Gilroy and Clark Canter Home in Chatelherault

15 FEB2010

The ATHelite 5k took place in Chatelherault Country Park on Sunday, February 14 2010. Conditions were good for running, a little cloudy with small spots of rain and an air temperature of 5C as runners prepared to tackle the new difficult course, which had been prepared by Colin Freeman of ATHelite. The race took place amid stunning scenery and the route commenced with a steep climb towards the main house followed by a testing two lap course on paths and tracks.

Gilroy Takes Gold

A large contingent of athletes represented the local clubs of Motherwell AC, Hamilton Harriers and Calderglen Harriers. However it was Ronhill Cambuslang's Robert Gilroy who added the Athelite 5k to his long list of successes by crossing the line in a time of16.16. The 33 year old athlete who finished second last year was well clear of runner up Kevin Downie (40) of East Kilbride AAC who completed the trail race in a time of 16.53. Downie, who won the recent Scottish Masters 3000m race in Glasgow, finished more than a minute ahead of third placed Paul Thomson of Helensburgh AAC who finished in 18 03.

Motherwell One, Two and Three

The women's race was a clean sweep for Motherwell AC; the Lanarkshire trio were led home by defending champion Joanne Clark (35) who completed the new course in a time of 21.54. Clark finished 16 seconds slower than last year but five seconds ahead of her super veteran club mate Carole Munro (51) who finished in 21.59. The final podium place was taken by Clare Barr who celebrated her forthcoming 42nd birthday by earning third with a time of 22:25.

View From the Field

Sophie Wells ,who warmed up for the race by running in the Carnethy 5 Hill Race on Saturday, finished seventh woman in 24:29 told www.scottishrunningguide.com
"The ATHelite run is a great race organised by the friendly folk from the running shop in Hamilton. It is always very well organised with lots of marshals to direct you. The new course was quite a tough loop on the trails around Chatelherault which was testing but very enjoyable".

The event was closed by, a regular of the Scottish running scene, Tommy the Clown who finished in 86th position with a time of 48:53.

Numbers Down

This year's clashing with Valentine's Day may have been the reason why the race attracted fewer numbers than the over 200 norm of the last few years.