Ultra Tour of the Lake District – 23rd-24th July 2010

On Friday, 23 July 2010, Ross McInroy went south to take part in the UTLD, a 104 mile circuit around the central lake district fells, starting and finishing in Coniston and involving some 22,800 feet of ascent/descent crossing between valleys, mainly on bridleways and footpaths. 123 runners set off at 5.30pm on a sunny warm evening and the weather stayed clear until mid afternoon on Saturday when the rain and cloud arrived and remained for the rest of the race. The race is well organised with 14 checkpoints in the valleys all with food and drinks available (one was even doing fresh smoothies) and family/friends could follow competitors’ progress on the internet as they logged in at each checkpoint. The winner arrived back at Coniston in just over 24 hours while Ross came in at 29h. 50m., 11th out of 70 finishers.

Rockville Rotary 8k – Rockville USA – 17 July 2010

Making their international race debuts across the pond were Claire and Paul Heasman. Having recently relocated to Frederick Maryland, Paul, Claire and bump took the short trip over the county line into Rockville for one of the most popular races of the summer in the Capital area, the Rockville Twilight 8km road race. As the name suggests the race takes place once the sun has gone down but the temperatures were still in the high 80′s so making use of the numerous showers and drinks stops along the course were essential. Running all the way together, probably so Paul could ensure that Claire’s competitive spirit didn’t come to the fore, they ran near metronomic 8 and a half minute miles only for Paul to demonstrate that chivalry is most certainly dead by pipping Claire on the line to come home in a time of 42.29mins (allow Paul swears Claire crossed the line first – she should have dipped!). This placed Paul in 569th out of 1206 male runners. Claire and bump , 1 sec “behind” completed the course in 42.30mins which placed ‘them’ in a remarkable 184th place out of 1128 female competitors and meant that Team Heasman finished well up in the top 1/3rd of the 3300 strong field.

Maddy Moss – Bog and Burn Series Hill Race, Tillicoultry – 14 July 2010

Keeping up his ever present efforts at the mid-week bog and burn hill race series on Wednesday evening was  Karl Giarchi. The race is a 10k challenge around the hills starting at Tillicoultry Glen near Stirling with 760m of ascent into the bargain. Race organiser John MacEwan commented that “the weather was wet, wild and windy for the running of the 2010 Maddy Moss Mash. It was good to see that almost everybody had turned up prepared with the appropriate kit on a night where it was certainly sensible to be carrying it. Those without managed to beg, borrow or steal before the race and no one was turned away. Many thanks to Dave Scott for his kit checking and thanks to competitors for carrying the required kit”. Karl completed the course in 1.06.32hrs to claim 35th place in a field of 94 runners.    Website

Girvan Half Marathon – Givan – 11 July 2010

Pokey Hat

Running as HAAC’s only participant Gordon Howat returned to his native Ayrshire roots to take part in the eponymous Girvan Half Marathon.

In a small but perfectly formed and high quality field Gordon brought home the bacon continuing his recent set of solid performances completing the distance in a time of 1.37.56hrs for 37th place overall.

At the time of going to press there were no confirmation that as a reward, and just to check out Dino’s competition, he stopped off for an ice-cream pokey hat at nearby Nardini’s.

Girvan AC Website

Isle of Harris Half Marathon – Tarbert – 10 July 2010

Seilebost Beach Harris

It’s not how far you go – it’s how far you have come and the road that you have travelled that is important and this year Michelle Hetherington and Andrew Henderson once again earned the coveted HEB 3 T-shirt completing a trio of half marathons in some of the most far flung but beautiful parts of Scotland. Aside from the obvious personal sporting and physical benefits gained Michelle & Andrew were also conscious of their personal efforts to help boost the local economy as a result of their trips to the island – well at least for the pubs and restaurants they visited.

The Isle of Harris – or Na Hearadhs, from the old Norse meaning ‘high land,’ provides the uncompromising backdrop to the final chapter of the HEB 3 series, is often described as the ‘high heart of the Hebrides’. With incredible diversity in its landscape. The East coast is a dramatic, rocky moon like landscape, where it it hard to imagine how people managed to scrape a living from the land and the sea, whereas the West coast is more conventionally breathtakingly beautiful, miles of golden sandy beaches and fertile machair soil with stunning mountainous backdrops. It is to this place that the athletes come to lace up their shoes and trot around for one final time.

The event is a point to point race with the competitors benefiting from a coach journey to Horgabost beach for the out leg. However comfortable and well organised the transport may be the twists, turns and substantial ups and downs of the single track road it takes only serves to put into sharp focus the effort that will be required to get back 13.1miles to Tarbert.

This year regular race winner and HAAC athlete Julia Henderson was unable due to injury to defend her title but had persuaded her brother Adam Kennedy that the race was an “easy” introduction to Half Marathon running. Adam grew somewhat quiet on the bus journey as the steepness of the terrain was made apparent and there were dark mutterings about this not being like the flat Thames tow path routes he is used to in the south of Englandshire. Julia cadged a ride to the start when Jim Bruce HEB 3 organiser spotting her, and her talents as our 10k Race Director, and traded a lift to the start for some timing duties. With the opportunity to shout encouragement to team Helensburgh and Elmbridge (Adam) Julia jumped at the chance. Also joining the ranks of HAAC friends at this race was Andrew’s long time chum and professor of podiatry from that great Kingdom of Fife, Jim Woodburn. Jim and Julia must have been in cahoots because he had thought that it would be a great idea to bring along another flatlander for his first half marathon – Juri from Holland. Mrs Thomas (Gail’s mum) made a serendipitous cameo appearance on the boat from Uig to Tarbert seeking out the HAAC contingent wishing them well for the race and commenting on how much she enjoyed reading about the exploits of Gail and her team mates in the local press.

As is traditional in this race, and to avoid upsetting residents near the start, the bus convoy stops some 2miles short of the start line for what can only be described as the most scenic and comical toilet stop as some 150 runners disembark, admire the view and irrigate the landscape.

Avoiding  mad-dogs and mid-day sun but not the stiff wind the runners set off at 1pm with the sage advice from Jim Bruce that the race has only one hill, he neglected to conclude his sentence by confirming that the hill starts at mile five and finishes somewhere after mile nine. Michelle quickly settled into her stride picking up on the tail of some of the leaders and series challengers. Andrew was merely content to pick up on the tail and watch the front of the pack set out on their trail for glory.

This year the wind provided some assistance pushing the runners unkindly and speedily along the most scenic and flattest parts of the course before swinging round to the east to provide a testing companion for the last three miles home and down into the new finish at Calmac’s Tarbert ferry terminal. Pushing hard and chasing down a former American marine stripped to the waist Michelle Hetherington finished in a brilliant second place in 1.29.20hr. Andrew brought the curtain down on his HEB challenge in a satisfying 2.04.29hrs.

More significantly however Michelle struck silver in the overall womens HEB3 Challenge and was also rewarded with first prize in the super vets category.         Website

Barrathon – Isle of Barra Half Marathon – Castlebay – 3 July 2010

Helensburgh Athletic Club’s Debbie Savage was awarded a very special prize at the presentations after the Barra Half Marathon.  The six hour crossing of the Minch the previous night was through a Force 9 storm, worsened by the fact that the regular ferry was out of commission and thus a smaller, less capable boat was in operation.  To make things even worse, this boat suffered the loss of one of the stabilisers for part of the passage as the crew made an emergency repair. As a result, the majority of passengers were seasick, to a lesser or greater degree.

At the presentations, organiser Katie MacNeill asked for a show of hands for anyone who had been seasick on the crossing more than two times.  Most people in the hall raised their hand.  As Katie’s seasick count went up, the number of hands went down until, to perhaps the biggest ovation of the afternoon, Debbie was eventually pronounced the “Winner”.

Luckily the storm had abated by the morning of the race, the showers cleared and the sun came out, although it remained a wee bit blustery.  Michelle Hetherington continued her excellent form in this the fourth race of the five Half Marathons which make up the Hebridean Challenge.  Her time of 1 hour 31 mins 16 secs placed her second woman and first Over 45.  Her second place, after good results on Benbecula and Skye, puts her near the top of the womens rankings going into the final race of the series on Harris.

Debbie recovered her running legs to clock 1:42:19 and finish fifth woman.  Karen Wallace made her Half marathon debut in this race last year and improved by five minutes to finish in 1:51:54, while Paul Heasman, sporting the club colours for the first time (and the last time for a wee while, more of which later), was just behind in 1:52:01.

Travelling with the Helensburgh squad, Michael Freshour and Gerry Montgomery finished an impressive 5^th and 6^th, clocking 1:25:09 and 1:25:47 respectively.  Local dentist, Michael Hamill finished in 1:59:53.

The whole party again enjoyed the unsurpassed post-race buffet in the afternoon, the ceilidh in the evening and the Barra hospitality into the wee small hours but sobered up very quickly the following morning when news broke that the returning storm had forced cancellation of the ferry for 24 hours.  Frantic phone calls ensued as family were informed and child-care and other arrangements were reorganised.  For Paul and Claire Heasman this meant re-scheduling their planned flights to the USA the following day.  The couple, along with their as-yet unborn baby, are emigrating as Paul has a new job in Maryland.  They sure won’t forget their last few days in this country.  For the rest of the party there was nothing for it but to relax and enjoy that renowned Barra hospitality for another 24 hours.    Results and photos.

Scottish Veteran Harriers – 5K Road Race  - Clydebank, 30 June 2010

The prized badge

The annual summer 5K race around the Clydebank course is a critical early season marker for later potential rewards of a much coveted blue international cross-country vest. With no doubt one eye on this longer term goal Paul, Michelle and Jan gave the course and the opposition something to think about with their performances. Both Paul and Michelle came top of the crop winning their respective races with Jan backing up team Helensburgh with a strong performance in her particular age group. For the record Paul blasted across the line in a scintillating 16.4 1mins leaving a trail of excellent runners in his wake, Michelle continued the golden evening with a super quick winning time of 19.17 mins and Jan completed the trio of excellence in a fine 22.46 mins effort. HAAC really does punch above its weight in these events and the effort from the athletes tonight once again demonstrates our abilities and success at this level of competition. Moral of the story – you are never too old to be a winner.

Website

Isle of Arran Half Marathon – Blackwaterfoot Arran – 27 June 2010

A small but perfectly formed duo of HAAC representatives took the short hop across to the Isle of Arran on Sunday to compete in a half marathon foot race.

In hot and windy conditions with roadworks affecting the route Euan Crumley ran a steady race finishing in an excellent 8th place in a time of 1.49.07hrs. Jan “the running machine” Fellowes demonstrated she can tackle any distance with a smile finished top V55 in a time of 1.49.07hrs.

Shell Bay Sandy Slither 10k multi terrain race – Lower Largo to Elie – 25 June 2010

Lifes a beach for Michelle

The race, as its name would suggest, is a tough 10k worth of effort over beach, trail, path, hill and sand dunes with the promise of a beer at the end. Runners in this point to point event start from Lower Largo on a short section of tarmac path and then the fun begins as the race makes its way across the varied and challenging terrain culminating in a Chariots of Fire type finish across Elie bay with a finish on the sand in front of the Ship Inn to the cheers of spectators and fellow runners.

Michelle made short work of the course and the opposition bounding home in second place in a time of 45.38mins. The womens race was won by Amanda Henderson, Portobello Running Club in a time of  45.17.  (Pic from Portobello website)

Porty website +     Race Results

Red Moss Revolution, Hill Race – Balerno – 24 June 2010

A jaunt eastward to Balerno at the foot of the Pentland hills this week for Paul Thompson and Karl Giarchi in their quest to conquer all things up and down, if not yet too wet given the fine dry weather, in the mid-week Bog and Burn hill race series. Paul and Karl were joined in their quest for glory by 129 other fearless souls.

The race comprises fast running on tracks and footpaths, with one climb up Hare Hill, and steep descent to Greencleuch. The race follows the contouring foot path to West of Black Hill to cross the causeway and return round back of Threipmuir reservoir to finish at Red Moss Car park. Paul was once more in scintillating form burning of many younger racers to take the male V50 prize in a time of 39.33 and 14th place, beating the male V4O field into the bargain. Karl showed determined staying power finishing within a couple of minutes of Paul in 42.04 and 31st place.

At the front Al Anthony (Ochil) won in a fast time of 35:32s – only 20 secs off Murray Strain’s record from last year. Don Naylor (HBT) was 2nd , followed by duathlete Drew Sharkey (Bicycleworks) in 3rd. First lady was Kate Jenkins (HBT), showing few signs of slowing down even after being first woman at the 95-mile West Highland Way race a few days before, 2nd lady was Lucy Colquhoun (Carnethy).          Website &  Pic of Paul + Porty Report

Jog Scotland 5K Challenge – Glasgow Green – 23 June 2010

A little bit of fast and furious mid week action tempted Gordon Howat, Michelle Hetherington and Jan Fellowes into Glasgow Green for the Jog Scotland 5K races. In the first of two races Gordon dipped under the 20mins barrier for the first time this year with a finishing sprint bringing him home in 19.53mins. Jan kept up her recent good racing form and was pleased with her efforts of 22.14mins claiming first V50 bragging rights. In the second race of the evening Michelle had a keenly contested battle with Hazel Dean Central AC with the pair swapping places over the course of the race. On the line Hazel just pipped Michelle but Michelle had the satisfaction of having a faster chip time by one second of 19.46mins.

West Highland Way Race – 19 June 2010

Ellen and Lorna en-route

This year the Helensburgh Amateur Athletics Club had two runners competing in the event. These were Burgh Babes Ellen McVey and Lorna Masterton.  Ellen has now completed the race 6 times and is an expert on the course.   Ellen achieved a personal best for the race in a time of 25 hours and 29 minutes. Lorna ran the race for the fist time and completed it in 23 hours and 53 minutes.  Both were excellent times and Lorna had the added bonus of completing it in less than 24 hours.  Congratulations to both runners. The race began at Milngavie Railway Station last Saturday 19^th June and the start was at 1am when most of us are tucked up in our beds.  The idea is to coincide with the longest day so that you can use the extra hours of daylight.    Essentially the object is simple, you start at Milngavie Railway Station and run/jog/walk to Fort William Leisure Centre by noon on the next day.  The total time allowed is 35 hours. The distance is 95 miles, including 4499m (14760ft) of ascent. Along the way you pass through checkpoints within time limits.

In order to participate, you must have your own motorised backup to cover the last two sections with you or to find you if assistance is required as this section may be run during the hours of darkness.

Ellen and Lorna at the Prize Giving

Jez Bragg (15:44:50) and Lucy Colquhoun (17:16:20) hold the course records.  This year the winner was Ritchie Cunningham in a time of around 16 hours 30 minutes, so Jez still holds the record. This year there were 163 starters on the web site but there were quite a few call offs.  At time of going to press there was no up-to-date data on the race.For our lovely ladies, the only problems along the way were a few nasty blisters but these were covered up with Compeed plasters administered by the backup teams. Backup runners were Anna and Alistair Wylie, Mary Connolly, Sarah Walker and Tommy Greig.  Backup cars were expertly positioned in time for the runners to arrive at each checkpoint.  This support was provided by Laura Thomson, Katy McDonald, Arthur Connolly, Brian Cook and Andy Armitage.  Thanks to all the support teams without which this race could not happen. The competitors have to be mollycoddled and pampered all the way.  Lots of TLC has to be dolled out.  It can be a long day for the backup but it was a hoot and we all had a ball. The runners wasted little time at checkpoints.  Favourite foods were cereal bars, soup and energy gels and a cup of tea gulped down and ready for off!

Darkness fell at about 11pm and the last 2 sections were mostly in the dark for the two girls. As per the race rules Ellen and Lorna both ran with backup during the night.  It was great fun to run with head torches and hand-held torches.  As this is the second night with no sleep, the runners feel like sleeping when it gets dark so the extra torches certainly helped. There is no time to let your imagination run riot in complete darkness with owls hooting in the dark and frogs jumping about in the light of the torches.  Ellen had a fantastic run over the Rannoch Moor with Alistair.  She was complimented by a fellow runner on her speed in this section.  Ellen said she had never run a better section ever on the WHW race.  She was flying.  Lorna wasn’t sure that she had done enough training but her grit and determination pulled her through.  Her best section was the Devil’s staircase, after the Kingshouse .  She said she and Tommy belted down the other side on a total high and ran it faster than any of the training runs. Both the Burgh Babes had an amazing time and the running club has much to be proud of – well done again.        Website

Glen Rosa Horseshoe Hill Race – Arran – 19 June

This is not a race for the feint hearted or the ill prepared. The Glen Rosa Horseshoe hill race is a full on athletic and mountain bashing experience. Damien Theaker took the challenge and survived the experience to record a satisfactory time of 3.03.06 hrs and climbed up to third place in the Scottish Hill Running Championship V50 category.                                                                                                                                                             Website

Dunham Massey 5k – Altrincham, Cheshire – 17 June

Dunham Massey is a small village between Liverpool and Manchester with a fine Georgian manor house set in a magnificent 121-hectare (300-acre), deer park provided an idyllic setting for this fast and furious multi-terrain 5k race. The travelling Hendersons just could not resist a short detour off the M6 and their holiday plans to get a stretch of the legs and avoid the more usual walk around the fast food outlets of a motorway service station. The house and estate are now managed by the National Trust but had some interesting previous owners – the 7th Earl of Stamford, who married Catherine Cocks, a former bare-back circus rider, and the 2nd Earl of Warrington, who was so enamoured with his wife that he wrote a book anonymously on the desirability of divorce.

The race is part of a local 5k 4 race mid-week series and had attracted a turnout of over 200 runners on a beautifully sunny evening. The course consisted two and 1/3rd laps around part of the estate grounds and was run over a variety of terrain including stretches of tarmac path, grass and gravel all with some deceptive inclines. Spectator numbers were swelled by the nonchalant herd of resident deer.

Julia, getting back into some short distance form following her early season mix of 20 milers and marathon distance efforts set off conservatively but soon picked up the pace and picked off other runners as the race progressed. In a high quality field with the womens winning time of 17.41mins from Louisa Wood of Altrincham AC Julia finished in 19.42mins and was 5th lady and 1st vet overall. Andrew displayed some continuing momentum and improvement with a hard earned and symetrical 24.24mins but did not trouble the race winner Dave Norman who zipped around the course in 15.04mins.

Vale of Leven 10k – Polaroid Eyeware Series – Balloch – 13 June 2010

Helensburgh AAC members were again out in force at last Sunday’s Vale of Leven 10km.  Starting from Loch Lomond Shores the course takes the runners out into Balloch Park.  Start too quickly and the uphill elevation through park is bound to catch the runners out.  From the park the course then loops round to Jamestown and Alexandria before heading back into Balloch and the finish at Loch Lomond Shores.

The slightly damper conditions would perhaps have pleased the majority of competitors, especially those who had turned out for any or all of the previous three Polaroid 10km Thursday evening races when the temperature was a lot warmer, but conditions on Sunday were still deceptively humid.

Proving once again that he is ‘top of the Burgh crop’ was Paul Thompson, finishing 12^th overall and 2^nd MV50 in a time of 35.29.  In his post race synopsis he felt he should have been a bit more competitive with his Ronhill Cambuslang rival who finished 15 seconds ahead of him but Paul should have done enough to secure 1^st place in the MV50 for the entire Polaroid 10km Race Series.   Then followed Euan Crumley, turning in another fine performance, finishing 40^th overall (18^th Senior Man) in a time of 38.07.  Next in for the Burgh was Stevie Bell, following up a 5^th place performance at the Helensburgh Highland Games Hill Race the previous day, in 41.03.  Putting in another consistent performance was Derek Blount, who crossed the line in 42.00 exactly.

First female finisher for the Burgh was Louise Brown in a time of 43.26, followed in by Erica Cromar in 44.12 and crossing the line under the 50 minute mark were Brian Grant (48.53), Karen Wallace (49.37) and Andrew Stafford (49.47).  Sharon MacAulay (55.36), Joanna Heath (56.04), Eric Chattelle (57.20), Mo Roy (57.30), Fred Short (58.09), Kathy Currie (58.21) and Anita Rogers (58.24) all put in good performances to cross the line well under the hour mark and finishing just outside the hour mark were Helen Harrison (1.00.42) and Donna Stevens (1.00.44).  Also competing for the Burgh were Christine Erskine (1.05.01), Lorna Douglas (1.06.52), Barbara Earnshaw (1.11.53) and Helen Mclean (1.11.55).    Full results Click &     Pics Click here

Lochalsh Dirty 30m Run & 12m Yomp – Multi Terrain Race – Glenelg – 12 June 2010

Anna and Mary

Having spent several seasons supporting other HAAC souls attempting a range of ultra races Anna – one half of the intrepid Wylie Duo and Mary – one half of the Connolly mob, decided for once to team up and pit their skills on a 30 mile jaunt around the Kintail landscape. R4 took the shorter 12mile option.

In recognition of the seriousness of their efforts and respecting their diligent training regimes all three athletes managed to avoid the temptations of a rather fine whisky gantry in the Kintail Lodge Hotel pre-race on Friday evening. As arranged the HAAC trio were picked up by a Captain Kurtz bus from Shiel Bridge Campsite for their own particular Conradesque journey into the heart of darkness.

Arriving at the registration point in Glenelg village hall our trio were provided with a suitably athletic breakfast in the form of bacon rolls and tea, eshewing previous advice from club ultra expert Stevie `Ding Dong` Bell – “30 miles – nah, you dinnae even need a bottle of water for that”. In the first few miles Anna & Mary set a cracking pace and worked effectively as a team. Minor navigational challenges were seemingly easily overcome and the brief on-road sections proved more cumbersome than the tougher off-road parts. Soon the HAAC duo reached the mid-way point at Shiel Bridge campsite and strategic base camp for the weekend adventure. This enabled our team to change into fresh gear and hurumff at people in front of them ordering coffee in the nearby shop. Morale was seemingly high and teamwork strong.

Somewhere after the climb out of the campsite and into descent across Glen Moyle disaster struck. On a flat section of the route Anna rather unwisely decided to invent a new running style affectionately termed ars* over t*t. The end result was some rather impressive scrapes, a plethora of developing hemotomas and some dented pearly whites. Meanwhile, mild Mary looked on innocently and rallied to apply some antiseptic wipes and administer much needed painkillers. Somewhat bashed but undaunted our intrepid duo continued onward towards the finish.

Having rushed down from their efforts at the earlier Skye Half Marathon Alistair and Andrew sought out R4 who had completed the 12m walk option to await the the arrival of the girls. At around the 29m mark Anna & Mary were spotted still managing a good pace and to the welcome cheers of their supporters and a sheep they crossed the finish line in a highly credible 7.51hrs for joint 3rd place in the womens event.

At the post race debrief there developed some considerable speculation as to the exact cause of the injuries sustained by Anna (the victim) and the culpability of Mary (the accused). The evidence was plain for all to see; the bruising of skin, seeping of wounds, the chipping of teeth and the victims general giddieness (editors note – this may have been due to the medicinal beer shandy). Moreover the accused (Mary) exhibited a suspicious grazing on the palm of her hand. The jury Alistair, R4 & Andrew ruled out stigmata on the basis that marking was confined to one hand only and concluded that it was not beyond the realms of possibility that Mary overcome by exhaustion and rivalry had used a piece of the local geology to smack Anna repeatedly around the body. An alternative theory can be found    here +    Race website & Pictures

Isle of Skye Half Marathon – Portree – 12 June 2010

The wee bugger

Portree sits on the latitude 57degrees north, along with Moscow and Hudson Bay, places ice-bound for much of the year. Fortunately, the Gulfstream tempers the Skye climate bringing changing weather, light and drama throughout the year. Unfortunately this provides the perfect climatic conditions for Culicoides Impunctatus  - the dreaded Scottish midge. Its the female midge that bites, she can only lay her eggs after she has had a blood meal.

Alistair Wylie and Andrew Henderson had a cunning plan and were determined not to be madam midges next feast. The first part of the plan was to camp off island and the second part was to run bloody fast and not let the little beggars catch us. Michelle Hetherington took a more pragmatic approach and camped in Portree bringing her children along as sacrificial offerings – sorry, competitors in the fun run.

The boys plan however had two major flaws. The midge is cunning, access to mobile phones meant that a large set of inbred cousins met the intrepid campers in Shiel Bridge and the Skye half marathon course is famously hilly scuppering chances of out running the little beggars over the challenging 13.1m.

The Skye half is exactly that these days – not only is it reduced from its former 13.8m with the opening of the new school that serves as a great start and finish venue, it is also the half way point in the superb five race HEB 3 race series (3 races from 5 count in the championship).

The race begins with some sense of occasion as the assembled runners are led from the school grounds to the start at the bottom of the first of many hills by a pipe band. The skirl of the pipes somehow manages to take thoughts away from the pain and the struggle to come, if only briefly. Michelle positioned herself near the head of the field, Alistair spotted some near rivals in brown vests and sneaked up behind them and Andrew picked up a conversation with the Walker twins from the Carnegie club in Fife – another beautiful part of the world. With a loud crack the runners were off. The first five miles are hard and mostly uphill and the next five miles are bloody harder as the wind and latterly the sun sought to undo the thoughts of battle against the clock. Respite comes in the form of a wee man standing beside a rusty estate car, dishing out much needed water from plastic cups with Runrig belting out of the car CD player. For it is then and only then that the much savoured downhill “sprint” into salvation and Portree begins.

Michelle ran a blinder in 1.32.36hrs to grab second womens place and a tilt at the HEB3 title once again this year. Alistair sporting new racing shoes danced home in a faster time than last year crossing the line in 1.39.47hrs and Andrew swept home considerably relieved in 1.59.04hrs. Madeline and Melissa Robinson both gave good account of themselves in the fun run. The traditional post race grub proved a real winner with the Helensburgh crew. Alistair favoured the potato and leek soup whilst Andrew savoured the courgette soup, both were accompanied by rounds of sandwiches and home baking. Top marks to the race organisers, marshals, water stations folk and top scran providers – a high quality race and well worth a pop.

There was no rest for the wicked however, and whilst Michelle awaited the prize giving, the boys had other fish to fry – a dash to the palindrome village of Glenelg in Kintail via the terrific if somewhat un-nerving Kylerea ferry to catch up with Anna, Mary and Arthur who were taking part in the Dirty Thirty and not so dirty 12mile events.   Skye Half Website

Helensburgh Highland Games – Hill Race – 12 June 2010

In an active weekend for the burgh runners 5 HAAC members stayed within the town boundaries and supported the local hill race at the Highland Games. A number of the team were spotted during the preceding week doing a recce on the route in a sensible effort to take full use of the home advantage.

In perfect weather for the event Damien Theaker fresh from his success earlier in the week showed his class by coming home in 4th place in a time of 39.18mins. Next up and down was hill running regular Stevie Bell in 40.21mins. Having just a short stroll across the road to run the most local of local races was Gordon Howatt in a pleasing time of 42.45mins. First of the Helensburgh Babes home was Julia Henderson taking 2nd place overall in the womens race in a time of  44mins dead. Maria Dye demonstrated that a stretch of consistent training can pay dividends collected 4th prize in a symmetrical time of 51.51mins. The mens race was won by Hector Haines of Edinburgh University in a time of 33.59mins and the womens race by Ruth Joss of Glasgow University in a time of 41.29mins. The club also provided on course marshals for the event.

Cort-Ma Law – Hill Race – 9 June 2010

Damien

Help ma boab its the Cort-Ma Law hill race. In a stoater of a race two of Helensburghs most experienced runners, Damien Theaker and Paul Thompson went toe to toe on the hills at the back of Clachan of Campsie. Also testing their speed and endurance over the 9k course were Karl Giarchi and Stevie Bell.

In a thrilling finish Damien Theaker completed the course in 55.05mins for 10th pace just ahead of Paul Thompson who came home in 55.20mins and 12th place. The “boys” were 1st and 2nd respectively in the MV50 catergory. The secret of Damiens success was perhaps that this was his third (and fastest) time over the course or was it that Paul decided to avoid his commando role down the hill this time around. Enjoying the hills for thrills this year is Karl Giarchi who ran a steady race to cross the line in 58.36. Bringing the curtain down on the Helensburgh team effort was Stevie Bell in 1.00.12mins.

Joint record holder Kenny Richmond (Bellahouston) won the Cort-ma Law race for the 3rd year a row. Kilbarchan junior Garry Rankin was 2nd, and Dave Eiser of Ochil finished 3rd, just ahead of Westies junior Adam Gatens in 4th place. Emma O’Shea of Deeside won the ladies race by reeling in HBT’s Claire Gordon on the final descent. Christina Rankin of Kilbarchan finished in 3rd position.                                                Website & full results

Benbecula 1/2 Marathon – 5 June 2010

Keeping up the ever present Helensburgh representation in the Heb3 series was Michelle Hetherington. Getting back into racing shape after her London Marathon debut at Benbecula Michelle put in a strong performance on the single track road around the scenic island course. Michelle finished strongly to take 3rd place in the womens race completing the course in 1.31.22hrs.                                                   Race website & Porty website race report

Dumbarton 10k – Thursday 3 June 2010

HAAC Crew

In the third race of the Polaroid Eyewear series on Thursday 3 June, 25 Helensburgh Amateur Athletic Club runners enjoyed the balmy weather and took to the trails and streets of near neighbours Dumbarton for a fast and furious 10k race. Many of the athletes in the red and yellow vests were now beginning to reap the rewards of their efforts in club training nights during the winter months and demonstrated their consistency in a clutch of personal and season’s bests. The competition amongst the HAAC athletes was as at least as fierce as those from elsewhere.

Paul Thompson once again showed his consistency finishing top HAAC performer in 35.24. Erica Cromar ran an impressive 42.54, followed home closely by Alistair Wylie in 43.41. Andrew Stafford and Gail Thomas continued their impressive recent form by finishing in 48.57 and 49.03 respectively. Liz Bowden took nearly 5mins of her time from last year crossing the line in 57.32. Fred Short trotted home in 58.39. Perhaps the loudest cheer of the evening went up for David MacDonald returning to racing after a recent hip replacement operation completing the course in 1.03.50mins.                                      Full Results