Christmas Handicap
William Johnstone would not know in December 1904 when he won the club’s first Christmas handicap that the event would still be running 121 years later. Life would have been much different in those days and certainly the distance of the event has changed. There were no young athletes or Ladies in the club and the distance was 7.5 miles.
We returned to the excellent Alexandria Park Golf Course venue this year to host the event over a 2km course. The area has many historical links to our sport with the Alexandria Sports Club in 1870 having a Harriers section that used the surrounding area for training and events. Over 100 people attended the event this year, and we were blessed with the best weather of the day.
The first event of the day to get underway was the Young Athletes event, raced over one lap of the 2km course. First over the line was U8 athlete Noah Mackie, who was rewarded with a club medal for being first over the line. This age group cannot win the Handicap trophy, however.
Once all the athletes were home and the arithmetic was done, the girls’ trophy was clinched by Lauren Grant-Pantry, with Lewis Ritchie winning the boy’s race. Rio Biddlecombe and Zoe Roberts recorded the fastest laps of the race. Both these athletes, along with Rowan Lennox and Noad Woldleselassie, have been selected to represent the West District team at the Inter District Championships, which will also take place at Alexandria Park Golf Course on January 10, 2026. Fifteen club athletes have been selected over various age groups, and Shettleston Harriers will once more have the honour of hosting the event for Scottish Athletics after the success of last year’s event.
As always, running events like this requires help and assistance: If you would be able to help at this event in any way, please let us know. Many hands make light work!
With 121 years of history, the senior event win is highly prized within the club. Two trophies were up for grabs, The Patrick Bannon Memorial Trophy (Winner) and the John Howieson Memorial Trophy (Masters). Both of these have historical links to the club. John Howieson was one of the founder members of the club, with Patrick Bannon being the father of Eddie Bannon (Multiple winner of the Scottish Cross Country title and international athlete) and Grandfather of Paul Bannon (Commonwealth Games Medallist Marathon when running for Canada). The family grew up in the Parkhead area of Glasgow.
With the senior athletes completing two laps of the course, guest runner Sophie Ralston was well clear at the finish, given a generous handicap and crossed the line first. U/17 athlete Sam McGowan was second overall, with the winner of the Patrick Bannon Trophy for seniors, Finlay Sinclair close behind in third. Finlay is one of the newer members of the club and was delighted to win, this being the first time he had a pair of spikes on!
The same cannot be said for the winner of the John Howieson Trophy, John Oates. John has previously won the trophy in 2009, 2010 and again in 2015. John is also the winner of the Jack Kean Trophy this year. Cameron Muir recorded the fastest lap of the race.
Outgoing Club President Elaine Mackay presented the prizes and trophies on Saturday, performing her last duties in the role before Gary Woods takes up post early next year. Elaine’s family (the Scally family) has links with the club going back to1928 and over the last seven years she has presided over the club with a huge amount of passion and dedication. There have been many successes within the club over that time and 2025 in particular has been a fantastic year. The club has picked up various awards and is performing at the highest level. It has not always been easy, though. Elaine had to deal with all the restrictions and challenges of the COVID19 pandemic as well as various other difficult issues. Former Board member and current club coach Tracey Fox paid tribute to Elaine and her immense contribution to the club in various roles, presenting her with a bouquet after the prize giving. Elaine will still be around, working as hard as ever for the club.
Like all of the events the club runs, the Christmas Handicap cannot go ahead without the help of our many members, parents, and supporters who give up their time to help at events. The club would like to offer a big thanks to everyone who helped in any way, and as the year draws to its end we would like to express our grattitude to every single person who has helped out at the club and the events we run.
GAA Yuletide Open Graded
Less than a mile away from the Christmas Handicap, our sprinters and field athletes were testing their early indoor form at the GAA Yuletide Open Graded meeting with great success. Gkontouin Imante led a number of great performances and eight PB’s over various distances. His times were the fastest recorded on the day.
| Gkontouin Imante U20M | 60m -7.05 200m 21.84 |
| Maynard Conteh U20M | 60m – 7.37 PB 200m – 23.10 PB |
| Derick Aigbadon U20M | 60m – 7.65 PB |
| Arif Chapti | 60m 7.91 200m 25.49 |
| Arianna Obiora U16G | 60m – 8.33 PB |
| Zoe Roberts U16G | 200m 27.15 PB |
| Estelle Giraud U20W | 200m 27.61 PB Shot Put – 9.59 |
| Molly Brown U14G | 60mH- 10.75 PB 200m – 28.50 HJ – 1.07 (retired) |
| Keva Rose Adams-Mackenzie U/16 | 60mH – 11.82 PB |
| Carson Graham (M45) | 60mH – 10.26 HJ – 1.48 |
There was another PB performance at the Telford 10k with Philip Neilson running 30:02, finishing in 43rd place overall. Fionnuala Ross and Emily Carroll also took part in the race. Fionnuala finished first in the F35-39 category and eighth female in a time of 33:29 whilst Emily also ran a fast time of 35:32.
It was great to see Lachlan Oates retain his 10mile North District Title on Sunday in a swift time of 51.42 mins. Lachlan continues to return to full fitness and we hope to see him in Glasgow on January 10 next year at Inter District Championships.