This years Jimmy Irvine Achilles Heel Bella 10K race is filling up even quicker than it did last year! A big thanks to those who have already entered, we are absolutely delighted with the support so far. With three and a half weeks until race day and only 21 entries of the initial 500 entries allocated available we are happy to say we are releasing a further 100 places for the race. Please see all race details with entry details on the events page here. Preparations are in full flow and we are looking forward to a bigger and better experience for everyone taking part this year! See you all in November!
Racing
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Report from Nea The 4Th race of the Hebridean half marathon series took place in the scenic island of Barra on Sat 30th June. 4 Bellas made the journey, myself, John Sandbach, Sandra Houldsworth and Louise Gray. With Sandra being the cheerleader after nursing 2 broken toes in a fall during the Benbecula half. The weather was a bit damp for the start with a light wind (which in the Hebrides is usually around 50mph!). The race was started by Father John Paul MacKinnon from the island Parish TV series, he gave a rousing speech and wished everyone luck!! He should have thrown in a couple of prayers for good measure knowing about the poor souls that were about to tackle the 340ft hill at the 11.5 mile mark! A local girl held the Olympic Torch for the start, I thought about grabbing it and taking it round the island but decided against it as this route is bad enough without the extra baggage! The race started on the West side of the island in Castlebay and followed a clockwise route round the island. Andrew Laycock from Kinross Road Runners settled into the lead after the 1st mile followed by myself and Joshua Low. The first 4 miles are fairly flat for the Heb series, passing some of the most beautiful beaches in the Hebrides, then the route turns to the east into the wind and the hills! At the 5 mile mark there is a steady climb of 170ft, with the leader in sight and still hearing Joshua Low’s footsteps behind me, I wondered if I had went off too fast as I could see the local coastguard jeep being used as the lead vehicle, I have only ever seen a lead vehicle upto the 1st mile!! I was keeping a close eye on my pace as the hard bit was still to come, having experienced THE hill in the previous year on which I lost my heart and soul and struggled to conquer it!! With the beaches left behind and the hills beginning, the leader was only a couple of minutes ahead but I still hadn’t shaken off Joshua Low in 3rd. So onto the hill, in the previous year I had been given good advice – “To leave a good bit in the tank for the hill”!! I felt OK at the bottom of it as I started the climb, my legs started to feel heavy as soon as I took the 1st step of the 340ft climb and I had a quick look behind me to see Mr Low bearing down on me having closed the gap significantly. The baby steps I was taking on the climb were hurting and they hurt even more when I slipped back into 3rd position. With a position lost the head went down just as well as I didn’t want to see how much of the hill I had to go!! The end of the climb was in sight and […]
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.
Entry is now available for this years race series. The Bella 5K takes place on Sunday August 19th and the Jimmy Irvine Bella 10K takes place on Saturday 10th November 2012. Both races will be in Bellahouston Park. Online entry is available for both races through EntryCentral.com with discounts available when pre entering both events. Both races are kindly sponsored by Achilles Heel. For more details, please see the Events page.
Beautiful spring weather welcomed 500 runners to Fort William for the Lochaber Marathon on Sunday, 15 April. An out and back course along the shore of Loch Linhe was the challenge and 6 runners from Bellahouston Roadruners were up for it. The course is fairly flat, undulating in places. Basically you run towards Corpach and continue on until you reach 13 miles, then turn round and run back. The snow capped mountains give a scenic backdrop and the fact there are only 500 runners and few cars means you get a clear run. Although there is a sneaky wee steep hill in the last mile. Bellahouston highlights included PBs for Greg Glendinning ( 2.41 and 1st MV40) and 2.59 for Nea Macinnes. Thanks to Danielle, Brendan, Susie and Peter for their excellent support around the course. Bellahouston Times Greg Glendinning 3.41 Nea Macinnes 2.59 John Gilhooley 3.09 Frans Roelefse 3.14 Tomoyo Fujiwara 3.33 David Boyle 3.39 Full results Above report from David And some additional reporting… from Tomoyo I enjoyed running this race, beautiful view and plenty of water station there. It was my 19th marathon and I had my first experience “I took a wrong turn” at 25 miles, as I did not see any runners in front of me. However the guy who was running behind me (actually he was walking when I passed), he shouted and rescued me!!! I wonder if this guy ignored me….am I still running now?? Lucky me, I guess! I will try hard again at the Edinburgh marathon next month to get sub 3:30!!! Thank you for all your support. And more from Nea ….. Phew, that was close! Ran 2:59:46, new PB by 10 mins. Perfect running weather on lovely flat course, until the last mile when little hills come out of nowhere and feel as if you are climbing Ben Nevis itself! I thought I had 90secs to spare and cruise to the finish until Brendan started running beside me in the last mile screaming at me and looking worriedly at the stop watch on his iphone. My garmin was showing that the finish must be round the corner, but alas it was round the corner, up the hill, round another corner and then the final straight (0.25miles longer than I thought!). In the final straight just as the legs wanted to fall off I had Brendan screaming behind me and Peter screaming in front of me – there was NO way I was not going to finish under 3 hrs!! Great support from Danielle, Suzie and the Sadistic Duo – Brendan & Peter! I know I could not have done it with out your support – BRILLIANT!!!! Well done to all Bella’s on the day and Greg getting 1st V40!
While everyone else was off running Lochaber or tapering for London a crowd of us ran the Balloch to Clydebank half marathon on Sunday, 15 April. The conditions were perfect with sunshine, cool temperatures and no wind, so there were quite a few PBs bagged. I think Chris Bell might be able to claim the biggest PB, knocking an impressive 10+ mins off his previous time! Debs Gray won 2nd Female, Rebecca was 3rd female, the ladies won 2nd team prize (although that might have been upgraded as they hadn’t counted it right….) and I scraped a prize for 5th male. Bella results below, full results attached. Position Race No Competitor Name Gender Category Cat Pos Finish Time Chip Time 6 272 Bruce Carse Male SNR 5 01:16:22 01:16:22 24 337 Tommy Oconnell Male SNR 14 01:22:45 01:22:45 38 338 Deborah Gray Female VET40 2 01:25:50 01:25:46 44 402 Jim Robinson Male VET50 4 01:26:07 01:26:05 48 195 Rebecca Johnson Female VET40 3 01:26:33 01:26:32 50 404 Robert Mcewan Male VET50 6 01:27:33 01:27:31 51 405 Neil Mcewan Male SNR 27 01:27:33 01:27:32 68 183 Chris Bell Male SNR 32 01:30:18 01:30:09 97 410 Grant Edmondson Male VET40 30 01:34:27 01:34:16 102 417 Tom Mcmillan Male VET50 13 01:35:08 01:35:02 110 285 Alex Lawther Male SNR 53 01:36:09 01:36:02 129 333 Norman Coyle Male VET50 14 01:38:34 01:38:25 131 373 Jane Wild Female VET40 8 01:38:47 01:38:38 173 140 John Sandbach Male VET40 46 01:42:29 01:42:10 184 346 David Lafferty Male SNR 78 01:43:24 01:43:18 217 305 Jane Galt Female SNR 24 01:46:54 01:46:45 221 242 Louise Gray Female VET40 19 01:48:01 01:47:53 Report from Bruce
Great news from the weekend: The club had two representatives at the British and Irish Masters Cross Country in Bellahouston Park. Russell Whittington was running in Scotland’s V35 team (and came away with a Silver medal), and Julia Harris representing Wales in the V40’s. It was certainly a wet and windy Saturday afternoon, so huge congratulations to everybody who took part. Russell sent in this superb event report: On Saturday I had the amazing opportunity to run for the Scottish Masters team in the British and Irish Masters Cross Country in the home surroundings of Bellahouston Park. The race is split up into age categories in five year groups starting at V35 and going up to V70 for the men and V65 for the women. The event is made up of teams from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. I was put in a strong looking V35 team along side David Miller, Jamie Reid, Robert Gilroy, Joe McKnight and Iain Connell. The weather and course conditions were very challenging. The weather was wet and windy and the the course was muddy and hilly so all in all it was a proper cross country. The first race was for all the women and the male V65 and V70 categories and was made up of one big loop and one smaller loop. The Scottish women got the team off to a great start with stand out performances from Lesley Chisholm third overall and second V35, Melissa White 4th overall and first V45 for the second year in succession and Fiona Matheson 5th overall and first V50. The F35 and F45 teams were both one point behind England in second place and the F50, F55 and F65 teams all took bronze medals. Our own Julia Harris was representing Wales in this event and finished 75th overall in a time of 27:15. The male race for categories V35 through to V60 was two big loops of the course. The race started at 12.45 and started on the pitch and put area. From there we headed uphill through the wooded area of the park followed by the downhill heading towards the House for an Art Lover. This descent was the trickiest part of the course as it was very muddy and several runners fell over in this section. After the House for an Art Lover we headed into a strong headwind past the Palace of Art and then up the second of the tough hills. The loop finished with a lap around the back of the cycle track before setting off on the second muddy lap. I finished in 76th place in a time of 28:39. Peter Matthews was first home for Ireland in 24:54. First Scot was Jamie Reid who was 7th overall and 2nd V35. My V35 team finished 2nd overall one point behind the winners Ireland. The four to count for the team were Jamie Reid, David Miller, Robert Gilroy and Joe McKnight. Fortunately for me there were […]
Saturday 12th November saw the second running of the Jimmy Irvine Bella 10K, sponsored by Achilles Heel. The race is named after the founder of Bellahouston Road Runners Jimmy Irvine and the race made its debut on the calendar last year to celebrate the 10th year of the club. Bright autumn sunshine and slightly breezy weather greeted just over 400 runners on the start line in Bellahouston Park. The race was won by Robert Gilroy (Ronhill Cambuslang Harriers) for the second year in succession in a time of 32:07. Second home was Kieran Docherty (33:47) and third was Russell Whittington (34:38), both from host club Bellahouston Road Runners. In the ladies race the honours this year went to Julie Doncaster in a time of 40:03. In second place was Yana Thandrayen (Portobello RC) in a time of 40:30 closely followed by Sheena Jack (Fife AC) in a time of 40:48. The male V40 category was won by Michael McLoone (Greenock Glen Park Harriers) who also finished 5th overall in a time of 34:50. Andy Law (Mid Argyll AC) retained the V50 title finishing in 37:34. Clydesdale Harrier Watson Jones took the V60 category with an impressive 45:58. Katie Mathieson from Bellahouston Road Runners took the V35 female category with a time of 42:06. Julia Harris also from the host club capitalised on good form by taking the V45 category in a time of 43:17. The V55 category was won by Margaret Deas from the Scottish Veteran Harriers completing the course in 52:07. Given the number of purple vests on display it was no surprise to see Bellahouston Road Runners take both male (Kieran Docherty, Russell Whittington and Greig Glendinning) and female (Katie Mathieson, Ann Robin and Ciara Baxter) team prizes. Outside of the prizes all runners received goody bags and medals for their efforts, with an impressive spread of savoury and sweet eats, alongside teas and coffees on offer for all. This years race proved to be extremely popular with all entries sold out in advance of the race. Many returned for a second year, and we hope to see them all again for the Bella 5K next August and the 2012 Jimmy Irvine Bella 10K. Full Race Results are here. Race photos available for purchase from http://www.scottsportphotography.co.uk/
Big big thanks to everyone who made today’s race happen. Provisional results can be found here. Any race queries please send to races@bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk Full race report to come.
Craig Reid sent in this report from last Saturday’s Glen Ogle Ultra marathon. Saturday 5th November saw the first running of the Glen Ogle Ultra Marathon. The 33 mile out and back route started in Strathyre at 8am and followed a scenic route towards Killin. Weather conditions were perfect on Saturday morning and over 120 runners lined up at the start line. Due to the larger than expected field the route had to be cut to around 31 miles. I started at the back of the pack as I didnt want to set off too fast. The first 6 miles or so were very hilly and so it was difficult to get into a steady rythm. As I moved up through the field I met fellow Bella runner, Rebecca Jonson who was also doing the race. Miles 6 – 10 were very gradual and took us up through the glen and over the viaduct to the second checkpoint. My legs felt fresh and after stopping for water I pressed on. Miles 10 – 18 were through the forest on a mixture of paths and trails. By this point I was completely on my own and was making good time on the paths. By mile 14 I hit a massive hill and actually had to stop and walk up it as my legs ached. This left me feeling full of doubt as I wasnt even halfway round and I was walking already, I began to wonder if I would even finish. Thankfully that was the worst uphill section and once I got to the top I soon got back to running and returned to the 18 mile checkpoint. At 18 miles I took my first energy gel even though my legs were still feeling surprisingly good (apart from on that one big hill). I decided to try and run nice and steadily to the last checkpoint at 25 miles but the route was slightly downhill at this point and everytime I looked at my watch I was hitting between 6:30 and 7 mins per mile. At 24 miles I managed to catch another runner. He told me I was looking good and that the other guys werent far ahead so if I pushed on I could catch them. I thought at this point I was maybe in the top 20 or so but this runner informed me that by overtaking him I was now 5th! At mile 25 I got to the last checkpoint. Unfortunately this was where I had left my drop bag so I would have to do the last 6 miles with a rucksack on my back. I wasted a couple of mins trying to find my last energy gel and bottle of lucozade and set of again. The last section was on road and by mile 27 I had caught the 4th place runner and could see 3rd a few hundred yards up the road. Somehow my legs still felt good and I was battering out 6:45 […]
The race takes places in Bellahouston Park on Saturday 12th November starting at 11am. We have 115 places remaining (at 21st October) of the 500 available. There is just under three weeks until online entry closes on Wednesday 9th November. Race Numbers Due to the number of runners entered for the event we have decided to mail the numbers in advance of race date. Numbers will be sent to the home address given when you entered the race. If you have changed address since you entered please contact us at races@bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk asap and the address will be amended prior to posting. We will update the event webpage here and this News section to let you know when the numbers have been posted. Please remember to bring your number on the day. Course Details After taking on board feedback from last years event, we have made a change to the course for this year. Course maps are now on the event webpage here. Series T Shirts Series t shirts should be collected at the Palace of Arts after the race. T shirts are available to those who pre entered both the Bella 5K and the Jimmy Irvine Bella 10K through Entry Central. Post Race Refreshments Remember to head back to the Palace of Arts for post race refreshments. We will have the usual sweet and savoury selection as well as teas, coffees and soft drinks. Spot Prizes We have a number of spot prizes available. Come back to the Palace of Arts after the race, drop your number in the entry box and wait for the draw. Thanks to those who have already entered, we look forward to welcoming you on the day from everyone at Bellahouston Road Runners. Please send any queries to races@bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk.
Chris Brotherston has just sent in his race report from the 2011 Ben Nevis Hill Race: It seemed like a big ask with all that ascent using only two blistered feet, the rain plummeting from the heavens and the gallus mountain clothed in dank mist. This was it……the Ben Nevis Hill race, the thing you hear about as a kid and think to yourself “wow, these guys must be superhuman”. And then as you stand at the start line you see the super human athletes such as Finlay Wild (no relation to the humble Oscar or his long suffering wife) and Angela Mudge (whose dog is even faster than you) or Stuart Mathieson (just being pseudo sycophantic there Stuart). But they are in the minority the rest of us are human; some carrying injuries while others carry hangovers and overhanging bellies. But, that’s hill racing with its motley assortment of craggies on the crags, sloppers on the slopes…..and the illiterate alliteraters…. Anyway, back to the hill race……….and in a hill race everything is about feet….how many feet of ascent and descent…how are your feet…..what are you wearing on your feet……did you keep your feet (no I gave mine away to a passing tourist who got in the way on the bloody zig zags!)…wow what a feat (!). Anyway back to the hill race….it starts as most race do and then finishes. In between there are a hell of a lot of feet (4370 feet of ascent, 1000 runners feet and 500 incredible feats). To some it is running up and down in an incredible 1 ½ hours, to others it is completing it in just under four hours, while all those in between have their own personal goals. An experience it was; an achievement it was; an emotional experience it certainly was; a joyous pleasure…..well I think I will leave that feat to the imagination……. Wouldn’t change it for the world though…. More details, results and… FEATures (boom *tisch*) about this famous hill race at http://www.bennevisrace.co.uk/
Grant MacDonald sent in this excellent race report from this year’s running of the Clyde Stride 40 mile ultra marathon: I had been toying with the idea of an ultramarathon this year so when I found out there was one that started a few yards from my front door I thought it would be rude not to really. So, the Clyde Stride. A 40 mile jaunt from Partick train station to the slightly more scenic New Lanark via the not very well signposted Clyde walkway. About 100 of us gathered at the back of the train station and were set off running down the clyde battling against confused cyclists and dogs coming in the other direction. The 1st section goes along the clyde towards Glasgow Green and it was here I passed a few Bellas running in the opposite direction on their Saturday morning run, strangely none of them were tempted to turn around and join me. Otherwise it was an uneventful and almost pleasant run to the 1st checkpoint at Cambuslang. I shoved a banana down my gob and continued along the 2nd section towards Strathclyde Park. This section is mostly offroad trails and was a bit of a relief after pounding the tarmac. The only shock during this section was coming out of miles of serene woodland and suddenly finding yourself having to cross a massive roundabout with no marshals for assistance. After giving myself a pat on the back for not getting runover by a massive lorry I trundled on to the 2nd checkpoint where Elsie was helpfuly waiting to load me up with sugary things before shoving me in the direction of strathclyde park. The race then follows the river through Barons Haugh Nature Reserve. It was around this point I suddenly heard the friendly voice of Matt W (who was doing the race in a relay team) say hello. Not someone I would normally expect to see at this stage in a race. He kindly slowed down for a chat before effortlessly bounding off into the distance. At this point I was still feeling really good and wondering how long it would last. The answer to that question was about 3 more miles. As I came into the final checkpoint i started to feel a bit sick and was starting to bonk a bit too. I tried to shove some food down me for the last 12 mile hilly section but was really struggling to swallow anything. I shuffled onwards and was confronted by a near verticle series of steps. At this point the most rational thing to do seemed to be to lie down and have a good cry, but probably due to dehydration the tears wouldn’t come so I had to carry on. After a seemingly endless series of ups and downs I eventually came into New Lanark, but here the race has a sting in the tail. Just when you think you are finished you are diverted back into the woods for […]
Saturday 13th November saw the first ever running of the Jimmy Irvine Achilles Heel Bella 10K. The race celebrates 10 years of both Bellahouston Road Runners and Achilles Heel. Almost 400 runners took to the start in truly autumnal conditions in Bellahouston Park. Rain, sunshine and windy conditions all played a part in the day’s performances. The men’s race was won by Ronhill Cambuslang Harrier Robert Gilroy in a time of 31:37. In second place was David Millar of Irvine AC with a time of 32:04, followed by Jozsef Farkas in third place with a time of 32:47. The male vet 40 category was won by Kerry-Liam Wilson, also from Ronhill Cambuslang Harriers, in a time of 35:26. Brian Craig from Irvine AC scooped the prize in the male vet 50 category (38:49) with Kenny McVey from VP City of Glasgow taking the male vet 60 prize (43:00). Host club Bellahouston Road Runners took the men’s team prize (Matt Williamson, Ciaran Dougherty and Russell Whittington). The ladies race was won by Lindsay Morrison from Central AC with an impressive time of 37:36. Lindsay was followed home by Michelle Sandison from Springburn Harriers finishing in a time of 38:22. Third place was Bellahouston Road Runner Deborah Gray (38:56), who took the 1st female vet 35 prize, allowing Jill Smylie from Giffnock North to take the last of the open prizes with a time of 39:32. Jacqui Thomson from VP City of Glasgow won the female vet 45 age group with a time of 39:41. Denise Lindsay won the female vet 55 category (49:52). The ladies team prize also went to the host club, Bellahouston Road Runners (Deborah Gray, Jane Simpson and Claire Wharton). The race also formed part of a series with the Bella 5K held in August. David Millar from Irvine AC and Claire Wharton from Bellahouston Road Runners took the series prizes with the lowest accumulated times from both races. Thank you to all the runners for taking part. Provisional Results are here.
We are busy at Race HQ working on all the final arrangements for this Saturday’s race. We’re really looking forward to it, we hope you are to. On the day entry is available so if you haven’t managed to post an entry yet just come along on the day. See you all on Saturday!