Harriers take on the rain as well as the course

Aug 15 2008 by Laura McLachlan, Lennox Herald (main ed)

AUGUST’S excessive downpours affected not one, but two of Clydesdale Harrier’s main events last week – with the field for the club championship depleted and the conditions horrendous for the Helensburgh half marathon.

Attendance and strength of performance at the club championship took a blow from the extreme weather conditions which are reminiscent of those hitting the area back in December when the roads were pelted with rain.

However, all athletes participating in the races showed determination to finish despite the conditions – with a special mention to officials who oversaw proceedings.

Winners were as follows:

100m Under-20 Mens: J Farrell 11.4s; 100m Under-17 Mens: A Russell 11.7s; 100m Under 15 Boys: S McDade 14.5s.

100m Under 15 Girls: K Kelly 16.2s; 100m Under 13 Girls: C Wright 15.37s; 100m Under 11 Girls: R Busby 15.58s.

400m Under 20 Mens: J Farrell 55.2s; 400m Under 17 Mens: P Bowman 55.9s; 400m Under 15 Boys: T Dolan 73.6s.

400m Under 15 Girls: K Kelly 91.2s; 400m Under 13 Girls: K Alexander 81.3s; 400m Under 11 Girls: R Busby 83.9s.

1500m Under 20 Mens: D Brown 4:58.1; 1500m Under 17 Mens: P Bowman 4:34.0; 1500m Under 15 Boys: T Dolan 5:30.1

1500m Under 15 Girls: K Kelly 7:23; 1500m Under 13 Girls: K Alexander 6:04; 1500m Under 11 Girls: R Busby 6:03

Current age group leaders after club championship are:

Under 20 Mens: D Brown 14 points; Under 17 Mens: P Bowman 15 pts; Under 15 Boys: T Dolan 15 pts;

Under 15 Girls: K Kelly 18 pts; Under 13 Girls: K Alexander 15 pts; Under 11 Girls: R Busby 18 pts.

The competitions in most cases are very close, particularly in the Under 13 Girls, where second and third placed girls have 12 points each.

In the Under 17 Mens, Anton Russell, in second place, is only two points behind leader Peter Bowman, while in the Under 13 Boys, Scott McDade is just two points adrift of Tony Dolan.

With everything still to play for, the second event will take place at Linwood this coming week.

ALSO this month, nine Clydesdale Harriers made their way to Helensburgh for the Helensburgh Half Marathon.

The normally straightforward course was, like the club championship, marred by torrential rain which didn’t let up.

First finisher for Harriers was Paul Carroll in 1.21.52, followed by Mark Collins (1.23.01), Craig Calderwood (1.24.08), Gerry Montgomery (1.27.42).

First Clydesdale lady finisher and winner of 1st lady veteran prize was Pamela McCrossan (1.29.24), then next was Stevie Thompson (1.29.53), Peter Rudzinski (1.37.46), Marina McCallum (1.40.08) and Colin Gray (2.14.20).

Also running well last week was Harrier John Hutchinson, who ran 53.36 in the Dundonald 10.5k.

At the Strathallan Gathering, the club had four athletes in action with varying degrees of success. On a surprisingly warm sunny afternoon, Johnathan Farrel was second in his Open 90m heat and then in a blanket finish in the cross tie he was run out of it, coming third with only two to go through.

Johnathan then ran in the Invitation 90 and finished second which redeemed the afternoon somewhat. He also competed in the 200m and long jump.

Ian Robertson competed in the 800m and 1600m races where he was handicapped out of the running.

The youngest competitors were the Russell brothers Anton (Under 17) and Chris (Under 13) in the long and triple jumps. Anton jumped 5.91m and Chris 4.75m. Anton won the Under 13 long jump at Linwood the previous week with 4.90m.

Lastly at the Islay Half Marathon, the ‘three amigos’ made their presence felt, finishing well up on the field. First amigo in was 14th placed Brian Campbell in a time of 1.30.16, followed by Pete Cartwright (16th in 1.32.28) and Bobby Young (22nd in 1.35.40).