Harriers Well Represented At Road Relays

The National 6 and 4 Stage Road Relay Championships were held on Sunday and a hoard of Harriers made their way north to Livingston.

With three officials, two teams and plenty of noisy supporters, the club were well represented in every way possible for this increasingly popular event.

St Margaret’s Academy was the base and starting point for a record number of entrants to race their way around the streets of West Lothian’s largest town, in search of both men’s and women’s National Titles.

With clubs needing to field teams of six, for the men’s race and 4 for the women’s, Teviotdale selected 12 capable Harriers and sent them forward to compete against some of Scotland’s top runners. Unfortunately a women’s team could not be fielded (whisper it quietly though…maybe next year!!!).

Ron Hill Cambuslang Harriers ‘A’ (2:16:12) were crowned Senior Men’s Champions with Central AC ‘A’ (2:16:36) and Inverclyde AC ‘A’ (2:16:54) completing the top three. In the women’s race Central AC ‘A’ (1:44:49) claimed the honours. The podium was completed by Edinburgh AC ‘A’ (1:45:25) and Aberdeen AAC ‘A’ (1:45:56).

The format of the race requires teams to run distances of 3.1 and 5.8 miles alternately. Six laps for men and four for women.

Lining up for the first short leg were Andy Goodair (18:38) for Teviotdale ‘A’ and Kyle Potts for Teviotdale ‘B’ (19:43). Both clearly gave their all and worked hard to the line where the Harriers next two runner’s prowled like caged animals ready to be let loose. Andy’s endeavour gave him the fastest short leg time by a Harrier on the day.

Both the ‘A’ teams Rory Anderson (34:14) and ‘B’ teams Ryan Law (38:07) set off at a blistering pace obviously intent on catching a few in front of them. Both looked shattered as they turned the corner for the last few hundred yards of their long lap. Credit to the pair though as they fought right to the line to finish their leg.

Derek ‘Degsy’ Scott (20:18) took up the hypothetical baton from Rory and tried every inch of his 3.1 mile stage. Alex ‘Coach’ Corbett (20:54) gave his customary everything after young Ryan’s efforts.

Greg Walker (33:32) was nominated 4th leg runner for the ‘A’ team and kept up his ongoing good form by recording the fastest long leg run by a Harrier. Andrew Gibson (41:50) making his comeback to the Harriers vest, ventured off at a steady pace and resolutely stayed the course.

Leg number five for the ‘A’ team was in the safe hands of consistent runner Alan Inglis (19:46). Alan pushed himself right to the line whilst Scott Watson (20:22) done likewise for the second competing Harriers team. Scott, who lined up for Teviotdale in this event in 2003, completed the last of the short legs and the final runners were cut loose.

Bruce Hughes (34:46) hung in well to finish the job and leave Teviotdale ‘A’ 28th overall, in a combined time of 2:41:14. This bettered last year’s 33rd and time of 2:45:35. Alister Biggar (41:27) will be pleased with his long leg time as he continues his comeback from a niggling injury. This gave Teviotdale ‘B’ 50th position overall and a combined time of 3:02:23.

Well done everyone who played their part in this hugely successful day.

A special mention must go to our neighbours Gala Harriers as their Women’s Masters Team secured a 4th straight title. Well done ladies.

Report by Bruce Hughes.

See Alex Corbett’s photographs HERE

See Kirsty Hughes’ photographs HERE

Well done to the Teviotdale Harriers’ juniors who competed at the Borders Primary and Secondary Cross Country Championships on Thursday 17th March. There were some very impressive performances with 6 top ten finishers and some team prizes as well. Please note times are only recorded for the first 30 runners – I haven’t missed them out!

Competing in the P6 girls 2k event were Isobel MacTaggart 15th in 10.00, Jasmine Parrish 29th in 10.31 and Eleanor Lockey 49th.

Next race for us was P7 boys 2k event and THC had a top ten finisher in Hector Patterson. Recently boys champion in our THC Hawick Primary Schools Cross Country Championships, Hector finished 8th with a time of 8.12, next was Sam Allott 23rd in 8.45, Samuel Parrish 31st, Lewis Renwick 34th, Sean McMichan 38th, Max Hope 65th.

In the p7 girls 2k event, THC had 2 top ten finishers in Maisie Ballantyne and Nicky Sutherland. Maisie, recently girls champion in our THC Hawick Schools Cross Country Championships crossed the line 3rd with a time of 8.51, Nicky Sutherland crossed in 9th place in a time of 9.23, next was Connie Richards 16th in 9.45, Sinead McHugh 18th in 9.45 also, Abi Reid 30th in 10.05, Katie Jaffray 34th, Bailey Jamieson 44th and Abbie McCaughey 50th.

Moving on to the secondary school level and the S1 mixed 2k event. Jai Patterson was first finisher for THC,4th boy in 8.10, Ben Morozzo 7th in 8.16 then Thomas MacAskill 19th in 8.43. Jai and Ben alongwith with Martin Goldie who was 15th in 8.39 took 2nd boys team prize for their school.

Girls results in this race had Maddie Hewitt our first THC finisher, 12th in 9.07, Nadine Elder 17th, Sophie Allott 19th.

S2 Mixed 3k saw Ryan Jamieson finish 12th boy in 12.45, and in the girls race Amber Malcolm 12th, Montana Beattie 28th.

In the S3 Mixed 3k THC had another top ten finisher in Fraser Clyne. Fraser took 2nd place in a time of 11.32 and alongside 3rd placed Jamie Armstong in 11.47 and 14th placed Mattie Roberts in 13.07, 2nd team prize as well. In the girls race Lucy Graham finished 17th in 16.17 and Hollie Grieve 20th.

Well done to all who competed. Let’s build on this success and see even more competitors from THC next year.

If any spectators have any photographs they would like to add to this post please get in touch.

The Harriers were represented at the Lasswade 10 on Sunday by senior runner Bruce Hughes.

Vociferously supported by Kirsty, Harrison, Ava and Boyd. Bruce finished a credible 13th in a time of 1:00:15.

The 10 mile road race is set on a testing Midlothian course and gave 309 runners the chance to test early spring form.

Starting and finishing in the small town of Rosewell, the scenic loop takes runners up and down a series of hills undulating throughout the route. On one occasion an 18% rise up Roslin Glen really tested the strength of the competitors.

With the sun shining and the temperature ideal for distance running, the well organised event gave Bruce the chance to make the leap from cross country season into the road events.

The race was eventually won by Bryan Mackie of Edinburgh AC in a time of 55:48. Edinburgh AC teammate Callum Reid was 2nd, 56:48 and 3rd Gordon Clarke, Corstorphine AAC, 57:41.

Report written by Bruce Hughes
Photograph by Ava Hughes