Bellahouston Road Runners, Bellahouston Harriers and West End Road Runners got together last night, for a fantastic evening of one mile track races at Hutchesons’ Grammar School track. The conditions were ideal which helped produce several great performances and many personal bests. Just as importantly, everyone had a great time running in a real race and socialising afterwards. Thanks to the organisers, all the volunteers and supporters, and of course the runners. Well done everyone! A few pics over on our facebook page post (thanks again to Kevin Queenan for the pics). We’ll update this post with a link to the results in due course. With racing and competition opportunities very limited, we’re excited to be able to showcase the benefits of being in a club, and clubs working together. Hopefully more events like this in near future.
News
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
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
💜 Bellahouston Mob Match 2021 💙 💜 Road Runners Champs again!! 💜 We’re delighted to announce that we have won the Bellahouston Harriers v Bellahouston Road Runners Mob Match for the 5th time in a row. 132 members of both clubs ran a virtual 5k at the weekend. 77 competed for us while our friendly local rivals had a commendable 55 members taking part, along with the fastest male and female placings. There were some fantastic performances from both clubs and it’s great to see so many getting involved. Hopefully we can race for real in Mob Match 2022!! *photo from the 2020 mob match 💜💙 THE MOB MATCH 2021 BELLAHOUSTON ROAD RUNNERS V BELLAHOUSTON HARRIERS This was the 5th annual mob match between the two clubs. An idea proposed by Richard Leyton, President of Bellahouston Road Runners and warmly embraced by members of both clubs. It was traditionally run at the Pollok parkrun, with tea and coffee afterwards at the Harriers’ base at Cartha Rugby club. It was agreed between the clubs that we would run it a bit later in the year and it took place over the weekend of the 20th and 21st of March 2021. The clubs roughly followed the guidance supplied by Scottish Athletics for virtual runs. The planning teams led by Kevin Queenan and Mark Matheson made it possible for the event to take place. Members gathered and ran in pairs, singly and small groups all over the South side of Glasgow in Parks, roads, railway tracks and lochs. Members who reside out with Glasgow were encouraged to run. Some members who are currently residing in Spain, USA stepped up to the plate and ran. It was an unexpected bonus that members in far flung places could compete. Bellahouston Road Runners have embraced virtual running this winter and have consistently been the largest club by participation in Scottish Athletics virtual running events. Bellahouston Harriers have had significantly fewer competitors who have embraced virtual running. A key task of the clubs was to encourage members to participate within Government guidelines and regulations through promoting the event on Facebook pages, forums and videos. The number of participants speaks for itself with 77 Bellahouston Road Runners and 55 Bellahouston Harriers making a total of 132. The competition was won by Bellahouston Road Runners for the 5th year in a row. The first male finisher was Miguel Delgado (BH) in a time of 15.41. The first female was Kristina Greig (BH) in a time of 19.25. Of the first six males, 3 were from BRR and 3 from BH. For females, 4 were from BRR and 2 from BH. Richard Leyton, Chair of Bellahouston Road Runners and Tom Keenan, President of Bellahouston Harriers said that the numbers who participated demonstrated the commitment and desire of members to support the mob run. It posed challenges for the planning team which they overcome. If other Scottish clubs wish to participate in this type of event both clubs would be happy […]
This month is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, and club member Andy has been asking club members to wear green and #GoGreen4CP to help raise awareness, as well as highlight some inspirational stories. Scottish Athletics have put together a super video and website article showcasing the words of the many talented Scottish Athletics with cerebral palsy and their coaches.
We’re excited that with the Covid restrictions having been amended this week, we’re now able to resume group training from next week (15th March). We’ve written to members, but we’re also making our plan available on our website for others to reference. Here’s the letter to members from our Coronavirus coordinator Emer, and club President Richard. Our full club coronavirus plan (v10) is available too. If in doubt, our club Coronavirus plan page at bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk/coronavirus always has the latest version, as well as links to many of the activities and initiatives we’ve been running to keep members motivated! Members can find details for how to sign up for training on the members forum. Thanks to everybody involved in making this possible, at Scottish Athletics, sport Scotland and – of course – at the club.
Have a listen 📻 to Bella member Anne Campbell being interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland’s Drivetime on Friday, marking the recent changes and updated Scottish Athletics framework which means our groups, including our (early!) Friday morning group can meet in a larger group sizes for the first time in months! Anne does a great job highlighting physical and mental health benefits of running, particularly in a group, and club membership! 💜 Thanks Anne! Full interview over on BBC Radio Scotland!! You can always find our latest Coronavirus plan on our website at bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk/coronavirus
Well done to all 52 Bellas who took part in the Scottish Athletics / Bella club champs 10k virtual event over the weekend!! Another great turnout from members making us the highest participating club again There were some very impressive times recorded by club members over the weekend of racing, however a special shout out to our very own Grant Murphy who WON the event finishing in an amazing time of 32.47!!! Fantastic effort – well done Grant!!! The club is very proud of you!!!!!!!! A big shout out also to Tony Connelly and Steven Lamb taking the 3rd and 4th spot on the leaderboard and securing the team title for Bella! Well done guys!! Thanks once again to everyone for getting involved and representing our amazing club!!! Full results on Scottish Athletics Website: https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/62638-2/ – Well done to everybody who took part, particularly the other podium placed teams at Greenock Glenpark Harriers (2nd) and Garioch Road Runners (3rd)!
A bumper audience of members tuned in to a virtual session from Bella head coach Robert Hawkins on Wednesday evening. He was joined by his two Olympian sons Callum and Derek which added extra excitement to the occasion 🥳 Robert explained the science behind our training schedule followed by a question and answer session. It was lapped up by our members who asked a mix of interesting and funny questions of our hosts. There was one controversial exchange near the end of the call, when a question came in asking who would win a final sprint between Callum and Derek at the end of a marathon. Let’s just say we didn’t get a definitive answer to that one! 😜 Thanks again for your time Robert, Callum and Derek! Club members who missed the session, can access a recording of the session via our members’ forum (for the next month or two)
A fantastic 72 Bellas ran their socks off in the Scottish Athletics’ 5 Mile Challenge held at the weekend, which also formed part of our club championship 🏆 The full results are on the Scottish Athletics website, but we’re pleased to see we’ve held on to our crown of being the largest participating club again!. Well done Bellas!! Of course, we never let these weekends go without taking part in an activity! This time we asked members to post their treasured running photos, we put them together and came up with this little video – Our favourite memories
🚨Further to the news today about the new national lockdown, unfortunately all club group activity/training is suspended from midnight, until at least the end of January. This includes Monday/Wednesday training sessions, and all sessions/groups operating under the club umbrella. Full details on the members forum: https://forum.bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk/t/club-training-suspended-in-january-2021/4075 We’ll continue virtually as before so do be sure to sign up to the latest virtual challenges, stay in touch and support each other online, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need a hand, or have an idea! Cheers, Richard, on behalf of the Board of Trustees
The club was delighted to receive some awards from the Glasgow Sports Council at the weekend, for both the club itself, and two of its members. Our lead coach Gerry Scullion won “Community Coach of the year”: Gerry worked tirelessly through lockdown to motivate and encourage members with weekly training updates, tips and sessions. Club President Richard Leyton won “Volunteer of the year – senior” for his work through the lockdown helping the club operate and coordinate through this difficult year. In addition to these two individual awards, the club itself took “Club of the year” in recognition of the amazing work right through the club to support each other with challenges, coaching, support, and community efforts including helping at a local foodbank and raising money for local charity. With various social media videos gaining nationwide attention, the club was also delighted to take the “Social media presence of the year” award. The club is very grateful to all of its members, who have been fantastic right through the year and have all contributed in so many ways to help make the club much stronger through this experience. The club, and its membership, are delighted at these awards, and wish to express their thanks and gratitude to the Sports Council for Glasgow for their work throughout supporting clubs and organisations through this most challenging of years. You can find out more about the Sports council for Glasgow on their Facebook and twitter (@scglasgow1000) accounts.
A cracking 46 Bellas braved the slippy weekend conditions taking part in the latest Scottish Athletics Challenge and once again finishing as the highest participating club in the country 🥳 We organised Covid friendly 10K club runs at Glasgow Green and Renfrewshire, and as it was a Club Championships event another 22 Bellas took part over the weekend, adding up to an awesome 68 members in total 🤩 Here’s a little collage featuring our hardy bunch 💜
Today would have been our 11th Jimmy Irvine race, marking a full decade since the event first kicked off As our 2020 couldn’t go ahead, we thought we’d create a wee retrospective to mark the occasion, with club members sharing some some of the reasons 💜 Why We Run!💜 Thanks to all the club members who sent in selfies and ideas, and to the many brilliant event photographers who’ve captured the energy and atmosphere of our races over the years, so we can look back and look forward to the next ones as well! If you’re inspired to get involved, we’d love to see you along at the club, check out our website for more.