The last time we raced one of our normal Merit League races was March 2020 at the Balloch to Clydebank Half Marathon so there was a real buzz last Thursday when we kicked-off our mini 2020-21 race season with the first of four races before we start our 2021-22 campaign. It was kicked-off in style with the very easy and very flat Bannerman Trail Race in Dawsholm Park…..
Harriers have been taking part in various virtual challenges during lockdown plus we’ve raced (with successes) the Kintyre Way Ultra in August 2020 and again in May 2021. The Bannerman though is a short 3.2 mile, fast and hilly course that never fails to trash the legs and lungs. Where was everyone’s fitness for this type of race? I’m not sure any of us really knew but there were titles up for grabs……
We had 12 harriers for the race, coach Mick on time-keeping duties and great support from Margaret and Caroline. At the ‘off’ Scott, Finn and myself took the lead on the downhill path before turning right and tacking the first of many uphill sections. At this point Finn dropped a gear and shot into the lead and up the hill, closely followed by myself and Scott. They’ve been doing a lot of work in the park of late and it’s looking good – the steps though as we climbed away from the Kelvin felt harder than normal. The famous log had gone but more steps beckoned – even after these it’s a draggy climb up to the highest point before a quick downhill to the start area.
Finn kept his lead over myself and Scott after the first lap and was looking strong. On the first uphill on lap 2 I thought that maybe I had closed a little on Finn but his long stride on the flatter sections quickly opened the gap up again. I definitely closed up on him on the first section of steps and on the second section Finn slowed and was suffering the effects of a strong and fast start. After checking all was OK I scampered up the remaining hill as quickly as I could to open up as much of a gap as possible to hopefully stay clear on the flat park loop to the finish. The finish line was very welcome – the course never gets any easier!
Finn was not far behind and Scott had a strong run to finish 3rd just behind Finn. Elsewhere Natalie had a storming run to take the Women’s Bannerman title – huge congrats, that’s two in a row for Natalie and follows a very strong run on leg 3 for The Maryhillbillies relay team at the Kintyre Way Ultra. James and Lynsey were neck and neck with James just pipping Lynsey to the line. Ryan and Dan were very close behind and it looks like there was a good battle between these four. It was good to see Alisdair again who finished ahead of Kenny. Great to see Cat again and running so well after the birth of Lewis. Chris commented on how much he enjoyed the steps, a last minute bit of altitude work before this weekend’s West Highland Way Challenge Race (which Lynsey is racing as well).
All in all a great night’s racing – it was ace to be back racing together as a club. A few wee markers for the next three races and maybe a few scores to be settled…. Next up is the Club Trail Race at Blanefield on 24th June – another flat and easy one!
RESULTS:
1st Craig Perrie 22.20 Men’s Bannerman Champion
2nd Finn Boyd 23.14
3rd Scott Coulter 23.40
4th Natalie 24.51 Women’s Bannerman Champion
5th James 26.00
6th Lynsey 26.02
7th Ryan 26.20
8th Dan 26.51
9th Alisdair 28.34
10th Kenny 29.30
11th Cat 30.49
12th Chris 31.11
Photos at Bannerman Trail Race 2021
