Loch Lomond 10k 2026

The Loch Lomond 10k brought the curtain down on the Maryhill Harriers Merit League with the battle for the Ladies crown going right down to the final footstep over the line.

Heather Stevenson and I had been battling it out over the last few races with the narrowest of points separating us.  Kenny had calculated the permutations with the chances of me lifting the silverware as likely as Scotland progressing to the knockout stages of the World Cup.

In the build-up, in the vain and ridiculous attempt to get an age-related PB to secure victory, I shelled out an eye-watering sum of money on a pair of super trainers but alas they were pinching before I even ran one step.

I hoped the recent track sessions, consistent training, a nice flat course and perfect weather would help propel me but unfortunately the last two elements didn’t deliver as the race start was narrow and a bit hilly, at one point taking us onto grass as part of the Balloch XC route, and it was too warm.

I knew this was no PB course so consigned myself to enjoying the run as much as I could which was hard with the sun beating down despite the early 10am start.

After coming out of Balloch Park, it was over the bridge and down on the path beside the River Leven towards Dumbarton, before crossing a bridge, and heading back towards Jamestown, a wee turn onto another bridge before picking up the river path again, then over the road bridge, and a little loop in the park.

Alison overtook me early on and I tried to keep her in my sights but as we approached the last couple of kilometres she pulled away, or I slowed down, or probably both of above, and I could no longer see her; is there anything more dispiriting than no longer being able to catch a glimpse of someone you want to stick with.

I was both relieved and alarmed to return to the park, glad for the welcome shade of the trees, but worried that the runners I could see coming down further up the hill were doing the 10k, “did this mean a much bigger climb up the hill?”, thankfully it didn’t as they were doing the 5k.

The inflatable finish archway was finally in sight, and I couldn’t have been more relieved to cross the line!

Lovely to bump into a couple of cycling friends and Paul from work who told me there were a few T-shirts from last year’s race going begging and kindly retrieved one from a box for me because quite frankly I didn’t have any energy left to move!

Congratulations to Heather for winning both the women’s Merit League and securing the female 10K champion title and to Scott Coulter for winning the men’s 10k championship.

Although I cursed the heat in the race it was lovely to hang out at the end in the sun with my fellow Maryhill Harriers at such a well organised event.

Onto next year…

Scott Coulter – 40:22

Daniel Nixon – 42:53

James Prior – 43:12

Heather Stevenson – 47:58

Claire Glancy – 51:11

Kenny Henderson – 53:53

Alison Mitchell – 55:27

Linda Sinclair _- 56:25

Yulia Anopa – 01:00:10

Margaret Peebles – 01:07:03