Run the Blades half marathon was the curtain call for this season’s merit league. Yet again both leagues went down to the last race. Margaret and Cat were the contenders for the ladies merit league, but Margaret had to pull out due to injury. The open league was between me and Finn. Kenny had worked out all the different permutations. If we both got a PB, I would win unless I was 5th harrier or worse. If Finn got a PB and I didn’t then they would be the winner. If none of us got a PB then I would win. I think. The harriers half marathon champions would also be decided.
In the weeks leading up to the race Finn had been attempting to get in my head with mind games. All good banter. It was also to be Finn’s last race before moving down to Manchester. On the day me, Kenny, Finn, Natalie, Amy and Cat represented Maryhill. Stephen Tomasso unfortunately also had to pull out.
An event village was set up around windmill 53. A very impressive set up with plenty of portaloos, nice tunes, water and plenty of Skin so Soft to help keep midges at bay. We did have a bit of a trek from the car park to the village, but all part of the warm up.
Finn and I went off very fast as we both knew a PB would put us both in the frame. After 3km I was within my PB pace and could see Finn a few hundred yards ahead. This is a though and undulating trail race and it was quite a hot day. By 6km I was still just in PB pace and Finn was still a few hundred yards ahead. By 9km the PB was borderline and I was starting to feel tired. The next km was the most technical section of the race and the PB was still borderline after a 43min 10km, but unlikely. The next 2km were uphill and this took a lot out of me. However Finn was only about 50m ahead of me now.
I crept up on them but did not want to overtake them as I remember what happened to Scotland in the 1982 World Cup when David Narey scored against Brazil. Eventually at about the 15km mark I did overtake Finn as they tired. Finn said that they was done and told me to enjoy my victory lap. I told them there was still 6km left and they would get a second wind. Once in the lead I remembered there was also the Half Marathon championship to win as well as the merit league. I ploughed on dreaming of a half marathon trophy. Then came the massive hill at 18km. That hilly b@stard knackered me. Then young Finn appeared after 19km to retake the lead. Finn held on to take the harrier half marathon trophy. A great show of true grit and determination.
At the finish line Finn and I didn’t have long to wait for Natalie to come in. At the line Natalie was handed a block of wood. It was the prize for second female. Shortly afterwards Amy came in and was presented with another piece of wood for 3rd place female. Cat and Kenny had a bit of a battle going on and came in about a minute apart with Kenny just ahead. Cat had also completed the 10km on the Friday night so put in a great shift.
This was a tough race and made even tougher by the heat. A sad day as it was Finn’s last race before moving, but they leave with the harrier half marathon trophy and the best wishes of all the harriers. Natalie took the ladies half marathon title along with second female and first in her age category. Amy 3rd female overall and 1st in her age category. Cat took the ladies merit league after competing in all 14 races. An outstanding achievement. I failed to get my PB, but won my first merit league due to having PB’d 9 out of the 11 races I took part in. A good season and we now go on to next season.
Maryhill results:
Finn 1:37:40 23rd (1st NB)
James 1:38:22 24th
Natalie 1:42:20 32nd (2nd F, 1st F40)
Amy 1:43:45 37th (3rd F, 1st 25 to 39)
Kenny 2:10:14 192nd Cat 2:11:00 198th
