BUMPER BELLA TURNOUT AT THE RELAYS Over the Easter weekend, an amazing 68 Bellas participated in the Scottish Athletics Virtual Relays. In true Bella style – a bumper squad got on board and we provided the highest participation level out of all 40 clubs who took part. 68 Bellas ventured out to safe social distancing routes to run impressive times over 5k or 10k and of course rewarded themselves with some guilt free chocolate eggs to celebrate Thanks to everyone for taking part this weekend and huge well done to you all on your performances – it’s not easy racing yourself! Having the virtual support / post race selfies from club members over the the weekend kept everyone going and gave us the racing buzz we all love !! Well done everyone!!! GO BELLA!! We had a lot of fun too coming together virtually too, with members taking a selfie which Laura Henderson turned into these great combos!
Bumper Bella Turnout at the Easter Weekend Scottish Athletics virtual relays!
Members should now have received our April 2020 Club update via email earlier today. If not, it’s also on our members’ forum. We’re delighted that members across the club are working hard to keep each other motivated, supported and engaged during the lockdown. A few of the things the club and its members have been up to, full details of which are in the update, are: We’ve suspended collection of membership fees for a couple of months. We’re keeping it under review, but if any member is particularly impacted by the situation, we will arrange a longer pause, so do please get in touch. We shared Scottish Athletics’ CEO Mark Munro’s message about how our governing body is being impacted. Do please give it a read, and keep supporting them. We’ve updated our club logo to feature a rainbow! Many of our members have rainbows on display in their windows, so we thought it would be nice for the club should reflect that at this tie. The Board held their first ever virtual board meeting! Oscar has been hosting regular Zoom cross-fit sessions. If you’d like to be get involved, drop us a line (details usually on our facebook group) We’ve our virtual club champ races in three parks in Glasgow for members, and delighted to see members taking it on Scottish Athletics launched their first Virtual Road Relay challenge very recently. We’ve already got loads of members lined up to take part, and plenty of time yet to sign up to a team on the forum. Lots more going on, so do please stay engaged, follow us on social media or subscribe to blog updates, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with ideas or suggestions, or just for a chat. Wishing you all the best, and stay well, Richard, Chair of the Board
We wanted to share something more widely that we recently announced to our club membership, which we hope will help keep them inspired in these strange times. So the COVID-19 situation, cancellation of club training, and the halt to all racing has been a huge blow to us all. The club’s annual club championship has been an important part of our club year since its formation. Whilst clearly not significant in the context of the wider public situation, we do know as runners we enjoy and need challenges, competition, and things to push us to achieve our goals. These were all things the club championship sought to foster, and we thought could continue, in altered form, to help us through this difficult time. So rather than cancelling it entirely – which was a serious possibility as we’ve lost nearly half of this year’s qualifying races, we revised it as (hopefully!) a one-off, to work within the current circumstances and guidelines. We hope in its adjusted form it continues to help motivate members with their running and training, their mental health, and help us all look forward with positivity, and to keep pushing ourselves. The club has created three Strava segments in Glasgow’s parks (the full details are on our members’ forum): a short 5k in Bellahouston park, a 10k at Glasgow Green, and a 10 mile loop in and around Pollok park. Members, of course adhering to all the appropriate guidelines and rules in effect just now, take on the segments as many times as they like, when they like. We’ll then use the best times members achieve for these segments, as qualifying ‘races’ in this year’s championship. We’re hoping there will be enough events left in the year for members to go on to complete the usual criteria to complete this year’s championship, but we’ll be keeping it under review. Our club is already present and popular on Strava, and we’re looking forward to seeing members work their way up the virtual leaderboards as they take on the challenge over the next few weeks. Very best of luck, and we look forward to seeing your attempts on Strava!
Training is cancelled until further notice Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, and on the recommendation of Scottish Athletics, the club is cancelling all club training sessions until further notice. Naturally, we are very disappointed this has to happen, but we are determined to do our best to help support our membership, and the wider community, through this unprecedented situation. Please contact the club if you have any questions about this: info@bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk or via social media: Facebook: facebook.com/bellaroadrunner Twitter: @bellaroadrunner Club support For members impacted personally, or financially, by this situation (eg. unable to work or train as a result, forced to self-isolate): the club is keen to support you if it can. We are happy to pause and/or extend memberships for the duration, so you’re not charged or impacted. Please contact us on the club forum, or email membership@bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk if that would be of help or interest. We also hope the social side of the club can support our members’ mental health and wellbeing at this difficult time: members are encouraged to check you are on our various groups, including Facebook, Strava, Whatsapp, as well as our own members’ forum. Please feel free to join, or kickstart, conversations if you fancy a natter or some ideas or some support. We’d love to hear ideas for more we can do. We are already working on one to help keep members’ training on track and focused, as well as motivated through this situation: we’ll be publishing details soon. Regards, Richard Leyton, Chair, Board of Trustees Bellahouston Road Runners, a charity registered in Scotland (SC047300) Further guidance Further advice for the public is available through NHS Inform: https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus The Scottish Government is also putting out the latest information and advice through social media channels, and on the Scottish Government website: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
We’re pleased to publish our 2018-19 Annual Report. We’ve tried to make this year’s report – our second – a celebration of what the club has been up to over the course of the year, as well as including all the details we’re required to include about our policies and finances. It’s available to read here, and we hope you enjoy reviewing it. It covers from August 2018 to July 2019, which is the club’s formal reporting period. Many thanks to everybody at the club who contributed to this year’s report, and looking forward to reporting on the year in progress. All of our required documents, and previous annual report, is also available on our website
🚨Update: As a result of the COVID-19 situation, the AGM has been cancelled along with club training (see specific announcement). The AGM will be re-arranged later in the year. 🚨 Club members will this week receive formal notification of the club’s 2020 Annual General Meeting. We’re hoping as many members as possible can make it along, after training on Monday 30th March, 2020, in order to support the club. If you don’t receive the email before the end of February, please check your membership, or contact the membership secretary – or another Trustee – if you’re uncertain. Whilst non-members are welcome to attend and listen, only current members will be invited to speak and to cast a vote. There is more detail and background on the club forum, available to members. A full copy of the 2018-19 Trustees’ Annual Report and accounts is available, and (with addresses redacted) is now available our website. In summary, as well as a few standard AGM items, such as the financial update from the Treasurer, and the President’s report, the Board are proposing some important motions for members to review, discuss and consider, and cast their vote on: Supporting, in principle, relocation to a new training base within Bellahouston park Supporting and endorsing the Run Equal campaign, with a view to campaigning for full equality of gender at cross-country races. The Board proposes the club adopts the suggested Run Equal motions. Supporting the efforts of the Board to engage with, and help creation of, a cross-country League in the West District of Scotland Reviewing and confirming our annual membership fees. (The Board is proposing these rates will be unchanged) Reviewing and approving the Board’s nominations for members to receive the title of “Honorary Lifetime member“ Review any member submitted motions that are received (together with two seconders) on or before the 15th March, 2020 Reviewing and appointing the Board of Trustees We’re using a different – but we think convenient and enjoyable – venue this year. This will allow us a bit more time for members to ask questions and engage in the decision making than we had in recent years with a tight venue availability. We also hope it’ll mean everybody gets to sit down. Whilst the Board are invariably pleased to be able to boast say “the club’s AGMs have been standing-room only the last few years!“, we’ve come to realise from our own experiences it’s really only fair, particularly when timing meetings straight after a hard training session, that we really all should have a better chance of a cup of tea and a nice sit down whilst listening to all those exciting motions. Members who are unable to attend, but wish to be recorded in the Apologies, should contact the club secretary. The Board look forward to welcoming members on the 30th March to engage with this important annual event for the club.
Bletha 7 was published at our recent 20th Birthday bash. This edition of the Bletha features Bella purple Paris gilets going underground Helen does Kath man do the Bella trial SJ RD QPR our premier president, our country queen and our country supports Bella Read it here!
The club celebrated its 20th anniversary on Saturday, with a packed day of events for members. A few pictures from the day’s events below. The day kicked off with an exclusive booking of the prestigious Emirates arena indoor running track. This was the first time many members had ever run on this fantastic resource. The focus of the morning was a series of 1 mile race heats, enabling members to challenge themselves at a short but tough race distance. There were great performances and a good few personal bests right across the club. The session concluded with a fun relay event, with team members each running a 200m lap: huge fun, if a little chaotic! A brilliant and delicious home-made Birthday cake was the centrepiece of the post-race lunch spread put nearby. Formally cut by club founders Jimmy and Sandra Irvine, and a marked by a few words of thanks to everybody who helped make the day happen, and to everybody who has been involved with the club over the years by current club President Richard Leyton. The afternoon then had a full itinerary of training talks with a detailed training overview and Q&A with our coaching convenor Gerry Scullion, a presentation from Glasgow Triathlon Club’s lead coach Vicky Begg on sport psychology and mental preparation for training and racing, and a presentation and Q&A on training plans and approaches from coaches Louise Ross and Henry Merriweather. Many thanks to everybody involved in making the event happen, with special note of thanks to Kevin Queenan, Gerry Scullion and Michael Lancaster for overseeing the overall arrangements. A bit more detail about the day on the club forum for members, our Birthday news post, and loads more pictures on our membership Facebook group. Thanks for the pictures used here from Gordon Goldie, Kevin Queenan, Cormac Smith and others.
This weekend the club is celebrating its 20th anniversary! We’re delighted to have reached this big milestone, and look forward to marking it this weekend, and right through the year! We’ve a few events planned, starting with birthday celebrations this weekend at an exclusive booking of the indoor track at the Emirates for a series of 1 mile race heats for members. It’ll be the first time many members will have had an opportunity to run at this prestigious venue, so we’re all quite excited! After the heats, we’ll be having a birthday party nearby, which includes a birthday cake. It’s then back to business for a few training talks over the afternoon on marathon training, and sports psychology. The club is hugely grateful to everybody who has been involved with, and supported the club throughout its 20 year history. All members, past and present, their friends, family and supporters, runners at our events, as well as a huge number of other clubs, groups, organisations and individuals throughout Glasgow, Scotland and further afield: You’ve all helped us get to where we are today, and we couldn’t have done it without you all. Many thanks! We’re of course looking forward to the future with exciting plans in progress which we hope will help continue to develop the club as a fun, supportive, and enjoyable place to develop as a runner, contribute to the local community, as well as work towards our next milestone celebration! We were also honoured too to read that Glasgow MSP Johann Lamont submitted a motion at the Scottish Parliament, which reads: That the Parliament congratulates Bellahouston Road Runners, one of Scotland’s biggest and most active running clubs, on reaching its 20th anniversary; acknowledges the commitment to advancing running as a mass sport in Scotland and the opportunities the club provides for runners to become coaches and event organisers; recognises the achievements of both the men and women’s running teams; understands that the women’s team won the 2019 Great Scottish Run and won medals in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 competitions; notes the efforts of the club in organising the annual Jimmy Irvine 10k event in Bellahouston Park, which it understands is open to 750 runners; believes that this group has made a real contribution to promoting healthy living and exercise in Glasgow and beyond, and sends the club and its members every best wish as they look ahead to the next 20 years. Thanks again to everybody who’s helped and contributed to the club over the years! See you soon!
Sometimes it’s important to take time out from hard training and racing, to just enjoy the sport of running. In Glasgow we’re close by to lots of stunning Scottish countryside. The club has plenty of trail runners, ultra runners, and hill runners who all love to get out amongst it. Our social media feeds were lit up at the weekend with some inspiring pics from members who were (quite rightly!) pleased with their efforts, so we thought we’d share them with you! We’ve also included links to Strava too to help with ideas. Simon Wells took the amazing featured picture for out on a run at Glen Loin/Ben Vorlich with Derek and Christie. It’s a favourite loop of theirs, and relatively easy to get to, and scenic right through the year. Huge credit to them though for taking this amazing pic when it looks so cold (Extra kudos for the Shorts Simon!) Elle, Alison, Terry, Lynn and Kelly were out near Helensburgh doing a recce of the From Hel’n Back hill racethat takes place later in the year, and took this super selfie with the backdrop towards the Clyde estuary. Of course some members just love running around muddy fields, and the Kilmarnock Harriers Roon The Country open XC was on on Sunday, and a few club members headed down the road to take part (and managed to win a case of beer as a spot prize!). Cat MacDonald had earlier continued her excellent cross country season, with the overall win of the Ladies event. Closest to home, the brilliant trails of Pollok Country Park are always a great option, and this weekend were the focus of the latest in the new South by Five series of races. The 5k trail race was certainly a muddy affair, although Jamie Wieland here in this pic by Bella and marshal Garry Smith was taken just before the heavy going section down past the North Wood pond. Anyway, always lots to inspire and enjoy in and around Glasgow, and great to see so many members getting out and about enjoying the beautiful Scottish countryside!
Saturday saw a couple of brilliant results for Bellas. At the Scottish Athletics Inter-District XC, Catriona MacDonald finished 7th overall, and as 3rd team counter, helped the West District secure team silver in the Scottish Athletics Inter-District XC. 🥈 Ciaran Dougherty was also in action, winning the Great Stirling Castle run a 7.3k multi-terrain race taking place earlier in the day, in an impressive 28:29 🥇 Well done to both Catriona and Ciaran!
We’ve recently been looking at some options for cross country courses in Bellahouston park, and thought it would be fun to look at some of the historical courses that have been used, as well as some of the history of the park itself. The biggest cross country event by far was the 1978 World Cross Country Championships, and we are immensely grateful to Graham Macindoe, and Hugh Barrow of Victoria Park, for having unearthed a couple of absolute gems from this big event. Firstly, the map of the course from the event. It’s interesting to see the change in layout of the park, and the old sports centre (refurbished in the late 1990s). There is plenty more on the park’s history on Wikipedia. For a more close-to-home section, including some quotes from our very own Jimmy Irvine, scottishdistancerunning.scot has a section on Bellahouston, featuring a history of the running track in the park. There’s an interesting piece, featuring ourselves, on the Nethercraigs page. Secondly, a copy of the programme, and admission prices. Last, but by far from least, here’s a super section of video from the John Treacy archive. John was the eventual men’s winner, and very successful Irish Olympic athlete. The winner crosses the line at 8:40, and it runs until 12:27 when it switches over to another event. We hope you agree it’s a lot of fun to see the park as it was, in 1978. Maybe some of that course might feature in a future XC event!?
We’re delighted to report that the grand total raised at this year’s Jimmy Irvine Bella 10k for The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice this year was £881.66p. This was through an optional entry contribution, and from donations buckets at the post race buffet. Thank you to all our runners and supporters for giving so generously!
The club has been busy with cross-country events over the last few weeks, and with the last big race of 2019 the West District Cross Country Champs at Balloch Country park yesterday, we thought it was time for a results catchup! At Balloch there were tough conditions with driving rain, a tough course and very muddy underfoot making for a a very challenging two loop circuit, Everybody who took part did well to complete the course. In particular, well done to: Catriona MacDonald for winning Bronze in the individual ladies race The Bronze winning ladies team of Catriona MacDonald, Louise Ross, Ann Robin and Isla McIntosh Grant Murphy led the Bella men home with a superb time of 34:11, helping our men’s team to 8th overall (out of 19). Our Masters women narrowly missed medals with 4th (out of 12), and our Masters men in 10th (out of 21) the Big Bella Bakeoff saw club members baking cakes galore for post-race treats. The overall winner was Isla McIntosh for her delicious Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes 🧁🏅😋 Well done to everybody who took part. For a taster of the day, Henry has put together a super video which you can find over on our facebook page. A couple of weeks before was the Renfrewshire AAA Cross Country Champs at Gourock, and there were some great performances on a tough and hilly course. Some super pics over on facebook too. Well done to: Rhoda Yarmahmoudi for Silver for V50 Women 🥈 Tony McParland for Bronze for V50 Men Allon Galbraith for Bronze for V60 Men And on the weekend of our 10k, Louise Ross and Ann Robin were proudly sporting Scotland vests at the 2019 British and Irish Masters in Liverpool: Louise Ross and Ann Robin helped secure the Scotland V40 women team Bronze medal Well done to everybody who took part in a cross country over the last few weeks: It’s amazing and inspiring to everybody at the club to see club colleagues we train with right through securing medals, but it’s every bit as good to see big club turnouts and everybody having fun in the process, and getting the most out of their club membership. We’re really very grateful too to the many people who volunteer in order that these events happen. Many thanks to Gordon Goldie for many of the pictures.
Congratulations to all our runners today and a big thank you to all the very many volunteers who gave up their time to make the event possible. We hope you all enjoyed the day as much as we did. There are lots of pictures to come which we will post in due course. For now, here are the provisional results: JI2019Results(Provisional) Thanks again to Katie, Bryan and the team at achilles heel for sponsoring the event. We hope to see you all back at next year’s Jimmy Irvine Bella 10k! 2019 Prize Winners: 1st Female – Lorna Young (Leeds City) 2nd Female – Sheena Logan (Fife Athletic Club) 3rd Female – Kristina Greig (Bellahouston Harriers) 1st Male – Alasdair Campbell (Cambuslang Harriers) 2nd Male – Gregor Yates (Bellahouston Harriers) 3rd Male – Robbie Ferguson (Kilbarchan AAC) Female V40 – Jane McNeilly (Bellahouston Road Runners) Female V50 – Maria Doherty (Glasgow South Road Runners) Female V60 – Sandra Aitken – (Fife Athletic Club) Male V40 – Iain Carroll (Giffnock North) Male V50 – Mark King (Kirkintilloch Olympians) Male V60 – Bryce Aitken (Fife Athletic Club) Female Team – Bellahouston Harriers Male Team – Bellahouston Harriers