Racing Into Spring

29 MAR2011

Spring weather meant big turnouts at running events across Scotland last weekend. The Jim Dingwall 'Round the Houses' 10K at Grangemouth attracted a quality field that was dominated by Shettleston Harriers, who filled the first three places. Tsegai Tewelde was first home in 30:16. Megan Crawford (36:23) was fastest woman. Graeme Watson (47:34) was the midpoint-runner, and the last finisher was timed at 1:20:21.

There was a similar turnout but for a more low-key event over at Glasgow's Bellahouston Park where the Glasgow Running Network 5K attracted close to 800 entries. Paul Hughes was fastest of those in 18:04 just 16 seconds ahead of first woman Leanne Hamilton. The midpoint runner was Fatima Olateju (32:59) and the last finisher was timed at 59:58. Race organiser Louise Morgan told scottishrunningguide.com: "It was a great day with very positive feedback from the runners."

The small but friendly Running Sisters Tayside 5K also took place on Sunday with Forfar Road Runner Tracy Morgan coming home first in 19.38.

The previous day there were big fields for the parkrun events. Glasgow saw another record turnout of 376 of whom Cambuslang Harrier Jamie Reid (16:05) was quickest. Lindsay MacNeill (Shettleston Harriers) was first woman in 18:27. Teenager Lewis Bloss celebrated his 50th parkrun with a PB of 19:19. Midpoint runner was Maria Reay (26:12) and the final recorded time was 44:14.

Hunter Bog Trotters dominated the Edinburgh parkrun - Ray Ward first home in 15:41, and Claire Ward fastest lady in 18:37. Midpoint runner was Fiona MacKinnon (25:01) and the final recorded time was 38:02.

At Strathclyde Park, Christopher MacDonald's PB of 17:15 earned him first place with visiting parkrun centurion Rachael Elliot (Winchester & District AC) quickest woman in 19:22.

Busiest man in Scotland over the weekend was probably popular broadcaster and running enthusiast Bryan Burnett. The presenter of BBC Radio Scotland's Get It On was delighted with his 36:28 at the Round the Houses 10K which indicated that his training is going well in advance of spring target - the Brighton Marathon. The previous day Bryan was in volunteer action at Glasgow parkrun where he produced a great set of photographs and a colourful race report.