April has arrived, the clocks have sprung forward, a new running season has arrived, and the maryhill harriers merit league marches on indelibly. Last month’s event was the gruelling 20 miles along the forth event, and it was fairly clear this week that the mammoth effort had taken it’s fair toll across the harriers lineup.
Scott left edinburgh by car that day, but looked as though a stretcher may have been more appropriate.
The race sent James into such a mental headspin that he raced the Tom Scott 10 miler shortly after to set an age-related PB, completely forgetting he’d already raced the lasswade 10 miler for that reason.
Daniel was so determined to hide an injury that he booked a holiday to Japan to cover for it.
I just had a small niggle in my knee but decided to moan about it for a month to anyone who would listen.
Regardless, 20 miles along the forth is in the past, and this week’s race was the mighty DAAA 10-miler. A strong squad of harriers assembled early doors at the Clydebank leisure centre, keen to talk strategy, but even more keen to stay out of the howling winds and horizontal rain.
The merit league has typically been kind to us this year in delivering good weather. In months gone by, storm clouds seem to have parted at the news that maryhill are about to embark on a race around the schemes. Unfortunately, it wasn’t looking that way on Sunday.
The squad of Linda, Hannah, Kenny, Meredith, James, Scott, Cat, Andrew and I made our way out to the starting line for the 10AM kick off. And what we were treated to could be described – perhaps dramatically – as a category 3 hurricane.
Regardless, our split shorts and maryhill vests may have been dampened, but the spirits were not. The race went off with a bang when Pro-Tay fired an actual starting pistol, and I think half of Clydebank shut their curtains at that point.
Thankfully, as we made our way out along the waterfront, a short way through the housing estate, and onto the canal, it was clear that the red-warning weather zone was localised entirely to the Clydebank leisure centre. The jaunt along the canal was very pleasant and sunny. At times a bit narrow, and with a few puddles to be avoided, but it made for a very enjoyable route in the sun.
At around the 4-mile mark, the route cut off of the main canal and entered the only real incline of the race at the bow-line. There was an assortment of dog walkers and marshalls at this point so it made for a good cheering on point. John Bell of Inverclyde was already haring his way back to the canal at this point and you really get an idea of how quick some of these guys are. Seriously speedy.
A mile along the road marked the turn. No cones this time, just an about turn around a single marshall and away we went back. Up to this point in the harriers season, I’ve been clinging to the shoulder of Daniel Nixon in every race, ensuring both of us have as un-enjoyable a race as possible. But as he was on holiday, I’d largely been running myself. However, I had noticed that James was only a few hundred meters ahead. I’d felt great on the way out so decided to put the foot down a bit to try and slowly reel him in.
The miles disappeared in what felt like no time and all of a sudden we were back in clydebank. And the theory on the localised weather system had been true. As soon as we cut off the canal, all hell broke loose and we were back in amongst the gale force winds and rain again. I’m not sure what clydebank has done in a past life, but I don’t think they deserve this kind of treatment.
By this point I was alongside James and decided to make my move with about 1.5km to go. This was easily the most brutal stage of the race, fairly knackered, legs hurting, and running directly into the face of the wind. The finish line looked a mile away, but I checked behind me and realised I was safe from James so kicked on with what I had left.
Scott had already made his way back by that point with another 1st harrier and big PB to his name. We then watched Meredith, in top form, come in shortly after, sweeping to another 1st female position.
And as much as we love cheering the harriers to the finish, together, we made a clear and conscious decision to vacate the finish line and make haste for the leisure centre cafe. From there we still had a great vantage point as we watched the next runners come in. First Andrew, then Cat, then Kenny, followed by a great sprint finish race between Hannah and Linda, which Hannah just edged.
All in all, another great day out. Big thanks as always to the organisers and all the marshalls and volunteers. There were some particularly tricky sections crossing the roads at Clydebank, but everyone did so well.
MWND!
RESULTS
Scott Coulter: 1:03:24
Alex Paterson: 1:07:16
James Prior: 1:07:41
Meredith Kennedy: 1:15:07
Andrew Stewart: 1:21:08
Catriona Nisbet: 1:22:36
Kenny Henderson: 1:25:33
Hannah Hughes: 1:30:12
Linda Sinclair: 1:30:14
