Barrathon (Castlebay, Barra) – June 30

Nothing about taking on the Barrathon is easy. From the arduous ferry journey to the ‘undulating’ course which the half marathon follows, there is a challenge at every turn. Not to be put off, however, seasoned Barrathon pros Michelle Hetherington and Wilson Hamilton made the voyage and joined the record entry of 250 runners at the start line in Castlebay.
The cricular half marathon route travels round the island clockwise and starts out hilly, then lulls first-time runners into thinking that the worst is over before, in the final stages, throwing in a lung-busting, leg-deadening hill.
Michelle knew exactly what to expect however and scooped the 1st W45 prize in a time of 1:38:31. Wilson also comfortably negotiated the slopes in 1:58:55.
They were not the only runners to put in creditable performances for HAAC, however.
Madeline Robinson signed up for the 4k race and promptly finished an impressive 6th, in a time of 19:03.
The Barrathon may sound like the toughest of endurance tests – but the real challenge comes after the race…when the beer flows and the ceilidh gets going!

Kirkintilloch 10k - June 14

Polaroid Eyewear Vale of Leven 10k (Balloch) – June 10

Babcock Three Lochs Way Diamond Jubilee Relay Challenge (Helensburgh to Inveruglas) – June 3

Mull of Kintyre Half Marathon and 10k (Campbeltown) – June 3

Four HAAC members travelled to Campbeltown on the Mull of Kintyre, for the running festival. 
Conditions were very windy but mercifully dry as husband and wife Alistair and Anna Wylie took on the half marathon, which includes a run along a sandy beach. Alistair finished in an impressive 1.43.26 and Anna overcame the winds to run 1.58.19.
Paul Thompson and Jan Fellowes, also husband and wife, raced the 10k event with Paul coming fourth overall and winning the 1st vet prize in a time of 36.42.
Jan  ran at conservative pace to complete the course in 49.35.

Polaroid Eyewear Dumbarton 10k – May 31

After the searing heat of Clydebank the week before, conditions were considerably more runner-friendly for the third leg of the Polaroid Eyewear 10k series – the Dumbarton 10k.
It was still warm, but not dangerously so and despite there being a new start and finish for competitors to negotiate, this fast route encouraged some excellent times for the Helensburgh AAC members who took on the challenge.
John Ritchie produced a fine run to be first over the line for HAAC, in 38 minutes and 28 seconds, whilst Michelle Hetherington also came in under the 40-minute mark with her time of 39:53.
Jenny Fitzgerald has been a Polaroid Series ever-present this year, as has Calum Wilson. Jenny finished in 41:22, with Calum hot on her heels in 41:41.
Ross McInroy is more of an off-road ultra distance specialist these days, but he produced a turn of speed to come home in 41:58, while Brian Grant also kept up his 100 per cent series record this year with 43:01.
Alistair Wylie was in action just a couple of days before taking on the Mull of Kintyre half marathon and he finished in 44:01. Not far behind was young Madeline Robinson, who continues to cope well with increasing her mileage, in a time of 46:04. Laurie Macdonald was just over 30 secs behind in 46:35.
Gail Thomas came perilously close to breaking her personal best with 48:53, while Nicky Bridges (49:23), Liz McHard (49:28) and Anna Wylie (49:51) also put in fine performances.
Mary ‘that was my fastest 10k in years’ Connolly was thrilled with her time of 50.08, while Sybil Kennedy (51.11), Laura Johnstone (53:34), Neil Smith (54:42) and Justin Firth (59:38) saw the Burgh crew home. 

Photos (Scott Sport Photography)

Polaroid Eyewear Clydebank 10k – May 24

When the Polaroid Eyewear 10k series kicked off on May 17 with the Helensburgh 10k, it was very cold, wet and windy. Fast forward a week and the next leg of the four-race series - the Clydebank 10k - could not have been more different last Thursday.
For much of the field, all thoughts of fast times and personal bests were replaced with the ambition of just getting round safely, given that the sun was still shining strongly and the temperature was comfortably in the mid-20s as start time approached.
Such conditions can present all sorts of problems to the runners and the race proved to be a particularly tough challenge.
The weather was a huge topic of pre-race conversation, as were some of the changes made to the Clydebank course this year, which kept everyone on their toes. When the gun went the going was immediately tough and it didn’t take long for the heat to slow some of the competitors down. The medical staff were certainly kept busy over the course of the evening as runners began to succumb to the conditions.
As usual, Helensburgh AAC had a healthy contingent taking part and first home for the club was a disappointed but relieved Euan Crumley in 39 minutes and 35 seconds. By his own admission, Euan does not run well in the heat and is now looking for a cooler 10k in which to try and break his personal best this year!
Someone far happier when the sun shines is Jenny Fitxgerald, who came home in 41:41, while Laura Johnstone also performed well to clock 44:17.
Colin Douglas was next over the new, hillier, finishing straight in 45:13, closely followed by Alistair Wylie in 45:18.
There was also little to choose between the next two Helensburgh finishers, with Brian Grant (46:01) sneaking over the finish line ahead of Debbie Savage (46:09).
Young Calum Wilson, who had also run at Helensburgh the week before, kept going to beat the heat in 47:54, with Anna Wylie (51:23), Liz McHard (56:53) and Justin Firth (1:08:12) bringing home the Burgh troops on a tough, tough night on the running trail. Well done to all who ran and finished, it was not easy!

Cashel Forest Trail Run – May 19

The beautiful Cashel Forest was the setting for a low- key trail race which was run for charity and for fun. 
The event was organised by HAAC members, with handicapped start times being calculated on the basis of previous 10k race times – the less speedy runners starting first. The route goes uphill for a testing 3.2k to Queen’s View, leading many to question the fun element of the run, and then snakes downhill to complete the figure of eight 7.2k trail. Conditions were unusually dry and the views of loch and glen were fabulous.  
The prize for first to the top and Queen of the Mountain went to HAAC’s Pauline Penman, closely followed by guest runner Ruth Dundas and 3rd to the top Laura Johnston. The overall handicap was won by guest runner Alistair Douglas, 2nd place went to multi-sportsman Peter Haggerty and 3rd to HAAC’s Becky Beale. 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 Pottery at Drymen for some well-earned lunch.
The organisers are extremely grateful to those who kindly donated prizes for the race British Seed Houses, Angus Horticulture, Hillhouse Quarry Group and Inturf. £300 was raised for Pancreatic cancer UK and The Beatson.

Results and Photos

Polaroid Eyewear Helensburgh 10k – May 17

The annual Polaroid Eyewear 10k series got off to a tremendous start with the running of the Helensburgh 10k.
The rain came down and the wind got up on the night, but runners from across Scotland, and further afield, turned out in force to take part in an event which was hosting some of the finest 10k runners in the country.
This year’s entries hit a near record-breaking 999, a testament to just how good a job the hard-working members of Helensburgh Amateur Athletics Club do in putting together such an excellent race.
Each entrant had their own specific goal - whether that be finishing at the head of the field, beating their personal best or raising money for charity. For some this was their first race and for whom the Helensburgh AAC Beginners Group had provided valuable moral support and encouragement to run the distance.
The conditions at the start were just about ideal for running – a touch of rain, cool, and, unusually for Helensburgh, no wind. That would change later in the race but, as expected, it was the Shettleston Harriers contingent who set the pace for the rest to follow. No-one could keep up with last year’s winner Tewoldeberhan Mengisteab, who defended his title and got through the heavy rain and strengthening wind to become the first recipient of the Andrew Henderson Memorial Trophy by leading the field home in a time of 31minutes, 1 second.
Next was his Shettleston clubmate, American Michael Deason, in 31:33 while three-time Helensburgh 10k winner Amanuel Hagos made it a clean sweep of the top three places for Shettleston by coming third in 31:55.
The women’s race went right to the wire between two athletes from Central AC. Claire Couper put on a late charge to pip clubmate Jennifer Emsley to the line, Claire clocking 36:43 to Jennifer’s 36:49. Garscube’s Katie White was third lady in a time of 36:59.
Many of the members at Helensburgh AAC forego the chance to race this 10k as there is so much to be done behind the scenes but there was still a healthy contingent of Burgh talent on show.
First home for the club Charles Crooks, who put in an excellent run 36:30, while Julia Henderson came next after an extremely brave run of 38:39.
Jennifer Fitzgerald is hitting form as the summer progresses and, hot on the heels of running the women’s 10k in Glasgow just a few days earlier, came home in 40:49.
Youngster Calum Wilson then crossed the line in 42:42, with Colin Douglas (44.14), Helen Crooks (45.29) and Brian Grant (46.11) following.
Liz McHard (49.11) also battled through the worsening conditions, as did  Laura Johnstone (53.17), David Wilson (56:23), Helen Harrison (56:59), Pauline Penman (58:19), Justin Firth (1:01:16), Rachel Paterson (1:01:59), Kathy Currie (1:02:36), Avril Williams (1:04:39), Caroline Grace (1:04:43), Fiona Cameron (1:10:47).
Race director Jan Fellowes was left a happy woman after a job well done by all involved, from runners to supporters, volunteers to organisations such as Strathclyde Police and Helensburgh Toyota, who all provided invaluable support in keeping the Polaroid Eyewear Helensburgh 10k the best midweek race in the country. 

RESULTS

The Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10k (Bellahouston Park, Glasgow) – May 12

The weather was not kind to the 10,000 participants who lined up for the 20th running of the Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10k in Glasgow. The heavens opened just as the starting gun sounded and the rain, allied to the strong winds, made for some very difficult conditions.
The ladies of Helensburgh AAC were not to be deterred though and a healthy squad of Burgh Babes took on the challenge in Bellahouston Park.
Leading the way was Jenny Fitzgerald, who was first home for the club in a time of 42 minutes and 24 seconds. She was very closely followed by Michelle Hetherington, who showed few ill-effects from her recent fine performance in the Highland Fling ultra marathon to finish in 42:31.
Next home was Debbie Savage in 46:22 and she was then joined by Rebecca Beale (47:46), Gail Thomas (49:33) and Liz McHard (50.15).
Jan Fellowes has been struggling with injury of late and battled on despite a mid-race leg spasm to finish in a time of 51:08. She will now concentrate on her next challenge – the role of race director of the Helensburgh 10k!
Mary Connolly was next Burgh Babe over the line in 51:26, while Amy Dignon (1:00:30), Karen Wallace (1:01:52) and Kathy Currie (1:03:21) rounded off an excellent day’s running.

The Hoka Highland Fling (Milngavie to Tyndrum) – April 28

Some people would consider completing the 26.2 miles of a marathon an almost impossible challenge but racing over double that distance in one day, and with a few mountains in the way, makes for quite some task.
But that was what faced the Helensburgh AAC runners who took on the Hoka Highland Fling, a 53-mile ultra marathon which is staged on the southern half of the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Tyndrum last Saturday.
Michelle Hetherington was clearly not daunted and raced her way into the record books. Not only did she finish 5th lady overall, her time of 9 hours, 36 minutes and 27 seconds was a personal best by 20 minutes and meant she finished first Female 40, breaking the record time for that category in the process. To top that off, Michelle was third British woman home and received the bronze medal to reward her efforts.
Lorna Masterton was next home for the club, completing the course in 13:31:06 while Burgh’s Ellen McVey, a prominent member of the ultra running scene, had a day she won’t forget either. Unfortunately Ellen fell in the early stages of the race and was taken to hospital with a broken collarbone, while her partner and fellow HAAC member Ivan Bertram withdrew from the race to be with her.
As well as the individual race, there is also a team relay event at the Highland Fling. HAAC were represented by an all-female team The Burgh Babes (Karen Wallace, Jenny Fitzgerald, Debbie Savage and Laura Johnstone), as well as the mixed line-up of the Burgh Guys and Dolls (Mary-Louise Rooney, Brian Grant, Campbell Cromar and Andrew Stafford). The Babes were sixth female team, while the Guys and Dolls were 10th mixed team.  

Results

The London Marathon – April 22

All eyes are on London in 2012 but the world is always watching the big smoke when it comes to this time of year thanks to the London marathon.
Three Burgh runners took on the challenge and crossed the finish line, with Gail Thomas coming home first for the club in an impressive time of 3:56:20. Gail has been through something of a rollercoaster ride with her training, having had to overcome injury problems, so her rewards were richly deserved. Sybil Kennedy was next in 4:13:07, with a disappointed Gordon Howat coming home in 4:21:48.

Balfron 10k – April 22

Helensburgh AAC were very well represented with a big turnout at the Balfron 10k. It’s a fantastic event on a beautiful route but also a hugely challenging one, with some unforgiving hills on the out and back course more than enough to tax the most energetic of legs.
Paul Thompson seems immune to such things, though and he blasted his way home in a remarkable time of 35:57 to finish in a very impressive third place.
Back north of the border and getting back in the running groove after illness, Jenny Fitzgerald was next home for the club in 42:22, with Brian Grant not far behind in 44:20 and Colin Douglas hot on Brian’s heels in 45:05.
Alistair Wylie came next in 46:03 before B team guru Andrew Stafford crossed the line in a fine effort of 52.16.
Meanwhlle, there was no separating Anna Wylie and Nichola McCaffrey who both clocked 53:19 and Karen Eriksen completed the Burgh line-up in 1:04:14

The Paris Marathon – April 15

The intrepid Mary Connolly became Burgh’s first marathon runner of Olympic year toed the line with thousands of others at the Paris marathon. More of a multi-sport athlete in recent years, Mary is one never to shy away from a challenge, so her perfromance of 4:32:39 on the streets of the French capital was nothing short of magnifique!

Rock n’ Roll Edinburgh half marathon – April 15

Liz McHard joined the field taking part in the inaugural Rock n’ Roll Edinburgh half marathon. Around 5000 runners entered this event with a difference, which followed a course taking in The Meadows, The Mound, Holyrood and a final stretch down the Royal Mile. There was a live band playing at every mile marker to entertain the competitors and the music clearly kept Liz motivated as she came home in a personal best time of 1:55:56.

Balloch to Clydebank Half Marathon – April 15

Four HAAC members made their way to the bonnie banks for the Balloch to Clydebank half marathon.
Conditions were perfect as the runners lined up for the start at Loch Lomond Shores, with the air cool and the sun shining.
Paul Thompson just will not slow down and was first home for the club, finishing an impressive eighth overall in a time of 1:16:43 and winning his age category. Enjoying a good run, Euan Crumley was next Burgh bloke home in 1:22:11.
For the ladies, Debbie Savage put in a great performance to record 1:43:42. She was followed by Jan Fellowes, who is still struggling with injury but battled through the pain to run 1:47:50 and finish 3rd W50.

Tom Scott Memorial 10-Miler & Round The Loch 6km (Strathclyde Park) – April 8

This was a brilliant day for HAAC with some superb performances in different age categories and disciplines from the club members.
Paul Thompson’s fine form this year was in evidence again at the Tom Scott 10-mile road race in Strathclyde Park. Apart from a headwind between the 7 and 9-mile markers, conditions were reasonably good and Paul took advantage to clock yet another personal best of 57minutes and 54 seconds, securing him the over 50 prize.
The first of the Helensburgh females was Michelle Hetherington in 1.09.54, follwed by Debbie Savage with an official time of 1.19.53. However, Debbie was actually quicker than this as she started late, having been told the race would be delayed. It wasn’t! Completing the team was Jan Fellowes, who has been struggling with injuries, in 1.21.02. Jan was also quicker than her given time due to the time taken to get over the slow, narrow start line.
There was also a 6km ’round the loch’ race and in a brilliant run the U20 female prize was won by the youngest of the Burgh Babes, Madeline Robinson, in 27.18.