It was the Scurry Around Devilla Forest 10k Trail Race on Sunday 10th August, our penultimate Off Road Championship event this year. Devilla is a lovely woodland at the north side of Kincardine, with the start \ finish within the grounds of the Scottish Police College. The weather was fine and dry, so a great day for it! We had three Bellas competing with outstanding efforts from our trail trio with Jordan Davidson 1st in 38:01, Simon Wells 3rd in 40:02, and Rebecca Croney 1st lady in 47:53! Absolutely fantastic results, well done folks! That means only the Tom Robb Trail 10k on 23rd August remaining in the current Off Road competition.
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We had some fantastic news recently for our very own Poppy Bowie, who has been selected to represent Team GB in the Marathon, at the Deaflympics in Tokyo in November this year! The Deaflympics will take place between 15th – 26th November 2025, its 100th anniversary. It is the second oldest multi-sport and cultural festival in the world, celebrating deaf athletes. Since the games began in 1924, only three British women have competed in the marathon, so Poppy will be the fourth; the first from Scotland; and the only GB marathoner in the 2025 games! Running is a huge part of Poppy’s life, and being selected for this event is an amazing achievement, breaking new ground for deaf athletes from Scotland. Poppy explained “In 2019, I started doing parkruns with my first parkrun taking 29 minutes. I couldn’t run 5k without stopping, but over time my 5k performance steadily improved as I built healthier habits and rediscovered my love of running. In 2023, I joined Bellahouston Road Runners, which helped me take things to the next level. I took ten minutes off my 5k time and began racing longer distances. I fell in love with long-distance running and started exploring trails in the Scottish countryside, including some Munros. Long runs became the highlight of my week, and I’m grateful to have the stamina to enjoy them. I ran my first marathon at Strathearn in June 2024, placing 7th female. A year later, I finished 2nd female at the Windermere Marathon. That result secured my qualification for the Tokyo Deaflympics. I find women, especially mothers, who take on ultra trail challenges deeply inspiring. Stephanie Case, who breastfed her six-month-old at feed stations during an ultra, really stands out. She displays endurance, strength, and consistency in the best way possible. I hope to be like her one day!“ Unlike the Olympics / Paralympics, Deaflympics athletes receive no funding and need to raise money to train, travel and compete. Poppy has begun a ‘Go Fund Me’ page which can be found at https://gofund.me/79d4daef Poppy was until recently a primary school teacher in the southside of Glasgow, but had planned a career break this year to visit Australia. Congratulations Poppy, we are delighted and proud of you! Have a good training journey and good luck in Tokyo!
It was the Girvan Half Marathon on Sunday 13th July, one of our ‘long’ Club Championship events. It was 28°C with plenty of hills, but this didn’t deter Grant Murphy, who won the race in 1:16:13! A fantastic effort by Grant, bettering last year’s third place and continuing his return to fitness of late.
It was ‘Run the Blades’ (RtB) this weekend, the events 10th anniversary. There were the usual 3 races: RtB 10k, Friday – a warm sunny evening with great performances by Jordan Davidson (36:18, 2nd), Simon Wells (38:59, 1st MV40), Andy Hallam-Whitehill (44:16), Jamie Wieland (44:38), Gerry McDonnell (45:30), Ruth McKelvie (45:46, 3rd FSnr), Rebecca Croney (47:05), Claire Wharton (47:47, 2nd FV50), Gianluigi Re (49:51), Kenny Mcdonald (51:16), Laura Loddo (52:49), Claire Galloway (57:43). RtB Ultra, Saturday – another warm, humid day and a remarkable turn around for Jordan Davidson, 3:41:15, 4th, 3rd MSnr. Brilliant running too from Tom Thorne, 6:01:40. RtB Half Marathon, Sunday – the final race of the weekend and still very warm. Cue Jordan Davidson (1:22:58) WINNER of the HM. 3 races, 3 days, 3 medals! Brilliant performances too from, Simon Wells (1:31:35, 3rd MV40), Colin Hughes (1:34:23, 1st MV60), Michael Daniel Rice (1:44:38), Jamie Wieland (1:48:08), Lynn Stuart (2:19:51), Della Lansley (2:23:36, 3rd FV60). So what a weekend of running by Jordan, but no surprise given his committed training regime. But hopefully a few days off now!!
It was the Scottish National Trail Championship at the Creiff 10k on Sunday 13th July. And it was another great run in warm conditions by Cat MacDonald (39:57) to finish 3rd lady. The following week, on Saturday 19th July, it was the 48th Snowdon International Hill Race (Ras Yr Wydffa). 15.35k with 994m of elevation, in warm conditions. Another great performance from Cat to finish 9th lady (from 87) in 1:27:28. What a fantastic season Cat is enjoying on the trails and hills!
Linwood Parkrun on Saturday 12th July was the venue for our latest Club Championship ‘short’ event. A total of 45 Bellas ran on Linwood’s 9th anniversary. It was also Lynne Goldie’s 500th, and Gerry Scullion’s 200th parkruns respectively. Fantastic achievements. Bryan Mulgrew finished second and Stuart Macdougall was third. Deborah Gray was first lady, with Sarah McSharry second. A great morning out for BRR! Well done everyone, and many thanks to Linwood parkrun for having us again!
Congratulations to Flora Henry, who finished 4th lady, 2nd FSnr in 1:43:36, at the Isle of Harris HM on Saturday 5th July. A hilly course in wet and windy conditions. This meant that Flora completed the ‘Heb3 Race Series’ (3 from 5 minimum island HMs required) having previously raced the Stornoway & Skye HMs this year and fingers crossed, it looks like Flora was the ladies champ for this years Heb3! Well done too, to Oscar Coetzee, who ran 51:07 at the Eersteriver 15k in South Africa on the same day, to finish 7th overall, 2nd MV40. On Sunday 6th July, David Jarrett ran a brilliant Stonehaven HM in 1:24:40 to finish 4th overall, 1st MV40. A great results on a tough, hilly course.
It was very warm on Sunday 29th June 2025, for three of our members at events far and wide. At the Arran Half Marathon, Tomoyo Fujiwara ran 1:47:27 to take 1st FV50. Down at the Solway Coast Marathon, Lucy ‘Marathon’ MacKay done it again with a time of 4:54:45 in pretty challenging conditions to finish 2nd FV60. Lastly, Ruairi Barfoot completed the Larig Ghru 43k Hill Race in a fantastic 14th place with 3:46:55!. This one stretches from the police stations in Braemar and Aviemore, a Cat ‘C’ Hill Race with a high point of 835m! Well done to our top trio of hardy Bellas!
The Calderglen Harriers 10k Trail Race 2025 ran on Friday 27th June at Calderglen Country Park, East Kilbride, It was a fine evening, great conditions for this favourite in the local trail running calendar. Our fantastic four Bella fellas taking part enjoyed great results with Paul McNairn (42:09, 1st MV40), Simon Wells (44:56, 2nd MV40), Jim Robinson (50:33, 1st MV65), Hugh Brown (55:13, 3rd MV60). A great first trail run for Paul who was 6th overall! Our men also finished second placed team too!
A great night was had at Rouken Glen Park on Monday 23rd June, for this year’s President’s Cup 5k race. This is a ‘handicap’ event meaning starting times are staggered based on recent performances in 3k, 5k or 10k races. This usually results in a closely packed finishing area which was again the case this year. After a baking hot weekend, it was cooler…much cooler ,with a strong wind howling around the park. Nonetheless, a fantastic 72 members participated, notwithstanding around 30 others helping get the event on and providing great support around the course. And it was congratulations to Angus Cochrane & Mandy Morgan who claimed victory with the chasing pack close behind! Many thanks to everyone who helped on the night and during the build-up.
It was the West Highland Way Race on Saturday 21st June 2025. A summer solstice challenge to test the hardiest of souls. Milngavie to Fort William, 95 miles, over 14,000ft of ascent and warm conditions, even at the 0100hrs start! Step up Bryan Mulgrew. His second time in the race and looking to better his previous attempt which was a very impressive 22.5 hours Bryan set off from Milngavie with 250 others heading north to Drymen, up the east side of Loch Lomond, past Crainlarich, Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy, before heading through Glen Coe and up to the finish in Fort William. An absolutely incredible feat by Bryan, who powered his way through those miles to finish 7th overall, with a massive PB of 19:11:44, ‘shaving’ a mere 3 hours from his previous attempt! And all aided by a fantastic Bella support crew. Take a bow sir!
It was a scorcher on the evening of Friday 20th June 2025, for this year’s Bellahouston Harriers ‘Brian Goodwin 10k’ at Pollok Park. The mercury was sitting around 27°C for this annual highlight, and our Harrier friends did not disappoint with a very well organised event from start to finish, with a brilliant atmosphere! It was the classic course starting at Cartha Rugby Club, through the main park thoroughfare before turning onto Haggs Road. Again, we enjoyed the benefits of the nearside lane closure all the way on Haggs and Dumbreck Roads, before turning back into the park at Cartha. Two laps to complete, and great support around the course too. Well done to the 33 Bellas who ran and to those who volunteered. Our top 3’s for this Club Championship race were: (M) Tony Connelly (33:10), Grant Murphy (34:22), Sean Coyle (35:06) – (F) Sarah McSharry (43:05 PB), Flora Henry (46:24), Kirsty MacFarlane (47:12). A great PB by the ever improving Sarah, and some great results for Stuart Macdougall (35:13, 2nd MV40), Paul McNairn (36:26, 3rd MV40), Terry Nimmo (1:08:41, 2nd FV60) and Gerry Scullion (42:17, 1st MV60). This was Gerry’s first outing in his new age category! It was then to Cartha for a burger and beer / soft drink, which given the heat was more than appreciated! Thankyou again to the Harriers, volunteers, officials and Perfect Timing Scotland. Full results at https://results.perfecttimingscotland.co.uk/Results.aspx?CId=20065&RId=1214
On Sunday 15th June 2025, the annual Glasgow Men’s & Women’s 10k races took place. Both races started at the Riverside Museum with a route through the city centre, finishing at Glasgow Green. We had around 25 club members helping at the start of the races and out on the course, as well as 10 members running. As usual, our volunteer members represented the club with aplomb and helped ensure another successful day of racing. Well done in particular to Al MacLachlan (41:58) 2nd MV65; Jordan Davidson & Callum Dickson with new PBs of 34:48 & 36:25 respectively; and a special well done to Alice Laing in her first ever race!
It was another outstanding run by Colin Hughes at the Skye Half Marathon on Saturday 14th June, finishing in 1:28:49 to take 1st MV60. Colin was actually faster than the MV50s too, which is quite a feat on a tough, undulating course in warm conditions. The following day, Sunday 15th June, saw the amazing Poppy Bowie run her latest marathon at Lake Windermere. Another tough hilly course, but nonetheless an outstanding run again by Poppy, and a brilliant PB performance in 3:23:42, to finish 2nd lady overall and 1st FSnr! Lastly, Iain Murphy ran in an amazing event on Sunday too. The (Broloppet) Bridge Race 2025, a Half Marathon of 40,000 runners that started in Tårnby, Denmark, going through the 4k tunnel, 22m below sea level, over the artificial island of Peberholm, then up onto the 57m high Øresund Bridge, finishing near Malmo, Sweden. This was the first time that the bridge has been open to pedestrians in its 25 year existence. As usual, Iain ran a great race, despite a strong headwind, to finish in 1:20:27. Not bad considering his second place finish at Malmo parkrun on Saturday!!
It was the annual Bella outing to the Killearn 10k Trail Race on Saturday 7th June. Fairly wet conditions to contend with this year, but sunshine performances from our purple posse who made up 12% of the field. Quite brilliant results: Bryan Mulgrew – 34:21, 2nd Colin Hughes – 41:52, 1st MV60 Rhona Fraser – 42:02, 2nd lady, 1st FV40 Jonny Moran – 42:36 Poppy Bowie – 43:02, 3rd lady, 2nd FSnr Ross Wood – 44:03 Kevin Queenan – 44:12, 1st MV50 Gavin McGowan – 44:18 Marty Campbell – 44:42, 2nd MV50 Claire Wharton – 45:38, 3rd FV50 Leanne McIntosh – 46:23, 3rd FV40 Kirsty Toms – 47:57 Kenny McDonald – 49:12, 3rd FV50 Anne Campbell – 49:12 Lynn Rennie – 49:23 Shirley Wieland – 51:09, 1st FV60 Wallace Gray – 51:09 Gary McIntosh – 51:31 Henry Merriweather – 55:49 Della Lansley – 58:55, 3rd FV60 Louise Gray – 59:57 SJ Kissock – 1:01:11 Terry Nimmo – 1:08:24 Nicola Barrington 1:09:47 On Sunday 8th June, it was the Strathearn Marathon up in Crieff, with decent weather conditions on an undulating and very scenic course. Very well done to Tomoyo Fujiwara (3:33:10, 1st FV50), Iain Watt (3:36:08), Guy Schmidt (3:57:14) and Lucy MacKay (4:34:50, 3rd FV60). A great category win for Tomoyo on her 40th marathon! Also on Sunday, was the Kilmarnock Roon the Toon 10k. Always a popular and well-organised race with nice conditions this year. Great running again from our Bellas: Stuart Macdougall – 34:49 Paul McNairn – 34:54, PB Josh Evans – 35:03 Jordan Davidson – 35:19, PB Bryan Kerr – 39:24 Alan Digweed – 40:23 Chic Forsyth – 40:11 Jamie Wieland – 40:47, PB Robert Smith – 41:00, PB Al MacLachlan – 42:15, 2nd MV60 Dave Ferguson – 43:11 Martin Murphy – 46:28 Katie Blackett – 47:48 Wallace Gray – 49:10 Claire Galloway – 53:20 Louise Gray – 57:16 Great to see Josh back in the saddle after an injury lay off and some amazing PBs too. Overall, a fantastic weekend. Well done everyone!