With Storm Darragh having been in the news the day before and the effects lingering overnight into race day, there was a bit of trepidation about the conditions and weather as 12 Harriers travelled up to Balloch for the DAAA XC Championships.
There were supposed to be 19 Harriers in all but the weather, illness, work, and family circumstances meant the men’s section took a bit of a hit. However it’s testament to the growth of the club in recent years that we lost that amount of runners yet still had a gazebo full in Maryhill blue.
Despite the weather the previous day it really didn’t impact the course which was fine to run on, a few big puddles and muddy in parts but nothing as bad as the club XC route. Even with the different junior races having already taken place, it wasn’t too cut up.
Before the race started we caught up with Kenny and Andrew Stewart who had been marshalling at the car park, not the best job on a wintry day so kudos to them! I don’t think a career change to a traffic warden is on the cards for either of them.
We all gathered at the start line and some hearts sank a bit as 3 laps were confirmed despite the instructions on the website having said 2. I had never run this course before but was looking forward to my first run in XC spikes, my new Hoka Crescendos being a birthday present from Steph.
We set-off and Sam immediately took off with the leaders with Scott and Ross also starting well. I settled into a good pace and took advantage of the downhills to get some speed and momentum. After the first downhill there’s a couple of sharp turns as the route winds down and along by Loch Lomond.
I was feeling good and running well as the ascent started back up towards Balloch Castle. I had been told there was a short, steep hill similar to Duncruin Street so was bracing myself for that but no-one mentioned the hill before the hill! Not so steep but definitely a good climb before a short slanted descent and then the actual hill. It was quite steep but once you get to the top there a nice long straight stretch before you finish the lap. This was where the mud was quite bad however and a few naughty runners using the path.
I managed to catch Ross just after the start of the second lap and took advantage of the downhill to try and put some distance between us. He was having a hard time without spikes and slipped a few times. Indeed those in spikes definitely had an advantage, although Chris’ homemade ‘Maryhill Speedgoats’ weren’t cutting the mustard. He reckons he needed Nine Inch Nails in them rather than 2 small screws!
Once the first lap was done I knew how to pace it for the remaining 2 and decided even if I needed to walk up a bit of the steep hill I could do so and make up any lost time on the downhills.
Up ahead, Sam was running well and I wondered how far Scott was in front of me but I couldn’t see any sight of him. Reaching the hill on the 3rd lap, I nearly came undone on the sharp slanted downhill but managed to save myself from falling and nearly ended up in the trees. With a nervous look behind me to see if Ross was close, I put the head down and went as fast as I could through the mud towards the Castle. I was really happy with my run and enjoyed the course thoroughly, I’ll definitely be back next year.
Sam took first Harrier and 8th overall with a great race and finding a new nemesis from Dumbarton AAC along the way. Scott was next over the line and bemoaning the runners who had passed him on the path (“I thought this was Cross Country!”). I came in next and then Ross not too far behind. Chris rounded off the Men’s section, his ‘Speedgoats’ not quite having the effects he wanted.
In the ladies section, Claire and Heather were having a great race with Claire crossing the line 20 seconds ahead of Heather. Cat was next lady harrier to finish, also sporting the Hoka Crescendo spikes! Linda was having a cracking run, using her experience of cross country to finish just ahead of Gwen who muttered ‘never again’ at the end of her first XC. Susan and Margaret rounded up the harriers ladies both having paced the laps really well.
A quick team effort to take down the gazebo and a squad pic before trudging muddily back to our respective cars and lifts and all looking forward to the Christmas Night out that evening.
1st Male Harrier (8th overall in race) – Sam Allwood – 34m 37s
Scott Coulter – 42m 14s
Derek Muirhead – 43m 58s
Ross Trearty – 45m 21s
1st Female Harrier – Claire Glancy – 48m 40s
Heather Stevenson – 49m 0s
Cat Nisbet – 51m 34s
Linda Sinclair – 53m 56s
Gwen Keenan – 54m 12s
Susan Gunn – 54m 41s
Chris Hever – 54m 49s
Margaret Peebles – 56m 38s