On Sunday 5th March, I was the sole Harrier to make the short trip along to Cambuslang for the annual Doon by the River 10k.
This is an event I last ran in 2014, pre-Maryhill days, where I recall being impressed by the flat, fast course and thoroughly happy with a PB of 44.51. I’ve thankfully kicked on a bit in the proceeding 3 years and was looking forward to a good run in preparation for the Alloa Half Marathon in a few weeks. Following an unexpected 5k PB Parkrun, as well as leisurely walk up Conic Hill the previous day, I arrived assuming I might not be as fresh as I’d need to be to grab a PB.
As mentioned before, the race follows a very flat, fast out and back course along the Clyde Walkway, starting and finishing in the Cambuslang industrial park with a sharp turn just after the 6km mark. The race attracts a strong field of runners, notably from Cambuslang Harriers who tend to dominate their home race.
I managed to start strongly and on pace, with my legs only really beginning to tire a bit between 6km and 8km where I was passed by a few runners I had overtaken earlier. Coming off the walkway for the last 1.5km, I was able to pick up the pace when I could see the finish line and I managed to pull back 1 or 2 places. Happy to clock in at 40.27 which is only 3 seconds from a PB and left my wondering what I could have ran with an easier day on the Saturday. Overall, a great weekends running.
The race was won by Cambuslangs Ryan Thomson, who pipped his club mate Robert Gilroy to finish in 31.37. First female was Karen Kennedy of PH Racing Club in 38.49.
87th – Scott Coulter – 40.27
293 finishers.
