On the evening of Friday 16th May, it was Silverknowes on the east coast, on another very warm night for the Sri Chinmoy 5k, doubling as the Scottish Athletics 5k Road Race Championship. This is a very popular event that sells out within hours and runs on a flat course, parallel to the Firth of Forth just north of Edinburgh. We had brilliant running and excellent pacing from the 6 Bellas who secured a spot, with Paul McNairn (16:29 PB), Jordan Davidson (16:47), Bruce Carse (17:04), Cathy Wood (19:39), Flora Henry (21:14 PB), Kirsty MacFarlane (21:16 PB). Not far off PB times for Jordan and Cathy and getting close again to sub-17 for Bruce. A great event, well done everyone!
5k
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It was the fourth Stride Athletics 5k ‘Flat ‘n Fast’ at the West Lothian Cycle Circuit in Linlithgow on Saturday 19th April 2025. Another large field for what is becoming a go-to event for speedsters from all over Scotland! A total of six 5k races on a course consisting of 5 laps x 960m, plus a finishing straight. Brilliant running on a windy day from Tony Connelly (15:16), Ross Horgan (15:21 PB), Bryan Mulgrew (16:06), Jordan Davidson (16:49), Paul McNairn (16:49 PB), David Jarrett (17:02 PB), Alan Moss (17:59), Cathy Wood (19:35 PB), Veronica Fusaro (20:22), Flora Henry (21:27), Laura Templeton (24:44). Tony and Ross were very close to beating the club 5k record of 15:12 (held by Tony himself!).
It was the Shettleston Harriers 54th Alan Scally 5k Relays on Saturday 1st March, at Glasgow Green. This is a great annual event which this year saw some 261 teams from all over Scotland participate, including our own 9 teams covering Senior, V40 and V50 classes. The event was very well organised as always with excellent pen marshalling and updates for relay changeovers by protay timing. The weather on this first day of meteorological spring was cool, with both a light breeze and some rain. The course is traffic free and flat, and all contained within Glasgow Green. There was great running from our Bellas across the nine teams, with several PBs recorded. Our Mens V40s (Oscar Coetzee, Angus Gray, David Jarrett, Paul McNairn) took 2nd place, while our Women V40s (Ann Robin, Claire Wharton, Charlotte Parkinson, Sarah McSharry) took 3rd place! Overall, our top 3s were (M) Josh Evans (15:36), Oscar Coetzee (16:09) & Sean McAnallen (16:48) (F) Cathy Wood (19:52), Poppy Bowie (20:16) & Jen Conway (20:20). All-in-all, a fantastic afternoon, with a great atmosphere and warm support. Thanks to Shettleston Harriers, protay and everyone involved in marshalling and officiating.
The Scottish Veteran Harriers Club 5k ran in Clydebank on Wednesday 26th June on a cloudy but warm evening. Whilst not the most scenic of courses, it’s a great well-organised event on a flat and fast loop. There was some great running from our Bellas as always with, in finishing order; Oscar Coetzee (15:50, 2nd place), Calum Borthwick (16:09, 5th place), Paul McNairn (16:51), Alan Moss (17:59), Kelly Taylor (18:03, 2nd lady), Al MacLachlan (20:06), Calum Sinclair (20:51), Andy Tomlinson (22:18), Joni Lindsay (24:13), Robert Macleod (27:20). This was another short course Club Championship race completed. Congratulations to Oscar on his second place finish, and Kelly on second female placing! Great return performances too from Joni and Andy who were both recovering from injury and illness. Well done everyone! The latest Off-Road Championship race followed on Friday 28th June with the Calderglen Harriers 10k. Calderglen Country Park provides a tough challenge, with the course undulating through the woods and with having to bat away the midgies! Seven hardy Bellas ran with, in finish order: Simon Wells (46:41), Rhona Fraser (47:49, 4th lady), Anne Campbell (55:32), Stevie McIntyre (56:37), Charlotte Parkinson (58:01), Henry Merriweather (59:10) & Laura Wilkinson (60:20). Congratulations to Rhona, Anne & Charlotte who made up the third place ladies team. If this puts you in the mood for a great 10k run later this year then check out our very own at https://www.entrycentral.com/jimmyirvinebella10k
What a fantastic morning at Pollok parkrun! 71 Road Runners competed against 63 Harriers with the Road Runners coming out on top again, to retain the title, although the Harriers had more presence in the top ten. Many PBs were had, and our turnout contributed to the 2nd highest ever attendance at Pollok. Full results are on the parkrun website. Thanks to the Pollok parkrun organising team for accommodating us, and putting on such a great event ? Thanks also to the Harriers for their great hospitality at the after party/presentation back at Cartha. All participants also received a commemorative buff to mark the occasion. C’mon the Bellas! ?? Photos from the day are being added to our facebook page, so give us a ‘like’ there to see them all!
A fabulous morning at Pollok parkrun for the club’s festive fun run, raising a total of £420 for local charities. Taking place at the parkrun for the first time, club members turned up in fancy dress, tinsel, santa hats and outfits, posed for a few pics, ran the 5k, then back to our base at Glasgow club Nethercraigs for the draw (and some festive refreshments!). £210 was contributed by members for a charity draw, and their names drawn out of a hat. Sarah-Jane Kissock was the name out of the hat, and her choice of charity is the Glasgow City Mission. The club will match that amount and donate it to our charity of the year which is the Glasgow Humane Society. Congratulations too to Norman Boyle and Roz Wilson who won the best fancy dress competitions. Thanks to everybody who helped organise the event, turned up on the day, cheered and supported, or contributed to a fantastic day. Thanks too to Gordon Goldie and Kevin Queenan for the pics. Lots more on our Facebook page and groups.
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.
On Saturday I headed through to Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh to compete in the Great Winter Run 5k and then watch a feast of top quality Cross Country action with Kenenisa Bekele topping the bill. The 5k started on the road next to Arthur’s Seat went uphill for two kilometers, levelled out for one and then back downhill for two. The first kilometre was sheltered and I found myself out in front. We were then met by a fairly strong headwind and I held onto the lead until two kilometres. At that point Adam Priestley from Corstorphine AAC and Sean Gaffney from Inverclyde AC both came past me and then got about 50 metres ahead. I was feeling tired, but dug in and hoped for the best. At about 3.5k I caught Sean and moved back into second place. At 4k I passed Adam and had the amazing feeling of only having the pace car and 1k of running between me and a win. I managed to hold on and for the first time in my life had the incredible feeling of breaking the tape at a race. Neil Thin of Edinburgh AC came through to take second place. My split times should give a flavour of how hilly the course was. The first mile was run in 6:03, the second in 5:52 the third in 4:49 and the last 0.1 mile in 4:52 pace. The third mile was the first time that I have broken five minutes for the mile. After the race I met up with Stewart Roberston and Bryan Burnett to watch the cross country. It was very entertaining and we witnessed the race event of Bekele being outshone in a cross country. To finish of the perfect day after the races had finished we headed to The Royal Mile for a few beers. Report from Russell
Sunday 8th August was a fine day for the Achilles Heel Bella 5k race, with the sun making a pleasant appearance for the first time in a while.152 runners took part in the event, 35 from the host club Bella Road Runners. Achilies Heel Bella 5k Results 2010Winning the mens race in fine style was Paul Sorrie from Shettleston Harriers in an excellent time of 14:59, a new course record. Eilis McKechanie from HBT won the womens’ race in an equally impressive time of 18 mins. Paul was followed by David Millar, Irvine AC who took the M40 prize and third was Bella’s own Kenny Richmond. In the ladies race Garscube Harriers runners Lesley Chisholm and Kirsty Husband took second and third place respectively and Lesley first FV35.First Male Team prize went to Bella Road Runners: Kenny Richmond, Ciaran Dougherty and Craig Ross. First Female Team was Garscube: Lesley Chisholm, Kirsty Husband and Jill O’Neil.A fine selection of food was on offer after the race in the Palace of Art for runners and helpers to savour and enjoy the excellent sunshine. Many thanks to all of the volunteers who helped provide such excellent support to the event. Photos will follow soon. Thanks to Gerry Scullion for the race report!
Entries for the Achilles Heel Bella 5k are now open. This year the event takes place on Sunday, August 16th. Race starts at 11am, with declaration and changing (from 9.30am) at Palace of Arts, Bellahouston Park, Glasgow. Pre-entry is £5 for SAL members, and £7 for non-SAL members. There’s an additional £2 for entry on race day. Minimum age of 16 on race day. Visit https://bellahoustonroadrunners.co.uk/bella5k for more detail and to download the application form.
Well done to everyone to ran in the Bella 5k this year!! Prize winners and results below, or click here for the full 2008 results. A huge thanks from me (Linda) to everyone who participated today, whether it be running or helping out. It was a huge success yet again and i’m looking forward to seeing everyone back in 2009!!!! 1st Male – Paul Sorrie, Shettleston Harriers, 15.28 2nd Male – Matt Williamson, Bellahouston Road Runners, 16.16 3rd Male – Sean Fontana, Victoria Park City of Glasgow, 16.26 1st Female – Michelle Hetherington, Helensburgh, 18.52 2nd Female – Emma Birnie, Bellahouston Road Runners, 19.15 3rd Female – Donna Finlayson, Victoria Park City of Glasgow, 19.29 1st Male 40 – Alastair Douglas, Victoria Park city of Glasgow, 16.50 1st Male 50 – Graham Crawford, Springburn Harriers, 16.52 1st Male 60 – Tony Hall, unattached, 23.10 1st Male 70 – David Murchie, Eastleigh RC, 23.40 1st Female 35 – Sarah Dowling, Bellahouston Road Runners, 19.56 1st Female 45 – Pam McKay, Broomhill, 19.58 1st Female 55 – Janie Hall, JogScotland, 26.35 1st Female 65 – Sallie Lloyd-Jones, JogScotland, 36.37 1st Male Team – Bellahouston Road Runners: 2nd Matt Williamson, 5th Scott Kennedy, 7th Colin McGill 1st Female Team – Bellahouston Road Runners: 2nd Emma Birnie, 4th Amanda Wilson, 6th Sarah Dowling Also a huge well done to Emma Birnie and Andy Birnie (no fix honest!!!!) for winning places into the Great Scottish Run. And Colin McGill for his place in the Edinburgh Marathon or Team relay…….get training guys!! Enjoy the race? Why not complete the Runner’s World feedback form (link)?