As with 2022, Elder Park was again chosen as the venue for our club 5k championship. The pancake-flat route is an ideal one for speedy times, although a number of sharp turns can disrupt the flow so an interesting race was in prospect.
This year’s event was set up to be a cracker with 8 Harriers turning up. In recent weeks, a secret gang of misfits known only as the ‘Monday Club’ have been gathering for secret sessions, burning up the track in preparation for this one. Kenny H even disappeared for a warm-up(!) here, proving exactly how big an occasion it was.
With my nemesis Craig P pulling out of the race with that old runners favourite of a ‘sare toe’, it meant no re-run of our close match from last year. I reckoned I would be on my own for the majority of the race and it would be a battle of the mind without another Harrier’s vest to chase. I’d been training well in the lead up and fancied a good crack at a PB without pushing my usual buggy around!
A fast start saw myself, Derek and friend-of-the-Harriers Finn blast off together for the first KM with Amy keeping tabs on Derek. The pace over the 1st KM was ambitious but I decided to hang in and see how I got on and I began reigning in a few bodies ahead of me. Last year, I had ran consistent 3.45 KM’s and I passed through the half way point comfortably under that. Behind me, Amy had pulled ahead of Del with both of them going great. My pace dipped slightly before I mis-timed my sprint for the line, going off a bit early trying to catch a Cambuslang vest in front. Thankfully, I recovered enough to cross the line in 18.10 and a new PB. Just enough time to catch my breath before Amy came steaming over the line, just ahead of Del in 19.45 and 19.54 respectively. Two massive sub-20 PB’s for the pair, a great advert for the benefits of consistent good training. Likewise for James who came through in 20.37 and another PB.
The PBs were to keep coming, Cat running her fastest ever official 5k with a fantastic 21.42 finishing ahead of Kenny who notched up a course PB. He had to work for it, having a great battle with Gwen who ran a very impressive 24.02 and a PB. Chris rounded off the Harriers contingent, finishing in 25.23 and a fastest 5k in many a year!
Needless to say, it was a great day for the Harriers with so many PBs. Things are getting very interesting in the Merit Leagues! Thanks to our friends at Elder Park parkrun for the event and allowing us to gate-crash for our club championships!
8th – Scott Coulter – 18.10 (Mens 5k Champion)
16th – Amy Watson – 19.45 (Ladies 5k Champion)
17th – Derek Muirhead – 19.54
23rd – James Prior – 20.37
28th – Cat Nisbet – 21.42
41st – Kenny Henderson – 23.31
45th – Gwen Keenan – 24.02
58th – Chris Hever – 25.23
