October – December

(From L to R) Mary, Liz, Anna, Gail, Jenny and Jan are all smiles at the finish

 

West District Cross Country – Irvine – 10 December 2011

The dirty (or should that be muddy) dozen from Helensburgh AAC performed well at the West District Cross Country on Saturday .
Staged, as usual, at Irvine, conditions underfoot were much muddier than in the past due to the recent heavy rain.
Six Burgh Babes took part and the first over the finish line for the club over the four-mile course was Jenny Fitzgerald in 28.04, followed by Jan Fellowes in 29.56.
The ever improving Gail Thomas was next in 31.50 and, in a rare cross country outing, Liz McHard came home in 33.49, closely followed by Mary Connolly in 34.12. Completing the team was Anna Wylie in 35.13. Jan, Gail and Liz’s efforts were rewarded as they finished 5th Vet team.
Six men from Helensburgh ran next over a six-mile course.
Paul Thompson beat many a younger competitor to be first over the line for Burgh in 35.12. Hot on his heels for most of the race was Chris Moses (36.10) and then Brian Grant in 42.06.
Burgh new boy, Daniel Hart, started conservatively but then increased his pace to finish in 46.36.
Having been overtaken by Dan on the final lap, Alistair Wylie held on for a time of 47.29 and, enjoying his day out and the enthusiastic support on the way round was Andrew Stafford, who finished in 53.54.
It was then another race for the teams to get home and scrubbed up for the club’s Christmas Dinner.A good time was had by all but, having put themselves  through the mill in the mud, the evening was all the sweeter for the cross country competitors. 

Jan, Julia and Paul with Joyce MacGinley of local sponsors Babcock, who supported the Cross Country International

 

British and Irish Masters Cross Country International – Bellahouston Park – 26 November 2011    

There were medals amidst the mud for the three Helensburgh runners who braved what could only be described as atrocious conditions to represent Scotland at the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International on Saturday.
Torrential rain and gale force winds, added to the sodden ground underfoot, made the going very tough for Julia Henderson, Jan Fellowes and Paul Thompson as they competed against teams from Eire, Northern Ireland, Wales and England on the highly challenging course at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park.
The first race of the day was the women’s 6km competition and Julia, running in the youngest of the veterans categories (W35-39), led the Burgh charge as she finished 7th in her age group (and an impressive 15th overall) in 22.42. Each country had four runners in each age group, with three counting towards the team prize and Julia’s team won the silver medal, just a tantalising single point behind gold medallists, England.
Jan, running in the W55-59 category, was part of the bronze medal winning team, recording a time of 28.59.
In the 8km men’s race, Paul Thompson (V55-59) ran a well-executed race and was just out of the individual medals when he finished equal 4th, in 28.57. However, his efforts were rewarded, being second counter in the silver medal team.
The day’s activities did not stop there and everyone went to the Crowne Plaza for drinks, dinner, prizegiving and a ceilidh into the wee small hours!    

    

Kilmarnock Harriers Open Cross Country Race – 13th November 2011

Three Helensburgh runners headed down the A77 on Remembrance Sunday for this small but well-organised race.
There was an ulterior motive to competing as the event also doubled up as a  ’recce’, with the Scottish Masters Cross Country Championships being held here in February 2012.
The day was mild and sunny – it’s not often in November that some runners can be heard complaining that the temperature is too hot – while the course was testing and consisted of muddy fields, a steep hill and woodland trails.
The female race included U17s, U20s, Seniors and Vets, although the U17s did a shorter first lap. Jan Fellowes, the only Burgh Babe competing,  finished 7th (1st W55) in the 6km two-lap main race in a tjme of 28.57.
In the three-lap 9km male race, Burgh’s Paul Thompson also finished 7th (1st V50) in a very competitve field in 34.07. Andrew Stafford, competing in his first race since January, finished bravely in 53.54.      

  

Headless Horseman 5km – Frederick, USA – 13th November 2011

An unseasonal dump of snow 2 weeks previously had delayed the running of the Headless Horseman 5km but with the snow well and truly melted, mild temperatures and a little breeze greeted the runners for the re-arranged race.   
Organised by the Frederick High School and with monies raised going to support their Cross Country teams, the start line was festooned with plenty of young legs to challenge overseas based Babe Claire Heasman.  The sound of the gun set of the expected stampede of many of these young legs but as the early paced settled down it was Claire amid a small group of more ‘experienced’ runners who started to pull away.  Reaching halfway and with a couple of females still hanging onto the group Claire tried to lift the pace a bit and this effort resulted in Claire pulling away with a gentleman runner in tow.  Unfortunately an untimely stitch hampered Claire’s closing effort and her competitor moved clear in the final stages. Nevertheless Claire crossed the line as First Female Finisher in 18.57, not as close to her PB of 18.44 set a few months ago as she would have liked but pleased to duck under the 19-minute mark. 
  

Strathaven 10km – Strathaven – 6th November 2011

Strathaven ‘Run like the wind’ 10k is described as an undulating,but mainly downhill 10K. Well, try convincing the four Burgh runners that competed on Sunday 6th November that they were merely hallucinating about the lovely up hill sections that they faced at various points during the race!   
It started as an extremely cold and frosty morning, but by the start of the race at 11.30, it was beautiful sunny blue skies making it almost perfect running conditions. Runners were bused from the local primary school at the race finish, to the start of the course. Two of the Burgh team opted for a more relaxing car journey to the start. Whilst enjoying the tranquility of the Lanarkshire countryside they did begin to wonder where the other 600 hundred runners were?!! After a frantic drive in the complete opposite direction did they finally track down the bus loads of fellow runners who were just descending into the forest to find the local toilet facilities!   
Jenny Fitzgerald was the first of the Burgh runners who went off at a rather frantic pace. Although her pace dwindled slightly in the second half of the race,she maintained her position to finish as fifth lady in a new PB of 39.49. Brian Grant was the next Helensburgh runner finishing, knocking over two mins off his previous 10k time to complete with a fantastic new PB of 42.30.With Jan Fellows out of the country once again and unable to take up her race place, Alastair Wylie found himself without the friendly team rivalry. However this did not stop him pushing on and enjoying the delightful undulations of the Strathaven countryside and saw him complete in a very good time of 44.28. The final runner to fly the Helensburgh flag was Anna Wylie. Only 3 weeks since running Amsterdam marathon Anna finished in a very pleasing sub 50 of 49.43. A very good race, although no medals for all the finishers (which caused some disappointment to one of the Burgh team!), the lovely homemade soup and baking definately made up for it.   
  

Scottish 4km XC Championships – Bellahouston – 5th November 2011

When it comes to grit HAAC members have it by the bucketload, as Gail Thomas proved when she dipped her experienced road running toes in the muddy waters of cross country for the first time.  
 
Instead of choosing a gentle introduction, (if there is such a thing); she plunged in ankle deep and took on the young speedies at a national championship event in Bellahouston Park. Joined by team mates Maria Dye, Mary Connolly and Michelle Hetherington, they tackled the relatively flat, yet massively muddy 4k course around the park.   In the warm autumn sunshine, nerves were jittery as the runners lined up with some the best cross country talent in Scotland. The competitive nature of the event is reflected in the age of the runners who are mostly a mix of seniors and under 20′s. Helensburgh’s Veteran Babes felt seriously outnumbered as small group of only 27 vets made up the 88-strong field!   As gun fired, the pack quickly made light work of the 2 lap course. Michelle, still nursing a battered and bruised body from her mountain marathon exploits just a week earlier, was first Babe across the line finishing in 17:53. She was followed by Maria Dye, who finished in 18:29, but was disappointed with her result having hoped for a faster time over the flat terrain. Gail Thomas, was third for the club in 20:39 and the trio cheered a jubilant Mary across the line in 22:37.  Full Results   

The Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) – Comrie – 29th/30th October 2011

After Iain Walker and Chris Moses successfully placed 2nd in the B class at the Highlander Mountain Marathon earlier in the year they decided to enter The Original Mountain Marathon(The OMM) held each year in October. The OMM is a world class mountain marathon and attracts large fields of strong competition. As the event in held on the last weekend in October the weather and shorter daylight hours add to the challenge.    
The OMM has several courses to choose from ranging from the linear courses of Elite to D class to the score courses(long, medium and short). This year the long score had been chosen for the prestigious award of the Hutton trophy for military competitors. This trophy was to be the aim of the weekend for Iain and Chris. For those that don’t know a mountain marathon involves two days of running over open hillside carrying a rucksack containing everything needed to be self sufficient for 36 hours in the hills including a tent and sleeping bag.   
The rest of the day went without further hitch and thoughts of a warm sleeping bag and a hot meal were the subject of conversation for the run back to the day 1 finish. The mid-camp was in a nice location alongside a fairly swift flowing river for sourcing drinking water and a flattish field for camping in. Spirits were raised after reading the results for day 1 and finding that they were sitting happy with 270 points and 9th place overall and in the lead for the military prize by 20 points. A good result.    
  
Day 2. A good walk to the start provided an ample warm up and it was time to do it all again heading back to Comrie where it had all started. The time for the Sunday is gratefully reduced to 6 hours and the controls on offer were a little more complex with a lot more route choice than day 1. Whatever choice here would mean a full commitment to it and no option to change. This was Iain and Chris’s downfall. An over ambitious route was chosen and off they went, only to discover that by the time they had reached the farthest checkpoint that they had exhausted half of the allocated time, Iain had fallen in a peat bog and become stuck for several minutes (much to Chris’ amusement this time) and were a long way from the finish leaving little time to hit checkpoints on the way back. In order to avoid penalties teams must cross the finish in the allocated time or lose points at the rate of 2 per minute. The route back was a disaster and they missed another 40 possible points in their haste and disappointment at such a poor route choice. Across the line they soon discovered that the bid for the Hutton trophy was over and had finished a disappointing 76th after Saturdays 9th place. Overall they placed 26th out of 137 teams on the long score.    
The finish was supported by the local scout group providing hot tea and soup to the very grateful runners. A short walk along the streets of Comrie to the bus that would take them to the event HQ and they happened across a  friendly chip shop owner who opened the doors specifically and exclusively for Iain and Chris. Once on the bus of course Iain and Chris feared for their lives as 40 pairs of jealous eyes stared at their poke of chips.    
The weekend was not an entire success but more importantly the boys enjoyed every minute of it and are already planning running the LAMM next year.    
The burgh babes not willing to be outdone by the boys also signed up for The OMM namely Sarah Walker and Michelle Hetherington. This was to be Michelle’s first mountain marathon and after researching her equipment needs and spending a small fortune on the specialist light weight gear needed she was ready to conquer. After much debate it was decided that the B class was the best course in terms of distance covered and level of competition. Michelle was in high spirits and thought she knew what was in store. Little did she know that the course ahead would challenge and test her to her very limits. The mountain marathon is a strange beast and one can never fully describe why one does it, as the pain and fear endured during the event is unlike any other particularly in thick mist. It is a feat of endurance, yet when reflected upon the sense of achievement is immeasurable and inevitably leads to a repeat occurrence. This was to be Michelle’s experience. Sarah knew this already and knew that the conditions this weekend would put her navigational skills to the test.    
Day two for the girls was better and Michelle had found her rhythm, the girls sped around the course and improved their overall position unlike the boys. The final run in along tracks and trails after 2 days on the hill was not for the feint hearted and the girls still managed a smile.    The course of the weekend had taken its toll on all burgh athletes but the OMM had left its mark and all stated they would definitely be doing it again. However Michelle’s’ new gore-tex pants had other ideas after their horrible treatment in the river and a particularly nasty barbed wire fence.    
PHOTOS     
 

H&H Cashel Trail Handicap – Cashel – 29th October 2011

Six club members had taken part in last year’s race organised by Friends of Cashel Forest. Unfortunately the race was not organised this year and so Gordon Howat and Julia Henderson decided to run a handicapped version of the race for club mates at HAAC and for friends for a few reasons: to raise some money for Pancreatic Cancer UK; to have some fun and enjoy the fantastic scenery; and to feel the burn of a tough training session as the Winter XC season gets into gear.     
Start times were calculated on the basis of previous 10k race times with the less speedy runners starting first. The route goes uphill for just over 3.2k to Queen’s View where HAAC Club President, Kevin Johnson, counted runners in and out, and then snakes downhill to complete the figure of eight 7.2k route.  Conditions were very wet underfoot which made the downhill sections particularly muddy, slippy and testing for runners. The mist was down which obscured the fabulous views of the Loch, which the course setters had enjoyed on Thursday night, but all agreed (well, the majority) that it was a great, though demanding, course.     
The prize for first to the top went to HAAC King of the Mountain, Arthur Connolly, with Mary Louise Rooney second to the top to earn Queen of the Mountain. The overall handicap was won by Mary Louise Rooney and Damien Theaker in an amazing photo finish, which the timekeepers were unable to call. Mary Hunter from Portobello Running Club demonstrated her off road running prowess in 3rd place. The team prize was won by Karen Wallace, Julia Henderson and Gordon Howat. Home baking and hot drinks were gladly consumed in the barn at the Cashel Visitor Centre while prizes were awarded before most of the runners headed to the Oak Tree at Balmaha for some well earned lunch.  
The organisers are extremely grateful to those who kindly donated prizes for the race, Independent Aggregates, British Seed Houses, Cemex, Tarmac, Greenfields, JD Piper, the Skene Group and Souters Sports. Over £300 was raised for Pancreatic Cancer UK and good fun was had by all. Photos and link to Mary Hunter of Portobello’s Blog - http://yakhunter.blogspot.com/2011/10/h-cashel-trail-hill-run.html    
  

 National Cross Country Relays – Cumbernauld – 22nd October 2011

Cross country is fun! There are not many activities where  you can describe conditions as rainy, windy, muddy and hilly – and still have a good day out - including the spectators! 
As it was at the National Cross Country Relay Championships, Helensburgh AAC athletes were competing with the best runners in the country at the now familiar course at Cumbernauld. Competing in the Senior Womens team, were Julia Henderson, Sarah Walker and Jenny Fitzgerald around the 4km course. Julia was the fastest female club runner of the day completing the course in 16.12 to complete the first leg in 11th place, with Sarah taking the 2nd leg and Jen the 3rd finishing in 19.59 and 18.30 respectively eventually finishing in 26th out of a total of 73 full teams, in 54mins 41secs. The Vets team comprised of Michelle Hetherington (17.59), Jan Fellowes(20.36) and Maria Dye (18.30), who took 4th Vet spot with an overall time of 57.05. Mary Louise Rooney also ran the first leg, in 21.24, so she is definately getting back to form. Women’s Results   
The male Senior/Vet team finished 65th out of 98 complete teams in 1.06.32. The four runners were Iain Walker (15.56), Paul Thompson (15.25), Damien Theaker (16.24) and Phil Dye (18.47) – meaning Mrs Dye could claim bragging rights for two weeks in a row! Also running legs in a incomplete team for the club were the ever improving Brian Grant (17.40) and Alistair Wylie (19.55). Men’s results      
  

Cabbage Patch 10 Miler – Twickenham – 16th October 2011

The Cabbage Patch 10 mile race is one of the flattest and best 10 milers in the country (Richard Nerurkar set an all time British record of 46 mins 2 secs in 1993 and our esteemed President, Kevin Johnson, is reputed to have broken 50mins back in his hey day). Starting and finishing in Twickenham the course follows a loop, crossing the river in Kingston and Richmond and as always race HQ is the Cabbage Patch pub in Twickenham.  
Julia Henderson’s brother Adam had challenged her to another Kennedy running duel and HAAC country member, Jenny Fitzgerald, just couldn’t resist joining in, even after a long afternoon on the cocktails. On a rather cold Sunday 16 October over 1600 runners set off round the roads and towpaths of Twickenham, Kingston and Richmond. Thanks are due to the local street sweeper whose bin bags we used to keep us warm! The start was very crowded and it was hard to get a good position near to the front end of the race. However, once the race started Julia soon moved up the field past the i-pods (they should be banned from races – personal view) and her brother.      
The course was very well marshalled and supported. Running along the Thames towpaths the mist almost obscured the river so much so that Jenny didn’t notice it; she was obviously running too quickly. The only downside to the course was a thankfully brief stretch on uneven stoney path and a flight of steps at around 8 miles. 
Julia moved through the field to finish 9th lady in a personal best of 60mins 52 secs, just ahead of an Anster Haddie, with the first lady, Jess Coulson setting the 8th fastest UK all time record and finishing 10th placed overall in a staggering 52 mins 53 secs. The field was so strong that the 2nd paced lady also beat the existing course record. The Kennedy duel ended with victory for Julia with her rather sleep depleted brother, who is a new Dad, finishing in 63 mins 59 secs. Jenny ran a very respectable 68 mins 12 secs but failed to pick up a cabbage unlike Julia whose 9th place won her a savoy cabbage and a cheque!  Photos.      
  

 Dunbartonshire Cross Country Relays – Helensburgh – 15th October 2011

  
 Helensburgh AAC hosted the Dunbartonshire Cross Country Relay Championships for the 2nd year in a row at Duchess Woods.  After recent rains, the Lomond School Rugby pitches were appropriately boggy and that along with the hill climb up to and back from the railway line meant for a challenging little course.  
With a number of absences from some of the club’s Cross Country regulars there wasn’t a plethora of people out sporting the club vest but nevertheless those who donned their spikes put in the usual 101% effort.      
Leading off the Burgh Babes team was Sarah Walker, who handed over the batten in 5th place (19.06 minutes).  Maintaining their position Maria Dye ran a solid leg in 18.19 minutes to hand over to Karen Wallace who managed to pick off the Kirkintilloch runner to bring the Babes home in 4th place (her time 20.19 minutes).  Also having a run out was Mary-Louise Rooney, finding her racing feet again after becoming a ‘mum’. ML raced round the woods in 21.25 minutes.  
On the Burgh blokes side of things, Gordon Howat lead off the team, completing his lap in 17.17 for 14th place. He handed over to Damien Theaker who picked off a number of runners to move the team up into 11th place (his time 15.46).  Phil Dye was next and completed his lap in 18.20 and handed over to Iain Walker in 13th place.  Iain was also able to overtake a couple of teams, bringing the A team home in 11th place (his time 15.29).  
  
  

 Amsterdam Marathon and Half Marathon – Amsterdam, Holland – 14th October 2011

Friday the 14th October saw 7 Burgh babes and blokes board the plane to Amsterdam for the Marathon and Half Marathon Weekend. Saturday saw the team head off to the Olympic Stadium to register and enjoy the expo, followed by our own guided tour of Amsterdam led by our very own tour guide – Andrew Stafford – who hadn’t managed to get himself into a race but probably did as many miles if not more over the course of the weekend.      
Sunday morning dawned bright & cold. The team of Gail Thomas, Anna & Alistair Wylie, Nicky Bridges, Sybil Kennedy & Pauline Penman set off from the hotel at 7.30am to walk the 2 miles to the start, having watched the elite athletes (mainly Kenyan & Ethiopian) who were also staying in our hotel, getting onto their luxury coaches! (Thanks to Alistair for walking to the marathon start to make sure we didn’t get lost even though this meant that he walked back & forwards to the hotel twice as his race didn’t start till the afternoon!)      
The marathon started at 9.30am from inside the Olympic Stadium, half a lap of the track and then out onto the streets of the city, watching out for tram tracks and cobbles, and then following the Amstel river – down one side & back along the other giving an opportunity to watch the elite athletes going in the other direction. Entertainment was provided by bands playing from moving canal barges sailing up and down the river and techno DJ’s playing pumping tunes. Then back towards the city with the cheering squad of Andrew Stafford & Nicky’s Mum & Dad at the 35km mark to give us a well needed lift. Back through the Vondelpark and towards the stadium once again. Running into the Olympic Stadium was a fantastic feeling, you could imagine yourself as an elite runner finishing the Olympic marathon as we ran up through the entrance tunnel breaking into the sunshine with the crowds cheering us on for the last half lap around the track, watching for yourself to appear on the big screens as you crossed the finish line.      
The fast flat course proved to be great for breaking PB’s and fast times. First babe home was Gail Thomas in 3.49.49, followed by Anna Wylie in 4.07.45, Sybil Kennedy 4.12.05 closely followed by Nicky Bridges 4.12.38 and Pauline Penman 4.49.15.      
While the ladies were relaxing with a cold drink after the run, Alistair Wylie was off en route of the half marathon taking in the city sights with the finish again within the Olympic Stadium where he was cheered home in a time of 1.40.00 by the Helensburgh contingent sitting in the H block of the stands.      
A cool down walk of 2 miles back to the hotel set us up for a night of partying with good food & lots of wine & beer. The next day started with a photo call with some of the Keynan runners, before heading out to relax on a sightseeing canal boat tour of the city.
A great time was had by all and it’s a marathon weekend that is well worth a visit.  
  

Scottish Vets Half Marathon – Clydebank – 2nd October 2o11

Making her debut with the Scottish Vets, Maria Dye posted a new Half Marathon PB of 1:36 at their annual handicap race along the banks of the Clydebank Canal on Sunday 2nd October.  
In a small field of just 32 runners, Maria kept up a consistent pace along the flat, but very muddy, out and back course.      
With only 2 previous half marathons under her belt, the most recent being 5 years ago, Maria posted a conservative estimate of her finish time and so enjoyed a generous handicap! She was surprised and slightly embarrassed to discover that she was first runner to cross the finish line and had scooped the First Female Trophy as well!    
  

 Loch Ness Marathon and 10km – Inverness – 2nd October 2011

Denny 10km – 2nd October 2o11

Two runners from Helensburgh headed north for the Baxters Running Festival in Inverness. Karen Wallace, who has put in months of hard training was there to compete in her third marathon, and Jan Fellowes was there to
provide  encouragement while also running the 10k.  For marathon runners conditions were about right for this scenic route, because while south of the border was having an Indian summer, race day in Inverness was damp and dreich although not too cold. Despite a downpour just before the start of both races, morale remained high.  Karen ran a very well executed marathon keeping a steady pace throughout and put to use all the advice and tips from ‘old hands’ at this distance. She covered the 26.2miles in an excellent PB of 3hrs 42.44! She has certainly thrown down the gauntlet to all the club runners doing the Amsterdam marathon very soon.   Jan, despite thinking she might not even complete the 10k because of injuries, ended up 1st W50 , with a trophy and prize money, in a time of 45.11. Also running this weekend was Paul Thompson who won the Denny 10k in 35.35 and Jenny Fitzgerald (who is based down south at present) who was 1st lady in the Teign Valley 10.25 mile race in a time of 73.34. Its hilly profile should help her in the forthcoming cross country season.      
 

Inter District 10km – Edinburgh – 2nd October 2011

 Pouring rain didn’t dampen Burgh Babe Julia Henderson’s spirits or effort as she represented Scotland West in the Inter District 10km championships.  A late change in start time meant that Burgh Babe Julia Henderson missed the Elite start and had to run with the ‘masses’ but this probably worked in her favour with more runners around her.  The hilly Edinburgh course around Arthur’s Seat was a real test for all participants and a stitch at 8km wasn’t in her race plan but nevertheless she gave her usual 110% effort and crossed the line  in 38.51 seconds and 2nd scorer for the West, coming away with a team bronze medal.       

     

  • Share/Save/Bookmark
  1. No comments yet.

You must be logged in to post a comment.