Crossing the Cairngorms

Meanwhile, further north, two brothers Wake were also engaged in a long-running contest. Simon and Adam ran the 28 mile Lairig Ghru race from Braemar to Aviemore on June 24th.

They ran and finished together in 27th and 28th places in a time of 4.35.32, an improvement of 12 minutes on their previous effort in this event.

In a field of 76 runners, the winning time was a new event record of 3.04.25, set by Paul Raistrick of Highland Hillrunners.

West Highland Way Warriors

They did it!

Both Ian Beattie and Phil Tipping (pictured enjoying a nourishing bowl of chicken soup at Benglas Farm after 39 miles and then putting a brave face on it at Bridge of Orchy - just 35 miles to go!)completed the full 95 mile route from Milgavie to Fort William in this years West Highland Way Race. Ian finished in a new P.B. time of 21.10 in 11th place overall - a truly impressive performance.

Phil overcame a bout of vomiting after 70 miles, where a similar affliction had scuppered his previous attempt in 2005, and soldiered on to the finish in 27.32 hours.

More details to follow...

Grousing about...

Gilbert and a few Harriers got together yesterday for a bit of a jog. It was all in a good cause of course - publicity for club and sponsor - but we though you might like to see some of the evidence!

Colin at Ben Sheann

Colin Glencorse was the only Harrier to make the journey to Strathyre for the short and sharp Ben Sheann race on Wednesday 13th June. In a field of 70, Colin finished 14th in a time of 29.29 3 1/4 mins behind the winner, Jamie Stevenson - a Junior from Ochil Hill Runners. First lady, as usual, was Angela Mudge finishing in 8th place in 27.37 - breaking her own course record set in 1996.

With a little help....

As many of you will know, two Harriers are in serious training for a wee 95 mile run that takes place on June 23rd, called the West Highland Way Race. For a slightly different perspective on the event you might enjoy reading http://www.whwracebackup.blogspot.com/.

John back to winning ways

At the annual Morrison's charity fun run at Dallerie this Saturday, John (I'm not a pothunter honestly!) Burke proved he still has what it takes to triumph at important high profile events. Against a quality field and in searing heat, John hit the front after 1km of this 5.5km race and never looked back trailing many-times-winner Patrick O'Kane and Phil Mestecky in his wake. John finished in a time of 19.09 with Patrick about a minute behind and Phil finishing in 3rd in just over 21 minutes.

Among the women, Wendy Duigan ran an excellent race to finish in 5th only 30 seconds behind Phil while Liz Mestecky was second woman home in 25.12.

David Adams showed he is returning to form with an excellent run finishing in around 24 minutes and Rob Bolton put in his usual solid performance coming in a minute or two later.

In the children's races, future Harriers Ruairi Burke and Dominic Mestecky both ran strongly to each finish in 6th place in their respective races. Dominic ran the 1150m race for P4-6 and was first P4 home in 3.56.

Ian takes over at the top - Championship Update 8/6/07

Standings are provisional awaiting confirmation from the official results of Lang Toon 10K

Men:
1. Ian Beattie (4 races) 51.4 points*
2. Gordon Morrison (4) 49.8
3. Ben Wake (3) 38.8
4. Adrian Wake (3) 35.6
5. Peter Gaylor (3) 27.1
6. Phil Mestecky (2) 25.8
7. Digby Sym (2) 25.0
8. Phil Tipping (2) 23.0
9. Simon Wake (2) 21.4
10. Colin Glencorse (1) 13.0
11. Allan Mooney**(1) 12.8
12. Doug Flint (1) 12.2
13. Rob Bolton (1) 10.3
14. Victor Johnstone (1) 10.1
15. Eric Sidebottom (1) 9.6
16. Phil Pass (1) 4.3

* Includes Highland Fling as a Long category C Hill Race (53miles, 7000ft).
**Allan's total includes a "joker" race local to him (Dick Wedlock 10k).
***As Ben is U17 his points have been multiplied by 1.45.

Women:
1. Ali Manners (3) 26.8
2. Liz Mestecky (2) 20.9
3. Cathy Tilbrook (1) 10.7
4. Shelagh Crighton (1) 9.8
5. Karen Pass (1) 9.0
6. Beth Fotheringham (1) 8.0

Next race is the Brig Bash 5 Mile Wednesday 4th July 7.30pm.

A good outing to the Lang Toon

Seven Harriers enjoyed a great run at the Lang Toon 10k last night, on a beautiful warm evening. They managed a collectively strong performance and the club picked up a string of prizes.

Ian Beattie - 2nd overall and 1st male vet

Simon Wake - 3rd overall and 2nd male vet

Ben Wake - first Junior

Gordon Morrison - 3rd senior vet.

Phil T was 5th overall, close behind Simon, so the club achieved 2nd, 3rd, 5th vs Perth Road Runners 1st, 4th, 6th.

We await official times and placings from the race organiser, but Harriers finishing order and (where known) unofficial times are Ian 38.36, Simon 39 ish, Phil T 39.11, Ben 43.30 ish, Gordon 44.33, Rob and Beth.

The winning time was 35.22, so points are in prospect when the official times are known!

Thanks also to Pete Gaylor and Adrian Wake for support and photos.

EXTRA: more photos here

Club Championship Update 4/6/07

Men:
1. Gordon Morrison (3 races) 36.1 points
2. Ian Beattie (3) 36.0*
3. Adrian Wake (3) 35.6
4. Peter Gaylor (3) 27.1
5. Phil Mestecky (2) 25.8
6=. Ben Wake (2) 25.0
6=. Digby Sym (2) 25.0
8. Allan Mooney**(1) 12.8
9. Doug Flint (1) 12.2
10. Victor Johnstone (1) 10.1
11. Eric Sidebottom (1) 9.6
12. Phil Tipping (1) 7.6*
13. Simon Wake (1) 6.0
14. Phil Pass (1) 4.3

* Includes Highland Fling as a Long category C Hill Race (53miles, 7000ft).
**Allan's total includes a "joker" race local to him (Dick Wedlock 10k).
***As Ben is U17 his points have been multiplied by 1.45.

Women:
1. Ali Manners (3) 26.8
2. Liz Mestecky (2) 20.9
3. Cathy Tilbrook (1) 10.7
4. Shelagh Crighton (1) 9.8
5. Karen Pass (1) 9.0

Next race is the Lang Toon (Auchterarder) 10K on Wednesday 6th June 7.30pm.

More Harriers in Action

On a cool and blustery day last weekend (May 27th), three Harriers joined the masses assembled in Edinburgh for the Marathon. First to finish was Karen Pass in a time of 3.55.46 and 51st in her age group. I think that Vic Johnstone finished in under 4 hours though I'm not certain in what time as his chip fell off along the way (if anyone knows his time, please let me know) and Phil Pass finished in 4.50.58. Other local runners in the race well known to the Harriers included John Pritchard (3.45.32) and Duncan King (3.37.43).

On Saturday 2nd June, Rob Bolton took part in the Strathallan 5 organized by Carnegie Harriers. Rob fininshed in 79th place in a time of 42.35. Kate McKinnon, nee Bolton, from the host club, came home in an excellent time of 31.19 and picked up the prize for first woman in the race and, rumour has it, a course record - clearly demonstrating that running genes, like red hair, can be regressive!

Also, well done to Colin Glencorse in the Glas Tulaichean Uphill race. Colin finished well up the field in 14th place in a time of 42.28.

Finally, Allan Mooney, resplendent in his new Harriers vest (see photos above), came close to breaking the 40 min barrier at the Carluke 10K on Sunday. Despite missing out on this goal, he took 2 minutes off his time and now plans to set his sights on the St Andrews Hospice 10K in September.

Extra: Allan finished a very creditable 19th in the Carluke 10k - full results are at http://www.carluketrust.org.uk/2007_10k_race_results.pdf

New Club Run on Thursdays

From the results of the questionnaire which most harriers completed a month or two ago, it is clear that a fair number of us struggle to get to Crieff on a Wednesday by 6pm. It seems that for some there is a preference for Comrie and for others it is more to do with the problem of getting back from work in time.

So, for a trial period in June, we have decided to try a Thursday run at 7.00pm in Comrie beginning Thursday, 7th June. The trial will run for 4 weeks so, depending on the take-up, the last one will be Thursday 28th June.

This will be in addition to the usual runs:

- Monday 9.15am Macrosty Park
- Wednesday 6pm Macrosty Park
- Sunday 8.15am from either Crieff or Comrie (Comrie this Sunday)

The hope is that all of you that indicated that you wanted a later start time and/or a Comrie run will show their support for this new slot. If it turns out that there is not much support for this we will just scrap it and go back to the usual runs in July.

See you all there!