Run Away Success For Harriers Event

Following months of planning, Sunday 28^th August saw Teviotdale Harriers stage their 10k, Jog Scotland 5k Challenge and 2 mile Fun Run…with great success.

Over 200 runners from far and wide made their way around the scenic courses, cheered on by hundreds more.  Pre-race entries had hinted at a really good turn out and with on the day registration available, many more arrived to swell the numbers.

With the weather ideal for distance running, from start to finish, in terms of the event and the runs, things couldn’t have gone better.

Following registration at the Cricket Club, the hordes of runners made their way, with a mixture of nervous excitement and some trepidation to the start of their chosen challenge.

All three races began on Victoria Road and led runners through the Park Gates and into the ‘Jewel in Hawick’s Crown,’ Wilton Lodge Park.

First event under way was the suitable for everyone, 2 mile Fun Run.  78 runners of differing abilities but all striving for the same goal, happily made their way along what must surely be one of the most picturesque running routes you could find.

With the beautiful Fun Run route leading you past the Museum around the park and back down the riverside, runners could easily forget the effort they were exerting and be captivated by the allure and charm of our perfect park.

There was for some, however, a race to be won and the 2 mile Fun Run title was duly claimed by Gregor Collins (13:02) of Gala Harriers.  Not far behind, two of Teviotdales top prospects, Conan Harper (13:43, 2nd) and Irvine Welsh (14:30, 3rd) completed the top three.  Fourth overall, Iona Jamieson (14:41) ran superbly and placed first for the girls.  Second was Nadine Elder (15:57) with Maisie Ballantyne (16:23) completing a 1-2-3 for the Harriers.

Once the fun runners had completed their course it was then the turn of the 10k and 5k runners to sample the sights of what Hawick had to offer.  Again heading up through the Park Gates and past the eye catching Museum, the longer events turned up what the Harriers have dubbed ‘The 10k Hill,’ which leads on to Wilton Park Road.

The route passes the Walled Gardens and follows the road out towards Martin’s Bridge.  Heading left over the bridge and then following the path around Parkdaill, all the way back into Hawick past the High School, turning left into St Georges Lane and over the bridge.  For the 5k participants, your race was run but for the 10k competitors a second lap was required.

The 60 Jog Scotland 5k entrants were also led home by a Gala Harrier.  Marcus D’Agrosa claimed victory in a time of 17:01.  Callum Tharme (17:30) also Gala, secured second with Teviotdales Fraser Clyne (18:14) although finishing fourth, securing third place.  The third place runner Ethan Elder, Moorfoot Runners (18:00) scooped first in the Boys under-16 category.

The ladies 5k title went to Lisa MacDonald (19:48) of North Middleton.  Gillian Duncan (21:16) Gala Harriers finished second and local Hawick runner Rachel Harris (21:27) ran well to finish third.  The Girls under-16 winner was Sarah Davenport of Tweed Leader Jed Track in 22:44.

65 competitors set off on the fast flat two lap 10k course.  The impressive winner, for the second year in a row, was Edinburgh AC athlete Callum Reid.  Callum retained his title and bested his previous time to take the title in 34:03.  Teviotdales very own, ever improving Greg Walker (35:27) finished second.  Richard Meade (36:07) also Edinburgh AC completed the podium.

With multiple Hawick 10k victories under her belt already, Dianne Lauder led the way once more to secure the female title.  Finishing fourth overall, Gala Harriers Dianne raced round in 36:15.  Hawick’s Anna Galbraith (37:13) finished second and Lauren Wilson (38:09) Edinburgh AC came home third.

Darin Dougal of Moorfoot Runners claimed the over 40’s men title.  Finishing 9^th overall, Darin posted a 10k time of 37:28.  The ladies vet’s victory went to Eileen Maxwell, ensuring the fourth top spot claimed by a Gala Harrier on the day.  Our neighbours had travelled over in great numbers to support our event and Eileen done her club proud to finish in 48:00.  The days team prize unsurprisingly went north to Edinburgh AC with 4 runners in the top 5 men’s positions (Callum Reid, Richard Meade, Keith Dunlop and Nairn McWilliams).

Runners, fatigued but ultimately fulfilled, headed back to the Cricket Club for tasty tray bakes and refreshments, followed by the prize giving and awarding of numerous spot prizes.  The successful event drew to a close, the hard work of the previous weeks and months had culminated in a day that surely satisfied all that came along.

Teviotdale Harriers would like to pay a huge thanks to the many, many kind hearted individuals who gave up their time, baking skills and warm personality to help make the day a success.  The hard working committee, organisers, marshalls, officials, time-keepers, starter, volunteers, photographers and lovely ladies in the kitchen.  Anyone who played their part (big or small) in helping towards this fantastic event.

Also a big thank you to Jog Scotland and Think Fitness for their continued support of the event, Eden and Sandi for her generous prizes.  All who ran and all who turned out to support, help contributed to what surely was a day Teviotdale Harriers and Hawick can rightly be proud of.

Anyone got any plans for Sunday August 27^th 2017?  Let’s do it all again.

All results here

Fun Run photos here

10k and 5k photos here

 

 

Hugh McDiarmid, Thomas Telford and Neil Armstrong, three names synonymous with the scenic Dumfries town of Langholm.  Add one more to the list…MTAF.

The Muckle Toon Adventure Festival (MTAF) came into being, as many great ideas do, over a couple of pints in the local pub. The committee was formed in July 2012 and consists of a small but enthusiastic number of young folk, happy to get out in the hills and plan one of the most exhilarating events in Scotland.

Teviotdale Harriers enjoy a strong connection with our near and dear neighbours at Langholm.  With many youngsters and their obliging parents making the journey north up the A7 to Hawick every week to train or compete in the maroon and white vest.

The weekend 17^th-19^th June, saw many from Hawick and also our Langholm comrades turn out to compete and support the ‘Muckle Toon’ as they staged their annual Adventure Festival.

Upon arrival you might be forgiven for thinking you had stumbled across one of the many such like events you see all summer in the Lake District but no, this event offered something a little more…Dumfries and Galloway hospitality.

The unique Muckle Toon warmth, combined with organisation and effort gave competitors and visitors the chance to take part in or watch a weekend that absolutely catered for everyone.

Camping, mountain biking, road cycling, trail running, guided walks, talks, pump track and climbing wall only scratch the surface of all that occurred during this impeccable weekend.

The Harriers were well represented across the many trail running events on offer during the three day extravaganza and achieved some success in the process.

For Saturday runners, the 10k and Half Marathon start on mass and head along the high street & up the Kirk Wynd, serenaded by the pipe band.  The 10k then breaks away whilst the half continues straight to the top and are then cut loose among the hills.

10k runners from Teviotdale included adept hill and trail runner John Tullie and two local girls, Lucy Ash and Macy Cropper.  John finished 6^th (47:08), Lucy placed 32^nd (58:22) with Macy not far behind finishing 34^th (58:37).  Lucy also scooped 2^nd local female with Macy 3^rd.

Half Marathon competitors included six Harriers and they were led home by Iain Williams.  Flourishing distance runner Iain completed the course in 1:37:39, and described the run as: “A good event…but tough going.”

Also competing were Club Secretary and current Men’s Captain Paul Lockie, Ladies Captain Ann Aitken, former Langholm resident Pam Paxton, Orienteering legend Pauline McAdam and relative Harriers newcomer Frank Birch.

Following Iain, Paul was second to cross the line for Teviotdale (2:19:06).  Pauline soon found her way home next (2:30:35) with Ann completing the ‘Half’ in (2:39:26).  Pam, running side-by-side with ‘Muckle Toon Jogger’ and Lucy’s mum Kirsty Ash finished in (2:41:00).  Frank, who continues to belie his years, completed the Harriers sextuplet in (2:53:16).

It was on the Sunday that Teviotdale Harriers really left their mark during the 5k.  With a field of 130 adults and children, we were wonderfully represented by five youthful but exuberant runners and every one of them done the vest proud.

Conan Harper (18:24) aged 11 and Iona Jamieson (21:25) aged 10, particually gave a great account of themselves.  Robert Wood (21:36) aged 10, Bethany Harper (30:22) aged 9 and Glen Jamieson (26:04) aged 7, all raced with a smile on their face and tackled the MTAF 5k with purpose and positivity.

Conan, who joined the Harriers last September smashed nearly four minutes of his previous MTAF 5k time, Conan finished an incredible 3^rd.  The youngster battled on bravely, fighting for 2^nd but was eased out by 16 year old Lewis Bell, who finished 2 seconds quicker.  Amongst so many adults and competitive juniors, Conan must be ecstatic about his performance.

His understandably elated mum Shelley spoke after the race and summed up her thoughts behind Conan’s impressive run:

“I just want to say a very big thank you to all of the adult volunteers at the Harriers that give up their time and effort to coach the kids, you all do an amazing job.  Conan was proud to wear his Harriers vest.

“We didn’t think he could keep up the pace with the older guys but he proved us wrong.”

Conan’s dad Brian also paid tribute to the work of the Harriers Wednesday night sessions: “Truly proud of our little man.  Great coaches and volunteers supporting the kids to bring out the best in them.  That’s all you could ask for.  Thank you for supporting and encouraging Conan and all the other kids.”

One of Teviotdales Coaches, Alex Corbett responded by saying: “Training is so much more enjoyable when you have great kids like Conan turning up every week.”

Alex was also quick to point out that the kids can’t do it alone: “Well done to you (the parents) for all the support you give him.”

Iona, at only 10 years of age, finished first female runner overall, which is obviously a superb achievement for someone so young.  Iona recently joined the Harriers and is already making huge strides, demolishing her previous MTAF 5k best by over 2 minutes.

All in all it was a highly successful weekend for both the organisers and the runners who represented our club.

At the recent Edinburgh Marathon Festival, five Harriers made their way north to the Capital, ready to race in three of the seven different events.

The increasingly popular running weekend, staged on Saturday May 28th and Sunday 29th, hosts races for both kids and adults, ranging from a 1.5k junior race, to the Hairy Haggis Team Relay, to the Half and Full Marathons.

On the Saturday, David Bell sporting his recently acquired Teviotdale Harriers training top, tackled the 10k. David was rightly happy with his run and finished 96th out of 2333 runners in a time of 45:11. David also placed 7th in the over 45 category.

The Half Marathon, held first thing on the Sunday morning, was the next event featuring runners from our club. On the start line were Greg Walker, who set off amongst the ‘Elite Club Runners,’ Bruce Hughes and Michael Yule.

Greg ran a tremendous race and finished 30th in a highly respectable 1:18:02, smashing his PB in the process. Bruce also ran a new PB, finishing 60th in 1:21:11 and Michael Yule finished 488th in 1:33:13.

Special mention and huge well done to Darrell Hastie running for our neighbours Gala Harriers who won the Half Marathon in 1:10:37.

Later that Sunday morning, the Full Marathon runners would be let loose on the streets of Edinburgh where Alan Inglis would don the Harriers vest. Alan was one of 6596 runners and completed the 26.2 miles in 709th position, in a time of 3:27:51.

Well done all the runners and those who made the journey in support.

 

Bruce’s EMF Blog HERE