With Kenny Angove having to withdraw due to work commitments, Chris Hever, Fletcher Murdoch and myself made our way over to Woodhead Park, Kirkintilloch for the Neil McCover Memorial half marathon.
Taking in Milton of Campsie, Lennoxtown, Torance and Lenzie, the course is advertised as fast. Describing it as ‘flat’ would be generous, it’s very undulating and has a significant climb at the 9 mile marker; however, it did indeed prove a fast course for the three of us. The race was very well organised and marshalled by the Kirkintilloch Olympians and police volunteers, and I’m sure all 3 of us would recommend this race next year.
The race got started at 9am on a lovely winteresque morning, with a clear blue sky and frost on the ground – for me, perfect running weather after a summer that was too hot and humid for me to get any decent times in. The course takes place on country roads for the main part, and the scenery is well worth a look while you’re ambling round. Having learned my lesson about going off too fast on my last 2 half marathons, resulting in me hanging on for dear life during the final 3 miles, I kept the pace down at the start and tried to go steady the whole way round. This seems to be a better tactic than flying out of the traps at 10k pace, as I finally managed to beat my Balloch-Clydebank time from April!
It was a fantastic race for Chris and Fletcher too, with Fletcher posting his best half marathon time of the season, and Chris continuing his streak of PBs as he smashed a whopping 7 minutes off his previous half marathon best.
The race was won outright by Robert Gilroy of Cambuslang in a time of 1 hr 11 mins 24 secs. First female was Claire McArthur in 1 hr 23 mins 19 secs.
Maryhill Harriers:
Craig White – 1 hr 31 mins 56 secs (PB)
Chris Hever – 1 hr 41 mins 33 secs (PB)
Fletcher Murdoch – 2 hrs 1 min 12 secs
