Moffat Gala Race
Tuesday 9th July 2013

On a hot sweltering night Tuesday 9th July saw a group of harriers make the journey over to Dumfriesshire to take part in the Moffat Gala Races.

There are 3 races on the night. Two different distances for juniors then the adult race of 15k.

The juniors all begin together and run the length of the high street before breaking away into their 2 separate routes. The younger children up to age 11 run approximately 2.5k and the older 11 – 16 year olds run approximately 5k. For the past few years our juniors have done well here and this year was no exception. Running his last year in the 2.5k Fraser Clyne finished 1st overall in a time of 8:10 and so took home the Sim Cup for overall winner and a boxed medal for 1st in his age group. In the 5k Ishbel Inglis came in 4th overall and 1st girl in a time of 17:43, unfortunately there is only one trophy in this race and it goes to the overall winner who was a local boy in the 15-16 year category in a time of 15:44 but she did get a boxed medal for 1st girl in 13-14 year old category. Emma Grieve also continued her success here too by picking up 2nd place in her age group 12 years. This was Emma’s first year in the 5k and she was pretty nervous at the start, not because of the longer distance but because of the cows she was told she might have to run through. Luckily for her that didn’t happen and she finished well in a time of 20:12 ahead of a number of athletes in higher age groups. Well done juniors! This is a really good night for the kids with medals presented for a number of age groups, spot prizes which saw our 3 juniors all go home with a running buff, also drinks and mars bars and signed certificates.

Next off were the adults, Alan Inglis and 3 new lady members Sandi Spence, Michelle Ritson and Mandy Short. Their 15k route began with an undulating 3.75 miles rising to 350 feet, then ‘the hill’ a mile long rising to 550 feet followed by 4.6 miles downhill to finish back on the main street in Moffat. Times for the adults were Alan Inglis 65:01 position 22nd. For the ladies first over the line was Michelle Ritson 83:32 position 94th and crossing the line together Sandi Spence and Mandy Short in a time of 95:12 position 123rd. Rewards for the adults included a medal, a slate disc, and a luminous orange t-shirt.

Photographs from Alan Clyne here