The cold crisp air of January welcomed almost 300 runners to the 2017 Nigel Barge Memorial 10k Road Race. A bumper turn out from local and further afield clubs were joined by eight of the Maryhill Harriers.
The race took the usual two lap undulating route through the Garscube estate, up to and down Bearsden Road via Ilay Road, onto the gradual climb along Temple Road, down Dalsholm Road before the steep incline onto Maryhill Road and back along to Garscube.
With Andy on marshalling duties, it gave the rest of us a chance to be the first Harrier to finish. Alan, Craig W and I got our tactics in early, moving a wee bit closer to the start line ahead of Scott, Craig G and James, with Michael and Heather further back. The race started promptly at 12 noon and got off to a busy start. Alan led us through the pack to the narrow path approaching the bridge over the Kelvin. Feeling boxed in, I took to running on the grass to pass a few runners, thankfully the ground wasn’t too slippy and I managed to stay on my feet. I kept the momentum up and moved up the field as we ran up the first hill to exit Garscube onto Bearsden Road.
I was feeling strong on the hilly sections and used these to pull closer to those ahead. As the race progressed I settled into my pace, keeping up with two runners in front of me, helped on by the encouragement from fellow Harriers stationed around the course. I glanced at my watch at the 5k marker and saw 18:15, ridiculously fast, maybe the marker came a bit early. Onwards through Garscube, I used the hills to move up a spot but “the guy in the red top” kept pulling away on the flats. I managed to overtake him as we came up Dalsholm to Maryhill Road but he caught me again as we headed back to Garscube. I dug in for the finish but was unable to catch him – good running by Neil Mackay.
A great run and an unexpected PB on the hilly Nigel Barge got me first Harrier home, followed by Alan, Craig W, Scott, Craig G, James, Michael and Heather. It was then time to head back for teas and coffees and a great selection of rolls and cakes.
266 runners completed the race. Shettleston Harriers recorded a 1-2 finish in the race with Weyneay Ghebresilassie, 31:10 followed by Peter Avent, 31:26 and Michael Crawley (unattached), 31:46. Jenny Bannerman, Inverness Harriers, finished first for the women in 36:01, followed by Sharon Muir, Inverclyde AC, 37:47 and Laura Wallace, Ayr Seaforth, 38:35.
Maryhill finishers:
26th – Kevin Campbell – 36:58 PB
42nd – Alan Richardson – 38:49
61st – Craig White – 41:08
75th – Scott Coulter – 42:24
86th – Craig Gilmour – 43:12
140th – James Prior – 48:02
191st – Michael Kemp( Guest) – 51:34
248th – Heather Stevenson – 62:59
Other prize-winners:
King of the Hill: Weyneay Ghebresilassie, Shettleston Harriers
Queen of the Hill: Laura Bannerman, Inverness Harriers
1st MV: Nicholas Gemmell, Inverclyde AC
1st FV: Angela Irving, Perth RR
1st MV50: Robert Morrison Unattached
1st FV50: Frances Wood, Linlithgow
1st Male Team: Shettleston Harriers
1st Female Team: Bellahouston Road Runners
A big thank you to the committee, club members and families and friends who made the race a great success.
Photos are available via Stuart Macfarlane and Kenny Phillips.
