Clydesdale harrier comes third in Bute

Aug 29 2008 by Laura McLachlan, Lennox Herald (main ed)

CLYDESDALE Harrier Paul Carroll battled strong winds to come third in the Bute Highland Games last week.

Despite being a mainly flat course with the exception of one hill climb in the last kilometre, the swirling winds slowed the runners down considerably.

But Paul still managed a time of 36.06, followed by Michael Diver (37.15), Gerry Montgomery (39.04) and Pamela McCrossan in (42.08) who finished second lady overall.

Paul had run the race of his life the previous week to take second in the 7k Canal Canter in Bishopbriggs. Ten Clydesdale Harriers made the trip to the Briggs for the out and back race along the Forth and Clyde canal – but it was Paul who stole the show.

His time of 23.22 was enough to give him the runners-up prize and the merit of being first Harrier home. The next Harriers finisher was Pete Cartwright in 25.30 followed by Gerry Montgomery 25.36, and Brian Campbell 26.20.

Pamela McCrossan also performed well in her time of 27.02 to finish third lady overall and winner of the first lady veterans prize followed by Anne Murray in 27.15 who was 4th lady overall earned herself the 3rd lady prize. The pair were followed by Peter Rudzinski 29.30, Christine Duncanson 29.58, Colin Gray 34.59 and John Hutchinson 35.03.

The Drymen 10k was never going to produce fast times either, due to the extremely hilly nature of the course. First finisher for the club was John McArthur in 39.00 to finish well up on the field. Next Harrier to finish was Bobby Rossborough (41.00), Kath Scott (44.19) and Christine Duncanson (50.00). Kath was also second lady overall.

The previous weekend was the Bella 5k, organised by Bellahouston Road Runners, which took place in and around Bellahouston Park. Colin Gray was first finisher for the club (25.37), followed by John Hutchinson (25.59).

John Kennedy emerged first Harrier home at the Devil O’Highlands 43-mile ultra race from Tyndrum to Fort William along the West Highland Way. His time of 6:09:00 earned him eighth place out of 78 runners.

He was followed by 1st lady veterans prize winner, Aileen Scott in 30th place in 8:18:00 and, in 57th place, Marina McCallum in 9:23:00 mins.

At the World Mountain Trials last week, Prsad Prsad ran 48.51 to take 5th overall and Michael Diver was the other Harrier home in 68.58 to finish 40th.

Earlier this month, Gerry Montgomery was so desperate for running action that he combined a holiday with the Tour of Fife Beach Race, running the four-mile course in 26.36 for 36th place.

Anyone interested in joining Clydesdale Harriers can come along on a Tuesday night to the Antonine Sports Centre by 7pm. All levels welcome.