Bumper Turn Out

25 JAN2010

The numbers came out in force to celebrate Glasgow parkrun’s return to its traditional on-road format. An impressive 232 runners braved the sub zero temperatures and the testing, hilly course and there was more than a hint of New Year resolutions being put in place as some 62 runners took part for their first time.

In the men’s event Cambuslang’s Robert Gilroy (SM30-34) recorded his ninth win in a time of 15:52, pushing last week’s winner Ethan Sloan-Dennison (JM15-19) into second spot, despite the youngster reducing his PB by 61 seconds. Ethan was one of 47 runners achieving a PB on Saturday. Pitreavie’s super veteran Jeff Farquhar (MV50-54) darted off from the start and chipped off another three seconds from his PB, placing third with a time of 16:37. Not surprisingly Jeff placed highest in the Age Graded competition, recording a performance of 89.47%

On her first appearance since her success at the Boxing Day amended course, Ayr’s Toni McIntosh (SW30-34) placed first woman with a time of 18:15, almost two minutes ahead of her closest rival Nicolas May (VW35-39), returning to running after taken some time out to concentrate on her young twins, with a time of 20:08. In her eighth attempt Clydesdale Harriers' youngster Roisin McShea (JW14) placed third with a time of 21:24.

Points Competition

Experience is counting in the men’s league with three super veterans topping the table. John Gilhooly on 595 has a lead of 42 points over second placed Alastair John MacLachlan, with Ian Goudie climbing to third spot with a total of 493.

It’s not too different in the women’s league, where Jeanette Whiteside (FV45-49) leads Erica Christie (FV50-54) by 101, with relative youngster Sophie Parcel in third spot with 377 points.

Second placed Nicola May told www.scottishrunningguide.com: “Its been nearly five months since my last Glasgow parkrun. It’s so good to be back. Although I was taking it quite easy today as I’ve had a hard week of training. I’ll be doing the flatter Edinburgh parkrun next week to see if I can run a bit faster.”