ATHLETICS — Glenpark Harriers Hold Annual Race Around Greenock CutGREENOCK Glenpark Harriers held their annual Willow Bowl Race at Greenock Cut.
The near eight-mile route starts along the long dam near the Waterman’s cottage and takes them up the back hill towards Loch Thom. The runners then pass through Cornalees, on to the nature trail and on to the Cut, heading for the finish line at the Waterman’s Cottage.
The race is a conceding handicap race, with the runners setting out in reverse order, with the aim that they all finish roughly the same time. This always results in a frantic finish, as the runners try and catch those in front before the end.
Donna Clark with one mile to go
This year was no different, the first 15 runners all crossing the line within the space of two minutes. Donna Clark won the handicap race, finishing half-a-minute clear of the field. She found herself leading with around 1.5 miles to go, and she was looking over her shoulder to see if anyone was going to catch her from there to the finish line. Nobody did, and Donna’s great run was rewarded with the trophy. This run follows up a strong showing at this month’s Renfrewshire Road Race for Donna.
This race was a favourite of the late Tommy Knight, a long-standing member of the Harriers who sadly passed away at the tail end of 2017. In his memory, Tommy’s family donated a new trophy to be awarded on the day. It was decided that the trophy would be passed on to the first veteran to cross the line in the handicap race.
It was somewhat fitting that long-time member and past senior champion Steven Campbell took the trophy home on Saturday. Steven finished the handicap race in 2nd place and put in a really strong run of just over 47 minutes.
Steven Campbell chasing down Nicola Stevenson, and, right Sue Hewitson
In the senior men’s race, Chris Mooney was set the daunting task of having to chase down the entire field by being sent out last. His nearest competitor had a two-and-a-half minute head start on him from the word go, and it was a lonely run for Chris as he didn’t see another runner until Cornalees.
Chris Mooney
This didn’t put him off though, and Chris ran a super sub-45 minute race, which included a sub-35 minute 10k along the Cut. His speed saw him catch all but three of the other runners, and he took home the men’s prize by more than two minutes from Steven Campbell in second.
Andy McCall revels in these sort of runs, and he put in a good performance to finish third in both the men’s and senior races. He was probably a little disappointed that the gates on the Cut were open, leaving him without the option to jump over them!
Last year’s lady winner Sue Hewitson made it two-in-a-row on her home track. Sue ran the race in just over 57 minutes on a course that really suits her strong running style.
Donna Clark’s run was rewarded with a runners-up spot in the scratch race, with Nicola Stevenson putting in a great performance to take third. Current ladies’ champion Marian Monk was next, and keeps her position at the top of this year’s ladies championship standings. Lorna Coyle was narrowly pipped into 5th position, and Marianne McKay had a great run to finish sixth.
There was great support all the way along the route from fellow Harriers and a big thanks goes out to all of them for their encouragement. Special thanks go to Planet AD Photography and to Thomas Loehndorf for photos. The club also say a big thank-you to The Willow Bar for their continued sponsorship. The runners all appreciated the spread put on in the Willow Bar afterwards.
Results (handicap times in brackets):
Chris Mooney 44.51 (76.51) 1st Male, Stevie Campbell 47.04 (76.34) 1st Vet handicap, Andy McCall 48.48 (76.48), Paul Monaghan 50.14 (79.44), John Stevenson 50.36 (77.06), Paul Beaton 52.09 (77.39), Danny McLaughlin 52.48 (77.18), Derrick MacNish 53.34 (77.04), Chris Watson 53.38 (78.38), Richard Davidson 53.53 (78.53), Stephen Hanley 54.04 (77.34), Graham McGrattan 55.33 (79.03), Sue Hewitson 57.04 (78.04) 1st Lady, Malcolm McLean 58.23 (80.53), Duncan Anderson 58.59 (79.29), Stephen Reid 59.02 (77.32), James McFadden 59.39 (79.09), Donna Clark 59.57 (75.57) 1st Handicap, Ian McKee 60.26 (78.56), Nicola Stevenson 62.01 (77.01), Marian Monk 62.21 (80.51), Lorna Coyle 62.24 (77.54), Matthew Young 63.16 (78.46), Colin Campbell 63.2 (79.5), Marianne McKay 63.35 (77.35), Kevin Gill 63.57 (81.57), Ian Hanley 64.52 (78.52), Kenny Scott 66.19 (78.19), Claire Monaghan 66.25 (78.55), Lucas Bezian 66.32 (77.32), Andy McLean 66.35 (79.35), Boyd McKenzie 67.29 (80.29), Graeme Crawford 73.23 (82.23), Barry O’Donnell 80.49 (91.49), Wenda Crawford 87.41 (89.41)
