The highlight of the weekend was the Scottish Athletics’ Annual Awards in the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. A number of the clubs athletes and board members attended the glittering awards evening and listen to the tremendous success of athletics in Scotland and further afield this year. The club has had its part in this representing UK in the Ladies European Clubs event in Spain and putting fantastic performances over the country, roads, hills and ultra events this year. Well done to all the athletes and coaches who have helped give the club such a high profile. This was recognised at the awards night with the club being shortlisted for the best off track club of the year. Unfortunately we were up against Central AC who won the 12 stage relay this year ,the holy grail of endurance running , and for the 12th year in the row the National Men’s Cross Country title. They also joined us in Spain, representing the UK in the European Clubs event. So lets try again next year! Congratulations to Central AC. Following on from John Mackay win last year of the Tom Stillie award winner was Derek Easton, the coach to the Central AC team and a ex-member of Shettleston. The club was also involved in delivering a session at the conference during the day with Alex Mackay and Elaine Mackay being involved in the Movember/SAMH Ahead of the Game programme over the last few months. This programme explores how to support the Mental Health of all our members. Please try to sign up to one of the sessions if offered to you.
It was no rest weekend for our athletes who again were in winning ways. It was the 60th running of Glasgow University 5 mile Road Race and Shettleston claimed its 17th win in this historic race. Many of the older members will remember the original course from the old Glasgow University’s playing fields at Westerlands and the Clevedon Hill just before going along Great Western Road to finish on the old cinder track at Westerlands. They might not remember the famous after party in the old club house after the race! This year Taha Ghafari continued the clubs success over the new two lap course from the Garscube Estate beating Duncan Robinson (GB international runner ) from Glasgow Caledonian University. Former winner Paul Sorrie, Adam Peters, Calum Oates, John Duffy, Denis Williams and Bob Porteous also ran but final positions are not available yet. The winners from Shettleston over the years include Norman Morrison, Nat Muir, Mike Deason, Thomas Fay, Paul Sorrie and Jamie Burns. Others who won before joining Shettleston include Lachie Stewart, Adrian Callan and Allan Adams. Not a bad list of athletes to be engraved on the famous cup.
Jamie Burns was competing for his university , the University of North Dakota (USA), in the Summit League Championships in South Dakota over the weekend. Jamie finished 11th helping his University to finish 3rd in the Conference event. Jamie was letting us know the team was hoping to win the event for the first time but like us at the awards dinner they will need to wait for another year. We are hoping Jamie will do a little piece for the website how he has adapted to life in USA.
Well done to Rowan Lennox who completed her 100th Park Run
