winners Barry Freel – 21:33 and Alison Brown – 24:28. Fastest time of the night for the men was 17:00 by Iain Burns, and for the women Ann Robin ran 19:17. Special mention to Lynn Reid who finished bang on her predicted time of 24:40. Thanks to everyone who helped out. It was very much appreciated.
For those coming to the Club tomorrow (Wed 1st June) for the President’s Cup 5k handicap race, don’t forget your club vest for the annual club photo. We’ll allocate numbers at Nethercraigs, before heading up to Bellahouston Park. The presentation will take place back at Nethercraigs after the race, and food will be provided.
Check out details for this year’s President’s cup on the forum: Presidents Cup details Have we got a time for you listed? Photo: 2015 winners Lynne Goldie and Norman Boyle
Well done to everyone who turned out for the President’s Cup 5k Handicap race this evening and thanks to everyone who helped out. Congratulations to Norman Boyle and Lynne Goldie who won the men and ladies trophies, and kudos to Bob Reid who was closest to his predicted time. Bruce Carmichael was the fastest male on the night in 15:52 and Ann Robin fastest female in 19:16. Full results below which allow you to sort on any particular field by clicking the arrows in the column header. Email races@bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk with any queries.
The 2012 President’s cup took place on Wednesday 27th June. It’s a handicap 5k, using the Bella 5k course, taking the place of training on that night. Provisional results (complete with Oscar’s spelling) are available here: http://bit.ly/QlJJj7 Ladies cup winner: Judith McGregor Gents cup winner: Scott Johston First 3 ladies (by time) 1. 20:17 – Anne Robin 2. 20:23 – Emma Bryson 3. 20:45 – Elsie D First 3 Gents (by time) 1. 16:50 – Bruce Carmichael 2. 16:58 – Bruce Carse 3. 17.03 – Craig Reid Well done to all club members who took part, and thanks to everybody who helped organise the event.
Bellahouston Road Runners celebrated it’s 25th anniversary this week. To celebrate, we headed to the Emirates Arena on Saturday 11th January, for a morning of indoor races. Over 70 Bellas ran one mile heats, that counted as a Club Championship ‘short’ distance, before 800m, 400m and 200m ‘fun runs’. It was great to see so many brilliant races and performances on the fantastic new track. It was then on to Glasgow Green Football Centre for lunch, birthday cake and a series of talks and inputs Opening remarks and memories came from our founder, Jimmy Irvine, accompanied as always, by his wife Sandra. We also enjoyed the reflections of our current president, Emer Campbell, and past presidents Oscar Wild, Emma Birnie, Robert McEwan, Brian O’Donnell and Richard Leyton. This really was a thoughtful insight into the formation and development of the club, and as was so aptly put by Robert, a glimpse of the jigsaw that has helped to establish the club with members at it’s core. We had two further distinguished guests who delivered excellent presentations, namely Kilbarchan AAC legend Bobby Quinn and Cambuslang Harrier, and recent Jimmy Irvine Bella 10k winner, Ryan Thomson. Bobby and Ryan’s experience, achievements and perspectives were fascinating and provided real food for thought. Thankyou to both for giving their time and enthusiasm. It was a great day, and a wonderful start to our 25th year. Thankyou again to all of our guests, committee members, coaches and volunteers who put together and ran these events.
Founding The Club was founded on 24th January 2000 by Jimmy and Sandra Irvine who were seeking to develop a new club for the south side of Glasgow and were inspired by the famous New York Road Runners. Jimmy & Sandra worked tirelessly to build the Club from scratch in effectively pre-internet days, instead leafleting shops and carrying out fortuitous meetings in the street! A constituted association emerged, affiliated to Scottish Athletics, that steadily expanded thanks to the fantastic efforts of both Jimmy and Sandra. Finding a home For its first few years, the Club used a variety of venues and locations, including Cartha Rugby Club and Netherpollok, whilst growing its membership, before settling at Glasgow Ski Centre in Bellahouston Park, where then club President Oscar Wild was general manager. Membership grew rapidly as the Club developed a welcoming, friendly and inclusive reputation, with an endurance / performance focus also appealing. The ski centre was our home for 12 years. Expanding our horizons Emma Birnie took over from Oscar as President, seeing the Club develop its off-road offering with cross country participation increasing, and starting the popular Ben Venue hill race and the annual Presidents Cup 5k race in Bellahouston Park. The latter continues to be an eagerly anticipated summer challenge for members that embraces the inclusive ethos of the club. In 2008, through the leadership and drive of then member and future President, Richard Leyton, the Club was closely involved on establishing the first parkrun in Scotland, at Pollok Park. We celebrated our 10th anniversary in 2010 when Robert McEwan was President and introduced the Jimmy Irvine Bella 10k The race went from strength to strength under Robert’s tenure and while working closely with Brian O’Donnell, who succeeded Robert as President in 2014. ‘The Jimmy’ continues to be hugely popular, always taking place at Bellahouston Park, and with a now much sought after bespoke long-sleeved finishers shirt with locally inspired artwork. Change and consolidation The Club started a process of evaluating training venues, eventually relocating to Glasgow Club Nethercraigs (via a short stint at Craigholme Sports Centre) in 2016 when Richard Leyton took over as President. We also continued work begun by Brian O’Donnell, in reviewing processes and governance in line with the Scottish Athletics Club 2020 initiative. Thanks to a huge effort by Richard, subsequently became a charity in 2017. We celebrated our 20th anniversary in early 2020 with a fantastic Indoor Mile event at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow, that has become a favourite annual club event. The emergence of the Coronavirus pandemic shortly thereafter saw a pause of training following national lock-downs, however the Club membership rallied in the best virtual sense and demonstrated a spirit of togetherness to ensure members kept active and in contact. The Club led the way in returning to physical training in line with governmental guidance and was recognised by the Glasgow Sports Council with several awards namely ‘Club of the Year’, ‘Social Media Presence of the Year’, ‘Community Coach of the […]
We’re delighted to today be sharing our Annual Report, for 2020-21. It highlights the achievements, performances and awards from right across the club, a few of our favourite photos, as well as the statements and details our charitable status requires us to make. We hope it helps show what a positive impact being a member can have, both to other members, but also the communities we are a part of. Club President, and Chair of the Board, Richard Leyton, said the following in his introduction: I am delighted to share the Bellahouston Road Runners Trustees’ annual report, covering the period from August 2020 to July 2021. Our previous reporting period was a story of two halves, pre-lockdown normality, followed by the club and its membership coming together over the first Coronavirus Lockdown. All in our 20th anniversary year. This reporting period picks up the story – and challenge we set ourselves – for the club to build forward. It has been a remarkable year. We were honoured and delighted to receive Scottish Athletics’ Impact and Innovation Club of the year award, Glasgow Sports Council’s Club of the year award, as well as many individual nominations and awards for the club and its amazing membership. We think these awards are a reflection on the huge contributions, achievements and innovations from, and inspired by, our members. We continued to innovate. Our Coronavirus plan, built on the Scottish Athletics framework, was widely shared and referenced. Directly because of our plan, our group training setup could respond quickly to rule changes as they impacted group sizes, travel restrictions and social distancing regulations. We were able to organise club-internal training events, enabling members to experience something close to a normal race experience in a club setting. We could also, when rules allowed, work collaboratively with other clubs to organise small scale track events. Looking to the future period, we are mindful of strategic challenges. There are significant changes to our local sports facilities, as well as changes in support from local authorities impacting them, and us. There will be additional risks and costs for event organisation which may have an impact on our finances. I am confident that the club and its membership will respond and adapt to these, and other, challenges. I’m continually reminded that the club has a real appetite to grow, build and innovate. At every training session or event I attend, our members are fostering a friendly, welcoming and supportive environment that embraces everybody. The feedback I regularly hear from members is that the club, and the friendships they’ve made through it, are important parts of their lives, supporting their physical and mental wellbeing. I’ve always felt that if we get these foundations right, everything else flows from that. I think this report reflects that, and I’m confident and optimistic we’ll continue to do so into the next reporting period. Richard Leyton, Chair of the Board of Trustees 20th February, 2022 NB: You can find full details about our charitable status, […]
Delighted to report that we featured as ‘Club of the Month’ in the June issue of Women’s Running. It features a super picture of member’s Rhoda, Elizabeth and Roz at the 2019 edition of our President’s cup 5k handicap race, a huge part of our club year (credit: Kevin Queenan), and a brief interview with club secretary, Susan.
We’re delighted to today be publishing our latest annual report, for 2019-20, following completion of our submission to the Scottish Charity regulator, OSCR. You can find it, and all our previous annual reports, on our website’s charitable status page. Club President, and Chair of the Board said the following in his introduction: I’ve great pleasure in sharing Bellahouston Road Runners Trustees’ annual report, covering the period from August 2019 to July 2020. It is only the third such report we’ve produced since we became a charity. But in the full 20 years since the club was first founded, I think it’s fair to say it is probably the most significant 12 month period we’ve experienced. It’s a story in two parts. The first half reflects a forward-looking ambitious running club, celebrating what it’s always done well: supporting members with their personal goals and targets, working well as a team, training and organising events – athletic and social – in the parks, roads and venues of Glasgow, growing our sport. This period culminated in a fantastic 20th anniversary celebration at the amazing indoor track facility at the Emirates arena, and embarking on a potential next chapter with a new training base. The second half was dominated by the fact that almost out of nowhere we found we could no longer meet or train together, no longer race together. Coronavirus meant we were at risk of losing the very thing many of us joined a club for in the first place: support and camaraderie in training and racing. The club’s response was inspirational. Innovative member-led efforts brought the club together, even whilst we couldn’t meet in person. Members supported members to keep training and pushing themselves. The club motivated us, supporting our mental well being as the crisis unfolded. We made waves online, receiving positive coverage and attention, with the club – and its members – going on to win national awards. The challenge for the next twelve months then is how to sustain that positivity, and tackle the uncertainty we face with a changing situation. The club is in a strong position, with a solid coronavirus plan enabling a resumption of training as soon as rules allow, a growing membership, solid financials and brilliant coaches, trustees and volunteers. Most importantly, we have kept that strong sense of community and shared purpose, passion for the sport of running, the benefits being a member of a club brings, both for ourselves, each other and the community in which we all live. Thank you to each and every member over the last twelve months. I hope you enjoy reading the report, and look forward to working together over the next year taking our club forward. Richard Leyton 13th February, 2020 Questions or queries about the annual report, or the club in general, should be directed to the club secretary, via info@bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk