Fast Times and PBs in Blustery Bella 5k

17 AUG2009

Over 170 runners braved the wind along Paisley Road West on Sunday August 16 as they participated in the annual Achilles Heel Bella 5k race. Robert Gilroy (MS), of Ronhill Cambuslang continued his winning form from Saturday’s parkrun to win in an impressive time of 15.31. Kirsty Husband (FV40), of Garscube Harriers, won the Women’s Race with a time of 18.14, improving her PB by ten seconds in doing so.

Men’s Race

First and second at the recent Broadwood 5k, Glasgow University pair Michael Deanson and Daniel Bradford improved their times but had to settle for second and third positions behind Robert Gilroy at Bellahouston Park. Deason (MS) finishing in 16.04, and Daniel Bradford (MU23) in 16.11, improving his PB by some 13 seconds.

The first MV40 was Charlie Thompson (Ronhill Cambuslang) in 16.05. Thompson finished in third spot overall but chose to take the veteran award. First MV50 was Paul Thompson (Helensburgh AC) in 17.11, with the first MV60 being Garscube Harrier Tony Hall in 21.45.

Women’s Race

Donna Finlayson (Victoria Park/City of Glasgow) and Springburn Harrier Michelle Sandison, who both share the same coach, claimed second and third places in the Women’s Race behind Kirsty Husband. In one of her last races before heading to Sweden to study for her Masters, twenty five year old Finlayson improved her PB by five seconds to finish in 18:51. Almost one minute ahead of her training buddy Sandison (FS) who finished in 19:54.

The first FV35 was Emma Birnie (Bellahouston Road Runners) in 19.17, first FV45 was Jacqueline Cowan (Giffnock North AC) in 21.21, first FV55 was Sandra Wilkinson (Helensburgh AC) in 30.28 and first FV65 was Sallie Lloyd Jones (Jog Scotland) in 36.06. Sandra (left) and Sallie are pictured.

Team Races

With a total of 42 runners competing, it was no surprise that the host club, Bellahouston Road Runners, would feature among the team prizes and they did by winning both the Men’s and Women’s Team Races. Alisdair McLeod (MS), Colin McGill (MS) and Marcos Sanz Gomez (MS) counted for the Men’s prize, whilst Emma Birnie (FV35), Shona Donnelly (FV40) and Louise Ross (FS) counted for the Women’s prize.

The race was closed by Pamela and Norman McDade who crossed the line together in a time of 40:28.

Speaking to SCOTTISH RUNNING GUIDE Glasgow University PhD student Michael Deanson of New Mexico said “The race was good, I’m enjoying running in the cooler Scottish temperatures and the organisation and post race home baking was superb.”