Sunday 13th October saw the latest running of the Loch Rannoch Marathon near Pitlochry. It was a chilly Highland morning but it didn’t take long for our Bellas to thaw out on the undulating course, and put in some outstanding performances! The wonderful Tomoyo Fujiwara finished second placed female in 3:29:17. Making their (impressive) marathon debuts were Michael Daniel Rice (3:27:50), Veronica Fusaro (3:51:47) & David Jarrett (3:51:48). Great running all round, and some lovely scenery too! It was also the Manchester Half Marathon on the same day. Three members ran, with Callum Borthwick leading the way in an amazing PB time of 1:11:12. Jamie Wieland also recorded a PB of 1:40:13 and Joni Lindsay continues to improve after her recent injury, finishing in 1:44:02. Well done folks! It’s great running in the autumn. There are still places available for our very own Jimmy Irvine 10k at Bellahouston Park on Sunday 10th November 2024. Enter here: https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
Racing
The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2024 took place over the weekend of 5th – 6th October in Glasgow. Around 40 Bella members volunteered to marshal the various events over both days. Many thanks to them, and all the other volunteers and emergency service personnel who helped contribute towards another fantastic GSR! On Sunday 6th October, 16 members ran in the 10k. It was an early start with good weather conditions. Our first 3 gents finishers were Sean McAnallen (35:03), James Gray (37:37) & Harris Millar (41:30). For our ladies, it was Jane McNeilly (41:00), Cara Thom (42:59) & Carla Dunn (49:37). An incredible 75 members started the HM with fantastic efforts across the board, and numerous PBs recorded! Our top ten gents were: Tony Connelly (1:11:49, 14th overall), Josh Evans (1:13:35), Grant Murphy (1:16:02), Lewis Roberts (1:16:32), Neil McSeveney (1:16:53, PB), Paul McNairn (1:17:27, PB), Mark Young (1:17:47, PB), Ruairi Barfoot (1:17:51, PB), Kenny Osborne (1:18:15) & Jethro Browell (1:18:49). Our ladies top 10 were: Deborah Gray (1:25:53, 25th lady), Grainne McGrath (1:27:27), Christie Lamb (1:27:31, PB), Emer Campbell (1:28:49, PB), Debi Scott (1:30:28, PB, in her Giffnock North vest), Jen Conway (1:34:12), Cathy Wood (1:37:59), Katie Blackett (1:38:49), Victoria Curley (1:41:02) & Anne Campbell (1:43:14). Brilliant 1:30 pacing duties too by Ross Horgan We also had several members running elsewhere over the weekend. On Saturday, three intrepid Bellas ran the Glasgow to Edinburgh 57 Mile Ultra with outstanding efforts by Tom Thorne (11:48:30), Liam McNally (12:59:03) & Lucy MacKay (14:00:40). On Sunday, Bryan Kerr ran the Chester Marathon in a fantastic 2:52:06 while Jonnie Felton ran in his home town at the Cardiff Half Marathon in a brilliant 1:21:48. What a weekend, well done everyone! If you’ve been inspired to get involved after seeing all those runners in the GSR, remember that our very own Jimmy Irvine Bella 10k race takes place at Bellahouston Park on Sunday 10th November 2024. Enter here at: https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k #greatscottishrun #jimmyirvine10k
Sunday 29th September saw two significant marathon races at home and abroad. Firstly, it was the 22nd Baxters Loch Ness Marathon. A record 5,500 runners entered this years race and were blessed with excellent weather conditions on what is a tough undulating course. Seven Bellas ran, with brilliant performances for Oscar Coetzee (2:40:04, 12th place, 2nd MV40), Jordan Davidson (2:53:58 PB), Liam Barrett (3:05:26 PB), Rhona Fraser (3:17:04 PB), Hayley Drysdsle (4:19:29) & Lucy MacKay (4:32:41). Lucy has now run all 22 Loch Ness events since it began in 2002, and is now one of only two ever present finishers. A quite incredible record, and such a strong season having previously run marathons at Loch Rannoch, Rome, Belfast & Strathearn as well as Ultras at Glen Ogle, Forth Scurry & Devil o’ the Highlands! Over in Germany, it was the 50th BMW Berlin Marathon. Two Bellas ran outstanding races with Bruce Carmichael (2:42:40) and Kelly Taylor (2:58:49, PB). Our good friend, Isaiah Kosgei, also ran an amazing 2:24:16, flying the flag for Kenya and the Kosgei Walpole Foundation.
This week saw our final Club Championship ‘short’ race this season at the aptly named ‘Fast n’ Flat 5k’ on Friday 20th September. It was quite a night for the 10 Bellas who made their way east to historic Linlithgow to run in the event, that consisted of five waves of starters. The weather was cooler than it had been earlier in the week, meaning that conditions were good. An outstanding run meant that Tony Connelly broke his own 5k club record and PB of 15:20 (from last year’s Allan Scally meet) to clock a fantastic 15:12! Huge congratulations to Tony who also holds the club records for 10 miles (51:58) and Marathon (2:26:28). The remaining field of Bellas fared not too badly either with just a few PBs!! Very well done to Ross Horgan (15:28 PB), Calum Borthwick (15:46 PB), David Jarrett (17:07 PB), Bruce Carse (17:19), Jay Cowan (17:21 PB), Ryan Macready (17:30 PB), Alan Moss (17:33 SB), Joni Lindsay (21:57 PB) & Mark Young (17:03 PB, in his Aberdeen Metro vest). Very well done everyone! If this puts you in the mood for a late-Autumn race, with a great long-sleeve shirt and post-race buffet, it’s the Bella Jimmy Irvine 10k at Bellahouston Park on 10th November 2024! https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
Twenty Bellas headed to Tighnabruaich, Argyll, for the Kyles 10 Miler on Saturday 14th September which was the penultimate ‘long’ Club Championship race. It’s a very scenic, well organised event on a challenging course, and this year saw some wet and windy conditions with fairly mild temperatures. Brilliant performances again from our purple posse with Neil McSeveney (59:33) 2nd place, 1st MSnr, Craig Ross (1:02:40) 3rd place, 2nd MV40, Colin Hughes (1:04:47) 4th place, 1st MV50, Louise Ross (1:09:20) 1st Lady, 1st FV40, Ross McGeoch (1:09:31), Gregor Crawford (1:13:10), Jonny Moran (1:13:30), Marty Campbell (1:14:49), Deborah Wright (1:17:22), Anne Campbell (1:18:26) 3rd FV40, Gavin McGowan (1:19:57), Alex Sutherland & Leanne McIntosh (1:19:59), Charlotte Parkinson (1:21:31), Lyndsay Kennedy (1:22:29), Pauline Wright (1:23:30) 3rd FV50, Shirley Wieland (1:24:28, PB) 1st FV60, Laura Wilkinson (1:24:49), Gary McIntosh (1:30:06), Babs Wilson (1:34:31), Stevie Bell (1:40:14) 1st MV70 & Terry Nimmo (1:45:00). Brilliant running, well done everyone!…and not forgetting Bella No. 21, Kevin Queenan, for his excellent race photography! Just over to the east, it was some effort by Jamie Wieland (6:34:26) who ran the 30 mile (nearly 4,000ft of elevation) Dunoon Ultra on Saturday capping off another fantastic weekend of running for Team Wieland! www.kyles10miles.co.uk https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
What a recent weekend of running by our Bellas! Podium news first, and congratulations to Jordan Davidson (1:21:42) on winning the Run Nation Strathclyde Autumn HM at Strathclyde Park on Sunday 7th Sept AND to Kenny Osborne (34:33) who won the Kilmacolm 10k. Then, up in Carnoustie, Kirsty MacFarlane (1:18:53) had a great run to finish 2nd lady at the Barry Buddon 10 Miler. Sunday also saw the ever popular Podfather Stirling 10k with 20 Bellas racing in a Club Championship (CC) event. A big well done to Ross Horgan 32:22 (PB), Calum Borthwick 33:21, Grant Murphy 33:26, Bryan Kerr 33:53 (PB), Bruce Carmichael 35:11, Paul McNairn 35:38 (PB), Mark Young 35:58, Callum Dickson 37:01, Jay Cowan 37:11, Liam McNally 38:50, Sam Thompson 39:02, Grainne McGrath 39:14, Christie Lamb 39:48 (PB), Jane McNeilly 40:34, Andrew McCulloch 40:53, Debi Scott 41:08, Gerry McDonnell 42:18, Joni Lindsay 47:35, Murdoch Rodgers 53:50 & Lucy MacKay 55:51. Another CC race also took place on Sunday at a very warm and ever ‘undulating’ Kilmacolm Half Marathon. 16 brilliant Bellas ran, with great performances by: David Jarrett 1:22:24, Colin Hughes 1:25:55, Sandy Macdonald 1:32:15, Al MacLachlan 1:34:33, Dave Ferguson 1:36:06, Tomoyo Fujiwara 1:41:14 (2nd FV) Cathy Wood 1:43:19, Veronica Fusaro 1:45:08, Louise Ross 1:45:10, Ashleigh Love 1:56:54, Tony Breslin 2:02:10, Lynne Goldie 2:11:09, Christine Milligan 2:16:09, Michelle Smith 2:16:09, Robert Macleod 2:18:36 & Nicola Barrington 2:32:11. A special well done to Michelle on her first HM. And just south if the border we had Bella members running the very wet and murky Great North Run, namely Chic Forsyth (1:26:29, PB) and Jamie Wieland (1:49:19). And then we had those who laughed at these ‘short’ races and decided to ramp it up. Tommy Burridge ran the 33 mile Tiree Ultra, while the machine that is Bryan Mulgrew completed the Glenmore 24 Hour Trail Race near Aviemore, and pending confirmation, finished 4th with 109 miles in the bag, and raising funds for the Beatson https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bryan-mulgrew Now, breathe……. So….if that has inspired you, sign up for our own autumn 10k at Bellahouston Park, Sunday 10th November 2024 https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
It’s been a busy few weeks for members participating in a number and variety of Club Championship (CC) races as we see off a disappointingly wet summer into, hopefully, a dryer autumn! Saturday 24th August, saw the final ‘Off-Road’ championship race at the challenging 7 mile long Tom Robb Memorial Trail Race, in the lovely Carron Valley. Very well done to Stephen McQuade (11th, 48:57), Joni Lindsay (13th lady, 1:01:04), Stuart Mathieson (1:02:09), John Sandbach (1:06:34), Aileen Coulter (1:08:59), Brian McQuade (1:09:34), Fiona Birrell (1:09:35), Chi My Ta (1:12:57, in her Westerlands vest) & Sue Campbell Senior (1:13:56). The stats team will be busy tallying up the final points and placings before our annual awards night on 19th October! The sky eventually ran out of water on Friday 30th August for ‘3k on the Green‘ at Glasgow Green. 134 runners took part including 21 Bellas for this CC ‘short’ race on it’s flat, out-back route along the Clyde. Well done to Oscar Coetzee (9:13, 2nd), Grant Murphy (9:22, 3rd, PB), David Jarrett (9:46), Jay Cowan (9:56), Jordan Davidson (10:08), Rich Evans (11:03), Jimmy McGreevy (11:18), Gerry McDonnell (11:20), Gerry Scullion (11:28), Dave Ferguson (11:37), Al MacLachlan (11:48), Jen Conway (11:48), Tom Thorne (11:55), Jamie Wieland (12:39), Frans Roelofse (13:00), Henry Merriweather (13:15), Tony Breslin (13:21), Lyndsay Kennedy (13:40), Graeme Pert (16:04), Stevie Bell (16:04) & Rachael Goslan (16:17). Have a read at the race report from the organisers, some quite incredible performances! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JoqqZPeNVQHyTxP2/ And so, on the first day of meteorological autumn (Sunday 1st Sept), it was the North Ayrshire Athletics Club 10k at Ardrossan. This popular race has a track start and finish, with nice flat seafront stretches. It was a cool, overcast and blustery day for the 300+ runners including 11 Bellas keen to tick off one of the few remaining ‘medium’ CC events. Great performances as ever from our Bellas: Fraser Kelly (36:57, 5th overall, 3rd MSnr), Jordan Davidson (37:01, 6th overall), Colin Hughes (38:33, 1st MV60), Alan Chalmers (40:58), Jane McNeilly (41:44, 5th lady, 3rd FV40), Rhona Fraser (42:14, 6th lady), Marty Campbell (43:06), Andy Tomlinson (44:20), Jamie Wieland (46:23), Laura Wilkinson (49:43) & Laura Templeton (53:09). Cross Country season isn’t far off with the first race being the West District Relays on Saturday 5th October in Kilmarnock. And, it’s only 9 weeks to our own big race event of the year, the Jimmy Irvine Bella 10k at Bellahouston Park, 1200hrs on Sunday 10th November 2024. It promises to be its usual great outing, including a locally inspired long-sleeved shirt and great post-race buffet. Sign up at: https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
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
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
It was an island theme this week for racing, with some warmer weather contributing to some tough conditions on the west coast. Firstly, it was the beautiful Isle of Mull on Saturday 27th July, for the annual Mull Runners hosted Half Marathon, It was a tough undulating route, with the sun shining, and the course extending from Craignure to Salen, with great views over the Sound of Mull to Morvern. Very well done to Stuart Laurence (1:29:36, 10th), Gerry McDonnell (1:38:25) & Catherine Laurence (2:04:42) on finishing and completing another Club Championship ‘long’ qualifying race. The following day, Sunday 28th July, it was south to the Firth of Clyde for the Kenny Phillips 10 Mile Race around the Isle of Cumbrae. It was baking hot for the field of over 400 hardy runners. This too was a Club Championship ‘long’ qualifying race. Our Bellas stuck to it to register some great performances, viz Alan Moss (1:03:03, 15th), Ruairi Barfoot (1:03:17, 16th), Johnnie Felton (1:05:38, 23rd), Simon Wells (1:05:47, 24th), Grainne McGrath (1:08:18, 4th lady, 3rd FSnr), Christie Ford (1:10:57, 9th lady), Al MacLachlan (1:11:49, 1st MV60), Victoria Curley (1:14:11), Andy Tomlinson (1:16:05), Harris Millar (1:19:51), Hayley Drysdale (1:31:39) & Jamie Wieland (1:33:35). Really hot conditions, so well done all, especially our medallists, Grainne and Al.
There’s been a bit of an international theme over the past week, all the way from Wales to Africa! Congratulations to Cat MacDonald who represented Scotland at the 49th Snowdon International Hill Race on Saturday 20st July 2024. The race extended over 15km with almost 1,000m of elevation on a wet, cool day. Cat ran a strong race, finishing 8th lady in 1:26:58 to help the Scotland ladies team take third place. Well done to Oscar Coetzee, who ran a 1:13:43 Half Marathon in a cold and very rainy Cape Town, South Africa, on Saturday 20th July, placing 6th overall and 2nd Male Vet. Oscar also won Elite Male Vet of the year for 2023 at his home club in South Africa, Brimstone Itheko AC. Fantastic performances from Oscar this year, both home and away! And lastly, our good friend in Kenya, Isaiah Kosgei, ran an incredible 1:09:34 at the Uasin Gishu Half Marathon in Eldoret Town (Kenya) on Sunday 21st July. Isaiah was proudly sporting his Bella vest, and he continues to raise funds for, and do great work with, the Kosgei Walpole Foundation to support childrens education in his local area. Another inspiring outing for Isaiah, an incredible athlete and a former Loch Ness Marathon champion.
The weekend of Friday 19th – Sunday 21st July 2024, saw the annual ‘Run the Blades’ (RTB) races at Whitelee Windfarm. It’s a tough, undulating, exposed, but eerily beautiful place to run, with frequent unseasonable weather changes. The events are always really well organised by Breaking Strain. Begining with the 10k on a pleasant Friday evening, we had brilliant running from Claire Wharton who was 3rd lady home (47:03). Our men finished, Jethro Browell (39:00, 4th), Jordan Davidson (39:10, 5th), Simon Wells (40:43, 11th), Gerry McDonnell (46:00) & Andy Tomlinson (49:05). Great performances, especially given the challenging climbs towards the finish line. It was the big one for our on Saturday with the 50k Ultra Marathon on a cloudy, humid, then rainy day. Amazing running all round from Stephen McQuade (9th, 4:07:47), Jordan Davidson (11th, 4:13:36), Siobhann Dunn (18th, 5th lady, 4:27:27), Brendan McGuiness (4:44:23), Jamie Robinson (5:18:16), Jimmy McGreevy (5:18:18), Alan Digweed (5:51:17) & Cormack Smith (7:58:18). Great commitment and resilience to tackle this discipline, so a huge well done to all. To finish, it was the Half Marathon on Sunday morning. Again, a tough undulating course, starting off in chilly conditions, although not the stormy weather of 2023! It was an absolutely outstanding run from Ross Horgan in 1:15:15 to win and break the course record, while Fraser Kelly finished in a brilliant 3rd place with 1:23:34. Following on were Jordan Davidson (1:32:09, 13th), Alan Chalmers (1:32:40, 14th), David Vallance (1:49:55) & Gavin Elliott (2:02:45). Another great morning of running. And the recurring name in the three races was Jordan Davidson, running 10k, 50k and 21k RTB races in a single weekend. An epic starring role!
Linwood parkrun was the venue for the latest Bellahouston Road Runners Club Championship race. This was a ‘short course’ event and coincided with Linwood’s 8th parkrun birthday!! Almost 40 Bellas made the trip on a lovely summers morning, with some fantastic running across the board. Kenny Osborne, Jordan Davidson & Stuart Laurence finished 2nd, 3rd & 4th, with Paul McNairn also making it into the top ten. Grainne McGrath finished just outside the top ten claiming 2nd placed lady. Shirley Wieland kept up her recent run of form with another great 5k PB in 24:13! As always, we are thankful to the organisers, volunteers and fellow runners for making us welcome and it was great to be there to help celebrate eight fantastic years of parkrun at Linwood. Happy birthday!!
The 2024 Jimmy Irvine 10k race, kindly sponsored again by our friends at Migo Sports will be held in Bellahouston Park on Sunday 10th November 2024 with a midday start. Entries for this event are open at Entry Central. We are proud of our great annual race in the wonderful Bellahouston Park! It always enjoys a great atmosphere and our members work hard to guide and support the participants safely around the course. There is also a fantastic long-sleeved finishers t-shirt and of course our famous post-race buffet! It’s a great way to spend an autumn afternoon, so sign-up, don’t miss out and see you at the Jimmy! #seeyouatthejimmy