The Chris Moon Pie & Two Halfs Half Marathon is a new event, a fund raiser for Erskine Hospital, hosted by Strathaven Striders & Chris Moon himself, whom I felt privileged to meet as he made a point of welcoming everyone individually.
Sun 6th June saw a cracking morning, none of the forecast heavy rain, as the 64 runners were bussed via a long, bumpy, roundabout route to the start at Whitelees windfarm, where most of the trees were well watered by a row of runners. First 7 miles were around the windfarm along tracks, “undulating”– we all know what that means! Quite awesome, the windmills swishing round slowly–I’d never been up close to them before. Final 6 miles followed the still “undulating” but overall downhill farm roads back to the park in Strathaven– a previous 10k route.
Now for the best bit- a hot, award-winning pie, & a pint of real ale — pure nectar! What else would drag me out to a race after a 9 month absence?
Overall, a brilliantly organised race, very welcoming & friendly as only small-scale events can be. Not too many runners outwith locals, but I for one will be back if able.
Winner was Stuart Gibson of RH Cambuslang in 1h13m33, 2nd was Alex Keenan of Carnegie in 1h18m16, 3rd overall & 1st v40 was Ian Hughes of Calderglen, in 1h21m48. Mark Ashby of Vicky Park was 1st v50, 5th overall, in 1h22m44.
Louise Beveridge of Aberdeen won the ladies’ prize in 1h28m38, followed by Mary McCutcheon 1h29m29 & Maureen McVey,1h35m11, (both v45 & Giffnock N.) As they were placed, Frances Maxwell of Calderglen got the vet’s award (1h35m42s as 4th lady overall.
Chris Moon himself finished in 1h45m50– just how fast would he be with all his limbs!
As for me, I was delighted; not just to complete the course, but to meet & beat my 2hr target by 2 mins, steady 9min miling (how sad is that!). I’d a great day out after a long absence from competition, lost loads of pre-entry fees! The way you have to plan & enter long in advance these days. Must go, ibuprofen time, knee swollen up again like a balloon; but it was worth it!!
I met also with Dianne Kelly, who introduced herself on spotting my club strip, as a former Maryhill member– she’d won a club race a few years back. She turned in a respectable performance by the way, 19secs inside the 2hrs. All in all, a very sociable event.
