We lost an hours sleep on Sunday 29th March 2026 at the 62nd Tom Scott 10 Mile Road Race at Strathclyde Park This is always a favourite annual event run by Law & District AAC, and again, it served as the Scottish Athletics 10 Mile Road Race Championship. It was also one of our won ‘long’ club championship events. Over 300 starters lined up, including 22 Bellas, on what was a cold, wet and very windy day in Motherwell! The race started at 1000hrs sharp, with the first mile spent battling a strong cross-wind that seemed determined to push someone into the loch! The exposed parts of the course were tough all the way around in pretty relentless conditions. So, it was tough going, but as always, great running all round from our Bella contingent. Our top threes were (M) Tony Connelly (53:27, 5th), Callum Borthwick (55:22, PB, 14th), Paul McNairn (57:02) (F) Cathy Wood (1:07:08, PB, 10th lady), Ann Robin (1:09:59, PB). Claire Wharton (1:14:37, 3rd FV50). Cathy, Ann & Claire also finished 3rd ladies team! A big thankyou to the organisers, and particularly the volunteers, first aiders, photographers, Perfect Timing Scotland, etc, for battling really brutal weather conditions. Full results below: https://results.perfecttimingscotland.co.uk/Results.aspx?CId=20065&RId=3125
GREAT SCOTT!
Five Bellas lined up for the inaugural Paisley HM on Sunday 22nd March 2026. A route from the centre of town, out past Ferguslie to Linwood, then a loop round towards Elderslie before heading back to finish in town again. Very well done to Kenny Osborne (1:14:53, 5th, 2nd MV40), Rhona Fraser (1:31:16, 5th lady, 1st FV45), Sandy Macdonald (1:34:28), Mandy Morgan (2:00:40) & Pauline Bradley (2:13:29).
Our members travel far and wide, whether that’s living abroad, visiting home or just short breaks with some races thrown in! On Saturday 21st March, on the Gold Coast, Australia, the unstoppable Poppy Bowie ran the T100 10k event and smashed her PB to register 39:58. Not too shabby in the midst of training for the Gold Coast Marathon later this year. On the same day, in cape Town, South Africa, the equally unstoppable Oscar Coetzee took part in the Tyger 15k race, almost straight off the plane from Amsterdam. And he didn’t hang about, finishing in 54:23 for 9th place, 3rd Male Vet! On Sunday 22nd, it was Bièn Hecho to Ross Wood (1:36:19 PB) & Lauren Rice (1:49:29) who ran the tough Madrid Half Marathon. Great running by both with Ross smashing his PB and Lauren getting back to fitness after recent injury.
It was the 42nd Alloa Half Marathon on Sunday 22nd March 2026. Another big event, with around 2,300 runners involved, including 35 Bellas, tackling one of our ‘long’ club championship races. This year the committee organised and funded a coach to ferry 30 of our members to/from the event. Thanks to Abbey Coaches for getting us all there and back safely. As always, it was a very well organised event, with an early start at 0900hrs from Lornshill Acadamey. This is a great local facility with access to a big running track, facilities to escape the cold, toilets and the gym hall to store gear. The weather was pretty good, cool, overcast and a light breeze to start with, although a stiff headwind picked up coming along the long stretch that runs parallel to the Ochil Hills. The route ran from the school, turning sharp left onto the main road into Alloa itself, with a loop around the houses before heading north on an undulating section to Sauchie, Fishcross then Tillicoultry. From there, it’s a left turn onto that long stretch right through Tillicoultry to Alva, with those magnificent Ochils to the right the whole way. With a great view of Dumayat, it’s then a sharp left again onto the flat section prior to the Menstrie Brae climb. Hitting this at 11.5 miles is tough. It has been vicariously described as ‘Heartbreak Hill’ and ‘Life Affirming’ even making you question your life choices. But once at the top, there is some short-lived relief realising there’s just over a mile to go! Short-lived however, as its a tough wee climb through Tuiilbody back to the school and a great welcome back! Again, as always, there was brilliant support all the way around, and the volunteers involved did a great job. Our Bellas registered lots of amazing PBs and Course Bests this year. Our top 3s were (M) Ross Horgan (1:13:23, 11th), Bryan Kerr (1:13:49, 15th, PB), Paul McNairn (1:14:47, 2nd MV40) (F) Cara Thom (1:32:46), Veronica Fusaro (1:33:02 PB), Claire Wharton (1:34:21, 3rd FV50). Over and above we had Bruce Carmichael (1:17:36 1st MV50), Colin Hughes (1:26:56 2nd MV60), Al MacLachlan (1:32:47 3rd MV60) & Shirley Wieland (1:51:42 3rd FV60). Full results are at the link below. https://live.sportsystems.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=20246&RId=12296 And an extra well done to Wallace Gray, who ran ’20 along the Forth’ 20 mile race the day previous and finished Alloa just 24 hours later! Well done everyone, and thanks to the organisers, officials, volunteers, emergency services and of course the supporters.
Up in the Highlands on Sunday 8th March, it was the 2026 Inverness Half Marathon. This is a fantastic event that had over 5,000 runners this year, including the 5k participants. The weather was fine, with some decent spring sunshine. It’s a lovely scenic but tough course, as are almost all HMs!! We had four Bellas running this year. Our first past the post was the amazing Oscar Coetzee in 1:12:58, taking first MV40 position. Bryan Mulgrew ran a fantastic 1:15:09, his second fastest HM, as he sharpens up for the West Highland Way Race this summer. Angus Gray was just behind Bryan in 1:15:46, only a minute or so away from a PB. Claire Galloway was our sole Bella lady and ran a brilliant 1:57:47. Well done everyone!
On Sunday 8th March, it was the Springburn Harriers Jack Crawford 10k. It was a lovely morning for it on the route from Bishopbriggs, along the Forth & Clyde Canal. A great flat race for testing the winter training pace! We had great efforts by David Jarrett (34:52 PB ), Bruce Carmichael (35:06, 1st MV50), Cathy Wood (40:42 PB), Al MacLachlan (41:45, 2nd MV60), Dave Ferguson (42:01), Veronica Fusaro (42:53, 1st FV40, PB), Murdoch Rodgers (58:38, 1st MV70), Carla Telfer (1:08:01). A great event as always, so thankyou Springburn Harriers!
It was the 50k John Muir Ultra on Saturday 7th March, from Port Seton to Dunbar on the east coast. It was a perfect day for it, with some lovely spring sunshine, but given the wet weather of late, there were some tricky wet sections. especially on the second half of the route. Nevertheless, there was amazing running, pacing and endurance by our two Bella participants, Simon Wells (4:24:16, 50k PB) & Emma McCahill (4:41:53, 4th lady, 1st FSnr). Very well done you two, now get the feet up!
On Wednesday 3rd March, we had our now annual run to the Glasgow South East Foodbank. Our members collectively gathered over 120kg of groceries which we conveyed along to Dixon Road. Several monetary donations were also made by some members who couldn’t make it on the night. The staff at the foodbank do an amazing job supporting the local community, and it’s a pleasure to be able to help in even a small way.
On Sunday 1st March, Kenny Osborne ran an amazing PB of 2:40:58 to win the Meadows Marathon in Edinburgh! This was a tough race consisting of 18 laps of The Meadows. A mental, as well as a physical challenge for Kenny, who produced such a strong performance.
The Shettleston Harriers 55th Allan Scally 5k Relays took place on Saturday 28th February, at Glasgow Green. It’s always a brilliant event and this year saw 338 teams of four runners participate, so c.1,350 runners! The conditions were perfect too, dry, bright and only a light breeze. There was a slight course change to negotiate due to works at the boathouse, but this didn’t detract from the event. We had 10 teams run, with our FV40 ladies (Claire Wharton, Ann Robin, Sarah McSharry, Jane McNeilly) winning in their category! Our MV40 mens team were third in their class, and 13 of our members scored amazing PBs. Thanks to all who took part, the organisers, officials, David McNulty Race Photography and Protay Timing. Full results at https://protay.co.uk/asr2026/results.php
Well done to everyone who ran in the Lindsay’s Scottish Athletics National Cross Country at Callander Park, Falkirk, on Saturday 21st February. The climax of the Cross Country season, it’s always a tough, but brilliant event. And it was fantastic to see Laura Muir returning to the event. Our first threes were (Male) Oscar Coetzee (35:54), Josh Evans (36:50) & Paul McNairn (37:34) / (Female) Cat MacDonald (38:54, 20th), Cara Thom (42:58) & Jen Conway-Evans (45:09). Full can be found below: https://results.sporthive.com/events/7427379424208617472
The Kirkintilloch Olympians Neil McCover Memorial Half Marathon & Robert Rogerson 12.5k took place on Sunday 15th February 2026. Neil McCover was a Superintendent with Strathclyde Police, when he was killed while cycling during a lunch break from work in 2010. He was a thoroughly nice guy, a great runner and a Kirky Olympian. An award goes to the first serving police officer at the HM in his memory. And on this occasion, it was our Stuart Douglas! These are tough early season races, with several challenging climbs, and the HM was the first of our ‘long’ club championship events this year. As always, there were great Bella performances across the board. In the Half Marathon we had Jordan Davidson (1:16:55, 2nd, 1st MSnr), Grant Murphy (1:19:00, 4th, 3rd MSnr), Stuart Laurence (1:23:30), Stuart Douglas (1:27:06, PB), Alan Chalmers (1:28:43 PB), Jamie Wieland (1:29:36) & Tomoyo Fujiwara (1:43:42, 1st FV50). This also meant that Jordan, Grant and Stuart L, took the mens team prize! In the 12.5k, we had Bryan Mulgrew (45:24, 5th), Cathy Wood (53:05, 5th lady) & Murdoch Rodgers (1:17:35, 3rd MV70). A great day out again in Kirkintilloch, with thanks to the Olympians and all the volunteers! And some great pictures courtesy of David McNulty Race Photography.
Congratulations to Iain Murphy (1:48:53) who finished in seventh place overall and first MV40 at the Glentress Trail 21k near Peebles on Sunday 15th February 2026. It’s a stunning location, but a tough course through woodland trails, with around 2,600ft of climbing! This is a great return to winning ways for Iain after a period of injury, and it’s fantastic to see him getting back to his best. Well done Murph!
It was the Scottish Athletics 4J Indoor Masters and para Championships at the emirates arena in Glasgow on Sunday 8th February. We had two Bellas competing in the 1,500m events. There was great running by David Jarrett, finishing 6th overall, for 2nd MV40 in 4:32:36. Meanwhile, Veronica Fusaro ran a brilliant 5:44:31 in the ladies event for 3rd FV40. Well done both!
We were in Greenock again on Sunday 8th February, for the brilliant annual Renfrewshire AAA 5 Miler. It’s one of our favourite races, and one or our ‘short’ Club Championship events. The weather was kind this year, with heavy early morning rain clearing away, to leave a nice mild, bright day, with only a light wind. We had 32 Bellas on the start line (23% of the field) at Battery Park ready for the out-in course along the Esplanade and back. Laps of Battery Park to start and finish, and great support out on the eroute! Our top 3s were Tony Connelly (25:27, 2nd MSnr), Calum Borthwick (26:25),& Alan Moss (29:02), with Ann Robin (31:37, 1st FV40), Cathy Wood (32:41) & Katie Mathieson (36:06, 3rd FV50). Our ladies took 3rd team prize too! In addition, Shirley Wieland was 2nd FV60 in a 5 Mile PB 39:49. A thoroughly enjoyable morning, in surprisingly good conditions! Many thanks as always to the organisers, officials, volunteers and Protay Timing. Full race results can be found at the undernoted link: https://protay.co.uk/raaa2026/