Cross Country, Road, Indoor Track, Parkrun action and forthcoming events

It was one of the busiest weekends for the club with events taking place on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. Some excellent performances were recorded in Ayr, Glasgow (Bellahouston Park), Brooking (South Dakota), London and Glasgow (Maryhill).

Lynn McKenna pulled on her Scotland vest again as she travelled to London to compete in the Home Countries International at the Cross Challenge at the iconic Parliament Hill Course. With a tricky course over 5 laps and treacle like mud, Lynn was slightly disappointed with her 35^th place but Scotland won the match beating all the other home nations. She was joined in London by Katie Woods with support from an Alistair Blamire Endurance Grant to finish an excellent 17^th in a high quality U/17 race. Meanwhile Jamie Burns who was recently awarded the Jack Kean Bursary finished 6^th over a mile in a indoor race in Brooking (South Dakota). His time of 4.12.06 moved him into the top 10 all time for his University. The race was run on a 300m indoor track and he will be pleased it was indoor as the outside temperature was – 18C! Miraji Ahmed was also in action in the USA where he jumped 13.89 in the Triple Jump at an event in Nashville.

Closer to home the Ayr indoor arena was the venue for the Scottish National Athletic Indoor Championships Qualifying Heats. With the Emirates Arena being prepared for the World Indoor Championships a different format is being used this year.

The Lanahan brothers had a great two days with Joseph recording the 3rd best long jump of 5.05m of all times for a U/13 boy (Scotland) and breaking the club record with his older brother Abraham recording the 5^th best Triple jump 11.80m of all time for a U/15 Boy (Scotland).

Friday results

Seniors – Shot Teddy Tchoudja 12.95

U/17 – High Jump Estelle Giraud 1.48 PB and Shot 8.08PB

U/15– Long Jump Abraham Lanahan 5.11

U/13 – High Jump Joseph Lanahan 1.48, Long Jump Zoe Roberts 3.42, Long Jump Molly Brown 3.06

Saturday Results

Senior – Triple jump Morgan Findlay 10.54, 60m Arif Chapiti 7.81, 60m Emmanuel Nyamekye 7.46

U/17 – Long Jump -Jonathan Hooper 7.31

U/15 – Triple Jump Abraham Lanahan 11.80, 60m Abraham Lanahan 8.18

U/13– 60m  Joseph Lanahan 8.20, Long Jump Joseph Lanahan 5.05, 60m Molly Brown 9.30

60m Arianna Obiora  9.32

O45 – 60mH Carson Graham 10.62

U13 – 60m H Zoe Roberts 11.76

Sunday results

Seniors – Shot -Angus McInroy 14.12, 60m Tanatorn Longjamnong  7.55

Bellahouston was the venue for the 2^nd  West League. Thank you to all the coaches, parents and helpers who braved the strong winds on Saturday. The West League is a great introduction to Cross Country and there were an number of new faces on the start line.

Results below

U/11 Girls -Team 5^th

Rowan Lennox 3^rd, Miley Caldwell 18^th, Indie Connolly 47^th

U/11 Boys Team 3^rd

Louis Millican 15^th, Rio Biddlecombe 18^th, Hennoch Woldeselassie 29^th, Naod Woldeselassie 30^th

U/13 Boys Team 13^th

Connor Cunningham 25^th

U/13 Girls Team 12^th

Charlotte Reilly 26^th, Alexia Rigg 47^th

U/15 Boys Team 19^th

Lucas Millican 14^th

U/15 Girls Team 9^th

Kate Monaghan 7^th

U/17 Men Team 11^th

Joseph Reilly 7^th

Senior Women -Team 2^nd

Jennifer Clark 1^st, Kirsten Veira de Luz 10^th

Senior Men Team 2^nd

Sam Lesley 4^th, Andrew Taylor 6^th, Andrew Shields 11^th, Stewart Houston 15^th, Stephen Clark 35^th

The last event of the weekend was the Nigel Barge 10km. Heavy rain and a flooded course in part caused the course to be changed at the last minute and the runners had to endure atrocious condition. Taha Ghafari repeated his win of last year leading the men’s team to a win.

Results below -Please note due to a change of course the times for 10km may not be accurate

1^st Team

1^st Taha Ghafari 31.42, 14^th Paul Sorrie 35.38 (4^th M40), 19^th Calum Oates 36.11, 27^th Gerry Pelegir 37.08

Other positions

44^th Victoria Riddell  39.05l (5^th Lady), 51^st Denis Williams 39.48 (2^ndM60), 216^th Bob Porteous 56.07 (2^nd M70)

Please note entries for the Masters Cross Country Championships close this Thursday – If you want to run you must be a member of Scottish Athletics (have a current SA Number)- Please let John Mackay or Avril Mason know no later than Wednesday if you want to run – The club pays for this event which is in Forres.

The next big event of the year is the National Cross Country Championships is at Falkirk on the 24^th February -we already have 35 men entered and 15 ladies -This is a great event for all level of abilities -Ask other athletes an event not be missed- let John Mackay or Avril Mason know if you want to do it – Elaine Mackay will enter the Young athletes, please let her know if you want to run.

A couple of events before the national are the Devil’s Burden Relay ( Hill Race – we have 5 teams entered ) and the West League on the 10^th Feb 2024 at Erskine – These events are all free to club members

The West District 10-mile RR Championships will be hosted at the DAAA 10 mile Road Race: Sunday 21 April 2024.

https://www.dunbartonshireaaa.co.uk/news/10-mile-road-race-championship-2/

The West District 10k RR Championships will be hosted at the Babcock Helensburgh 10k: Thursday 20 May 2024

Parkruns  

Toby Hession ran 20.55 at Pollok Parkrun.

Two Shettleston Harriers ran at Tollcross Parkrun, with David Murphy in 19th place in 22.24 and Paul Mcguigan in 24.03.

At Springburn Parkrun, Ronnie Strachan finished 3rd in a time of 17.46. John Craig also ran well for 4th place in a time of 18.36.

At Queens Parkrun, Ruth Stanley finished in a time of 30.48 and Melanie Hayes finished the Forfar Parkrun in a time of 30.59.

Last parkrun of the day was at Elder Park, where Raymond Loughran finished in a time of 29.19.