CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS 1999 TO 2023

FOREWORD

25 years have passed since I composed the first 50 years history of Cambuslang Harriers, with assistance from Owen Reid, on the foundation of the club in 1948. For the majority of that time the club was essentially a male only one following in the old harriers’ tradition. However, as you follow the account of the club from 1999 to 2023 you will note the growing number of females among our ranks, enjoying success at county, district and national levels. This has been particularly true in recent years for our senior and masters ladies. In our 50th anniversary year Cambuslang Harriers’ cross country record was such that the club could claim to be the leading male distance club in Scotland across the different age groups. While Cambuslang Harriers still remain one of the strongest distance clubs in Scotland, particularly in the Masters Men categories, the last 25 years have seen other clubs have spells of competitive dominance. Central AC is now the top senior men’s team with Cambuslang, Shettleston, Inverclyde AC, Corstorphine AC and Fife AC regularly vying for national honours. At young athlete male and female levels Giffnock North AC currently leads the way from Kilbarchan AC, Edinburgh AC, Fife AC, Aberdeen AC and emerging clubs like Garscube Harriers, Team East Lothian and Harmeny with Cambuslang still featuring.

Compared to the club’s first 50 years’ history this account is much more detailed mainly due to the much greater amount of historical detail now available online and also to the fact that, being retired, I have had more time to devote to the research and writing up of the document. I am conscious that the reader may discover some errors or omissions for which I take responsibility. However, given that this is an electronic account any required changes can be easily made.

I would like to acknowledge the sources I have used and to thank all those concerned. My main source of information has been the comprehensive Scottish Athletics Road and Cross Country Archives compiled by Ron Morrison and Alex Jackson with assistance from numerous contributors. I am also indebted to Arnold Black, the official Scottish Athletics Historian, Peter Jardine, Head of Communications at Scottish Athletics, Brian McAusland and Colin Youngson of Scottish Distance Running History, Doug Gillon formerly of The Herald Newspaper, Zen Boyd of Rutherglen Heritage Centre and to Robert Anderson, Mike Johnston and Colin Feechan. I have also found the Rutherglen Reformer, the long defunct Cambuslang Advertiser and The Herald to have been helpful. Finally, I have drawn upon my personal memories of the last 25 years in addition to drawing upon some of the reports which I wrote at the time.

Special thanks are also due to Mike Johnston and Colin Feechan for conscientiously proof reading my draft script and appendices and offering their valued comments and suggestions. Initially this electronic version is text based only but photos will be added in due course. My final thanks go to my wife Anne for her IT assistance and continued support and understanding over the last 19 months of my research and of composing my findings.

David Cooney, January 2024

FROM OUR 50th TO OUR 75th ANNIVERSARY

Before charting the next 25 years of Club History it is worth going back to Saturday 28th November 1998 when Cambuslang Harriers formally celebrated its 50th anniversary at a Civic Reception organised by South Lanarkshire Council. The event was held at Stewartfield Community Centre in East Kilbride as it was the only venue suitable to accommodate the 200 invited guests. Provost Sam Casserly started off the proceedings with his welcoming speech outlining the club’s main achievements hitherto to which Club President David Cooney replied. There then followed a buffet meal and a Ceilidh. There was cause for a double celebration on the night as the harriers had a very successful outing that afternoon at the West District Cross Country Championships at Cumnock. The senior men team of Neil Wilkinson, Alec Robertson, Charlie Thomson, John Cowan, Jack Brown and M40 silver medallist Archie Jenkins lifted team gold, the M40 trio of Archie, Barnie Gough and Tom McPake took the team silver honours while in the younger age groups there were further team successes. The U17 squad of 3rd placed individual Tam McNally, Simon Shinwell and Kevin Kealey struck team gold with the U15 team of Andy Stevens, Jaz Pal and Alan Scott taking the runners up spot. Andy McDonald, Stephen Dunn and Thomas Lamont also brought the U13 team home in 2nd place. Nicola McCartney and Lauren Farmer were the first Cambuslang athletes to finish in the U15 and U17 female races. Incidentally Charlie Thomson’s wife Carol Anne, representing City of Glasgow, captured the senior ladies’ title. Therefore, given the athletic genes their son Ryan was to inherit, it will come as no surprise to see him regularly feature as the Cambuslang history unfolds. On a final note the cross country course at Cumnock was truly testing and worthy of an SAS stamp of approval. From memory the senior men and women had to wade through knee deep water before climbing up a very steep muddy gradient. Such was the daunting task a lengthy rope had been attached so that the athletes could haul themselves up. I can testify that the rope was well used that day.

THE CLOSING YEAR OF THE 20th CENTURY

It should be noted that between 1997 to 2015 the club became known as Ronhill Cambuslang Harriers or RHC for short. The reason for the change of name was that the club was now being sponsored by Ronhill Clothing. However, in the following account the names will be interchangeable. The club name reverted back to Cambuslang Harriers in 2015. It is also worth mentioning that until 2004 male athletes over 40 and female athletes over 35 were known as veterans or vets for short. However, in that year the term veterans was changed to masters although the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club still retained its original name. Another important change came in 2006 when an over 35 category was also introduced by IAAF for men and was subsequently raised to 40 for both sexes in 2010 and then back down to 35 in 2012. A final change was introduced in 2013 by the Road Running and Cross Country Commission after consultation with clubs to discontinue Scottish Championships for Masters F35 and M35. Yet the Masters F35 and M35 categories are recognised in track events in Scotland and in road, cross country and track events in England.

1999 began with the introduction of a new event to the calendar, the Scottish Cross Country Short Course 4K for under 20 and Senior male and female athletes only. For the first 4 years of its existence it was 6 to count in the men’s race. Unfortunately Ronhill Cambuslang could only muster 4 senior men. However, there was some consolation as Joe Kealey took the initial U20 honours on the Pollock Estate Course. If January was a quiet start to the cross country season for Cambuslang athletes February certainly made up for it. The Scottish Cross Country Championships were held at Cupar on a rock hard course on the first Sunday of the month. Colin Donnelly arrived at the course on the Saturday and was surprised to find the place deserted. However, his early arrival gave him an ideal opportunity to recce the course. This must have worked to his advantage as Colin in 7th place led Malcolm Campbell, Charlie Thomson, Neil Wilkinson, Eddie Stewart and Alec Robertson to team victory ahead of Mizuno RC and City of Edinburgh. The U13 boys team of Stephen Dunn, Thomas Lamont, Alistair McDonald and Barry Kimmet also captured team gold while the U15 squad of 3rd placed individual Andy Stevens, Alan Scott, Ian Munro and Jaz Pal gained team silver and the U20 trio of Joe Kealey, Graham Ferguson and Gordon Robertson team bronze. Although the U17 men were out of the medals in 4th position the fact that they finished a team meant that the harriers had retained the AT Mays Trophy awarded to the leading Scottish male club in the National Championships.

A few weeks later In the Scottish Veterans XC champs at Hawick Archie Jenkins, Frankie Barton and Dave Dymond played follow the leader in finishing in 4th, 5th and 6th and with 4th counter Frank Hurley closing in on 22nd spot the quartet won team gold from Metro and Clydesdale.

Attention in March turned to the road with further national medal successes at the Scottish Road Races held at Strathclyde Park. The M40 quartet of Frankie Barton (2nd), Barnie Gough, Freddy Connor and David Buchanan were worthy winners, the U15 boys team were 2nd thanks to Michael Chisholm, Andy Stevens and Ian Munro and the U17 trio of Gerry Malone, Thomas McNally and Craig Neil 3rd. The senior men narrowly lost out on the bronze medal by 4 points in their championship event. Later that month the Scottish Veteran Harriers staged their 6 Stage Road Relay Championship at Torrance over a hilly course which Race Organizer Danny Wilmoth, with a twinkle in his eye, had called a flat one. Barnie Gough, Dave Dymond, Charlie McDougall, Frankie Barton, Frank Hurley and Archie Jenkins were unstoppable that day. This same sextet plus Freddy Connor and Eddie Stewart who had flown over from Prague upset the apple cart in UK Veteran Athletics in May by winning the 8 Man Relay Championships in Birmingham. This victory was very special to the club as it was their first ever UK team championship medal and it did not go down well with a certain English journalist who considered the Cambuslang athletes to be “Scottish raiders” even although it was a UK event.

The vets carried on their run of success in October at Annan in the UK Vets 5K. With 4 to count in the M40 and M50 team events there was no stopping the younger quartet of Dave Dymond, Freddy Connor, Frank Hurley and Barnie Gough. In addition, there was a bonus team bronze for the M50 team of 3rd placed Charlie McDougall, David Fairweather, Terry Dolan and David Cooney and a M70 gold medal for Willie Marshall.

The West Cross Country Relays at Kirkintilloch in early October were a quiet affair for Cambuslang. The male young athletes finished in 5th and 9th place and the senior men in 11th. Two weeks later the M40 team of Freddy Connor, Frank Hurley, Charlie McDougall and Dave Dymond struck gold. However, both the senior men and male young athletes had to content themselves with a 5th place finish. The club also finished a young female athletes team in 17th position.

In the last major road race of the year in November, the Edinburgh to Glasgow, the team was only 7 seconds adrift of 3rd placed Hunters Bog Trotters in spite of valiant efforts from Dave Thom and Charlie Thomson on the last 2 legs. Charlie was credited with being the fastest on leg 8. No District Cross Country Championships took place in 1999 and the planned November 1999 Event was moved into January of 2000.

Several athletes achieved Scottish vests during the year. Colin Donnelly and Neil Wilkinson represented Scotland in the World Hill Running Championships. Colin and Dave Dymond also represented Scotland in the British and Irish Cross Country International in the M40 category along with M45 Freddy Connor and Barnie Gough and M55 David Fairweather.

In spite of not having a local track there were some good individual performances achieved on that surface. Ian Munro and Michael Chisholm captured the gold and bronze medals in the U17 Scottish Track Championships and were then selected to compete for Scotland in the Celtic Games in which Ian won the 800M race. He also added the Scottish Schools title to his collection. Team mate Kevin Kealey was first home in the Schools Championship 5,000M while at West District level his brother Joe was runner up over the same distance with Michael Chisholm lifting the West 1500M Gold. Willie Marshall showed his versatility when winning the M70 Scottish 1500M Indoors tile in the good time of 5.28.14 and he also secured double gold UK Titles in the Outdoor 5,000M and 10,000M events. Finally Jimmy Sands gained 2 gold medals over 800M and 1500M in the European Disability Games.

At the final AGM of the 1990s David Cooney was re-elected as President, Robin Ferguson became Secretary in place of Ian Gordon who moved over to the position of Treasurer to replace Cameron Brown. Mike Johnston, Owen Reid and Robert Anderson were also re-elected as committee members and Dave Thom came onto the committee for the first time. Barnie Gough remained as the Vets Club Captain and Kevin Kealey replaced his brother Joe as the Junior Club Captain. The annual club fees for seniors and masters remained unchanged at £25. Incidentally the initial club membership fee had been set in 1948 at 5 shillings (25P).

A NEW CENTURY, A NEW DECADE DAWNS.

2000 TO 2009

2000

The West District Cross Country Championships at Rouken Glen Park kicked off the 2000 to 2001 season in spectacular fashion for all RHC male teams. The senior men delivered an empathic win thanks to Charlie Thomson (5th), Graeme Croll (6th), Iain Reid (8th), Douglas Runcieman (9th), John Cowan (13th) and U20 winner Kevin Kealey (18th). Kevin led the U20 trio to team victory as did 2nd individual Stephen Dunn in the U13 boys event. Ian Munro in 3rd individual spot helped Cambuslang take team silver and the U15 squad secured the bronze medals. The following weekend in the Scottish Short Course Event at Pollock Estate Joe Kealey, Tom McNally and Michael McCabe were crowned U20 champions. The Scottish Cross Country Championships returned again to Irvine Beach Park where Cambuslang Harriers had experienced their first ever senior men victory 12 years previously. The RHC sextet did not disappoint their supporters as the club achieved its 11th victory out of 12 outings. The men responsible were Colin Donnelly in 11th place followed by Charlie Thomson 12th, Douglas Runcieman 14th, Graeme Croll 17th, Alan MacPherson 18th and Eddie Stewart 23rd. What made the win more remarkable was that both Colin and Eddie were veterans by now and that the 2 of them plus senior Charlie Thomson had all been in the 1988 team. Such was the importance of this race to the club that Colin had travelled up from his home in North Wales and Eddie had flown in from Prague. At least Charlie had only to make the short journey from Clydebank. There was further icing on the cake when the U20 men and U13 boys also won team gold medals while the U17 men were runners up and the U15 boys finished 3rd. On an individual note Gareth Melvin’s U20 victory completed the jigsaw for Cambuslang as the club could now claim to have won all 5 age group categories in this competition. Gareth was supported by another 2 club stalwarts, the Kealey brothers Kevin and Joe along with Tom McNally. At U13 level Stephen Dunn, David Docherty, Stewart Kirk and Chris Hendry all contributed to their win which made it 8 victories in 9 years and the year they did lose the title it was only by 1 point to Law AAC. Ian Munro led home his U17 team mates Gerard Malone, Andy Stevens, and Paul McNally to the silver medals and Chris Hendry, Tony Gray, Darren Kelsey and Jonathan Walker sealed the bronze medal position. Not surprisingly the AT Mays Trophy returned to Cambuslang. The Cambuslang coaching team at this time of Robert Anderson, Mike Johnston and Owen Reid deserve great credit in coaching and motivating the younger athletes.

The gauntlet had now been thrown down to RHC veteran runners in their national championship the following week on a heavy course at Cumnock and they did not disappoint. Race winner Colin Donnelly guided Dave Dymond, Archie Jenkins and Frank Hurley to the club’s 5th consecutive victory and there was further success when Charlie McDougall was awarded the silver medal in the M50 category. In the same month the M40 squad retained their Scottish Veteran Harriers Road Relay Title courtesy of Freddy Connor, Archie Jenkins, Frankie Barton, Frank Hurley, Dave Dymond and Charlie McDougall.

The next challenge for the senior men came in the form of the Scottish 6 Stage Road relay at Livingston. Shetlander Ian Williamson, making his debut for the club, got the team off to an excellent start in 2nd place and Douglas Runcieman moved into pole position which was maintained by Ross Arbuckle, Charlie Thomson, Alec Robertson and Graeme Croll. In May the veterans travelled, as defending champions, to Heaton Park in Manchester for the UK Vets Road Relays. However, in spite of a valiant performance by the octet of Freddy Connor, Dave Dymond, Frank Hurley, Colin Donnelly, Dave Thom, Archie Jenkins, Eddie Stewart and Frankie Barton victory was conceded to Westbury Harriers by the narrow margin of 35 seconds after 2 hours and 6 minutes of running time with 3rd placed Woodford Green over 2 minutes adrift. The initial reaction was one of disappointment but this soon faded especially when we discovered that the Westbury team had fielded 3 former 2.15 marathoners. After all, a UK team silver medal was an excellent achievement for all concerned. Shettleston Ladies were the only other Scottish team to participate and their trio of Elaine McBrinn, Elaine McKay and Lynn Harding was rewarded with a bronze medal. The M50 relay took place alongside the ladies’ races and the Cambuslang team of David Fairweather, Ian Gordon, Andy Hughes, David Cooney, Mike Johnston and Robert Anderson finished in 20th spot after which they were free to support their younger team mates from the side lines.

The Young Athletes Road Races came to Rouken Glen Park on the 1st October. Unfortunately the full results are not available. However, U13 Stuart Kirk won his age group and led Cambuslang to the silver team medals. The U20 men were victorious and the U15 were runners up. In the following week at the West Cross Country Relays the young male athlete trio of Stuart Kirk, David Ward and Andy Stevens lifted the bronze medals while the senior men were in 7th spot. That same weekend the seniors were in Paris representing Scotland in the prestigious European Clubs Half Marathon Championships. Initially the thought of running in Paris seemed very attractive. However, it turned out that the event was being staged in one of the less salubrious suburbs of the French capital and we were more or less confined to barracks at night which may explain why the hotel ran out of beer. Nevertheless, Charlie Thomson, Eddie Stewart, Ian Williamson, Alec Robertson and Graeme Croll acquitted themselves well to finish 11th out of 18 competing teams. 2 weeks later in the National Cross Country Relays the senior men quartet of John Cowan, Alec Robertson, Charlie Thomson and Graeme Croll advanced to 5th, a position which the young athlete team matched. The club also fielded a young athlete female team which finished in 17th place. The best club performance of the day came from the highly dependable silver medallist M40 team of Charlie McDougall, Frankie Barton, Freddy Connor and Dave Dymond.

In the final road relay of the season the club took the silver medals sandwiched between Mizuno and Shettleston Harriers in the Edinburgh to Glasgow Relay. The counting 8 that day were Douglas Runcieman, Neil Wilkinson, Jack Brown, Dave Thom, Ian Williamson, Graeme Croll, Charlie Thomson and Alan MacPherson.

Reviewing the 2000 season there were several excellent individual performances over the country. In the Inter District Championships held at Cumbernauld Neil Wilkinson captured gold in the senior men’s race, Gerry Malone was 2nd in the U15 boys race and U13 Stephen Dunn 3rd in his age group. In the Masters International at Navan in the Republic of Ireland David Fairweather had one of his best ever performances in his successful running career when winning the M55 title and the consistent Colin Donnelly took the bronze medal in the M40 category. Dave Dymond, Freddy Connor, Charlie McDougall and Archie Jenkins also proudly donned their Scottish vests.

RHC members were also among the medals on the track both indoors and outdoors. Willie Marshall took the M70 honours in the BMAF 3000M Indoor Championships in the highly respectable time of 11.26.41 and Archie Jenkins gained the silver medal in the M45 age category. Willie also won gold in the Scottish Outdoor 1500M in a time of 5.26 and Archie did likewise in the 5,000M. Ian Munro and Michael Chisholm were excelling themselves on the track. In the Scottish Schools 800M Michael just got the better of Ian in the 800M, 1.58.08 to 1.58.09. However, Ian turned the tables in the 1500M. The icing on the cake for both of them came later in the AAA U17 Track Championships when Ian and Michael showed the opposition a clean pair of heels for a Cambuslang double in the fast times of 3.58.62 and 3.59.49. The 2 of them also represented the Scottish Schools in the British Schools International in which Michael was 3rd finisher in the 800M as was Ian in the 1500M. Ian also displayed his versatility in taking the West U17 3000M title. There were 2 other West District Medals, both silver, for seniors Joe Kealey and Iain Reid over 3000M and 5,000M.

2001

2001 began on a sad note with the passing away of Bob Wallace, a founder member of Cambuslang Harriers and its first president. The first important event of the season, the West Cross Country Championships at Kirkintilloch, went well. Our senior men, veteran men and under 20 men all recorded team victories while the under 15 and 13 boys achieved silver medals. Hill running specialist David Rodgers in 3rd place, Graeme Croll, Gareth Melvin, Archie Jenkins, Frank Hurley and John Cowan were the 6 senior counters. Both Archie and Frank with support from Gerry Reid counted for the M40 team while individual under 20 silver medallist Gareth, Joe Kealey and Paul McNally made up the victorious trio. Under 15 individual bronze medallist David Ward and under 13 runner up Stewart Kirk spearheaded their respective team challenge. One week later the senior men were outside the team medals in 4th place in spite of an excellent run from Charlie Thomson in 6th spot.

Although the club did not come away with any team golds at the Scottish Cross Country Championships in February it was nevertheless a very profitable day as the club retained the AT Mays Trophy for the best overall performance by a male club. Team silver medals for the seniors, under 20 and under 17 men along with an under 15 bronze and 5th place for the under 13 boys all contributed to this success. The respective team members all merit a mention in Cambuslang’s history, namely Malcolm Campbell, Neill Wilkinson, Colin Donnelly, David Rodgers, Eddie Stewart and Charlie Thomson for the senior men, Gareth Melvin, Joe Kealey, Iain MacCorquodale and Paul McNally for the under 20 men, Ian Munro, Jaz Pal, Jonathan Walker and Darren Kelsey for the under 17 men, the under 15 quartet of Stephen Dunn, David Ward, Andrew Carrachi and Derek Martin and under 13 individual silver medallist Stewart Kirk.

In early March the RHC veterans hired a mini van to take them to a snow bound Aberdeen for their Scottish Championship Event. The deep snow and the minus zero temperature made conditions far from ideal for the majority of competitors. One exception was Colin Donnelly who made light of the conditions. After his customary steady start he gradually weaved through the field to breast the tape 29 seconds ahead of former sub 2 hours and 12 minutes marathoner Fraser Clyne. Frankie Barton who excelled on road pulled off one of his best country runs to take 3rd individual spot and 2nd M45. Gerry Reid and Freddy Connor clinched team gold in a close encounter from local club Metro. Frank Hurley was unfortunate to lose out to Freddy in the race to the line. There were further individual age group medals for Terry Dolan, first M55 and David Fairweather 3rd in the same age category. Such were the challenging conditions on that day one Cambuslang athlete who shall remain anonymous wore a duffel coat with his race number pinned to it and tracksuit bottoms. The athlete in question nevertheless finished in just outside the top 20. Unfortunately there was no fancy dress prize. At the end of the month a RHC sextet comprising 3 veteran athletes rose to the occasion to lift team silver in the Scottish Senior 6 Stage Road Relays. The team that day in running order was Ronnie Bruce, Charlie Thomson, Frankie Barton, Ian Williamson, Kevin Downie and Dave Thom.

Attention in May turned again to the UK Veterans 8 Men Relay at Sutton Coldfield in Birmingham from where the club returned with team bronze medals thanks to Frank Hurley, Dave Dymond, Freddy Connor, Colin Donnelly, Archie Jenkins, Frankie Barton, Dave Thom and Ronnie Bruce. The venue for the Masters UK Half Marathon was very favourable for Cambuslang and other interested Scottish clubs as it was held in East Kilbride in June. With home advantage RHC dominated the M40 and M50 team competitions. Frankie Barton, Ronnie Bruce, Dave Thom and Frank Hurley made up the triumphant M40 squad and Charlie McDougall, Terry Dolan, David Fairweather and club treasurer Ian Gordon delivered the goods for the M50 quartet. As an added bonus Frankie and Charlie lifted the M45 and M50 individual titles.

Lightning struck twice 2 months later when the Senior UK Half Marathon Championships was incorporated into the Mothers Pride Great Scottish Run. RHC took advantage of home territory to take the team silver medals courtesy of strong runs from Charlie Thomson, Alec Robertson, Charlie McDougall and David Marshall. There were no UK medals presented on the day and the results initially showed Dave Thom as the 4th counter. However, when the medals arrived a few weeks later David Marshall was down as the 4th counter. The problem was that Dave Thom had finished one place ahead of David Marshall but the latter had a faster chip time. Before the club issued any medals confirmation was sought from the Glasgow organisers. Their reply was “The results sent to your club are those from UK Athletics. Therefore, according to UK Athletics and ourselves at Glasgow that is the result that stands.” The medals were therefore distributed to the 4 names on the official results.

The Paisley 10K in September hosted the Scottish 10K Road Championships. Unfortunately there are no official results available but Neil Wilkinson’s excellent time of 30.28 sealed the silver medal for him and the M40 team including over 50 David Cooney picked up team silver.

At the West Cross Country Relays in Drumpellier Park the Young Athlete Males and Senior Men were in the medal mix with silver medals going to J McLeod, Stephen Dunn and Jonathan Walker and bronze to the senior quartet of Michael Chisholm, Douglas Runcieman, David Rodgers and Charlie Thomson. Two weeks later the Scottish Cross Country Relays posed a dilemma for the M40 team as the Scottish event was clashing with the British Veterans Relay at Darlington. In the 6 years’ existence of the M40 Scottish Championship Relay the club had a proud record of 3 gold medals, 2 silver and 2 bronze. A tally of 7 medals in 6 years is not a counting error as the A and B teams had won gold and bronze in season 1996 to 1997. Having consulted the athletes the lure of a possible British Team Gold down south won the day. One other factor in the decision making was that the party could travel directly by train from Glasgow or Motherwell to Darlington apart from Colin Donnelly who would travel by car from North Wales where he was resident at that time. The train schedule meant that the squad had an early arrival at the race venue. We thought that we were first to arrive as the school was deserted apart from one vehicle in the car park. As we approached the car we were all surprised to see Colin getting out. The sextet was now set to deliver the goods as we knew that we had a very strong team but were unsure of the strength of the opposition. Gerry Reid (12.24) was given the task of leading RHC off and he performed his duty well to come home in 5th place which set Dave Dymond (12.02) nicely to put Cambuslang into the lead. At this point a Sunderland rival asked me if we had just used our fastest runner on leg 2. My reply disconcerted him when I informed him that we would only get stronger as the race progressed and so it proved to be true. By the time Ronnie Bruce (12.08), Colin Donnelly (11.41), Frankie Barton (12.13) and Ross Arbuckle (11.51) had completed their legs Cambuslang were 3 minutes exactly clear of local club Sunderland. There was an additional bonus for Colin and Ross as they recorded the fastest and 3rd fastest times of the day.

Back in Scotland at the Scottish Cross Country Relays Archie Jenkins, Freddy Connor, Terry Dolan and David Marshall put in a valiant effort to deliver 7th spot for the M40 team, the same position achieved by the Young Athletes Team of Martin Clarke, Stephen Dunn, the fastest senior boy on the day, and Jonathan Walker. The senior men team comprising John Cowan, Charlie Thomson, Michael Chisholm and Douglas Runcieman went one place better.

6 Cambuslang veterans proudly donned their Scottish vests for the UK Veterans Cross Country International held at Falkirk. Colin Donnelly continued his rich vein of form to clinch the bronze medal in the M40 category, the same age group as Ross Arbuckle and Dave Dymond while Freddy Connor and Archie Jenkins represented the M50 team with Terry Dolan and David Fairweather in the age group above. In the final major event of 2001 RHC had to settle for 4th place in the November Edinburgh to Glasgow Road Relay. The team on that occasion was Douglas Runcieman, David Rodgers, Jaz Pal, Dave Dymond, John Cowan, Charlie Thomson, Ronnie Bruce and Wilson McTaggart. Sadly this was to be the last race over the traditional course as runner safety had become a major talking point due to a greater volume of traffic on the road.

There were several excellent individual performances on track. There were gold medals in the Scottish Schools over 800M and 5,000M for Ian Munro and Andy Stevens and in the Scottish under 15 Championships Stephen Dunn and David Ward struck silver and bronze medals in 1500M. However, arguably the top individual performance of the year was delivered by Colin Donnelly on the hills when he won the inaugural World Vets Mountain Championship in Poland.

2002

2002 kicked off with a familiar fixture and result as the senior men retained the West Cross Country Title courtesy of Charlie Thomson, under 20 Iain MacCorquodale, John Cowan, Jack Brown, Jaz Pal and M40 Ronnie Bruce. Both Iain and Ronnie were also awarded bronze medals in their age category. Under 15 winner Stephen Dunn led Andrew Greenhaugh and David Ward to team victory. In the following race, the Scottish 4K Cross Country Championship, RHC medalled for the first time in the senior team event as Ian Munro, John Cowan, Jack Brown, Alan MacPherson, Jaz Pal and Mark Fairgrieve captured the bronze medals. Moving into February Iain MacCorquodale was a member of the U20 West Team which won gold in the UK Inter Counties at Nottingham. The club retained its hold on the AT Mays Trophy at the Scottish Cross Country Championships at Falkirk where there were gold medals for the U20 men and U15 boys and silver for the senior men. Iain MacCorquodale, Jaz Pal, Ian Munro and Kevin Kealey were the counters for the U20s and likewise Ian Lafferty, David Ward, Stephen Dunn and Andrew Greenhaugh for the younger age group. Ian had the double satisfaction of lifting the individual U15 title too. He was so pleased with his individual victory that he volunteered to have the trophy engraved which was agreed by the club committee. However, the committee was taken aback when he later showed his inscription – Ian Lafferty RHC Castlemilk Harriers! It just goes to show that you can take the boy out of Castlemilk but you can’t take Castlemilk out of the boy. In a close senior team race the Cambuslang men lost out to Shettleston by only 6 points. Nevertheless, it was an excellent team effort by David Rodgers, the perennial pair of Colin Donnelly and Charlie Thomson, Alan MacPherson, John Cowan and Alex Robertson.

The M40 quartet of runner up Colin Donnelly, 3rd place Ross Arbuckle, Dave Dymond and Ronnie Bruce recorded the club’s 7th consecutive victory in the Scottish Veterans Championships at Bellahouston Park. M55 Terry Dolan also won gold in his age category. The following week the Cambuslang sextet of Gerry Reid, Dave Thom, Frankie Barton, Archie Jenkins, Ronnie Bruce and Ian Williamson scored an emphatic victory in the Scottish Veterans Road Relay at Torrance. The Cambuslang seniors were outside the medals in the Scottish 6 Stage Road Relay later in March finishing in 6th and 9th place. The M40 and M50 teams returned in May to the UK Veterans Road Championships at Birmingham and came away with silver and bronze medals. Ronnie Bruce, Dave Dymond, John Bates, Frankie Barton, John Simpson, Ian Williamson, Gerry Reid and Ross Arbuckle served up the silver medals with Tom McPake, Barnie Gough, Terry Dolan, Archie Jenkins, Ian Gordon and Freddy Connor delivering the bronze goods. In spite of Archie clocking the fastest M50 time of the day it looked with 600M to go that the team was having to settle for 5th place. However, Freddy responded to the encouraging shouts from his team mates and team manager and dug deep to move up to 4th. However, with the finishing line now in sight a medal still seemed out of the question but no one had told Freddy this. Using his knowledge of the course he made one last effort on the brow of the hill to draw level with his Altrincham opponent and this momentum gave him the necessary advantage on the last 20m downhill section to seal the bronze medal. Freddy’s explosive finish that day was such that if the course had been 10m longer he would have taken silver as the team ended up one second behind 2nd placed Oxford City. The Cambuslang party stayed in Morecambe on the way back to celebrate their twin medal successes. While the beer was to everyone’s taste the less said about the fish suppers the better. No one managed to finish their helping, not even Terry Dolan whose appetite was normally insatiable and neither could the seagulls be tempted. There was further UK success for RHC when the M50 trio of Freddy Connor, Barnie Gough and Charlie McDougall were crowned UK 10K Road Veteran Champions at Bishop Auckland in County Durham and Frankie Barton added the UK M45 Silver Medal to his expanding collection.

The opening event in October of the new Road and Cross Country Season, the Young Athletes Road Race, saw U20 Jaz Pal earn an individual silver medal and Stephen Dunn an individual bronze. Unfortunately the full results are unavailable but there were also team golds and silver for the U17 men and U15 boys. Attention then turned the following week to the District Relays in which the Young Athletes finished in 3rd place and the Seniors in 2nd spot thanks to Jack Brown, David Rodgers, Charlie Thomson and Stevie Wylie. Again the full results for the young athletes are not available. Iain MacCorquodale came into the team in place of David Rodgers for the National Cross Country Relays Championships at Cumbernauld and fully justified his inclusion by helping RHC to team silver. The M40 squad of Gerry Reid, Frankie Barton, Archie Jenkins and Ross Arbuckle regained the coveted Veterans Title.

In November the club fielded a M40 and M50 team in the UK Veterans Cross Country Relay at Croydon. In the opening race the older Cambuslang team of Terry Dolan, Freddy Connor, Archie Jenkins and Barnie Gough was just pipped for the gold medal in the run in to the line. The RHC sextet of David Marshall, Gerry Reid, Colin Donnelly, Ian Williamson, Frankie Barton and Dave Dymond also finished as runners up. All credit to the Cambuslang veterans who had proved once again that they were a force to be reckoned with at UK level. The last official Edinburgh to Glasgow Road Relay, albeit not over the traditional course, was staged on quieter country roads and old disused railway lines. Although the new course was safer it was unfortunately not as spectator friendly as the original one and it was also more difficult to ferry runners to and collect them from their starting and finishing points. In spite of outstanding stage fastest times on legs 3 and 6 from Stevie Wylie and Charlie Thomson RHC had to settle for 4th spot. 7 Cambuslang Harriers represented Scotland over various age groups in the UK Masters Cross Country International held in Northern Ireland. Colin Donnelly, Ross Arbuckle, Dave Dymond, Gerry Reid, Archie Jenkins, Freddy Connor and Terry Dolan had earned their Scottish vests on account of previous performances. Stevie Wylie showed his class in the final major event of the year when lifting the senior bronze medal in the Inter District Championships.

RHC athletes won track medals both indoors and outdoors throughout 2002. M45 Frankie Barton won 3000M gold in January in the Scottish Veterans Indoors Championships and followed up with a silver 1500M medal in February. Ian Munro had an excellent season over 800M taking first place in the Scottish Universities Championships, second in the West District and another second when representing Scotland in the match against Wales, Cyprus, Israel and Greece, in addition to a third spot in the British Universities Championships. Archie Jenkins scored double M50 gold medals in the Scottish Indoor and Outdoor Championships and added a British 5,000M gold and 2 silver awards before securing 10,000M silver in the European Masters Championships in Potsdam, Germany. Anglo Scot Jon McCallum was crowned Scottish Senior 1500M Champion. Several younger members also gained district and national medals. Promising U17 athlete David Ward achieved a bronze medal in the Scottish 3000M and fellow U17 Alistair Campbell won Lanarkshire 800M gold and bronze in both the West and Scottish Schools 800M. Finally Jaz Pal was rewarded with a bronze and silver medal in the Scottish and West U20 5,000M Championships.

At committee level David Cooney remained as president while Ian Gordon moved over to the post of secretary to allow Joe Kealey to serve as treasurer.

2003

The 3 opening events of 2003 went very well for RHC. The West Cross Country Championships at Ayr proved to be rewarding with team victories at senior men and under 20 levels and silver and bronze team medals in the under 17 men and under 13 boys age groups. Gold and bronze individual medallists Stevie Wylie and Charlie Thomson, Dave Rodgers, Iain Reid, Iain Grant and veteran Archie Jenkins were the senior counters and Iain MacCorquodale, Andy Stevens and Matthew Murphy made up the under 20 trio while under 17 members Ian Lafferty, Alistair Campbell and Stephen Dunn and 3rd placed under 13 individual Raymond Black, Stephen Taggart and Paul McGarry all featured in the younger teams. Cambuslang enjoyed its first taste of golden success in the Scottish Short Course Cross Country Championships with Stevie Wylie, Jack Brown, David Rodgers and Charlie Thomson all finishing in the top ten. The signs were looking good for the National Cross Country Championships and this proved to be the case. Three team victories for the senior men, under 20 and under 17 men ensured the club was again worthy winners of the AT Mays Trophy. Over a flat course at Linwood Stevie Wylie narrowly missed out on the individual gold medal after a lengthy battle with Clydesdale Harriers USA based Graeme Reid. However, he had the consolation of leading a tightly packed RHC squad to team gold. Anglo Scot Jon McCallum, David Rodgers, Charlie Thomson, Alex Robertson and Colin Donnelly crossed the line after Stevie in 8th, 11th, 13th, 14th and 16th place. Spare a thought for Jamie Reid and Alan MacPherson who in spite of finishing in 21st and 23rd spots did not make the counting Cambuslang 6. After a lengthy and loyal spell with Law AAC Jamie had made the painful decision to leave his boyhood club as Law was finding it difficult to field senior teams in the cross country relays. His mind was made up for him when he finished in first place on the opening leg of the West Cross Country Relays the previous October only to have no one waiting to take over from him. A subsequent injury had made him delay his Cambuslang debut until now. Individual U20 bronze medallist Jaz Pal, track specialist Ian Munro, Stephen Matthews and James Doyle and the U17 quartet of David Ward, Ian Lafferty, Alistair Campbell and Stephen Dunn all combined well to win their respective age category team golds. U13 Caitlin Hendry performed well to finish 15th in her age group. Archie Jenkins and John Simpson journeyed up to Forres in March to support North East residents Ross Arbuckle and Frankie Barton in the Scottish Veteran Harriers Cross Country Championships. The quartet gained team silver along with a 3rd M45 place for Frankie and a M50 silver for Archie.

An exciting Scottish 6 Stage Road relay took place a few weeks later at Livingston with Cambuslang going head to head with pre race favourite Racing Club Edinburgh. Thanks to Jack Brown, Charlie Thomson, John Cowan and Jamie Reid the club was in 2nd place but Neil Wilkinson’s fastest short stage time put RHC into pole position. However, Stevie Wylie had the unenviable task of trying to hold off Glen Stewart, Scotland’s number one distance runner. Stevie made Glen dig deep but was forced to surrender his slender lead. Not surprisingly Glen recorded the fastest long leg of the day with Stevie achieving the 2nd fastest long stint.

The Irvine venue for the British Veterans Cross Country Championships in April presented an ideal opportunity for Cambuslang athletes to get in among the medals, which they did. Colin Donnelly, Jack Brown, Dave Dymond and Jimmy Zaple were worthy gold medal winners and the M50 trio of Archie Jenkins, Barnie Gough and Tom McPake went home happy with their team bronze medals. Both veteran teams returned to Birmingham in May for the BMAF Road Relay Championships to take on the top English and Welsh teams. The M40 team was locked in a titanic struggle with Swansea Harriers but the Cambuslang men prevailed in the end to win by 37 seconds and broke the course record which they had set 4 years previously. RHC also rewrote the record book by becoming the first club to have all of their 8 runners inside 16 minutes for the demanding 3 miles trail. The times recorded in order of legs run on this historic day were Ian Williamson 15.08, Dave Dymond 15.46, Dave Thom 15.26, Colin Donnelly 15.50, Ross Arbuckle 15.34, Frankie Barton 15.28, Alex Robertson 14.55 and Jack Brown 15.15. However, these statistics do not reveal how the race unfolded. Shetlander Ian Williamson had doubts about his fitness as he had been struggling for the last few months with a persistent injury and he was therefore allocated the first leg to give him a pull round the course. Ian dispelled any doubts about his fitness by finishing a close 4th. Dave Dymond then took the club into 1st position which Dave Thom and Colin Donnelly maintained although at this stage Swansea was cutting back the time deficit. There was relief in the Cambuslang camp that Colin had safely got round the course. He was running on his least favoured surface and carrying an injury. However, painkillers and his competitive instincts got him over the line. The tide turned in Swansea’s favour on leg 5 when Ross came home 2nd 10 seconds behind Swansea and this gap grew to 34 seconds after Frankie’s run. Swansea now sensed victory as next out for them was Dermot Kerr, an Irish internationalist from Armagh. However, newly turned vet Alex steadily reeled him in and passed him in the run in to the line and in so doing set a club record. It was down now to Jack who went out fast from the start on the hilliest section of the course and opened up a 30 seconds lead by halfway which he added to by the finish. Although Jack had the glory leg it had been a concerted team effort which relay running is all about.

Concerted team effort was very much in evidence again for the M50 sextet. At halfway no outsider would have thought that Cambuslang cold possibly medal as they were in 18th place and over 2 minutes behind the leader. Tom McPake, Barnie Gough and Freddy Connor had covered the first 3 legs. In spite of Barnie nursing a hip injury and Freddy recovering from a recent double hernia they and Tom had played their part in setting up Charlie McDougall, Frank Hurley and Archie Jenkins to join the chase. Charlie literally bounced round the course in the 2nd fastest M50 time of the day to advance the team to 8th position. Frank dug deep to gain another valuable 2 places. The pressure was now on Archie to gain another 3 places and make up the 23 seconds deficit to steal the bronze medal. In spite of suffering from a cold he gradually reeled in the opposition and moved into 3th in the final uphill stretch to snatch the coveted bronze medal by 3 seconds. From my report at the time I wrote “Although the last 3 runners appeared to turn the tide, credit must go to all 6 runners who gave 100% effort and ran to their optimum on the day, which is after all what relay races are all about”.

The Scottish Half Marathon Championship was staged in June in nearby East Kilbride where Stevie Wylie added another gold medal to his impressive portfolio while his training partner Alex Robertson lifted the bronze medal as well as being first vet. Dave Thom was 3rd M40 and Charlie McDougall 1st M50. The following week the M40 quartet of Jack Brown, Ian Williamson, Alex Robertson and Gerry Reid were on their travels again to Horwich to contest the BMAF 5K Road Championship. Runner up Jack led Ian, Alex and Gerry to a comprehensive team victory which was the veterans’ 3rd UK team title in the short space of 3 months.

Stevie continued his purple patch by winning the Scottish 5,000M Senior Championship in July in a time of 14.32 edging out new clubmate Jamie Reid by 5 seconds and then a few weeks later adding the 10,000M title with Neil Wilkinson in the silver medal position. In the same month Jamie Reid retained his Scottish Marathon title. Further national road success came Cambuslang’s way when the tightly packed senior men’s quartet of Stevie Wylie, Jamie Reid, Andrew Wright and Iain Williamson captured the Scottish 10K Road Team Title.

The U17 and U20 men took their opportunity to take centre stage at the Young Athletes Road Races held at Rouken Glen in early October. Ian Munro, Alistair Campbell and Stephen Matthews took team gold in the U20 category and Stephen Dunn, David Ward and Chris Brown did likewise in their age group. Stephen had the additional bonus of being awarded the individual silver medal. The West District and delayed Scottish Cross Country Relays followed in a busy calendar. The senior men were dominant in both events with the same 4 runners contributing to both team victories albeit the order of running did change over the 2 events. The 4 members in question were Jack Brown, Stevie Wylie, Andrew Wright and Jamie Reid. Cambuslang’s B team of Duncan Cochrane, Iain MacCorquodale, John Cowan and Iain Reid excelled in 6th spot. The M40 team of Ross Arbuckle, Alex Robertson, Frank Hurley and Frankie Barton was not to be outdone as their title was retained. The young athletes were 4th in the West and 7th in the Scottish. Sandwiched in between both relays was the prestigious Reebok Cross Country Challenge at Falkirk. Stevie again excelled in achieving 3rd place ahead of a number of more fancied entrants. He was backed up by Iain Reid and Iain MacCorquodale who were in 24th and 28th position. U17 Stephen Dunn underlined his good form when equalling Stevie’s bronze spot.

RHC, as Scottish Cross Country Champions, represented Scotland at Liverpool in the UK Trial to decide which Home Nations Club would represent the UK in the European Clubs Cross Country Event. Up until 2 years previously each of the 4 Home Nations could send their respective National Champions. However, due to an enforced change only 1 UK club could now compete and hence the need for a trial. In spite of sterling efforts from Neil Wilkinson, Jamie Reid, Jon McCallum, and Colin Donnelly the club had to settle for the runners up position behind a strong Leeds City squad with Cardiff AC 3rd. Iain Reid, Iain MacCorquodale and Derek Houston also provided important back up that day. Neil ran a stormer ending up 19th overall in a star studded field and first finisher in the confined trial.

RHC was represented by M40 Ian Williamson, and M50 athletes Archie Jenkins and Freddy Connor in the Veterans Cross Country International. Colin Donnelly on his preferred terrain took the bronze M40 medal in the World vets Hill Running Championships.

Archie Jenkins had a successful track season both indoors and outdoors. He finished runner up in both the M50 BMAF Indoor 1500M and 3000M Championships and followed this up with a BMAF outdoor 5,000M gold medal and a 10,000M bronze medal. M40 Jack Brown was crowned Scottish Masters Indoor 1500M Champion and Outdoor 5,000M Champion. U17 Stephen Dunn was a double 3000M gold medallist in the Scottish Schools Outdoors and West District Championships. There were double silver 800M medals also for Alistair Campbell in the Scottish Schools Indoor Championships and the West District Championships.

Dave Thom and Iain Reid, both of whom were to play a prominent role in club affairs and still are today, joined the committee.

2004

2004 was unique in that the year started and ended with the West Cross Country Championships. There were 2 championships held in the one year and the senior men scored double team victories. The victorious sextet in the January fixture at Irvine comprised of runner up Jamie Reid, leading vet Jack Brown, Andrew Wright, Duncan Cochrane, Iain MacCorquodale and David Rodgers. Alistair Campbell lifted the U20 silver award as did Stephen Taggart in the U13 event. The U17 trio of David Ward, Stephen Dunn and Andrew Greenhaugh were 2nd team and Ryan Dickson, Raymond Black and Scott Carr earned team bronze. David Ward later excelled in the Scottish Inter District Championship by taking the U17 individual bronze medal.

Going into February RHC finished 2nd team in the Scottish 4K Cross Country Championships courtesy of Alan MacPherson, David Rodgers, Jack Brown and Charlie Thomson. A few weeks later the senior men went one better to retain their Senior Scottish Team Title. Jon McCallum, David Rodgers, Stevie Wylie, John Cowan, Colin Donnelly and Jack Brown all finished within the top 22 finishers. The next 6 Cambuslang athletes would have won the bronze medals if a B team had been allowed to count. The club struck special unofficial bronze medals for Ross Arbuckle, Charlie Thomson, Graeme Croll, Alex Robertson, Duncan Cochrane and Iain MacCorquodale who had occupied positions 26 to 40. The U17 team of David Ward, Ian Lafferty, Andrew Greenhaugh and Stephen Dunn placed 2nd team while there were bronze medals for the U15 quartet of Ryan Dickson, Raymond Black, Scott Carr, and Paul McGarry. There was further icing on the cake when it was announced at the post race presentation that RHC had retained its hold on the AT Mays Trophy.

The masters men took centre stage at Cupar in their National Cross Country Championship. Alex Robertson, John Cowan and Ross Arbuckle took the individual honours and with Frank Hurley in support they unsurprisingly added the team title too. John had actually opened up a lead on Alex but had issues with a hamstring problem mid race and had to stop and massage his hamstring before continuing. Alex, now sensing an individual victory, made the most of his opportunity. A few weeks later the veteran men travelled to Durham to contest the BMAF Cross Country Championships at Durham. RHC was quietly confident given the first 3 runners in the Scottish Veteran Championships lined up alongside Colin Donnelly, Dave Dymond, Frankie Barton and Jimmy Zaple. The outcome of the team race was not to be decided by aggregate points but by aggregate time. Observing the runners on the first lap of a very muddy course it was clear that the first 4 Cambuslang athletes were well packed together near the front. However, when the runners reappeared at the end of lap 1 John Cowan was missing. His previous hamstring issue had flared up and he was forced to retire from the race. This left the team outcome more precarious as Cambuslang’s fate now depended on their 4th counter. At the finish it was not clear whether RHC had prevailed over local club Sunderland or not. Certainly going by the traditional finishing positions it would have been a Scottish victory but aggregate time was now the key factor. When the official results were announced Cambuslang had gained a narrow win of 27 seconds over Sunderland. Dave Dymond had stepped up to fill the gap left by John’s race retiral. Alex, Colin and Ross who had all finished within 25 seconds of one another along with Dave celebrated another special team victory. This race demonstrated that in any team competitions it is important to have back up runners in case of any such injury issues arising pre or mid race.

In early March Jack Brown recorded a brilliant victory in Germany in the World Masters Cross Country Championships and a few weeks later the Senior Men team of Graeme Croll, Charlie Thomson, Ian Williamson, Jack Brown, Iain MacCorquodale and Duncan Cochrane finished a close 2nd in the 6 Stage Road Relay at Livingston in March.

May was a very good month for RHC both from a team and individual perspective. The M40 team successfully defended their BMAF Road Relay Title they had won the previous year. There was only 1 change in the personnel with John Cowan stepping in for Ross Arbuckle. After the first 3 legs from Dave Dymond, Dave Thom and Colin Donnelly the club was in 7th spot. Frankie Barton then took Cambuslang into the lead, a position which was maintained by Ian Williamson and Alex Robertson. However, with 2 laps to go Woodford Green had closed the gap to 19 seconds and were confident they could snatch victory over the last 2 legs as they had a former GB Internationalist on leg 8. Their plan did not come to fruition as RHC played its 2 trump cards in the shape of John Cowan and Jack Brown. John showed that he was fully recovered from his previous hamstring injury and proceeded to clock the day’s fastest time and a new club record of 14.51. Now with a 67 seconds lead Jack was able to run a relaxed and confident time of 14.55 thus setting the 2nd quickest time of the day and equalling the former club record set by Alex the previous year. While Jack and John attracted the individual attention it had been another great spirited team effort. Just prior to the Masters Road Relay Scottish Marathon Champion Jamie Reid stepped up his distance to tackle the Scottish 50K Road Championships at Glenrothes and was rewarded with individual gold in the excellent time of 3.10.35. At the end of the month the prolific Stevie Wylie lifted the Scottish Half Marathon Championship title. The Scottish 10K Road Championship in September in Edinburgh presented Cambuslang with another impressive team victory thanks to the counting 4 members including the highly dependable Charlie Thomson, Jamie Reid, Duncan Cochrane and veteran Frankie Barton. The final national road team medals of the season went to the U20 trio of David Ward, Alistair Campbell and Stephen Dunn who collected the bronze medals in the Scottish Young Athletes Road Championships.

Road and Cross Country Relays were the focus in October. The McAndrew Road Relay which had been staged since 1934 saw a well balanced RHC team of Robert Gilroy, Jamie Reid, veteran Jack Brown and near veteran Charlie Thomson lead from start to finish. Cross Country racing resumed with the District and National Relays. The RHC senior men team of David Ward, Robert Gilroy, Jamie Reid and Charlie Thomson finished a close 3rd on an undulating course at Tollcross Park with the B team of Ian Munro, Iain MacCorquodale, Duncan Cochrane and Andrew Wright only 15 seconds behind in 4th place. This was Robert’s first appearance in a Cambuslang vest having joined from Hamilton Harriers. At this time he was a promising novice who had been improving his times by doing sessions with near neighbours Stevie Wylie and Alex Robertson. Little did the club know how prolific and successful a racer he would become. The debutant young athletes female trio of Amanda Gebbie, Caitlin Hendry and Erin Campbell performed very well to take 7th spot after lying 3rd at the end of leg 2. Their young athletes male counterparts occupied 9th position. 2 weeks later the young male trio of Stewart Orr, Raymond Black and Chris Brown held the identical position. However, Amanda and Caitlin had no under 17 athlete to hand over to while in 8th place. The senior men again put out 2 strong teams with the A quartet of Robert Gilroy, Charlie Thomson, Jamie Reid and anchorman Iain MacCorquodale missing out on bronze medals by 7 seconds only. The B team ended up a very creditable 7th.

Iain continued his excellent cross country form when collecting the silver individual medal at the Scottish Universities Championships and also an identical medal in the West Cross Country Championships where he led Robert Gilroy, Jack Brown, David Rodgers, Jamie Reid and David Ward to an 8th consecutive team victory. The U17 Men gained silver medals for their efforts thanks to Ewan McLeod, Chris Brown and Ryan Dickson. U13 girl Amanda Gebbie impressed again when coming home 4th while U13 boy Stewart Orr, showed promise in 13th position. His dad Jim who was now a member of the coaching team had been a regular Scottish team medallist at U20 and senior levels in the 1980s.

Ian Williamson, John Simpson and Archie Jenkins represented the Scottish Masters in the annual International Cross Country Event. The final competition of 2004 seemed on paper to be Mission Impossible for RHC as the club was representing Scotland in the UK trial for the European Clubs Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill in London. Belgrave, the leading English club at this time and on home territory, were totally confident of victory against the Scottish and Welsh champions. In the pre race publicity announcement their team manager was predicting that they would do very well in the actual European Clubs Championships in February of the following year. The 3 competing clubs could field up to 9 runners whose finishing positions would be taken out of the overall results and scored separately. The first runner home would be allocated 1 point and so on for every one of their entered athletes and the club with the lowest aggregate for their first 4 counters would be the winner and represent GB in Italy in February. Surprisingly Belgrave only fielded 6 runners whereas Cambuslang had 9 participants. During the race Belgrave’s confidence seemed to be well placed as 5 of their runners were well placed. However, 2 of their athletes dropped out on the muddy and hilly course which turned the balance in Cambuslang’s favour. After the race when all the finishing athletes had been allocated their appropriate points the aggregate positions for the first 4 counters of each club was added up. There was great delight in the Scottish camp when it was announced that RHC had beaten Belgrave by one point. Cambuslang had 21 points with their counting finishers in 3rd Nigel Leighton, 4th Iain MacCorquodale, 6th Jack Brown and 8th Jamie Reid. Belgrave had 22 points (1st, 2nd, 5th and 14th). The Belgrave team manager duly congratulated the Cambuslang team members before they departed for their evening flight back home. However, there was more drama to come. Unknown to Cambuslang the Belgrave manager put in an appeal to the race referee as soon as we had left the course requesting that the result be overruled. His argument was that only the 4 athletes per club should be allowed to count which would then give victory to Belgrave by 4 points. His appeal was accepted. Team manager David Cooney can vividly recall the unexpected phone call he received the following evening from the referee during his Sunday evening meal with his family. He was told that Belgrave was now the official winner and the thinking behind it. Although devastated at this news David informed the referee that Cambuslang would be submitting a counter appeal and enlisted the support of the Glasgow Herald’s renowned athletics reporter Doug Gillon. Cambuslang’s argument was that the traditional method of scoring in this competition which had originally announced RHC as the victor should stand and won their case. Cambuslang could now be crowned UK Cross Country Champions and represent the UK the following February in Italy.

Moving to the track Archie Jenkins picked up M50 Scottish Masters Indoor silver and bronze medals over 1500M and 3000M in January. During the summer track season Jack Brown comfortably lifted the M40 Masters title. U20 athletes David Ward, Stephen Dunn and Alistair Campbell were among the medals for their age group. David scored double victories in the West and Scottish 5,000M Championships as well achieving a silver medal in the West 1500M with Stephen Dunn finishing runner up in the West 5,000M. Alistair completed the club’s medal haul at the West by taking the 800M gold in the very useful time of 1.56.94. Finally Ian Munro represented Scotland in the Loughborough International Meeting.

The club’s head of coaching Mike Johnston who had taken his first coaching badge in 1989 was deservedly appointed as the Scottish Lead Endurance Coach. Under his careful guidance he had over the years produced a string of Scottish and UK individual medal winners.

2005

Iain MacCorquodale started off 2005 with an outstanding 3rd spot in the U23 Celtic Cross Country International at Cardiff. As a much deserved reward for winning the trial to represent the UK in the European Club’s Championships the club sent 8 athletes in early February to Mantua in Italy. In the face of fierce opposition from other European club teams, a number of whom were composed of full time athletes, RHC finished 19th team. The 4 counters on the day were Jon McCallum, Jamie Reid, Iain MacCorquodale and Robert Gilroy with back up being provided by Jack Brown, Jasmir Pal and Joe and Kevin Kealey. RHC had to surrender its grip on the Senior Scottish Cross Country Title to a dominant HBT sextet. However, the club gained silver medals by 2 points from Shettleston Harriers. Jon McCallum, Charlie Thomson, Jaz Pal, Robert Gilroy, Graeme Croll and David Rodgers were in the counting 6. Raymond Black, Jordan Love, Steven Taggart and Paul McGarry sealed victory in the U15 age group and the U17 men team of Ewan McLeod, Chris Brown, Ryan Dickson and Adam Kennedy delivered the silver medals. A top 20 finish by Stewart Orr which led the U13 boys to 6th spot in their team competition contributed towards the AT Mays Award again going to Cambuslang Harriers. History was made in the U13 girls event as the club completed a team for the first time thanks to Amanda Gebbie, Claire Wallace, Rebecca Forrest and Leanne McMahon. The Masters Cross Country Title also slipped from Cambuslang’s hands in early March. Eddie Stewart and Colin Donnelly, 3rd and 4th overall and 1st and 2nd M45 finishers, 3rd M50 Archie Jenkins and Frank Hurley were the bridesmaids on this occasion at Bellahouston Park. Elsewhere Jack Brown followed up his World Cross Country Championships gold medal from the previous year by lifting the European title.

RHC returned to winning ways at the Scottish 6 Stage Road Relay over the usual Livingston course. A well balanced sextet of Graeme Croll, Robert Gilroy, David Rodgers, Jamie Reid, Charlie Thomson and Anglo Scott Kevin Sheppard secured a 96 seconds victory over Central AC with Shettleston in 3rd place. No Young Athlete Road Championships were held this year. Athletes from RHC continued to perform well on the roads from April through to September. Robert Gilroy captured the senior bronze medal in the West 10 Miles Championships incorporated into April’s Tom Scott Event. In June at the BMAF 5K in Horwich Cambuslang’s first 3 runners packed well and with support from 4th counter Jimmy Zaple lifted the M40 team title. Charlie Thomson was 3^rd individual, Jack Brown 6th and Frankie Barton, the first M45, was 8th. The M50 trio of Archie Jenkins, Frank Hurley and Barnie Gough were delighted with their bronze medals. There was a gold and silver medal in June for Jamie Reid and Robert Gilroy in the Scottish Half Marathon Championships staged in Edinburgh and Charlie Thomson picked up the M40 gold in the Scottish 10 Miles Championship at Balloch in August. In the same month Robert Gilroy and Jamie Reid reversed their finishing positions in the Scottish Marathon Championships. Robert’s winning time of 2.26.42 gave him a lead of 4 minutes over Jamie. The decision by the BMAF to stage their 10K Championships at Strathclyde Park was welcome news to the club’s master athletes who took advantage of running on home soil and on familiar terrain. Jack Brown and Charlie Thomson pulled away from the field in the windy conditions and then had a ding dong battle throughout the race with Jack only pulling away from Charlie in the closing stages. A home M40 team victory was obvious to spectators with the red and white runners occupying 1st, 2nd and 5th positions courtesy of the leading M45 Frankie Barton. It was not so clear as to how the M50 team was doing. However, when the results were announced the RHC trio of Frank Hurley, Archie Jenkins and club secretary Iain Gordon had secured silver medals. It was a certainly a good day at the office for the Cambuslang M40 and M50 teams.

The autumn cross country season started well for the club with a victory for the senior men at the West Cross Country Relay Championships held at Ayr. Amazingly there was only a 3 seconds differential between the times of Charlie Thomson, Jack Brown, Iain MacCorquodale and Robert Gilroy. The Young Male Athletes trio of Stewart Orr, Steven Taggart and Ryan Dickson just lost out on a bronze medal by 4 seconds with Ryan having to give ground to a future Scottish Commonwealth Games Competitor by the name of Derek Hawkins. Stewart now in his 2nd year as an under 13 underlined his potential when coming home first in the opening leg. Their counterparts in the ladies event finished 20th with Mairi Brown, Danielle Melville and Leanne Paterson being the 3 club representatives. The senior men were outside the medals in the National Cross Country relays 2 weeks later but did occupy the 5th and 6 spots with the B team only 18 seconds adrift of the A team. This reflects the depth of the Cambuslang squad at this time. The A team consisted of Charlie Thomson, Jack Brown, Robert Gilroy and Iain MacCorquodale and the B team of Duncan Cochrane, Andrew Wright, David Ward and Jamie Reid. The young male athlete trio of Stewart Orr, Andrew Coulter and Ryan Dickson put in another excellent performance in 5th place while the young female athlete team of Mairi Brown, Claire Wallace and Danielle Melville was a respectable 23rd. In late October the club achieved its first ever victory in the Allan Scally Road Relay which had traditionally been used by clubs as the last selection trial for the Edinburgh to Glasgow Road Relay from 1969 until its demise in 2002. Duncan Cochrane, Andrew Wright, Jamie Reid and Robert Gilroy made up the victorious team on this historic occasion.

Iain MacCorquodale, always at home on the country and the muddier the better for him, continued his fine form by becoming the Scottish Universities Cross Country Champion in November. In the same month Jack Brown, Frankie Barton and Archie Jenkins represented Scotland in the Masters Cross Country International. In the final Cross Country Event of the year, the West Championship, Iain in 4th position led RHC to another senior men’s title. He was supported by Jamie Reid 5th, Jack Brown 9th, Andrew Wright 12th, Duncan Cochrane 16th and Joe Kealey 18th. The M40 team title also went Cambuslang thanks to the combined efforts of the 2nd and 3rd placed masters Jack and Eddie Stewart plus Dave Dymond. The U13 boys were in bronze medal position thanks to Stewart Orr, Jack Hamilton and Liam Deeny and the U13 girls trio of Louise McKenna, Mairi Brown and Amy Mullan were 10th.

Archie Jenkins, Caitlin Hendry and Alistair Campbell featured for the club in the January and February Indoor Competitions. U15 Caitlin gained a West silver 800M medal and then a Scottish bronze over the same distance. Alistair achieved an U20 West bronze medal in the 800M. Archie contested both the Scottish and BMAF Indoor Championships winning silver in the Scottish M50 1500M and bronze in the BMAF 1500M in addition to a silver medal in the 3000M. Robert Gilroy took to the outdoor track and duly won a 10,000M senior bronze medal. Several Cambuslang athletes were among the medals at the West Track Championships. Ian Munro was first in the senior 800M and there were bronze medals at this distance for senior man Iain MacCorquodale, U17 Ryan Dickson and the U15 pair of Caitlin Hendry and Steven Taggart along with a senior 5,000M bronze for Jack Brown. Caitlin also went onto achieve a Scottish 800M bronze medal. M50 Archie Jenkins was a double 5,000M silver medallist in the Scottish and BMAF Championships and also added the BMAF 10,000M silver to his extensive medal collection. However, the star performances that summer came from Ian Munro who was being coached by Mike Johnston. Ian set a pb of 1.49.08 for 2nd place in the AAA Senior Championship in July and lowered his pb a few weeks later to 1.48.16 when finishing 2nd in the British Milers Club Grand Prix.

2006

Ronhill Cambuslang Harriers made an excellent start to the year 2006 by winning the Scottish Senior Men 4K thanks to tight packing from Iain MacCorquodale, Jamie Reid, Neil Wilkinson and veteran Jack Brown in 7th, 8th, 13th and 14th places. Frankie Barton claimed the individual M50 award and fellow M50 Archie Jenkins the bronze medal in the Scottish Masters Cross Country Championships at Forres. The club regained the Senior Men’s Scottish Cross Country title. Iain MacCorquodale in 10th place led Jack Brown, David Rodgers, Joe Kealey, Graeme Croll and Andrew Wright to victory. Colin Donnelly did not manage to make the club’s counting 6 for the first time and had to settle for being the 7th Cambuslang athlete home. He was, however, still in good company as Jamie Reid finished just behind him. The under 13 boys team of Michael Rankin, Stewart Orr, Jack Hamilton and Liam Deeny also struck gold and with the under 15 boys 3rd, the under 17 quartet 4th, just losing out on the bronze medal on countback, and the under 20 men 6th, the AT Mays Trophy was successfully retained. The under 13 girls were 14th and the under 15 girls 9th with Mairi Brown and Rebecca Forrest respectively leading their age group home.

The under 13, 15 and under 17 male teams were among the medals in the Young Athletes Road Championships at Falkirk. The U13 trio of Stewart Orr, Jack Hamilton and Michael Rankin and the U17 squad of Ryan Dickson, Raymond Black and Matthew Waterson collected the runners up medals while U15 team bronze went to Corin Gallacher, Andrew Coulter and Craig Nelson. The under 15 girls team of Danielle Melville, Claire Wallace and Rebecca Forrest was a creditable 4th and the under 13 girls team again led by Mairi Brown was in 9th spot. The Senior Men Sextet of Joe Kealey, Graeme Croll, Robert Gilroy, Jack Brown, Johnny MacNamara and David Rodgers left Livingston with the bronze medals. The M50 team kept the red and white flag flying in England where individual silver medallist Frankie Barton, Archie Jenkins and Barnie Gough earned team silver. There were further individual successes on the roads for Cambuslang athletes during the summer. Jamie Reid and Stevie Wylie filled 2nd and 3rd positions in the Scottish Marathon Championships clocking fast times of 2.24.04 and 2.30.09. Jack Brown excelled himself when setting a pb of 70.33 for 2nd place in the World Half Marathon Masters Championships in Austria.

Moving into the October Cross Country Relays Ian Munro, Stevie Wylie, Joe Kealey and Jamie Reid formed the senior bronze medallist men team at the West. The male young athletes finished 7th but unfortunately there are no details available. Two weeks later in the Scottish event the masters men emerged victorious thanks to Jack Brown, Ross Arbuckle, Steve McGrory and Greg Hastie. The senior men were 11 seconds away from taking the bronze medal. Although outside the senior medals the club put in a strong display with the A team in 4th and the B team 8th. The team compositions on that day were Ian Munro, Iain MacCorquodale, Jamie Reid and Stevie Wylie for the A quartet and Iain Reid, Andrew Wright, Joe Kealey and Alan MacPherson for the B squad. The young male athletes trio of Michael Rankin, Andrew Coulter and Raymond Black was well placed in 6th spot and the female young athletes were a respectable 12th courtesy of Mairi Brown, Claire Wallace and Danielle Melville.

HBT, as last year’s Scottish Cross Country Champions, did not take up the opportunity to contest the trial at Liverpool to decide which of the Home Nations would represent the UK in the European Clubs Cross Country Championships. This left the door open for Cambuslang to step in. In spite of some good running by Stevie Wylie, Jamie Reid, Joe Kealey and Jack Brown the club had to settle for 2nd place. Iain Reid, Robert Gilroy and Steve McGrory also represented the club. Jack Brown, Ross Arbuckle and Archie Jenkins won selection to represent Scotland in the Masters UK and Irish Cross Country International at Falkirk. The West District at East Kilbride was the final cross country event of 2006. The senior men were convincing winners placing their 6 counters between 3rd and 18th place. Robert Gilroy in 20th just missed out on a team medal. The counting 6 were Stevie Wylie 3rd, Jamie Reid 5th, Jack Brown 10th and 2nd M40, David Rodgers 11th, Kerry-Liam Wilson 17th and Eddie Stewart 18th and 3rd M40. This was Kerry-Liam’s first team medal for the club and was to be the first of many more medals at national and international levels. Like Robert his day as a prolific medal winner was soon to come. Stewart Orr, Andrew Coulter and Jack Hamilton sealed the bronze medals for the U15 boys while Mairi Brown performed superbly to win the individual bronze medal in the under 13 girls category and to lead her team mates Claire Wetherspoon and Stephanie Dalgoutte to 4th in the team competition.

On the indoor circuit Stephen Taggart and Rebecca Forrest lifted the gold and bronze medals in the West under 17 Men and under 15 girls Championships while Ryan Dickson took the bronze in the Scottish Schools Event. M50 Archie Jenkins successfully contested both the Scottish and British Masters Indoor Championships and came away from the Scottish event with double gold in the 1500 and 3000M events and from the UK event with a bronze and silver over the same two distances. Moving on to the outdoor track season both Ian Munro and Joe Kealey were rewarded with Senior Scottish Silver Medals in their respective events of the 800M and 3000M steeplechase. Rebecca Forrest added the West 1500M bronze to her previous indoor one at the beginning of the year. Archie Jenkins again doubled up in the Scottish Masters Championships to lift a 1500M silver and a 5,000M gold.

2007

In the opening cross country competition of 2007 under 13 and under 15 boys Michael Rankin and Andrew Coulter were awarded bronze medals in the Inter District Championships. A few weeks later in the Scottish 4K Cross Country Championships the senior men team of Iain MacCorquodale, Iain Reid, Joe Kealey and Ian Munro also secured bronze medals. The senior men went one place better at the Scottish Cross Country Championships thanks to the efforts of Jamie Reid, Stevie Wylie, Joe Kealey, Iain Reid and the evergreen duo of Charlie Thomson and Colin Donnelly. 6th placed under 13 Michael Rankin led his team to 7th spot while the under 13 girls were 14th. The 2 remaining male teams, the under 15 and under 17s were in 4th and 6th position. The focus fell next on the Masters at their Championships held at Bathgate. The 4 counting athletes from RHC looked to have established a clear lead in the team competition. However, Charlie Thomson was forced to drop out due to an injury which changed the balance of power in Shettleston’s favour. In the end the red and whites had to settle for the bronze medals with their counters Colin Donnelly 4th and 1st M45, Eddie Stewart 7th and 1st M50, Ross Arbuckle 11th and Jimmy Zaple 63rd. On the schools front Cambuslang members Caitlin Hendry, Clare Wallace, Danielle Melville and Rebecca Forrest finished an excellent 2nd for Cathkin High in the Scottish Schools Cross Country Championships. This was no mean feat for a comprehensive school to pick up a team award in a competition usually dominated by the private schools. Similarly Cathkin High pupils Jack Hamilton and Stuart Orr performed strongly in their race and were duly selected to represent the Scottish Schools in the International Schools Championships in Dublin.

The under 15 boys trio of Stuart Orr, Jack Hamilton and Andrew Coulter underlined their potential when gaining team bronze in the Young Athletes Road Races. There were also promising individual performances from runner up under 13 boy Michael Rankin and under 13 girl Mairi Brown and over 17 women Caitlin Hendry who both occupied 10th place. Cambuslang’s senior men dominated their Championship Road Relay from start to finish. Triathlete Fraser Cartmell came home first on the opening leg and the subsequent 5 runners – Robert Gilroy, Jack Brown, Stevie Wylie, Joe Kealey and Jamie Reid – were never headed. The masters’ team of Archie Jenkins, Dave Thom, Ross Arbuckle, Ian Williamson, Brian Campbell and Steve McGrory finished as runners up.

In April the Scottish Veteran Harriers hosted the BMAF Cross Country Relays over a relatively flat course at Bathgate. RHC took full advantage of competing on Scottish soil and secured team victories in 3 of the 4 male age categories. A well balanced M35 quartet of Kerry-Liam Wilson, Greg Hastie, Dave Rodgers and Stevie Wylie set the ball rolling which was matched by the M50 team of Freddy Connor, Archie Jenkins, Frank Hurley and Frankie Barton. It was a more difficult task to put together six M40 runners due to injuries. However, after several late telephone calls by team manager David Cooney a full quota was reached. Up until the last minute it looked as if David who was himself recovering from an injury would be required to step in. Peter Ogden was present that day but was unable to put himself forward as he was carrying out his duties as President of the Scottish Veteran Harriers. However, Colin Feechan who had not represented the club for 20 years since moving from Blantyre to Livingston after getting married had just started to train again and was entrusted with the last leg. The plan was for the first 5 athletes – Ross Arbuckle, Dave Thom, Bernie McLaughlin, Robert Lyon and Gerry Reid to give the untested Colin as much of a cushion as possible. Fortunately the plan came to fruition and a tired but jubilant Colin held onto his lead much to the delight of his 5 team mates. After that day Colin was very much back in the fold and was to play a big part as a Cambuslang runner and a committee member. The M60 trio of David Fairweather, Pat Bradley and Robert Anderson was just outside the medals in 4th spot.

During the summer months Jamie Reid was crowned Scottish Marathon Champion for the 3rd time having clocked a time of 2.33.11 at Elgin.

October saw the return of the cross country relays at district and national levels. The nearest the club came to a podium place at the West Cross Country relays was by the 4th placed senior men quartet of Charlie Thomson, Jamie Reid, Joe Kealey and Robert Gilroy. However, there were some promising signs as Cambuslang finished 2 young athlete female teams and a young Ryan Thomson made his debut as a 13 year old. Having inherited the genes of his dad and club stalwart Charlie and mother Carol Anne, herself a former prolific athlete, there were high hopes for his future running career. 2 weeks later at the Scottish relays the victorious masters quartet of Greg Hastie, Jack Brown, Colin Donnelly and Charlie Thomson flew the flag for RHC. Robert Gilroy, Johnny MacNamara, Iain Reid and Jamie Reid were in 5th place for the senior men, the young athlete female team of Kerrie Miller, Lucy Deeny and Stephanie Wright finished 20th and their male counterpart trio of Ryan Thomson, Jack Hamilton and Andrew Coulter were in 17th position. The November Lanarkshire Cross Country Championship Event at the uninspiring Drumpellier Park course was both a stepping stone and a good development race particularly for the younger runners. Both Mairi Brown and Danielle Melville were runners up in the under 15 and 17 girls events as was under 17 Andrew Coulter. Under 13 boys Ryan Thomson and Ross Stephen were just outside the medals in 4th and 5th spots. The under 15 boys trio of Stewart Orr, Jack Hamilton and Michael Rankin, 1st, 3rd and 4th, secured a decisive team victory and there were silver medals for Robert Gilroy, Iain Reid and Jack Brown in the senior men’s competition. In the same month Ross Arbuckle and ever present Archie Jenkins represented Scotland in the Masters Cross country International in Belfast.

The West Cross Country Championship at Irvine brought down the curtain for 2007. Under 15 Mairi Brown led Lucy Deeny and Shereen Smith to the bronze medals which was an important breakthrough for the girls section of Cambuslang Harriers. The under 15 boys team of Jack Hamilton, Stewart Orr and Michael Rankin justified their pre race favourite tag by crossing the line in 2nd, 3rd and 8th positions. While the senior men squad of Stevie Wylie, Jamie Reid, Robert Gilroy, Iain Reid, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Jack Brown was pushed into 2nd place the masters went 1 place better. With the masters age having been lowered to 35 Stevie and Kerry-Liam were able to score along with M40 Jack Brown.

Much earlier in the year Caitlin Hendry and Rebecca Forrest achieved silver and bronze indoor medals in the January West Indoor 800M Championships and Caitlin took another silver 800M medal in the outdoor Lanarkshire Championships later in August. Under 15 Stewart Orr displayed a good turn of speed to deliver gold also over 800M in the same championships and to gain a Scottish Schools 1500M silver medal. Ian Munro improved on his Scottish Senior 800M silver from the previous year to land gold in a time of 1.51.78 and was a close 3rd in the Celtic International 800M. During the summer the club joined the Central and South Scotland Division 2 League to give all male and female athletes of all ages the opportunity to compete on the track. The club’s coaching team of Mike Johnston, Owen Reid and Robert Anderson was now enhanced as Jim Orr, Carol Anne Thomson and Michael Hendry were now fully involved. M50 Archie Jenkins was prominent in the Scottish and British Masters Indoor Championships. His medal tally consisted of a Scottish gold and silver over 3000M and 1500M and a British silver over the longer distance and he added a Scottish 5,000M gold in the summer to his considerable medal collection.

2008

Cambuslang’s senior men team of Johnny MacNamara, Jack Brown, Iain Reid and Robert Gilroy finished just outside the medals in 4th place in the Scottish Short Course Championship, the inaugural event of 2008. However, the club bounced back a few weeks later to capture the Scottish Masters Cross Country Title, an event in which M35s could count. Stevie Wylie, 3rd overall and 2nd M35, Colin Donnelly 4th overall and 1st M45, Jack Brown, 7th and 2nd M45, along with Kerry-Liam Wilson, 9th and 5th M35, made up the victorious squad. There were further age group individual medals for 3rd placed M40 Charlie Thomson and runner up M55 Archie Jenkins. The senior men sextet of Jamie Reid, Stevie Wylie, Iain MacCorquodale, Chris Wilson, Colin Donnelly and Robert Gilroy emulated the masters when regaining their Scottish Cross Country title. Individual silver medallist under 15 Stewart Orr, Jack Hamilton, Michael Rankin and Liam Deeny added a further team gold. There were several good performances from under 13 boys Ryan Thomson and Ross Stephen in 19th and 30th positions while under 17 Caitlin Hendry and under 15 Mairi Brown placed 18th and 20th. Stewart Orr and Jack Hamilton were selected to compete for the West of Scotland under 15 team in the UK Inter Counties Championships and helped their team capture the gold medals. Stuart added to his medal haul with a Scottish Schools bronze and along with team mate Michael Rankin was awarded a place in the Scottish Schools Cross Country International.

The focus of attention switched in March to road running for the club’s young athletes who made a successful journey to Aberdeen. Their medal haul amounted to an individual silver and 4 team awards. The under 15 boys consolidated their supremacy with another gold thanks to runner up Stewart Orr, Michael Rankin and Jack Hamilton. The runners up under 13 trio of Ryan Thomson, Dean McMurran and Ross Stephen got their first taste of Scottish medals. There was double bronze delight too for the under 17 ladies team of Caitlin Hendry, Danielle Melville and Stephanie Wright and for the under 13 trio of Kerry Miller, Britney Graham and Michelle Collins. The spring road season finished with both the senior men and masters taking the bronze medals in the Scottish 6 Stage Road Running Championships at Livingston. The goods were duly delivered by Johnny MacNamara, Charlie Thomson, Joe Kealey, Jamie Reid, Chris Wilson and Robert Gilroy for the seniors and Tom McPake, Dave Thom, Barnie Gough, Greg Hastie, John McPake and anchor man Kerry-Liam Wilson for the more mature in years squad.

During the summer months RHC senior men picked up the Scottish Senior 10K team silver medals at Balloch thanks to Robert Gilroy, Alan MacPherson and Kerry-Liam Wilson and Robert added an individual bronze in the Scottish Half Marathon Championships at Dunfermline. Shettleston Harriers bolstered by 3 of their new Olympian Eritrean athletes not surprisingly had a clean sweep of the first 3 places. Colin Donnelly again displayed his hill running pedigree by capturing the M45 World Mountain Running Championships.

In the opening event of the October Cross Country Relays the Young Athletes team of Ryan Thomson, Michael Rankin and Jack Hamilton was the pick of the Cambuslang bunch as they combined to lift the bronze medals. Both Ryan and Michael set Jack up nicely for him to produce a joint fastest storming last leg. Representing their female counterparts Rebecca Bonomi, Lucy Deeny and Mairi Brown finished a very respectable 8th team. The senior male quartet of Joe Kealey, Stevie Wylie, Greg Hastie and Robert Gilroy had to settle for 5th spot. The same 2 young athlete teams lined up again in the Scottish Cross Country Relays. The boys team just missed out on a medal coming home 4th while the girls were 15th. The senior men with Chris Wilson replacing Greg occupied the same position as the West. The senior men again represented Scotland at Liverpool in the UK Trial for the right to participate in the European Clubs Championships. In spite of valiant efforts from Bruce Raeside, Jamie Reid, Chris Wilson and Joe Kealey the squad had to give way to the strong English and Welsh opponents. Archie Jenkins once again competed for Scotland in the Masters Cross Country International in Swansea. The off track performances by RHC over the last 12 months was recognised by Scottish Athletics when the club was presented with the prestigious Off Track Club of the Year Award at the Annual Awards Dinner.

At the club’s AGM Iain Gordon stepped down as secretary and was duly thanked for his highly conscientious and meticulous work both as club secretary and treasurer over the last 15 years. At the meeting the annual club fees for seniors was set at £40 and amazingly 15 years on the amount has stayed the same!

Surprisingly 2008 ended with an unusually understrength senior men’s team down in 6th place in the West Cross Country Championships. The only medals going to Cambuslang athletes were a M40 silver for David Rodgers and an under 15 bronze for Mairi Brown. The U15 boys trio of Michael Rankin, Matthew McKenna and Stuart Roe was also in 6th place.

Both Caitlin Hendry and Archie Jenkins again picked up medals in Indoor Competitions in the first 3 months of 2008. Caitlin was an excellent 2nd over 800M in the Scottish Schools and Archie came away from the Scottish and BMAF Championships with triple silver medals gained over the 1500 and 3000M distances. Ross Stephen emerged as a promising 800M track athlete when he was crowned under 13 West District Indoor Champion. With Ross now interested in athletics his mother and father Pamela and Colin became involved with the club initially as supportive parents and then later as coaches. Caitlin went on to duplicate her 800M silver in the Scottish Schools Outdoor Championships and Stephanie Wright was a recipient of a bronze medal in her 3000M event. Both U17 Stewart Orr and U15 Michael Rankin not only won silver and bronze medals over 1500M but in so doing set pbs. Archie again showed his appetite for the track when taking a bronze 5,000M Scottish medal in the Scottish Championships and another bronze in the BMAF 10,000M.

Also during the summer months the club’s continued participation in the Central and Southern Track League afforded competition to all age groups and the newly formed SLAP Organisation by a number of South Lanarkshire clubs provided opportunities for aspiring young athletes to savour a higher level of competition via the Scottish Young Athlete Track League. Two of Cambuslang’s coaches Owen Reid and Jim Orr were heavily involved in the setting up and running of a South Lanarkshire track team. The club appointed Elspeth Hendry as its first Welfare Officer.

2009

2009 began with a whimper as Cambuslang Harriers only managed to field 3 male athletes and hence was unable to compete for a 4K Short Course team podium place. However, the masters bounced back at their Cross Country Championships a few weeks later when securing the M35 team title thanks to Stevie Wylie, Colin Donnelly, David Rodgers and Kerry-Liam Wilson. There were individual medals too for Stevie Wylie, 2nd overall and 1st M35, Colin Donnelly 2nd M45 and Kerry-Liam Wilson 2nd M35. Jamie Reid who narrowly missed out on the 4th counter spot had the consolation of taking the 3rd M35 award.

The under 17 men performed best of all the Cambuslang teams at the Scottish Cross Country Championships. With Jack Hamilton and Stewart Orr in 5th and 8th positions, new recruit Bobby Bristow from the Shetland Isles 14th and Andrew Coulter 25th victory was assured. The senior men team of Stevie Wylie, Chris Wilson, Colin Donnelly, Robert Gilroy, Johnny MacNamara and Kerry-Liam Wilson had to settle for 4th place. Amazingly this was the first time since 1983, a period of 26 years, that a senior men’s team had been outside the medals. Ryan Thomson (20th) and Ross Stephen (33rd) helped the U13 team to 8th spot. Jack Hamilton carried his cross country form into the Scottish Schools Cross Country Championships to gain an individual bronze medal.

The U17 men also medalled again in the Young Athletes Road Relays held nearby in East Kilbride. The same first 3 finishers in the Cross Country Championships took the silver medals although the finishing order was reversed with Bobby, Stewart and Jack finishing in that order. The U13 boys trio of Ross Stephen, David Robertson and Keith McIntyre were 4th, 5 places ahead of the U17 men’s squad of Matthew McKenna, Dean McMurran and Michael Miller. The U15 girls finished 9th courtesy of Mairi Brown, Sarah Miller and Lauren Docherty.

The masters men outshone the seniors in the Senior and Masters Road Relays at Livingston. Charlie Thomson, Alan Ramage, Dave Thom, Greg Hastie, Frank Hurley and Colin Feechan were awarded the silver medals while the senior 6 man team of Johnny MacNamara, Stevie Wylie, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Chris Wilson, Jamie Reid and Robert Gilroy was 5th.

During the summer months RHC members Anglo-Scot Martin Williams, Chris Wilson and Kerry-Liam Wilson were declared convincing winners of the Scottish Marathon Team Champions. This was hardly surprising given that Martin lifted the individual gold medal with the excellent time of 2.18.24 while Chris was runner up also in the good time of 2.25.15. M45 Ian Williamson bounced back after injury to claim a European 10K silver medal in his age group in Denmark.

Cambuslang athletes were competitive in the West Cross Country Relays at Stepps but were not involved in any podium finishing places. Both the senior men and the Young Male Athletes were 5th. Stuart Gibson who had earlier joined the club in March made his cross country debut for the A team to support Robert Gilroy, Alan MacPherson and Chris Wilson. U13 David Robertson, U15 Ryan Thomson and U17 Jack Hamilton made up the young athlete A trio. There was the encouraging sight of 3 young ladies teams complete the course. U13 Eve MacKinnon who is still competitive today made a promising debut for the 11th placed A team which also included Rachel Bonomi and Sarah Miller.

One week later Andrew Coulter, Robert Gilroy, Gordon Robertson and Stuart Gibson clinched the senior gold medals in the Lanarkshire Road Relays. There were no team medals forthcoming at the Scottish Cross Country Relays. The pick of the bunch was the masters team of Greg Hastie, Colin Feechan, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Mick O’Hagan in 4th place while the senior men quartet of Robert Gilroy, Andrew Coulter, Chris Wilson and Stuart Gibson finished 7th and the young athlete trio of Keith McIntyre, Ryan Thomson and Jack Hamilton were 8th.

The Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships is viewed by the club as a good development race for younger athletes as the competition is not so fierce as a district or national championship. A number of new and relatively new young athletes lifted individual medals at the traditional Drumpellier course. U11 and U13 girls Niamh Brown and Eve MacKinnon picked up bronze medals while U13 Jack MacGregor won his event. There was a one two for Ryan Thomson and Matthew McKenna at U15 level. The more experienced Jack Hamilton took the U17 honours while Chris Wilson was runner up in the senior race. The senior A quartet of Chris, Robert Gilroy, Johnny MacNamara and master Jack Brown was awarded team gold with team bronze medals going to the club’s next 4 finishers – Andy Stevens, Colin Feechan, Mick O’Hagan and John McPake.

Sandwiched between the Lanarkshire and the West Cross Country Championships M40 Neil Wilkinson, M45 Iain Campbell, M50 Colin Feechan, M55 Archie Jenkins and M65 Davie Fairweather represented the Scottish Masters in the UK and Ireland Cross Country International at Birmingham. The final competition of the decade gave RHC 2 individual and 2 West District team medals. There were silver medals for Jack Hamilton and bronze for Andrew Coulter in their U17 and U20 age groups. Ryan Thomson led Matthew MacKenna and Ross Stephen to U17 team bronze medals and Robert Gilroy also guided Johnny MacNamara, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Stuart Gibson, Andrew Coulter and Gordon Robertson to a set of senior bronze medals. The 2 best placed female athletes were U13 Eve MacKinnon and U15 Mairi Brown in 13th and 9th positions.

Stewart Orr showed a good turn of speed when capturing the Scottish U17 1500M Indoor title. He also won a Scottish Outdoor 3000M bronze medal but had to give way to club mate and runner up Jack Hamilton. Bobby Bristow followed up in 4th place, interestingly one position ahead of a certain Jake Wightman who was to become the World 1500 Champion in 2022. Bronze medallist Caitlin Hendry continued her good sequence of making the podium in the Scottish Schools O17 800M. Ian Munro picked up two bronze medals at the Senior Scottish Championships and at the UK Inter Counties over 800M and the mile. U17 Jack Hamilton breasted the tape in the 1500M at the Lanarkshire Track Championships while Ryan Thomson set a pb in the U15 event to acquire the bronze medal. Club members of all age groups were again in action participating in the Central and Southern Track League Division 2 and helped the club to promotion to division one for the following season. Some younger athletes gained further valuable competitive experience representing a South Lanarkshire Team in the 1st division of the Scottish Young Athlete League.

As the decade came to an end the club committee was made up of the following members ­– President David Cooney, Secretary Andy Stevens, Treasurer Colin Feechan, Welfare Officer Anne Marie Docherty and the other members were Owen Reid, Robert Anderson, Elspeth Hendry, Barnie Gough, Jim Orr, Jane Watson and Jimmy Sands. Jamie Reid became the club captain. A club coaches forum had been set up in March chaired by head coach Mike Johnston to give the coaches a platform to discuss and plan club coaching issues and future developments.

2010

Jack Hamilton began 2010 on a positive note by finishing runner up in the U17 Inter District Cross Country Championship. A number of Cambuslang athletes also wore the blue vests of the West District including Jack MacGregor, Ryan Thomson, Matthew McKenna, Andrew Hunter, Bobby Bristow, Mairi Brown, Johnny MacNamara, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Robert Gilroy. A few weeks later Stuart Gibson, Johnny MacNamara, Robert Gilroy and master Jack Brown achieved bronze medals in the Scottish 4K Cross Country Championships.

The masters men dominated the post race medal ceremony at their cross country championships. Their 4 counters – Kerry-Liam Wilson, David Rodgers, Jamie Reid and Colin Donnelly in 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th positions were crowned team champions. On an individual level Kerry-Liam was 1st M35, David 1st M40, Jamie 3rd M35 and Colin 1st M50. Ross Arbuckle was 2nd M45, Archie Jenkins 3rd M55 and David Fairweather 3rd M65.

Medals were harder to come by at the Scottish Cross Country Championships. The most successful Cambuslang team was the U17 men who finished runners up courtesy of individual silver medallist Jack Hamilton, Andrew Hunter, Grant Sheldon and Stewart Orr. Bobby Bristow just missed out on a team medal when finishing one place behind Stewart. Grant who was later to develop into a top Scottish, GB and Commonwealth Games triathlete made his club debut following in the footsteps of his grandfather Willie Marshall, a former Scottish, UK, European and World Masters Champion, and his uncle David Marshall, a sub 32 minutes 10K athlete. The U13 boys and senior men ended up 4th team. 10th placed David Robertson led home Jack MacGregor, Keith McIntyre and Joe Brown in the younger age group category while the senior placings were filled by Chris Wilson, Robert Gilroy, Stuart Gibson, Jamie Reid, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Johnny MacNamara. Ryan Thomson in 13th spot was the first finisher for the 6th placed U15 team. The U13 and U5 girls finished 9th and 8th with Eve MacKinnon showing excellent potential in the younger age group in 11th position.

Jamie Reid rounded off the spring cross country season with an excellent M35 bronze medal in the BMAF Cross Country Championships held in Belfast.

The U17 men were again runners up in the Scottish Road Races with Jack Hamilton, Stewart Orr and Andrew Hunter being the 3 scorers. The U13 boys trio of David Robertson, Keith McIntyre and Joe Brown was unfortunate to miss out on the bronze medals on countback. U15 runners Ross Stephen, Matthew McKenna and Stewart Roe also occupied 4th place. Eve MacKinnon and Rebecca Bonomi were the first athletes home for the 7th placed U13 girls and the 5th placed U15 girls. Not surprisingly with Jack, Stewart and Andrew in attendance at the same school Cathkin High scooped team gold in the Scottish Schools Road Championships. As an added bonus West Coats Primary spear headed by Niamh Brown lifted the silver medals in the Scottish Schools P7 Road Championships. Niamh had previously been crowned the Scottish Schools P7 Cross Country Champion while her P7 male counterparts, Grant MacGregor, Brett McNaught and Struan Paton, picked up the bronze medals. The additional coaching being provided at the school by Niamh’s dad Jack and club coach Owen Reid was paying off. Ryan Thomson was also selected to represent the Scottish Schools in the UK Schools Cross Country International while Jack Hamilton and Katie Bristow were both selected to represent Scotland in the London Mini Marathon.

At the Scottish Road Relays Championships at Livingston the M40 acquired the silver medals while the senior men had to settle for 5th spot. Charlie Thomson, Alan Ramage, Dave Thom, Greg Hastie, Frank Hurley and Colin Feechan combined well to finish runners up. Johnny MacNamara, Robert Gilroy, Stuart Gibson, Chris Wilson, Anglo Scot Ian Rawlinson and Jamie Reid made up the senior team that day. Ian was rewarded with the fastest short leg of the day.

The RHC M35 and M50 members had a very rewarding experience at the BMAF Road Relays at Birmingham where both age groups landed the team gold medals. The M35, M40 and M50 athletes competed together with the younger group doing 4 legs, the middle group 8 and the older group 6 legs. After Greg Hastie crossed the line in 10th position for the M35 quartet Charlie Thomson gained a further 3 places before Kerry-Liam Wilson with the 2nd fastest age group time of the day swept the Cambuslang men into the lead which Jamie Reid comfortably held onto. The M50’s progress towards victory was more fluctuating. Colin Feechan handed over to Frankie Barton in 17th spot who then sliced magnificently through the field with the 2nd fastest time of the day to put RHC in the driving seat. Although Archie Jenkins lost some ground the red and whites were still very much in contention. Dave Thom who had just turned 50 reclaimed the lead which was consolidated by 5th fastest of the day Iain Campbell. The final glory leg was entrusted to the experienced and dependable Frank Hurley who crossed the line with a cushion of 86 seconds over our nearest rivals. Cambuslang also fielded a M60 team for the first time which finished in 24th place courtesy of Davie Fairweather, David Cooney and Robert Anderson. Their race preceded the younger age groups which left the trio free to encourage their M35 and M50 team mates.

A number of road performances during the summer and early autumn deserve attention. Pride of place goes to Anglo Scott Martin Williams who represented Scotland in the Commonwealth Games Marathon and Great Britain in the European Marathon within the space of 5 months. Martin had joined RHC in 2008 after competing for his English club Tipton in the club’s Down by the River 10K, a race he won from Stevie Wylie. When speaking to him after the race I jokingly said to him “I don’t suppose you have a Scottish parent” to which he replied “Yes”. Given that he had Scottish eligibility he was happy to sign up. An injured Jack Brown was very unfortunate to miss out on taking up his well deserved place in representing Scotland in the inaugural Commonwealth Games Ultra Marathon. Jack had earlier clinched his place by winning the Cateran 56 Miles Ultra Marathon in a record time of 7 hours and 54 minutes. His time over the old Perthshire drove roads and ancient tracks used by the Caterans, infamous cattle thieves, took 6 and 18 minutes respectively off the senior and veteran course records. Kerry-Liam Wilson was a double Scottish and UK masters’ silver medallist and Charlie Thomson a UK Masters 5K Road bronze medallist. M65 Davie Fairweather turned his hand to the duathlon and duly picked up a UK silver medal. Alan Ramage took the M40 bronze medal in the West District 10 miles event. The road season ended on a high note with Stuart Gibson, Chris Wilson and Robert Gilroy sealing 2nd place in the Scottish 10K at Paisley.

The West Cross Country Relays kicked off the series of autumn cross country events. Both the senior men A and B teams finished outside the medals in 4th and 5th positions. The A quartet of Stewart Orr, Robert Gilroy, Iain Reid and Stuart Gibson just edged out the B team of Bobby Bristow, Jamie Reid, Joe Kealey and Jack Hamilton. There was a welcome addition to the West Relays as M40 team awards were introduced for the first time. Greg Hastie, Colin Feechan, Frank Hurley and Mick O’Hagan went into the records’ book as the first winners. The young female athletes had their best performance to date courtesy of Niamh Brown, Rebecca Bonomi and Katie Bristow who held 4th position throughout the 3 legs. Their performance eclipsed that of Sean Reilly, Ryan Thomson and Stuart Roe in 12th spot.

The same 3 young athlete males turned the table on the same 3 young females at the Scottish Cross Country Relays. On this occasion the males were 7th team and the females 11th thanks to a 3rd fastest time of the day by U15 Ryan Thomson. Again the 5th placed senior A team and the 7th placed B team finished close to one another but outside the medals. Stewart Orr, Stevie Wylie, Robert Gilroy and Iain MacCorquodale made up the A squad while Jack Hamilton, Stuart Gibson, Bobby Bristow and Jamie Reid represented the B team.

The Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships provided a medal haul for Cambuslang athletes. The U11 boys showed the way at the start of the meeting when Struan Paton and Ross Stephen commandeered the individual gold and silver medals and with close back up from Drew Pollock convincingly lifted the team award. Over the next few years these 3 young athletes were to amass numerous county, district and national individual and team awards. Drew’s mother Fiona, the daughter of Robert Anderson, along with Ryan’s mum and dad Pamela and Colin would also go on to play an integral part looking after the club’s young athletes. At under 13 level Niamh Brown pocketed the bronze medal and silver U13 boy medallist Sean Reilly led his younger brother Luke and Grant MacGregor to team silver. There were also team gold medals for the U15 girls thanks to 3rd placed Eve MacKinnon, Rebecca Bonomi and Sophie Hayes while the U13 boys were runners up courtesy of Ross Stephen, David Robertson and Joe Brown. There were twin victories for both the men and ladies U17 teams. Gold and silver individual medal winners Stuart Roe and Matthew McKenna along with Dean McNaught and silver medallist Mairi Brown, Lucy Deeny and Sarah Miller were the team counters. In the final event of the day 2nd placed Robert Gilroy led Mick O’Hagan and Frank Hurley to the team silver medals.

In the same month Stevie Wylie, Iain Campbell, Archie Jenkins and Davie Fairweather answered the call to represent the Scottish Masters in their annual International Cross Country Championships. There was no West Cross Country Championships held in December as the event was moved to January 2011. Therefore, the cross country season petered out quietly.

RHC athletes were successful at Scottish and UK levels on the indoor boards. Jack Hamilton showed his versatility in taking the U17 1500M silver medal in the Scottish Schools Championships while Ross Stephen racing over his favourite distance lifted the Scottish U15 800M bronze medal. Colin Feechan doubled up in the Scottish Masters M55 3000 and 1500M events taking gold in the longer race and bronze at the shorter distance. Archie Jenkins added yet another UK medal, a silver one, in the 3000M at the BMAF Indoor Championships. Ryan Thomson gained his first Scottish individual medal when finishing 3rd in the outdoor U15 Scottish 1500M Championships. M40 Greg Hastie showed a good turn of speed to capture the gold medal in the Scottish Masters 800M Championships while Iain Campbell landed a M50 silver medal in the BMAF Masters 5,000M Championships. During the summer months the club participated in division 1 of CSSAL and several younger athletes represented South Lanarkshire in division 2 of the Scottish Young Athlete League.

During the year Owen Reid who had been coaching at the club since 1990 was honoured with the Cambuslang and Rutherglen Services to Sport Award. In addition to his coaching role Owen was also in charge of ordering, storing and distributing club gear to members.

2011

2011 was unique in that 2 Scottish 4K Cross Country Championships and 2 West District Cross Country Championships were held in the same year. The year began with the customary Inter District Cross Country Championships in which 10 Cambuslang athletes represented the West of Scotland namely Niamh Brown, Eve MacKinnon, Rachel Bonomi, Sean Reilly, Ryan Thomson, Mairi Brown, Katie Bristow, Stewart Orr, Jack Hamilton and Iain MacCorquodale.

The West Cross Country Championships at Irvine was up next with the red and whites amassing 2 team gold, 3 team silver and 2 team bronze medals. The club recorded its first team gold at U17 ladies’ level thanks to the individual silver medallist Katie Bristow, Mairi Brown and Lucy Deeny. The M40 trio of Kerry-Liam Wilson, David Rodgers and Greg Hastie was also victorious. Stuart Gibson in 4th place led Robert Gilroy, Johnny MacNamara, Iain MacCorquodale, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Jack Hamilton to the senior silver team medals. Jack, Stewart Orr and Bobby Bristow also collected U20 team silver medals. Grant Sheldon who was immersing himself in the triathlon made a rare appearance for the club and his 5th place with support from Matthew McKenna and Stuart Roe was sufficient to land team silver medals. Both the U13 girls and U15 boys captured team bronze medals thanks to the efforts of Niamh Brown, Rachel Black, Lauren Carey, Ryan Thomson, Ross Stephen and Joe Brown. In the U15 girls race Eve MacKinnon was well placed in 6th spot. The Scottish 4K finished off a busy January with the quartet of Stuart Gibson, Johnny MacNamara, Stewart Orr and Robert Gilroy finishing outside the medals in 4th place.

The opening week of February saw the masters competing in their National Cross Country Championships at Kirkcaldy. It was a successful day out for RHC both individually and team wise. Kerry-Liam Wilson, Eddie Stewart and Frank Hurley were respectively crowned as M40, M50 and M55 champions while M50 Ian Campbell and M40 Neil Wilkinson were awarded silver and bronze medal. The rules at this time were that the first 4 club finishers regardless of age were the team counters and accordingly Kerry-Liam, Eddie, Neil and Ian made up the victorious M40 team. In spite of Eddie and Iain not being able to count towards the M50 team Cambuslang still had sufficient back up on the day from Frank Hurley, Frankie Barton and Gerry Reid to sweep up the M50 team award. On the same day Jack Hamilton represented the Scottish U20 team in the Celtic Cross Country International and earned himself a superb bronze medal.

Club history was made at the Scottish Cross Country Championships when the U17 bronze medallist ladies team of Katie Bristow, Mairi Brown and Sarah Miller became the first ever Cambuslang female team to claim a national team award. The under 15 boys, under 17 men, under 20 men and senior men all matched the ladies’ bronze medal performance. 6th placed Ryan Thomson, Ross Stephen, David Robertson and Keith McIntyre scored for the U15 boys while individual gold medallist Grant Sheldon, Matthew McKenna, Stuart Roe and Dean McNaught produced the goods for the U17 men. Grant had used the 4 weeks gap between the West and Scottish Championships to improve his running fitness which he was to put to great effect. Going up the final lengthy hill on the last lap pre race favourite Grant Muir of Giffnock North held what looked like a comfortable lead over Grant. Given that the Giffnock athlete had previously been unbeatable in his age group and had taken 69 seconds off Grant in the West no one was expecting the dramatic change in positions which was to take place on the hidden back of the course. When the runners emerged from the trees for the final run in the red and white vest of Grant was now in the lead and he crossed the line 16 seconds ahead of his Giffnock rival. Interestingly the 3rd finisher was Neil Gourley also from Giffnock who is the current European 1500M silver medallist. At U20 level Stewart Orr, Andrew Coulter, Bobby Bristow and Stephen Paris were the bronze medal recipients thus giving the Bristow family and the Shetland Isles 2 Scottish medals in the one day. Stuart Gibson continued his rich vein of form to cross the line in 9th place and led Chris Wilson, Iain Reid, Robert Gilroy, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Iain MacCorquodale to team bronze. U15 and U13 girls Eve MacKinnon and Niamh Brown acquitted themselves well in 8th and 9th positions. Both Stuart and Chris were rewarded with Scottish vests in the senior Home Counties International Event. Jack Hamilton who had unfortunately missed the Scottish Cross Championships claimed victory in the Scottish Schools Event at Irvine. Eve MacKinnon’s good form was recognised when she was selected to compete for the Scottish Schools in the Schools International Competition. On the strength of their performance in the Scottish Cross Country Championships Stuart Gibson, Chris Wilson, Iain Reid, Stewart Orr, Grant Sheldon and Ryan Thomson all represented the West of Scotland in the UK Inter Counties Event.

The Young Athletes National Road Championships at Rouken Glen kicked off the spring and summer road racing programme. U15 Ryan Thomson and U13 Niamh Brown were the best placed club athletes in 5th spot and led their team mates Ross Stephen, David Robertson, Lauren Carey and Danielle Webster to team silver and bronze medals. The U20 trio of Stewart Orr and Jack Hamilton in positions 6 and 7 along with Andrew Coulter also secured bronze medals. 4th placed U17 lady Kate Bristow just lost out on an individual bronze medal and U15 Eve MacKinnon put in a solid performance to come home 8th. In the same month Jack Brown added the Scottish 50K Road Title to his already impressive medal portfolio.

Both the M40 and senior men sextets were among the medal winners at the Scottish Road Relay Championships in early April. Colin Feechan, Greg Hastie, Mick O’Hagan, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Neil Wilkinson and Alan Ramage lifted team gold for the elder squad while the younger team of Jamie Reid, Robert Gilroy, Joe Kealey, Chris Wilson, Davy Munro and Iain MacCorquodale delivered the bronze medals. Grant Sheldon and Ryan Thomson gained valuable experience a few weeks later when representing Scotland in the London Mini Marathon.

Kerry-Liam Wilson warmed up well for the following week’s M35-44 team challenge in the BMAF 8 Man Relay Championships when being crowned M40 5K Scottish Champion at Edinburgh. The 8 Man RHC M35-44 team rose to the challenge at Birmingham and sealed a decisive victory with a margin of nearly 2 minutes over nearest rivals Salford. While the 4th, 6th and 9th fastest performances of the day from Kerry-Liam Wilson, Robert Gilroy and Jamie Reid caught the attention the contribution made by Alan Ramage, Johnny MacNamara, Mick O’Hagan, Greg Hastie and M50 Iain Campbell cannot be overlooked as everyone did the job that they were asked to do. In the M55-64 age group David Fairweather, Barnie Gough, Tom McPake and Frank Hurley finished 11th. Colin Feechan and David Cooney who had travelled with the group as travelling reserves and team managers managed a run in an incomplete B team. At the same time Arlene Bristow ran superbly to earn herself a W40 10K European bronze medal in France.

Martin Williams and Kerry-Liam Wilson added to the club’s medal haul in June when taking a senior silver medal and M40 gold in the Scottish Half Marathon Championships at Dunfermline. Moving onto the hills Iain MacCorquodale was runner up in the Scottish Universities’ Hill Running Championships. In September there were Scottish 10K Road bronze medals for Chris Wilson, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Robert Gilroy in addition to the individual M40 gold medal for Kerry-Liam. The final major road race of the year ended up with more Scottish medals for Cambuslang. The Scottish Marathon team title went to 2nd placed Chris Wilson, 3rd placed and 1st M40 Kerry-Liam Wilson and Alasdair Murray.

In the opening autumn cross country event at Coatbridge the club M40 team retained their West Cross Country Relay Team Title with the senior men finishing runners up. Alan Ramage, Charlie Thomson, Mick O’Hagan and Greg Hastie made up the masters quartet while Robert Gilroy, Jack Hamilton, Stuart Gibson and Stewart Orr were in action for the younger team. In the Young Athletes Relays the female trio of Niamh Brown, Eve MacKinnon and Sarah Millar finished a very respectable 5th which was 3 places ahead of the male trio of Struan Paton, David Robertson and Ryan Thomson. After the first 2 legs of the junior/senior ladies event the club was lying in 6th place thanks to Katie Bristow and Lucy Deeny but unfortunately there was no final leg athlete to hand over to.

Club members were back in action the following week again at Coatbridge but this time on the roads. There were Lanarkshire team gold medals for the senior women and men, the U13 boys and the U11 boys with the additional bonus of a bronze medal for the B senior men’s team. The Bristow family was pivotal to the senior lady’s success as mother Arlene led off with daughter Katie closing the team in after taking over from Lucy Deeny. A well balanced men’s A squad of Alistair Campbell, Iain MacCorquodale, Gordon Robertson and the ever present Robert Gilroy dominated the proceedings and the B team snatched bronze medals courtesy of Stephen Paris, Scott Hunter, Anthony Edgar and Mick O’Hagan. Jordan Munro, Struan Paton and Tyrone Ryan delivered the goods for the U13 boys as did Chris McLew, Drew Pollock and Ryan Stephen for the U11 boys.

Cambuslang athletes were again in the thick of the action the following Saturday at the Scottish Cross Country Relays. The M40 team of Alan Ramage, Kenny MacPherson, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Mick O’Hagan reclaimed the title the club had last won in 2007. The senior men quartet of Stewart Orr, Jack Hamilton, Stuart Gibson and Robert Gilroy had to settle for 4th place. The female young athletes again out performed their male counterparts. Niamh Brown, Hannah Robertson and Eve MacKinnon combined well for 5th place while Struan Paton, Sean Reilly and Ryan Thomson occupied 7th spot. Ryan produced a storming last leg gaining 3 places and setting the 2nd fastest time of the day ahead of some of today’s prominent seniors such as Jamie Crowe, Neil Gourley, Ben Potrykus and Michael Ferguson.

Moving into November the junior/senior men went one better than their January finishing position in the Scottish 4K Cross Country Championships to secure the team bronze medals thanks to the efforts of U20 bronze medallist Jack Hamilton, Stuart Gibson, Stewart Orr and Jamie Reid. In the same month masters Jamie Reid, Robert Gilroy, Greg Hastie, Kenny MacPherson, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Charlie Thomson, Ian Campbell and Davie Fairweather had the privilege of representing Scotland in the UK and Republic of Ireland Masters Cross Country International in Glasgow. In the final event in November Cambuslang athletes were prolific medal winners at the Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships. With Ross Stephen, Drew Pollock and Luke Reilly finishing first, second and third there was no guessing required to work out which club would be receiving the team gold medals. Niamh Brown and Struan Paton took the individual honours in the U13 girls’ and boys’ events and with back up from Lauren Carey, Olivia Mulholland, Gavin Smith and Callum Morton the runners up team medals were assured. Gavin celebrated his first ever running medal which was to be the first of many more to come. Eve MacKinnon underlined her potential when crossing the line over a minute ahead of her nearest rival and her team including Danielle Webster and Rachel Black was declared the winners. Keith McIntyre, the U15 bronze medallist, led Joe Brown and Jack MacGregor to team silver and U17 silver medal winner Stuart Roe did a similar job for Matthew McKenna and Sam Shilliday. Cambuslang senior men provided the first and second teams courtesy of 2nd placed Jamie Reid, 3rd placed Robert Gilroy, Gordon Robertson, Mick O’Hagan, Dave Thom and Martin McLaughlin.

The West Cross Country Championships in December brought down the curtain on 2011. RHC supplied 3 individual silver medal winners in the form of U15 Eve MacKinnon, U20 Jack Hamilton and M40 Kerry-Liam Wilson. There were also team silver medals for the senior men, the M40 men and the U17 men as well as bronze for the U20 men and U13 boys. In spite of Jack Hamilton, Stuart Gibson, Iain MacCorquodale, Robert Gilroy, Jamie Reid and Kerry-Liam Wilson all finishing inside the top twenty places the senior men had to give way to a very strong Shettleston sextet. Similarly the M40 trio of Kerry-Liam, Stevie Wylie and Greg Hastie succumbed to host club Irvine AC. Ryan Thomson, Stuart Roe and Matthew McKenna in 5th, 8th and 11th positions filled the counting positions for the U17 team while Rebecca Bonomi was an excellent 5th in the same age group. Jack Hamilton, Bobby Bristow and Dean McNaught were the U20 bronze medal recipients as were Struan Paton, Tyrone Ryan and Gavin Smith for the U13 boys. U20 Katie Bristow, 16th overall and 6th U20, helped the senior women’s team including Vicky Semple and Kirsty Grant to 12th spot.

Twins Alec and Kade Thomas, under the guidance of club coach Andy Stevens, made a promising start during 2011 to their sprinting and long jumping careers. Both had started out the previous year in distance events but such was their natural speed over a short distance that Andy decided to focus on their sprinting and jumping potential. This transition brought quick rewards as Kade gained a bronze medal in the U15 Scottish Schools Indoors Long Jump in February and in the following month Alec lifted the Scottish National U15 Indoors 60M gold and long jump bronze. Ryan Thomson was also successful in the U17 Scottish Schools Indoors 1500M when he picked up the bronze medal. Masters Archie Jenkins and Colin Feechan were also indoor Scottish medallists with Archie acquiring a M55 3000M gold medal along with a 1500M bronze while the M50 3000M bronze went Colin’s way. Archie had not yet finished his indoor season and 2 weeks later he managed a 3000M bronze medal in the BMAF Championships.

Both Alec and Kade continued to catch the eye outdoors during the summer months. Alec triumphed in the Scottish Schools 100M and long jump as well as winning a bronze in the 200M and a few weeks later added the Scottish National Open U16 title to his growing medal collection. Kade kept the Thomas family flag flying by winning a brace of silver medals in the Scottish Schools Long Jump and in the Scottish national 200M events. Not surprisingly the twins were selected to represent South Lanarkshire in the International Children Games which were held at the John Wright Stadium in East Kilbride. Alex finished runner up in the 100M and he and Kade were part of the relay team which took the gold medal.

There were a number of other outdoor track and field highlights. Under 13 Niamh Brown lifted the Scottish Schools’ 1500M Gold Medal at Grangemouth. A certain Josh Kerr, a future World Champion, secured the U15 Gold Medal at the same meeting. Melch Olatunji gained a Long Jump Scottish U16 medal. Both David Robertson and Ross Stephen also had the honour of competing for South Lanarkshire in the Games in the 1500M. Stewart Orr and Jack Hamilton posted the fast times of 3.56.55 and 8.47.25 to gain silver medals in the U20 Scottish 1500M and 3000M Championships. The Cambuslang U20/Senior Men Team of Graham Ferguson, David MacRae and Kevin Downie captured the bronze medals in the Scottish 3 x 800M Relay. The club continued its participation in the CSSAL and in the Scottish Young Athletes League as part of a South Lanarkshire Team.

Katie Bristow, Iain MacCorquodale and Alasdair Murray represented their respective islands in the Natwest Island Games.

In December the Glasgow Athletics Association hosted the BMC 3000M Indoor Races at the Emirates Stadium. Although the youngest in his heat Ryan Thomson won his race and recorded a new U17 Scottish Indoors Record of 8.53.06, one place and 7 seconds ahead of U20 athlete Jake Wightman.

At committee level Andy Stevens stepped down from his post as secretary to concentrate on his coaching role and was replaced by Michael Hendry. Jamie Reid also relinquished his position as club captain and Stuart Gibson took his place.

2012

Cambuslang Harriers were well represented in the various West age group teams for the 2012 Inter District Championships with 17 athletes selected – Niamh Brown, Lauren Carey, Eve MacKinnon, Rebecca Bonomi, Sarah Millar, Struan Paton, Tyrone Ryan, David Robertson, Jack MacGregor, Ryan Thomson, Stuart Roe, Matthew McKenna, Stewart Orr, Iain MacCorquodale, Robert Gilroy, Jamie Reid and Kerry-Liam Wilson. The icing on the cake that day at Holyrood Park was an inspired Tyrone lifting the U13 silver medal.

On a tough and muddy course at the Scottish Masters XC champs in Kilmarnock both the M40 and M50 teams secured the gold medals. The younger team consisted of race winner Kerry-Liam Wilson, Stevie Wylie, M50 gold medallist Colin Donnelly and David Rodgers with leading M55 Eddie Stewart, Ross Arbuckle and Dave Thom making up the older age group.

RHC regained the coveted AT Mays Trophy for the best performing male club over the 5 different age groups at the Scottish Cross Country Championships. This was achieved by the U17 and U20 men winning team silver medals, the senior men the team bronze medals and the U15 boys and U13 boys finishing 4th and 8th team. Ryan Thomson in 7th spot, Mark McKenna, Stuart Roe and Ross Stephen contributed to the U17 team’s success as did Stewart Orr (6th), Jack Hamilton (8th), Grant Sheldon(10th) and Andrew Coulter for the U20 men. The senior men occupied positions 6 to 33 in their event thanks to Chris Wilson, Stuart Gibson, Iain MacCorquodale, Davy Munro, Robert Gilroy and Stevie Wylie. David Robertson, Jack MacGregor, Joe Brown and Keith McIntyre counted for the U15 team while Tyrone Ryan, Struan Paton, Gavin Smith and Euan Millar made up the U13 squad. Anyone looking at the U13 girls’ results would have been confused to read that 2 athletes by the name of Niamh Brown competed for Cambuslang that day and finished in 2nd and 21st positions. The silver medallist Niamh was running only as an individual for the club as she was a member of an English club, Reigate and Priory, and did not have a birth or residential qualification to compete as a team member. Both girls had previously competed in a McCain UK Challenge Event and became friends as they were intrigued by the fact that they shared the exact same name. Lauren Carey in 10th place led home “our Niamh”, Olivia Mullholland and Helen Mitchell to 10th in the team competition. Both U15 girl Eve MacKinnon and U20 lady Katie Bristow performed well to finish 10th in their respective age groups. At the same time Moira Stewart placed 2nd in the Czech U17 Ladies Cross Country Championships.

Cathkin High School was fortunate to call upon the services of the club’s David Robertson, Ross Stephen, Jack MacGregor and Brendan Carey who went on to deliver the Scottish U16 Schools Cross Country Championship Title for their local school. There were Scottish Representations in the Celtic Cross Country International for U23 Stewart Orr, U20 Jack Hamilton and U16 Eve MacKinnon. Jack was rewarded with an individual bronze medal.

Attention in March switched to the Young Athletes Road Championships and to the Senior and Masters Men and Women Road Relays. The stand out performance in the Young Athlete Event came from Ryan Thomson who was crowned U17 Scottish Champion incidentally leaving rivals Neil Gourley and Jamie Crowe among others in his wake. With back up from Stuart Roe and Ross Stephen the trio took the bronze medals. The other leading Cambuslang finishers were Niamh Brown 4th in the U13 girls race, Eve MacKinnon 12th in the U15 event, Struan Paton 11th in the U13 and David Robertson 10th in the U15 races. The men’s road relay followed the same pattern as the previous year with victory for the M40 team and bronze for the senior men. The M40 counters Dave Thom, Kenny MacPherson, Greg Hastie, Stevie Wylie, Mick O’Hagan and Alan Ramage finished a very creditable 8th overall, 3 places ahead of the senior B team. Kerry-Liam Wilson agreed to the request to compete for the senior team rather than the M40s and his participation in the younger age group helped Jack Hamilton, Robert Gilroy, Martin McLaughlin, Stewart Orr and Stuart Gibson to 3rd team.

The Scottish 10 miles Road Championships in April provided Stuart Gibson, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Robert Gilroy with team silver medals as well as individual M40 gold and silver medals for Kerry-Liam and Robert. The trio was also awarded the West District Team Silver Medals. In the same month Ryan Thomson had the honour of representing Scotland in the London Mini Marathon.

U20 athletes Jack Hamilton and Grant Sheldon excelled themselves in May’s Scottish 5K Road Championships. Jack was a double individual bronze medallist in both the senior and U20 competitions and also captured the U20 team gold and senior team bronze medals. Grant also was a member of the senior and U20 medal winning teams. U20 Anthony Edgar was the 3rd counter for the U20s as was Kerry-Liam Wilson for the seniors. Kerry-Liam and Robert Gilroy made the podium too as first and second M40 runners while U20 Katie Bristow added to RHC’s successful evening by finishing runner up in her age category.

There was further success in May for the harriers in the BMAF M35-44 Road Relay Championships at Birmingham. A well balanced octet of Charlie Thomson, Greg Hastie, Dave Thom, Martin McLaughlin, Jamie Reid, Robert Gilroy Ian Campbell and Stevie Wylie was runner up to Highgate Harriers with Salford 3rd who are two of England’s top distance running clubs. Both Stevie and Robert were among the top 10 fastest of the day in 7th and 10th place.

Kerry-Liam Wilson made history as a master when he was crowned M40 Scottish champion over the Half Marathon in August and the 10K and the Marathon in September as this gave him a clean sweep of all the masters individual road and cross county titles for the year. As an added bonus he also took the senior bronze marathon medal. New member Wegene Tafese broke clear of his rivals in the closing stages of the Scottish 10K to break the tape in the brisk time of 30.22 and led Stuart Gibson and Kerry-Liam to team silver. Wegene had recently arrived in Glasgow from Ethiopia and was introduced to the club by Robert Anderson.

The final road championship of 2012 was the UK Masters Half Marathon in October at Kirkintilloch. Robert Gilroy, Colin Feechan and Frank Hurley took advantage of racing on home soil and came away with M35 gold, M50 gold and M60 silver medals. On the very same day Stuart Gibson picked up an individual bronze medal in the Scottish Inter District 10K in Edinburgh.

RHC’s senior and masters men registered victory in the West District Cross Country Relay Championships at Kilmarnock. Jack Hamilton, Iain MacCorquodale, Wegene Tafese and Stuart Gibson led from gun to tape. Wegene had the double satisfaction of clocking the fastest time of the day. Dave Thom, Greg Hastie, Colin Feechan and Johnny MacNamara carried the flag for the master men. There was an important breakthrough for Cambuslang ladies when Alex Lamond, Katie Bristow and Mairi Brown became the first female club team to claim medals in this event. The silver team award was made all the more special as the 3 athletes were all under 20. Alex had decided to transfer from Kirkintilloch Olympians to Cambuslang after her run at the Scottish Cross Country Championships in February. The young athlete male and female teams both featured in the top 10 finishing 5th and 9th respectively due to the efforts of Struan Paton, Sean Reilly, Ryan Thomson and Olivia Mullholland, Niamh Brown and Rebecca Bonomi.

The Lanarkshire Road relays the following weekend provided a low key workout before the following week’s national cross country relays. Ethan Theobald, Ewan McLew and Ruairidh MacGregor put in a gold medal winning performance in the U11 race as did the U13 trio of Drew Pollock, Struan Paton and Ross Stephen. The girls event used the same format as the district and national cross country relays and Olivia Mullholland, Niamh Brown and Rebecca Bonomi served up the gold medal for the combined 3 age groups of U13/15 and 17. Scott Hunter, Robert Gilroy, Anthony Edgar and Mick O’Hagan, the latter 2 running on home territory, gained silver medals.

In the Scottish Cross Country Relays the M40 quartet of Charlie Thomson, Robert Gilroy, Greg Hastie and Kerry-Liam Wilson lived up to their pre race favourite tag when finishing 90 seconds ahead of their nearest rival Corstorphine. However, Corstorphine’s senior team turned the tables on Cambuslang’s senior men and relegated Stuart Gibson, Iain MacCorquodale, Wegene Tafese and Jack Hamilton to 4th team. Former Aberdeen athlete Ben Hukins who had severed his ties with the northern club made an impressive debut for the Cambuslang B team. A strong M50 team of Dave Thom, Colin Feechan and Iain Campbell won the inaugural M50 championship event. U20 athletes Alex Lamond and Katie Bristow along with triathlete Kirsty Anderson in 8th position became the first ever senior ladies team to finish in the national cross country relay. Olivia Mullholland, Niamh Brown and Eve MacKinnon managed 15th place while their male counterparts of Struan Paton, Sean Reilly and Ryan Thomson were 7th team. The club also fielded 3 additional complete boys teams.

The ladies again finished their first ever ladies team in the Scottish 4K Cross Country Championships. Alex Lamond, Katie Bristow and Sarah Millar brought them home in 6th spot. Stuart Gibson, Wegene Tafese, Ben Hukins and Davy Munro gathered up the silver medals. On the masters cross country front Johnny MacNamara, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Greg Hastie, Kenny MacPherson, Charlie Thomson, Ian Campbell and Colin Feechan represented Scotland in the British and Irish Cross Country International in Belfast.

At the Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships the U11, U13 and U15 boys lifted the team titles and also 6 of the 9 available individual medals. Chris McLew and Ruairidh MacGregor won gold and silver in the youngest age group while Struan Paton, Ryan Stephen and Luke Reilly had a clean sweep of the U13 individual medals and Sean Reilly gained an U15 bronze. The U17 trio of Ross Stephen, David Robertson and Jack MacGregor took team bronze as did the senior men courtesy of Dave Thom, Mick O’Hagan and George Pettit. The girls too won their fair share of individual medals. U17 ladies Eve MacKinnon and Rebecca Bonomi were first and second as were Niamh Brown and Lauren Carey in the U15 event. Olivia Mullholland completed the individual medal tally with her U13 silver.

The West Cross Country Championships at Greenock in December rounded off the 2012 championship events. The senior and masters men with their tight packing were clear team winners. Wegene Tafese, Iain MacCorquodale, Ben Hukins, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Davy Munro and Stuart Gibson occupied places 2 to 14 and masters Kerry-Liam Wilson, Charlie Thomson and Johnny MacNamara were first, third and fourth. Individual silver medallist Grant Sheldon led Bobby Bristow and Anthony Edgar to the U20 team gold. Similarly U13 silver medallist Struan Paton steered Ryan Stephen and Drew Pollock to team bronze. In the U17 event Ryan Thomson, Ross Stephen and David Robertson secured a set of bronze medals. The U15 boys with Gavin Smith in the team was outside the medals in 4th place. Alex Lamond performed well to take the U20 ladies silver medal and U15 Eve MacKinnon was a fine 6th.

Alec and Kade Thomas showed that they had wintered well under the guidance of coach Andy Stevens at the Scottish Indoor Track Championships in January. Alec achieved a silver and bronze medal in the U16 60 M and 200M events while Kade took the 60M bronze medal. They then followed up their success at the Scottish Schools Championships in February. Alec and Kade finished first and second in the 60M and were second and third in the 200M. There were some excellent indoor performances too over the 1500M. U23 Stewart Orr clocked a pb of 3.52.81 when finishing 3rd in the Celtic Cup in Cardiff. David Robertson was crowned Scottish U16 Champion over the same distance while in Prague Moira Stewart was runner up in the Czech U17 Championship.

Throughout the summer the club continued its involvement in division 2 of the CSSAL and the Scottish Young Athlete League as part of the South Lanarkshire team. Four RHC athletes were awarded Scottish outdoor 3000M medals. Anglo Scot Ian Rawlinson captured the senior 3000M steeplechase title while Jack Hamilton took the U20 gold in the flat event. U20 Katie Bristow and U17 Ryan Thomson earned silver medals. Kade Thomas also secured bronze in the Scottish Schools 100M and he and his brother Alec represented Scotland in the Celtic Games International. Ryan too had the privilege of competing for the Scottish Schools at the Olympic Park in London.

Davy Munro was the top Cambuslang performer at the West District Track Championships coming away with the senior 3000M Steeplechase gold medal. U14 athletes Niamh Brown and Struan Paton along with U16 David Robertson were runners up over 1500M. There was a further silver medal over 100M for U16 Alec Thomas while the U20 ladies 3000M bronze medal went to Alex Lamond.

The Lanarkshire Championships in September brought the track season to an end. 7 club athletes from across the different age groups shared in the 800M medal distribution. Senior Alistair Campbell, U15 Keir Morton and U13 Ryan Stephen captured gold medals, senior Stewart Orr, U17 Scott Sommerville and U11 Euan McLew took silver and his elder brother Chris the U13 bronze. Andrew Coulter and Struan Paton were first and second in the senior and U13 1500M and Scott Hunter scored a victory in the senior 3000M.

2013

Ten RHC athletes had earned the right to represent the West in the January 2013 Inter District Cross Country Championships at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. Olivia Mullholland, Drew Pollock, Ryan Stephen, David Robertson, Ross Stephen, Wegene Tafese, Stuart Gibson, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Davy Munro and Ben Hukins had all qualified via the District Championships in December. Alex Lamond was also competing for the Scottish Universities. Wegene was an excellent runner up in the senior event.

The club sent 2 strong masters teams north to Forres for the Masters Cross Country Championships. The Highlands course provided an excellent mixture of mainly flat grass parkland and undulating trail running. There were double team victories for the M40 quartet of Kerry-Liam Wilson, Robert Gilroy, Charlie Thomson and Dave Thom and the M50 trio of Frank Hurley, Frankie Barton and Colin Feechan. 5 of the 7 team members also picked up individual medals. M40, M50 and M60 golds were awarded to Kerry-Liam, Dave and Frank and M35 and M45 silvers to Robert and Charlie. Robert Anderson and Davie Fairweather finished in 4th and 6th positions in the shorter M65 event. Eddie Stewart did not come over from Prague for the Scottish Masters Championships. Instead he competed in and won the Czech M55 Cross Country Title. His wife Miriam also took the W45 title.

The Scottish Cross Country Championships a few weeks later proved to be another momentous day in the club’s history. 4 team gold medals, 2 team bronze medals, one individual gold, 3 individual bronze medals and the AT Mays Trophy were presented to Cambuslang Harriers. The U13 boys set the bar for the other age group teams to follow. Struan Paton and Ryan Stephen in 5th and 8th spots with support from Luke Reilly and Drew Pollock swept their rivals aside. While the U20 men’s team was no strangers to team gold medals the U20s ladies made history by becoming the first Cambuslang ladies team to win a Scottish Cross Country Team Title. Individual bronze medallist Alex Lamond, 6th placed Katie Bristow, Marie Brown, Stewart Orr and Jack Hamilton in 4th and 6th spots, Bobby Bristow and Stephen Paris delivered the goods for both U20 teams. Wegene Tafese, the first finisher in the men’s event, led home Stuart Gibson, Iain MacCorquodale, Davy Munro, Ben Hukins and Kerry-Liam Wilson to the gold medal. At U17 level both individual bronze medallists Eve MacKinnon and Ryan Thomson steered fellow team mates Rebecca Bonomi, Hannah Robertson, David Robertson, Ross Stephen and Joe Sheridan to the bronze medals. With the U15 boys team finishing 11th the AT Mays Award for the best performing male club was therefore assured. U15 Gavin Smith was a member of that team. His finishing position did not hint of what he would later achieve as a runner.

Eve and Ryan’s excellent showings at the Scottish Cross Country Championships earned them selection for the Scottish team at the London Mini Marathon. Eve had the added bonus of competing for the Scottish Schools in the Schools Cross Country International. Alex and Stewart’s excellent form also saw them being invited to represent Scotland at the Celtic Cross Country International held in Wales. There was also West District Representation for Alex Lamond, Katie Bristow, Stuart Gibson, Iain MacCorquodale and Ryan Thomson. Kerry-Liam Wilson ended his cross country season in style by capturing the BMAF Cross Country Title.

Attention in March switched as usual to the young athletes road races and to the senior and masters road relays. The U17 championships were moved to Herriot Watt University Campus for the first time. The U17 men were unfortunate to miss out on team gold on countback to Edinburgh AC and an individual bronze eluded Ryan Thomson by 3 seconds. Ross Stephen and David Robertson filled the other 2 team places. The U13 boys trio of Struan Paton, Ryan Stephen and Drew Pollock struck bronze.

The senior men and masters had a profitable day at their national road relay at Livingston. The M35 and M50 teams proved to be too strong for the opposition. A well balanced team of Alan Ramage, Greg Hastie, Jamie Reid, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Mick O’Hagan and Robert Gilroy comprised the younger masters squad. The M50 quartet of Ian Williamson, Colin Feechan, Alick Walkinshaw and Dave Thom had the distinction of winning the inaugural relay for their age group. The senior men sextet of Jack Hamilton, Anglo Scot Josh Lilly, Alistair Campbell, Ben Hukins, Davy Munro and Stuart Gibson was a comfortable 3rd. On the long leg Kilbarchan’s Derek Hawkins was the only athlete to better Josh’s time. U20 Katie Bristow, the sole lady representative, made the most of her learning experience to come in 4th on the first leg. The veterans victories proved historic as it meant that the club had lifted all 8 masters road and cross country team and relay titles in one season, an epic achievement. The 31 gold medals were distributed as follows: Dave Thom (4), Colin Feechan (4), Kerry-Liam Wilson (4), Charlie Thomson (3), Greg Hastie (3), Robert Gilroy (3), Johnny MacNamara (2), Alan Ramage (1), Alick Walkinshaw (1), Frank Barton (1), Frank Hurley (1), Iain Campbell (1), Ian Williamson (1), Jamie Reid (1) and Mick O’Hagan (1).

Kerry-Liam Wilson transferred his supremacy on the country to the roads when lifting the Scottish M40 10 Miles Title at the Tom Scott Race in April and also the M40 5K Title at Edinburgh in May. He also led Ben Hukins and Bobby Bristow to the senior team bronze medals. Katie Bristow also displayed good form to claim the U20 bronze medal. The Scottish Mid Trail Championships a few weeks later at Falkland Estate resulted in an emphatic team victory as the club’s 6 counters finished inside the top 12 positions. With Wegene Tafese 1st, Josh Lilly 2nd, Ben Hukins 5th, Robert Gilroy 6th, Iain MacCorquodale 9th and Davy Munro 12th the destination of the team title was never in doubt. M50 Colin Feechan was delighted to have picked up the M40 bronze medal. Both Ben and Robert were rewarded with Scottish vests to represent their country in the UK International Trail Race and Ben was also selected to compete for Scotland in the Home Counties Trail Race.

Kerry-Liam Wilson was narrowly pipped for the BMAF gold medal at the Horwich 5K in June. Dave Thom, Ian Williamson and Colin Feechan although in the upper age bracket pocketed the M45-54 team silver medal. The following month Alex Lamond and Katie Bristow competed for the Scottish Universities team and Robert Gilroy for the West in the Inter District 10K road event in Edinburgh.

The staging of the September BMAF 10K at Pollock Park gave club members and members of other Scottish clubs the opportunity to compete for BMAF medals without having to travel south. Ben Hukins took advantage of his recent M35 status to beat M40 Kerry-Liam Wilson to the line in first and second place. Both athletes were awarded their respective age group gold medals. Robert Gilroy, although struggling from a recent virus, gave his all as usual to cross the line in 12th place and clinch team gold. In the M45-54 age group contest Dave Thom, Colin Feechan and Ian Williamson closed in within 5 seconds of one another to seal the team victory.

The RHC team of Josh Lilly, Wegene Tafese and Kerry-Liam Wilson was outright winners of the national 10K team title at Stirling in September. There was a titanic 3 way struggle until the closing stages between the 2 Cambuslang men and Central AC’s Ross Houston who was competing on home territory. However, Josh managed to open up a crucial small gap in the last half mile which was sufficient to hold off the 2011 champion with the defending champion Wegene 60 metres behind. Their respective finishing times of 30.31, 30.32 and 30.40 are testimony of the tight finish. Kerry-Liam Wilson followed up in 7th position as 3rd team member and not surprisingly captured the M40 award with Robert Gilroy taking the M40 silver. Katie Bristow, the 2nd U20 female, flew the flag for the Cambuslang ladies.

The last road championship of 2013 was the Half Marathon in Elgin where Ben Hukins and Kerry-Liam Wilson were individual silver and bronze Scottish medallists. Kerry-Liam of course was also declared the M40 champion.

RHC athletes did not have far to travel to compete in the West District Cross Country Relays as the event was staged at Hamilton Race Course. This venue was used as far back as 1889 for the Scottish Men’s Cross Country Championships and the first International Cross Country Championships in 1903 was also held there. There were team podium places for the M40 and senior men. Colin Feechan, Jamie Reid, Dave Thom and Greg Hastie took the team honours in their event while the senior men quartet of Bobby Bristow, Ryan Thomson, Iain MacCorquodale and Robert Gilroy gained the bronze medals. Alex Lamond, Mairi Brown and 6th fastest of the day Katie Bristow came home 8th. The young male and female teams were 9th and 16th. U13 Drew Pollock and U17 Eve MacKinnon were the 2 stand out performers as Drew finished 2nd on the opening leg and Eve was 5th quickest overall.

The following week at the Lanarkshire Relay Championships the attention turned from the country to the road. Both the U13 boys and the senior men earned silver medals thanks to Lewis Hepworth, Luke Reilly and Drew Pollock for the younger age group and to Dave Thom, Andy Morgan, George Pettit and anchor man Robert Gilroy.

There was a double triumph for Cambuslang’s M40 and M50 teams at the Scottish Cross Country Relays at Cumbernauld as both age groups retained their titles. Scott Hunter, Jamie Reid, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Greg Hastie comprised the former team and Alick Walkinshaw, Colin Feechan and Colin Donnelly made up the latter. Alex Lamond, Katie Bristow and Kirsty Anderson achieved a solid 11th place for the senior ladies while their male counterparts were 5th with Ryan Thomson, Iain MacCorquodale, Robert Gilroy and Ben Hukins in their line up. Eve MacKinnon continued her good form to record the 6th fastest time of the day for an U17 lady. Drew Pollock, Struan Paton and David Robertson ran strongly to capture 7th spot in the young male athlete relay.

Young athlete races were added to the Scottish Short Stage Program for the first time. Once again a fine performance from Eve MacKinnon in 5th place caught the eye. The senior ladies trio of Katie Bristow, Alex Lamond and Kirsty Anderson finished a highly creditable 6th team while the male quartet of Ben Hukins, Stuart Gibson, Owen Walpole and Kerry-Liam Wilson in 4th place just missed out on the bronze medals. From a club perspective the 2 highlights were the individual awards given to Katie and Kerry-Liam who were respectively 2nd in the U20 ladies and 1st in the masters men categories.

The Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships in November not only provided the younger athletes the opportunity to compete on the country at a less intense level but also offered them the possibility of securing individual and team medals. Those entered made the most of their chances. The U13, U15 and U17 boys won their respective team events and the U11 boys secured silver medals and U15 girl Niamh Brown was awarded the individual gold medal, U13 boy Drew Pollock a silver and U15 boy Keir Morton and U17 man David Robertson bronze medals. The senior men fielded a very strong contingent of runners and with Robert Gilroy, Stuart Gibson and Jamie Reid filling the first 3 slots the destination of the team title was never in doubt. Triathlete Caitie Gorton-Phillips gained a senior ladies bronze medal. In the same month the club had a good representation in the Scottish masters teams involved in the Masters Cross Country International. Johnny MacNamara, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Greg Hastie, Kenny Campbell, Charlie Thomson, Colin Feechan and Iain Campbell were all selected. Also in November both Katie Bristow and Grant Sheldon representing Glasgow Caledonian and Stirling Universities were runners up in the Scottish Students Cross Country Championships.

The West Cross Country at Kilmarnock was the final championship event of the year. The U20 ladies, U20 men, senior men and masters men swept the board by lifting all 4 team titles. Katie Bristow, Mairi Brown and Sarah Millar were the 3 members of the club’s U20 team which recorded the club’s first ever team victory in that age group. The U20 male trio of Grant Sheldon, Ryan Thomson and Ross Stephen in 2nd, 3rd and 6th spots was convincing winners. Throughout the race it had been a battle between Scotland’s top 2 triathletes with Grant forcing the pace and his training companion Mark Austin tucking in. However, with the finish approaching Mark opened up a vital gap of 8 seconds. The senior men and M40 squads were both dominant in their age groups. All 6 seniors – Iain MacCorquodale, Robert Gilroy, Ben Hukins, Stuart Gibson, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Stewart Orr – occupied positions 5th to 13th. Kerry-Liam who was also awarded the individual gold M40 medal led bronze medallist Jamie Reid and first M50 Paul Thompson to the veteran team title. Paul was making his club debut having left Helensburgh AAC in search of more opportunities to compete as part of a team in Scottish and UK competitions. Chris McLew, Drew Pollock and Ruairidh MacGregor and David Robertson, Jack MacGregor and Sean Reilly brought the U13 and U17 teams home in 4th place. The U15 girls and boys teams finished one position behind them. Niamh Brown and Struan Paton in 10th and 11th were the leading female and male club athletes. Gavin Smith in 17th spot was still serving his apprenticeship. Eve MacKinnon was a good 4th in the U17 ladies event.

Twins Alex and Kade Thomas produced double gold and silver performances over 60M and 200M in the Scottish U17 Indoor Championships and then followed this up with double silver and bronze medals in the Scottish Schools Outdoor Championships. Ryan Thomson lifted the Scottish Schools Group A 5,000M title while Struan Paton secured a 1500M bronze medal in Group D. Ryan stepped down to the 1500M for the Scottish U18 Championships and came away with the bronze medal. At the Scottish Masters Outdoor Track Championships there were age group victories for M40 Greg Hastie in the 800M, M60 Barnie Gough in the 1500M and Sandy Eaglesham in the M60 5,000M. Archie Jenkins won 2 silver M60 medals in the 800M and 1500M events and Barnie picked up another medal in the form of silver in the 5,000M.

Cambuslang athletes added more to their track haul of medals at the West District Championships. Katie Bristow received the U20 Ladies 1500M gold medal, Drew Pollock the U14 silver at the same distance and Ben Hukins the senior 5,000M bronze medal. There was a reversal of fortune for the Thomas twins over 100 and 200M. Kade came out on top this time in both events to take U18 gold in the shorter distance and silver in the longer one. Alex had to settle for the silver and bronze medals. Not surprisingly both brothers were selected to represent Scotland in the Celtic International Games.

The Lanarkshire Track Championships in September brought the track season to an end. Seven 800M and two 1500M medals were collected by RHC athletes. Alistair Campbell, Keir Morton and Ryan Stephen hoovered up the senior, U15 and U13 800M gold medals, silver went to senior Stewart Orr, U17 Scott Sommerville and U11 Ewan McLew with the bronze U13 medal going to his elder brother Chris. Andrew Coulter captured the senior 1500M gold and Struan Paton the U13 silver.

In addition to track championship and open graded meetings a number of young Cambuslang athletes continued to represent the South Lanarkshire Team in the Scottish Young Athletes League. There was no involvement this year in the CSSAL as participation in both competitions was deemed to be stretching the available pool of young athletes too far.

During the year club stalwart Robert Anderson celebrated 50 years as a club member. Throughout that period he had made a huge contribution as a runner, club captain, committee member, coach, recruiting officer, school liaison officer and volunteer groundsman. A presentation was made to Robert in recognition of his unstinting service to the club and his wife Sheila’s role in supporting him was also acknowledged.

2014

RHC had a healthy cohort of athletes representing the West in the January 2014 Inter District Cross Country Championships. U13 boys Drew Pollock and Chris McLew, U15 boy Struan Paton, U17 lady Eve MacKinnon and senior men Iain MacCorquodale, Robert Gilroy, Ben Hukins and Stuart Gibson all donned the light blue vest while Katie Bristow, Alex Lamond and Kyle Mclellan were selected for the Scottish Universities teams. Young Drew had an outstanding run to take the individual bronze medal. The masters were next up in their February Championships at Hawick where the weather conditions were bitterly cold. In the opening 6K Robert Anderson came from behind to pass multi Scottish medallist Colin Youngson and snatch the bronze medal. Therefore, in the space of a few weeks grandfather Robert and grandson Drew had each achieved a bronze medal in a major competition. The M40’s proud record of 6 consecutive team victories was ended by Corstorphine AC. However, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Kenny MacPherson, Colin Feechan and Scott Hunter claimed the runners up spot. On an individual basis Kerry-Liam, Colin Feechan and Frank Hurley captured the M40, M55 and M60 gold medals with the M45 bronze going to Kenny MacPherson.

The male teams combined well to allow the club retain its hold on the AT Mays Trophy for the best performing male club in the national cross country championships. The U13 boys set the ball rolling when the individual winner Ryan Stephen led Leodhais MacPherson, Drew Pollock and Ruairidh MacGregor to team gold. The U15 boys added a team bronze to the club’s overall score thanks to Struan Paton, Gavin Smith, Keir Morton and Joshua Boyle. Gavin had now collected his first Scottish national medal. Although the U17 men occupied 10th place their finishing score was vital to the eventual overall scoring as was the U20 men’s 4th spot. Ryan’s excellent performance was rewarded with an individual U20 bronze medal. The senior men’s bronze medal in the final event clinched the destiny of the overall men’s trophy. The men’s 6 counters that day were Kyle McLellan, Robert Gilroy, Iain MacCorquodale, Ben Hukins, Chris Wilson and Bobby Bristow. The U20 ladies team of Katie Bristow, Moira Stewart and Mairi Brown narrowly missed retaining the title they had won the previous year as they lost out to Fife AC by 2 points. Nevertheless, this was an excellent achievement by the ladies and also a good introduction to Scottish cross country running for Moira, the daughter of long time club stalwart Eddie. U17 Eve MacKinnon in 5th position continued to perform at a high level in championship events. Sarah Benson also excelled in 9th spot for the senior ladies and with back up from Alex Lamond, Kirsty Anderson and Caitie Gorton-Phillips the ladies finished 9th in the team competition.

A few weeks later Cathkin High School with Cambuslang athletes Ross Stephen, Drew Pollock, Chris McLew and Keir Crawford in their line up took the Scottish Schools U14 silver medals. Struan Paton representing Hamilton College picked up the bronze U15 medal and was selected to compete for Scotland in the Schools International Cross Country Championships. There was further national cross country representation for club members. U20 Eve MacKinnon and U23 athletes Katie Bristow and Alex Lamond were selected to compete in the Celtic Cross Country International and U20 Ryan Thomson and senior man Ian Rawlinson for the Home Counties International.

With the BMAF Cross Country Championships being staged on home territory at Tollcross Park Cambuslang athletes were presented with an excellent opportunity to vie for both individual and team medals. Both men’s over 35 and over 55 teams willingly embraced the challenge and emerged as BMAF team champions. All 3 athletes in the younger age group also picked up individual awards. Robert Gilroy was the overall winner and 1st M35, Kerry-Liam Wilson was 1st M40 and Jamie Reid 3rd M40. Silver medallist Colin Feechan, Frankie Barton and Frank Hurley counted for the M55 team.

In the March Scottish Young Athletes Road Races U13 Boy Ryan Stephen repeated his national cross country win to lead Leodhais MacPherson and Chris McLew to team silver medals. Struan Paton came home 8th in the U15 event and once again U17 Eve was 5th in a national competition. Later in March the M40 sextet of James Healey, Jamie Reid, Scott Hunter, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Mick O’Hagan and Greg Hastie recorded a 4th consecutive victory in the masters national road relays. Ross Arbuckle, Dave Thom, Frank Hurley and Colin Feechan retained the M50 title. A strong senior men’s squad pushed eventual winners Central AC, with Andy Butchart in their line up, all the way and was only 9 seconds behind going into the final leg. However, that was as close as the gallant Cambuslang team got. Nevertheless, it had been a great effort by all 6 members. The club recorded the fastest, 2nd and 5th fastest times for the short stage courtesy of Josh Lilly, Ian Rawlinson and Stuart Gibson and the 6th, 7th and 9th quickest long leg times were clocked by Kyle McLellan, Ben Hukins and Robert Gilroy.

The Tom Scott Memorial 10 Miles Road Race incorporated both the Scottish and West District Championships. The venue was moved to a 2 lap hilly circuit in Carluke. Robert Gilroy ran a stormer that day and outsprinted Shettleston Harriers Eritrean athlete Tewelde Mengisteab to take the national title. Stuart Gibson also had an excellent run to procure the bronze medal while Kerry-Liam Wilson was awarded the M40 silver. Team silver medals were also given to the trio as Shettleston Harriers just edged them for the team title. The colours of the West medals corresponded exactly with the national ones. Alex Lamond made a promising debut at this distance to finish 4th lady. Also in April Eve MacKinnon had the honour of representing Scotland in the London Mini Marathon. In the full London marathon Kyle McLellan made a successful debut and was awarded the UK Universities bronze medal.

Two Scottish Championship Events on contrasting surfaces took place in May, the 5K Road and the Mid Trail Races. RHC senior men scored splendid team victories in both events and collected numerous individual medals. The 5K team prize was not in doubt as the club’s 3 counters finished inside the top 7 places. A brisk 14.46 clocking gave Grant Sheldon the overall Scottish silver medal and the gold U20 award while Ben Hukins on 15.00 dead was 6th and Stuart Gibson 7th, 2 seconds behind. Ryan Thomson secured the U20 silver medal but unfortunately there was no other U20 runner available to count towards the team championship. Kerry-Liam Wilson gained his 4th consecutive M40 title and senior lady Alex Lamond was well positioned in 9th place with a pb of 17.37. In the Scottish Trail Race Kyle McLellan in 2nd spot, Ben Hukins in 5th and Jamie Reid in 8th led the Cambuslang charge and with essential back up support coming from George Pettit, James Healy and Scott Hunter the senior title was retained.

Several district and national road championships took place during the summer and early autumn months. Stuart Gibson and Alex Lamond lifted the men’s gold and lady’s bronze West 10K medals while the District Half Marathon Title went to Robert Gilroy. Stuart Gibson, Robert Gilroy and leading M40 Kerry-Liam Wilson combined well at Stirling to take the national senior bronze medals. Kerry-Liam added another Scottish senior and M40 gold medal over the marathon distance at Inverness. Following in his wake Robert Gilroy took the Scottish Half Marathon bronze medal at Glasgow. Sarah Benson and Josh Lilly gained selection to compete for Scotland in the Abbey Dash 10K at Leeds.

The West Cross Country Relays held at Kilmacolm kicked off the autumn relay season. The senior women trio of Alex Lamond, Eve MacKinnon and Katie Bristow put in an excellent performance to finish runners up to a strong Kilbarchan team. The young athlete male team of Ruairidh MacGregor, Struan Paton and Scott Sommerville also made the podium in 3rd place. The M40 quartet of Paul Thompson, Stevie Wylie, Greg Hastie and Jamie Reid not surprisingly captured the masters gold award given that Jamie and Stevie recorded the 2 fastest age group times and ended up 9th overall. The senior men A and B teams finished ahead in 5th and 7th spots with Ryan Thomson, Ben Hukins, Bobby Bristow and Robert Gilroy making up the first team and Gordon Robertson, Iain MacCorquodale, Shaun Butler and Andrew MacKenzie the second team.

The following weekend at the Lanarkshire Road Relays George Pettit, Robert Gilroy, Stuart Gibson and Jamie Reid took the senior men honours with the U13 and U15 boys teams, comprising Aaron Grew, Keir Crawford, Lewis Hepworth, Eamon Carr, Drew Pollock and Ryan Stephen, being runners up. In the U13/15/17 girls competition Robert Anderson’s granddaughter Eilidh Kennedy, Debi Scott and R Mons claimed the bronze medals.

The M40 and 50 teams fared best for RHC at the Scottish Cross Country Relays. The former got their hands on the title for the 5th consecutive year thanks to Stevie Wylie, Greg Hastie, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Jamie Reid. Unfortunately the latter trio of Paul Thompson, Chris Upson and Colin Feechan could not make it 3 victories in a row and finished runners up. The young male athletes team of Chris McLew, Struan Paton and Scott Sommerville was a gallant 4th. Two well balanced senior men’s teams occupied 6th and 10th positions. Ben Hukins, Ryan Thomson, Stuart Gibson and Robert Gilroy edged out the B quartet of Bobby Bristow, Iain MacCorquodale, Grant Sheldon and Gordon Robertson by 86 seconds. Alex Lamond, Eve MacKinnon and Katie Bristow achieved a creditable 9th spot.

In the Scottish 4K Cross Country Championships the same senior ladies trio improved further to bag 7th place, a position which Ryan Thomson, Ben Hukins, Robert Gilroy and Bobby Bristow replicated for the senior men. This event was a good sharpener for Ryan who went onto claim the bronze medal in the Scottish Universities Cross Country Championships. RHC had its usual strong representation of masters lining up for Scotland in the Masters International Cross Country Championships with M35 athletes Robert Gilroy and Martin Williams, M45 Kenny MacPherson, M55 athletes Colin Feechan and Paul Thompson and M60 Frank Hurley all having gained selection. Robert rose to the occasion to capture the bronze medal in his age group.

The Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships was a prelude to the district championships later in the month. At the county event the U13 boys team of Keir Crawford, Sean Friel and Ethan Theobald won their age group while both U15 teams collected the bronze medals. The counters for the girls were Olivia Mullholland, twin sisters Katie and Charlotte Moss and Lewis Tracey, Ryan Stephen and Eamon Carr for the boys. Senior men race winner Robert Gilroy and 3rd finisher Jamie Reid along with Paul Thompson took team silver.

At the West Championships M40 Stevie Wylie, U20 Eve MacKinnon and U15 Struan Paton were respectively awarded individual gold, silver and bronze medals. There was a tight tussle in the team competition for the men’s title between Cambuslang and Shettleston and in the end there were only 3 points separating the 2 teams. Iain MacCorquodale, Grant Sheldon, Robert Gilroy, Stuart Gibson, Bobby Bristow and Ben Hukins did enough for the club to keep a hold of the title. Mick O’Hagan and Colin Feechan backed up Stevie and Ryan Stephen and Lewis Tracey supported Struan to give the M40s and U15 boys the bronze medals. The U15 boys trio of Chris McLew, Ruairidh Macgregor and Keir Crawford finished 4th.

Three RHC athletes were among the medals at the Scottish Indoor Championships in February and March. U18 John Ball U14 Drew Pollock and U20 Ryan Thomson respectively won gold, silver and bronze medals in the 800, 1500 and 3000M events. Later in March Colin Feechan lifted the M55 3000M gold and Archie Jenkins secured a M60 1500M gold as well as a 3000M silver in the Scottish Masters Indoor Championships.

Stuart Gibson made an excellent start to the outdoor track season in April when taking the Scottish 10,000M bronze medal in a personal best time of 31.07. Over the same weekend Bobby Bristow also set a pb of 15.30 when finishing 3rd in the Scottish Universities 5,000M Championships. The Scottish Schools Track and Field Championships in June was very much a special occasion for all the competitors as it was held at Hampden Park on the new track which had been laid for the impending Commonwealth Games. This was certainly a once in a life time opportunity for pupils to participate in and perhaps win a medal. Eve MacKinnon seized her opportunity in her last schools’ championship appearance to be crowned the O17 1500M champion. There was a U15 1500M silver medal for Struan Paton and bronze medals at the same distance for U14 Chris McLew and for U17 Scott Sommerville in the 1500M steeplechase. Moira Stewart upset the apple cart by defeating pre race favourite Stephie Pennycook in the Scottish U20 Ladies 1500M Championship at Aberdeen. Her dad Eddie had pencilled the event in for her while the family was having a summer holiday in Scotland.

The Scottish Masters 800 and 1500M Championships were held in June at Dunfermline and then the 5,000M one month later at Grangemouth. Greg Hastie secured the M40 800M gold medal, Kenny MacPherson the M45 silver and Barnie Gough the M60 bronze while Frank Hurley was awarded the M60 1500M silver medal. Cambuslang athletes incredibly won 5 different age group gold medals over the longer distance. M35 Robert Gilroy, M40 Jamie Reid, M45 James Healy, M55 Colin Feechan and M60 Frank Hurley made sure that a red and white vest occupied centre stage on the presentation podium. David Cooney completed the medal honours list for RHC athletes with his M65 bronze award.

In the West District Track Championships John Ball and Ruairidh Macgregor won gold and silver in the U20 and U13 800M events with a silver 1500M medal going to U15 Struan Paton.

Grant Sheldon at the age of 19 was given the opportunity to represent Scotland on home soil at Strathclyde Park in the August Commonwealth Games. On perhaps the hottest day of the year he performed well to finish 14th in the individual triathlon which was dominated by the incredible Brownlee brothers, Alistair and Jonny, and then 2 days later he helped Scotland to a 7th place finish in the Mixed Teams Relay. Grant’s sporting career had certainly come a long way since first making his debut 5 years earlier in his first open road race at the very same venue.

Unfortunately one of the club’s characters and loyal members Jimmy Sands passed away in late May. As well as being a Paralympic gold medallist from Seoul in 1998 and holder of 4 World Records in the cerebral palsy category, he participated in mainstream athletics competition including the Scottish Cross Country Championships. Although living in Johnstone and without a car he would regularly make his way to the club and to races and was always keen to help out at club events. By way of perpetuating his memory the committee decided to award the Jimmy Sands Memorial Shield to the first male and female finisher in the Down By The River 10K Race.

The club also mourned the death of former athlete Eddie McCafferty. Eddie came to prominence when he won the Scottish U13 Boys Cross Country Championships in 1987. He was also a member of the U15 bronze medal winning team in 1989, a member of the U17 team which won silver and gold medals in 1990 and 1991 and was also part of the twice silver medallist U20 team in 1992 and 1993.

There were several important changes to the club committee at the September AGM. Robert Anderson, Barnie Gough and Jim Orr all stepped down and Fiona Pollock took on the crucial role of Welfare Officer. Iain Crawford joined the committee. Robert who had served on the committee since 1967 still continued to attend the committee meetings as an interested observer and to help coach the young athletes. Barnie continued to compete in masters events and to help out with events such as the Down By The river Races.

2015

As in previous years athletes from Ronhill Cambuslang Harriers were well represented at the Scottish Inter District Championships in January at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. Chosen to compete for the West District were U13 boys Chris McLew and Ruairidh MacGregor, U15 boys Ryan Stephen and Struan Paton, junior/senior women Eve MacKinnon and Alex Lamond and senior men Iain MacCorquodale, Stuart Gibson and Ben Hukins while Katie Bristow, Kyle McLellan and Ryan Thomson gained selection for the Scottish Universities teams. In the same month the M40 and M50 recorded double team victories in the Scottish Masters Cross Country Championships at Kilmarnock. M40 silver and bronze medallists Kerry-Liam Wilson and Stevie Wylie, Greg Hastie and Chris Upson all scored for the younger age group while first M50 in the race Eddie Stewart, Colin Feechan and Dave Thom were the M50 counters. Eddie and Colin were awarded individual gold and silver M55 medals. Once again Eddie underlined his strong and unbroken connection with the club by making the long journey from his adopted home in Prague to proudly don his red and white vest.

The best team performance at the Scottish Cross Country Championships in February came from the U15 boys who captured team silver medals due to hill running specialist Joshua Boyle in 4th spot, Struan Paton, Ryan Stephen and Lewis Tracey. Both the U13 and U20 quartets, comprising Chris McLew, Ruairidh MacGregor, Keir Crawford and Aaron Grew and 4th placed Ryan Thomson, Jack MacGregor, Ross Stephen and David Robertson, finished just outside the medals in 4th position. The senior men team of Iain MacCorquodale, Kyle McLellan, Robert Gilroy, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Iain Reid and Stevie Wylie also just missed out on the bronze medals. Gavin Smith in 40th position was the 2nd counter for the 8th placed U17 men’s team. In spite of winning only one male age group team medal the overall performances of the male teams was still sufficient to retain the AT Mays Trophy for the 4th successive year. There were also strong individual runs by U20 and senior ladies Eve MacKinnon and Katie Bristow in 8th and 12th slots. In the same month Moira Stewart gained a silver medal in the Czech Senior Ladies Cross Country Championships. Chris McLew, Drew Pollock, Keir Crawford and Lewis Hepworth, all members of Cambuslang members delivered the Scottish Schools U14 team silver for Cathkin High School. Seven club athletes namely U15 Struan Paton, U20 athletes Eve MacKinnon and Ryan Thomson along with seniors Alex Lamond, Katie Bristow, Kyle McLellan and Stuart Gibson, were chosen to represent the Scottish West Teams at the UK Inter District Cross Country Championships at Birmingham.

At the Scottish Young Athletes Road Races the U13 trio of Chris McLew, Ruairidh MacGregor and Keir Crawford emerged with team silvers medals. However, the U15 boys team of Struan Paton, Drew Pollock and Ryan Stephen had to settle for 4th spot. In the U17 men’s event Gavin Smith, the club’s sole representative, was 19th. Patience was to be a virtue for Gavin and coach Owen Reid. The M40 and M50 Cambuslang teams continued their monopoly of the gold medals at the Scottish Senior and Masters Road Relay Championships at Livingston. Jamie Reid, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Craig Harrow, Greg Hastie, Mick O’Hagan and Stevie Wylie produced the goods for the younger age group while Dave Thom, Paul Thompson, Chris Upson and Colin Feechan did a similar job for the older group. The senior men did not come away empty handed as Alistair Campbell, Robert Gilroy, Ryan Thomson, Stuart Gibson, Bobby Bristow and Kyle McLellan gained bronze medals.

Cambuslang Harriers turned the tables on Shettleston Harriers from the previous year to lift the Scottish 10 Miles Road Team Title at Strathclyde Park thanks to Robert Gilroy and to the M40 silver and bronze medallists Kerry-Liam Wilson and Stevie Wylie. Kyle McLellan representing Edinburgh University was awarded the gold medal in the Scottish Universities 10K Road Championships. Further national road success came in the Scottish 5K Road Championships when Robert Gilroy, Stuart Gibson and Alistair Campbell combined well to take the team bronze medals. Individual gold and silver M40 medals also went to Kerry-Liam Wilson and Stevie Wylie. The club continued to be a major player at UK Masters Championships. The M55 trio of Paul Thompson, Colin Feechan and Iain Campbell struck gold in the Masters Road Relays at Birmingham while the M35 sextet of Charlie Thomson, Robert Gilroy, Jamie Reid, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Iain Reid and Stevie Wylie finished runners up. Kerry-Liam moved onto a higher platform when he was awarded a M40 World Masters Marathon bronze medal in Lyon, a superb performance by a Scottish athlete especially in his final year of his age group.

Three of the six counters in that M35 team, Robert Gilroy, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Iain Reid, secured the team silver medals in the Scottish Half Marathon Championships with Kerry-Liam adding individual masters gold to his medal tally. A few weeks later Robert and Kerry-Liam were in action again in the Scottish 10K Road Championships at Stirling and with back up from Bobby Bristow team bronze medals were acquired. As expected Kerry-Liam was the first M40 home and Kenny Campbell 2nd M40 athlete while Stan MacKenzie filled the same position in the M50 category. Prolific racers Robert and Kerry-Liam also featured in West District Championships Awards. Robert won the senior 10K gold medal and Kerry-Liam the senior silver as well as first M40. In addition, Kerry-Liam was crowned the West Senior Half Marathon Champion.

Further success came in Scottish Hill and Trail Championships. Iain MacCorquodale was a worthy silver medallist in the Scottish Hill Running Championships. There were team golds for the U15 boys and U17 men and senior men at the Scottish Medium Trail Event at Falkland Estate. 2nd placed Ryan Stephen, Drew Pollock and Ruairidh MacGregor were the counters for the younger squad and silver and bronze medallists Struan Paton and Gavin Smith along with Keir Morton were the scorers for the older group. The senior men still managed to achieve victory in spite of their 2 leading athletes Robert Gilroy and Kyle McLellan going off course and running further than the stated distance while well clear in the closing stages. Both were disqualified. However, crucial back up was still at hand to hold on to the team victory. At the end of the race Jamie Reid was declared M40 winner and senior runner up, Willie MacRuary 4th, Justin Carter 6th overall and 3rd M40 and Colin Feechan 10th overall and 3rd M50.

The October West District Cross Country Relays returned to Hamilton Race Course once again where the M40 team of Kenny Campbell, Colin Feechan, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Jamie Reid took first place and the senior quartet of Ryan Thomson, Ben Hukins, Stuart Gibson and Robert Gilroy was placed 3rd. A mix up at the changeover at the end of leg 1 of the young male athletes’ event led to the subsequent disqualification of the A team. Nevertheless, there had been some very good individual performances. U13 Sean Friel was 9th fastest, Drew Pollock joint 3rd fastest and Struan Paton 2nd fastest U17. U17 Gavin Smith growing in confidence after his individual Scottish Trail bronze medal was 6th quickest. The following week at the Lanarkshire Road Relays Andrew Arthurs, Ryan Stephen and Drew Pollock secured the U15 team award while Paul Thompson, Frank McGowan, Robert Gilroy and Mick O’Hagan were runners up in the senior event. The M40 team continued its winning way at the Scottish Cross Country Relays at Cumbernauld thanks to excellent teamwork from Kenny Campbell, Frank McGowan, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Jamie Reid. The M50 trio of Chris Upson, Paul Thompson and Colin Feechan also tasted gold medal success. The senior men A team of Stuart Gibson, Ryan Thomson, Robert Gilroy and Kyle McLellan was 4th and the B team consisting of Ross Stephen, Craig Jardine, Willie MacRuary and Gordon Robertson finished a very respectable 14th. Alex Lamond, Kirsty Anderson and Caitie-Gorton-Phillips brought the senior ladies team home in 21st position. The young female athletes team of Niamh Riggins, Lauren McEwan and Christie Dalgleish occupied 22nd place while their male counterparts, Sean Friel, Drew Pollock and Struan Paton, took 7th spot in the team competition. Interestingly U15 B runner Chris McLew edged Drew out by one second and his B team mate U17 Gavin Smith was only 10 seconds adrift of Struan.

Further Scottish team and individual medals were also gained at the Scottish Short Course Cross Country Championships held once again at Bellahouston Park in early November. Individual bronze medallist Drew Pollock, Chris McLew and Ryan Stephen captured the U15 team silver medals. Struan Paton and Gavin Smith in 5th and 6th spots, with only 1 second between them, helped the U17 team to 5th place. One place behind and representing Victoria Park was a certain Jamie MacKinnon who would join Cambuslang a few years later. Kyle McLellan, Ryan Thomson, Craig Jardine and Stuart Gibson equalled the performance of the younger trio and there was the added bonus of an individual gold medal for Kenny Campbell and a M50 bronze for Colin Feechan.

Cambuslang athletes were again well represented in the Scottish Masters Age Group Teams selected for the British and Irish Masters International Cross Country Championships. The familiar faces of Robert Gilroy, Kenny Campbell, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Kenny MacPherson, Greg Hastie, Chris Upson, Colin Feechan and Paul Thompson made an appearance in the event. At the same time U20 Ryan Thomson was chosen to Represent Scotland in the U20 UK Cross Country Trial at Liverpool.

The Lanarkshire Cross Country, the penultimate domestic cross country championship event, provided a good platform particularly for the younger athletes to shine. At U15 level individual gold medallist Chris McLew led Ruairidh MacGregor, and James Hannoway to team gold and Christie Dalgleish, Lauren McEwan and Kelly McCutcheon secured the bronze medals in the same age group. There were also team bronze medals for the U13 boys trio of Sean Friel, Jordon Davies and Michael Black while U11 Fearghus MacGregor acquired an individual bronze medal. The senior ladies team of individual silver medallist Kirsty Anderson, Lynn Angely and Vicky Semple outdid the senior men to take team gold. The male trio of individual winner Robert Gilroy and first and 3rd placed M40 individuals Justin Carter and Mick O’Hagan finished runners up. The Lanarkshire Event was to prove significant for the club as future club captain Richie Carr made his debut on that day.

Heavy rain on the days leading up to and on the day itself of the West District Cross Country Championships meant that the Bellahouston course was extremely heavy and muddy. This did not go down too well for many of the competitors across all teams. However, Kyle McLellan was a notable exception and indeed relished the conditions. He moved to the front after the initial starting charge and proceeded to build up a commanding lead and ran solo for 6 miles. When crossing the finishing line he was 30 seconds clear of his nearest rival. However, a strong Cambuslang senior team with their 6 counters in the top 14 was narrowly pipped by for the team title by Shettleston Harriers. Stuart Gibson, Robert Gilroy, the leading 2 M40s Kenny Campbell and Kerry-Liam Wilson along with Iain Reid made up the senior sextet. With Justin Carter supporting Kenny and Kerry-Liam the masters team gold award was comfortably confirmed. The U20 trio of 2nd and 3rd individuals Craig Jardine and Ryan Thomson and Ross Stephen secured the team prize while Chris McLew in 4th, Drew Pollock and Ryan Stephen pocketed the U15 silver medals. There were excellent individual performances from U20 ladies bronze medallist Eve MacKinnon and 6th placed U17 male Gavin Smith. Alex Lamond in 10th position led Kirsty Anderson, Caitie Gorton-Phillips and Vicky Semple to 6th in the team competition. Niamh Riggins, Sean Friel and Christie Dalgleish were the first club athletes home in their respective age groups.

A number of Cambuslang athletes were involved in indoor track competition during the months of January and February. 7 club athletes were awarded medals in the Scottish 3000M Masters Championships held at the Emirates. M35 and M65 Robert Gilroy and David Cooney gained gold medals with silver medals going to M40 Jamie Reid, M50 Chris Upson, M55 Colin Feechan and M60 Barnie Gough with a bronze medal going to M40 Stevie Wylie. Craig Jardine also gained an U20 silver medal over the same distance. A few weeks later David won another M65 gold medal over 1500M, Barnie another M60 silver medal and Archie Jenkins a bronze medal in the same age group. Kyle McLellan emerged from the Scottish Universities Championships with a gold in the 3000M and a bronze in the 1500M. There were also Scottish Schools bronze medals for John Ball in the U18 800M and Struan Paton in the 1500M events. Mother and daughter Mia and Moira Stewart were also making an impact on the boards. Mia collected 2 European W50 bronze medals over 1,500M and 3,000M with U20 Moira gaining a Czech senior 3,000M bronze medal.

In the first outdoor track event of the summer Scottish 10,000M senior men silver and bronze medals went to Kyle McLellan and Stuart Gibson and also a ladies bronze to Katie Bristow. Ryan Thomson also earned a Scottish U20 3,000M silver medal and Scott Sommerville gained a Scottish Schools O16 2,000M steeplechase bronze. There were triple Scottish Masters 5,000M gold medals for M35 Robert Gilroy, M40 Kenny Campbell and M55 Colin Feechan. Over the longer distance of 10,000M Colin finished runner up in both the Scottish and UK Championships. At the West District 1,500M Championships Alistair Campbell on his favourite surface lifted the senior gold medal while Katie Bristow captured the senior ladies silver medal and Eve MacKinnon the U20 1,500M bronze and Drew Pollock the U15 bronze.

Katie Bristow won an Athletics Scholarship at Northern Illinois University where she participated in 4 cross country races between September and November.

David Stirling who had joined the club during the year from a parkrun background was a welcome addition to the club committee at the September AGM. In a move to increase the number of qualified club coaches Lynn Angely, Iain Crawford and Angus Smith all embarked on the Scottish Athletics Assistant Coaching Scheme which would be paid for by the club. It was also agreed to buy a 2nd hand grass cutter for Robert Anderson so that he could continue to maintain the 2 grass tracks he had created around 2 of the Sport’s Club’s playing fields. He also undertook to look out for a suitable large container which could store club equipment and also serve as a changing room for Sunday runs when the club house was closed. Local unattached runner Des Dickson who was later to become the club president joined Cambuslang during the year. Simon Gold, another regular parkrunner, also signed up as a club member.

2016

Nine Cambuslang athletes participated in the annual Inter District Cross Country Championships at the start of the year. U15 boys Chris McLew, Drew Pollock and Ryan Stephen along with seniors Kyle McLellan, Robert Gilroy, Kenny Campbell and Kerry-Liam Wilson were representing their West age group teams. Alex Lamond and Eve MacKinnon were competing for the Scottish Universities. On the last Saturday in January the Scottish Masters XC Event returned to Forres where club athletes swept the males’ medal board both on a team and individual basis. With Kenny Campbell, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Jamie Reid filling the first 3 places and final counter Greg Hastie in 14th spot there was no doubt that the M40 team award had been successfully defended. The very same applied to the M50 trio of Eddie Stewart, Stan MacKenzie and Chris Upson who finished 3rd, 4th and 6th in their age category. There had been a compelling tussle for supremacy at the head of the race. Metro Aberdeen runner Jim Tole swept into the lead from the gun and maintained his lead for the first 2 of the 3 laps although he was being hunted down by the Cambuslang trio of Kerry-Liam, Jamie and Kenny. Going into the woods on the uphill trail section for the last time it was difficult to predict what order the athletes would emerge in. When they did reappear for the last ½ mile grassland section Kenny was now in first place closely followed by Kerry-Liam, Jamie and then Jim Tole. The positions remained the same to the line with only 13 seconds covering the 4 runners. Kenny was awarded the M40 gold medal, Kerry-Liam the M45 gold and Jamie the M40 silver. The M40 bronze was a fine reward for the brave race the Metro athlete had run. Both Eddie Stewart and Frankie Barton were crowned M55 and M60 champions. In the earlier combined Ladies and Men’s O65 Race Jennifer Reid finished a respectable 8th in the W45 age group and Peter Ogden was a creditable 7th in his M65 category.

The club lifted the coveted AT Mays trophy for a 5th consecutive year thanks to the combined performances across the 5 counting male age groups. The U17 team gold achieved by Struan Paton and Gavin Smith in 7th and 9th positions, Joshua Boyle and Eamon Carr stood out although the U20 men and U15 boys bronze awards also caught the eye. Chris McLew, Drew Pollock, Ryan Stephen and Ruairidh MacGregor were the counters for the younger quartet and 4th placed Ryan Thomson, Craig Jardine, Ross Stephen and Scott Sommerville for the older group. Senior men Robert Gilroy, Iain Reid, Jamie Reid, Willie MacRuary, Kenny Campbell and Ben Hukins were 8th. Michael Black, Sean Friel, Aaron Grew and Robbie Woods also played their part by taking 8th place in the U13 event. U20 Eve MacKinnon put in another excellent shift to secure 5th spot and the senior ladies combined well for a well-earned 8th position thanks to Sarah Benson (12th), Alex Lamond, Kirsty Anderson and Jennifer Reid. U13 girl Niamh Riggins (34th) showed promise in her first national cross country outing.

Gavin Smith who had been going from strength to strength captured the individual silver medal in the O17 race at the Scottish Schools Cross Country Championships and consistent national medal recipient Struan Paton took the bronze in the younger age group. Gavin was rewarded with a Scottish Schools Vest in the UK Schools International Competition. There were further national cross country representations for Eve MacKinnon, Ryan Thomson and Struan Paton in the Home Counties International and for Craig Jardine in the Celtic International. Eve MacKinnon and Alex Lamond also acquired team gold and bronze medals when scoring for Edinburgh University and Stirling University in the Scottish Students Championships.

In March the U13 boys trio of Sean Friel, Brodie Aitken and Aaron Grew secured the bronze medals in the Scottish Young Athletes Road Championships. The U17 men finished one place behind with Gavin Smith being the leading club athlete in 7th spot. In the first weekend of April the men recorded a clean sweep of team medals in the senior, M40 and M50 age groups while the ladies achieved an excellent 7th finishing position in the Scottish Road Relay Championships. In the senior men event Iain Reid brought the club home in 8th position and Stuart Gibson advanced to 4th with Craig Jardine gaining another place by halfway. Robert Gilroy then put RHC into the lead which Ryan Thomson and Kyle McLellan fiercely protected from Central AC and Inverclyde AC. The well balanced M40 sextet of Tony McCutcheon, Jamie Reid, Alick Walkinshaw, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Mick O’Hagan and Kenny Campbell had a margin of 4 minutes over nearest rivals Kirkintilloch Olympians and Bellahouston Road Runners. The M50 contest was a much closer affair between Cambuslang and Shettleston with the outcome only being decided in the final 200M of the lengthy uphill climb to the finishing line. Paul Thompson and Chris Upson held a 19 seconds lead over Shettleston at half distance. However, the fastest short stage time by Billy Coyle had prised open a narrow 2 seconds gap on Colin Feechan who had himself posted the 2nd quickest time. Stan MacKenzie was therefore faced with the unenviable task of sticking to and overhauling the tenacious Andy Little. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and Stan proved to be the very man. The 2 athletes covered the 10K circuit as in tandem and barely a stride separated them on the upper uphill finish until with the finishing line in sight the Cambuslang man timed his sprint to perfection to seal victory by 4 seconds. In the ladies event U20 Eve MacKinnon gave her team a great start by crossing the line in 3rd spot. Alex Lamond ran well to come home in 5th place and solid runs from triathlete Kirsty Anderson and master Jennifer Reid meant that RHC had completed a ladies team for the first time in its race history and had delivered a very laudable top 7th position. The veterans victories equalled the historic 2012-13 achievement of lifting all 8 masters road and cross country team and relay titles in one season. On this occasion the 31 gold medals were distributed as follows: Kerry-Liam Wilson (5), Kenny Campbell (5), Jamie Reid (4), Colin Feechan (3), Chris Upson (3), Paul Thompson (2), Stan MacKenzie (2), Greg Hastie (1), Frank McGowan (1), Justin Carter (1), Eddie Stewart (1), Alick Walkinshaw (1), Mick O’Hagan (1) and Tony McCutcheon (1).

In the Scottish 10 Miles Championships held in conjunction with the Tom Scott Memorial Race there were double masters Scottish and West District gold medals for M40 Kerry-Liam Wilson and M50 Stan MacKenzie. On the same weekend Frankie Barton served up a M60 10K silver medal performance in the BMAF Road Championships. Later in the month David Cole picked up the Scottish M40 Marathon bronze medal at London. May began with the Scottish 5K Road Championships in which Craig Jardine, Ross Stephen and Scott Sommerville gained the U20 bronze medals and Kerry-Liam Wilson the M40 title. Alistair Campbell with a time of 15.19 was the fastest Cambuslang male and Alex Lamond the leading lady with the excellent time of 17.39. A few weeks later a M35 sextet returned to Birmingham for the BMAF Road Relays. Once again the club acquitted themselves well in finishing runners up in their age group thanks to David Cole, Kenny Campbell, Iain Reid, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Jamie Reid and Robert Gilroy. This event was good preparation for Kerry-Liam’s next competitive outing which was the Masters European Half Marathon Championships held in Portugal. Kerry-Liam delivered the goods again by finishing M45 runner up in a prestigious European Championship. After a short 3 weeks interval Kerry-Liam and Frankie Barton continued to make Cambuslang’s presence felt in UK Masters Championships when securing M45 5K gold and M60 5K silver at Horwich.

Joshua Boyle made a significant breakthrough on the hills. Not only did he become the Sottish U17 Hill Running Champion but he also captured the UK U20 Uphill Title and subsequently represented the GB team in the European and World Uphill Championships.

With sponsorship from Ronhill Clothing coming to an end the club reverted to its original name of Cambuslang Harriers. The senior men successfully defended their Scottish Mid Trail Team Title due to close packing from Craig Jardine, Ben Hukins, Alasdair Campbell and Willie MacRuary in 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th spots. There were also individual gold medals for U20 Craig and O60 Frank Hurley with a M40 silver award for Justin Carter. Eamon Carr, James Hannoway and Andrew Carey lifted the U17 team silver medals. Andrew was to be another gradual developer under the guidance of club head coach Michael Johnston.

There were further national senior team and masters individual medals at the Scottish 10K Road Championships at Stirling. Ryan Thomson, Stuart Gibson and Robert Gilroy, the M40 gold medallist, finished runners up while Kerry-Liam Wilson was 2nd M40. Cambuslang athletes again took advantage of the UK Masters Half Marathon being staged at Kirkintilloch and the M40 trio of Robert Gilroy, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Justin Carter were clear winners in the team competition. There were also 4 age group individual gold medals for M40 Robert, M45 Kerry-Liam, W60 Erica Christie and M60 Stan MacKenzie. This was Kerry-Liam’s 3rd successive half marathon in 3 weeks having won the West District M40 title at Dumfries and then the Scottish M40 title in the Glasgow Half Marathon.

Cambuslang ladies and men’s masters teams put on a golden display at the West District Cross Country Relay Championships at Kilmacolm. Bernie O’Neil, Jennifer Reid and Lynn Angely led from start to finish to record a historic first victory for the W40 ladies. Brian Douglas, Robert Gilroy, Justin Carter and Jamie Reid did a similar job for the M40 men. The senior men were also among the medals as Gavin Smith, Ryan Thomson, Iain Reid and Craig Jardine took team bronze. Under 13 Niamh Riggins got the young female athletes team off to a good start in 8th place but the team ended up in 24th position. The reverse was true for the young male’s team. After a slow start on the opening 2 legs U17 Drew Pollock with the 5th fastest time of the day moved the team up to 17th place.

The following week at the Lanarkshire Road Relays the quartet of Justin Carter, Bobby Bristow, Robert Gilroy and Gordon Robertson took the senior team honours while 3 of the younger teams picked up the silver awards. Eilidh Kennedy, Millie Nicholl, Eva Ritchie, Fearghus MacGregor, Robbie Woods and Stewart Millard were the counters for the 2 U13 teams with Sean Friel, Ruairidh MacGregor and Brodie Aitken being the scorers for the U15 boys.

Moving on to a higher level of competition at the Scottish Cross Country Relays both the M40 and M50 teams retained their titles. Brian Douglas, Robert Gilroy, Justin Carter and Jamie Reid did the business for the younger squad as did Dave Thom, Stan MacKenzie and Colin Donnelly for the older trio. The W40 team of Jennifer Reid, Leanne Hamilton and Lynn Angely was a creditable 8th. The senior men in 5th spot put in a very solid performance thanks to the efforts of Stuart Gibson, Craig Jardine, Iain Reid and Ryan Thomson. The B team of Paul Morrison, Willie MacRuary, Grant Sheldon and Gordon Robertson finished a highly respectable 11th. As in the West Niamh Riggins and Drew Pollock were the pick of the bunch for the young athletes.

Paul Thompson having just turned 60 made the long journey to Perth, Australia, to test himself against his fellow age group competitors in the World’s Masters Championships. Colin Feechan also travelled to Perth. The cross country event kicked started the championships. Paul in 4th place just missed out on the medals with Colin finishing 14th in the M55 category. Both athletes helped the UK teams to the bronze medals in their respective age groups. While Colin passed on the 5,000M track event Paul claimed World M60 gold setting a pb in the process. After several days rest both lined up for the Half Marathon. Paul duly won another individual world gold medal and also team silver. Colin was a creditable 10th which helped his UK team to silver medals also. Down Under it could be said that both Cambuslang athletes felt on top of the world.

The Scottish Cross Country Short Course Championships in early November was staged at Renfrew for the first time. Over a flat and fast course Ryan Thomson, Craig Jardine, Stuart Gibson and Robert Gilroy packed well to claim the team silver awards. The ladies team comprising of Alex Lamond, Kirsty O’Brien, Jennifer Reid and Bernie O’Neil finished 13th. Interestingly Eve MacKinnon was competing for Edinburgh University as was Georgia Freeman-Mills who was later to join the club in 2022. Ryan Stephen, Eamon Carr and Andrew Carey represented the 10th placed U17 team and Sean Friel, Aaron Grew and Michael Black made up the 12th placed U15 boys team.

Cambuslang’s men were well represented in the different Scottish age groups for the Masters Cross Country International held at nearby Tollcross. From youngest to eldest the selected athletes were Iain Reid, Justin Carter, Robert Gilroy, Jamie Reid, Stan MacKenzie, Dave Thom, Frank Hurley, Frankie Barton, Paul Thompson and David Fairweather. On the day Robert was the star performer as he captured the M40 individual bronze medal. Frank, Paul and Dave met up with Colin Donnelly the following weekend at Long Eaton in England to contest the BMAF M55 Cross Country Relay Championships. Their long trip proved to be worthwhile as the quartet returned with the gold medals. U20 Craig Jardine was given the opportunity to represent Scotland in late November at the Liverpool Cross Country Challenge Meeting.

Nearer home the club hoovered up 6 age group team medals at the Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships. Individual gold and silver medallists Ryan Thomson and Robert Gilroy with back up from Alistair Campbell won the senior team title, a performance equalled by the U17 trio of runner up Drew Pollock, Ryan Stephen and Andrew Carey. There were also silver medals for the U13 trio of Fearghus MacGregor, Stewart Millard and Robbie Wood. U13 champion Niamh Riggins led Millie Nicholl and Maura MacKinnon to team bronze. Bronze team awards also went to the U15 boys trio of Keir Crawford, Caoloan Millard and Michael Black and to the senior ladies team of Kirsty Anderson, Bernie O’Neil and Lesley McArdle.

In the last major domestic cross country competition Cambuslang took the team honours in the masters ladies, masters men and the U20 men’s events. This was another historic landmark for the club as Jennifer Reid, Bernie O’Neil and Claire Mennie made history by being the first Cambuslang masters ladies team to win a district team award. The M40 trio of Robert Gilroy, Kenny Campbell and Justin Carter fully justified its pre race favourite tag and there was an added bonus for Robert who also won the individual gold medal. With Craig Jardine 2nd and Gavin Smith 3rd and Scott Sommerville 10th the U20 team title was assured. Robert also led team mates Iain Reid, Ben Hukins, Alistair Campbell, Gordon Robertson and Kenny Campbell to the senior bronze medals. The U15 boys earned silver team medals courtesy of bronze medallist Chris McLew, Ruairidh MacGregor and Keir Crawford, the son of Iain who was about to embark on his assistant club coach award. The senior ladies quartet of Alex Lamond, Kirsty O’Brien, Jennifer Reid and Bernie O’Neil finished a very respectable 4th in the team competition. Niamh Riggins in 11th spot was the first finisher for the U13 girls who were 7th team. The other 2 counters were newcomers Shona Carey, the brother of Andrew and Millie Nicholl, the daughter of Iain. Over the next few years both Shona and Millie were to develop into top young athletes. Fearghus MacGregor the leading performer for the 8th placed U13 boys team. Eamon Carr, Drew Pollock and James Hannaway brought the U17 team home in 6th Place. Also in December Moira Stewart had the huge honour of representing the Czech Republic in the European U23 Cross Country Championships.

The Scottish Masters 3000M Indoor Championships at the Emirates in January proved once again to be a happy hunting ground for members of Cambuslang Harriers. There were gold medals for M35 Robert Gilroy, M45 Kerry-Liam Wilson and M65 David Cooney while M50 Chris Upson and M55 Colin Feechan took silver medals and M40 Justin Carter achieved a bronze medal. Also in the Scottish U17 Championships over the same distance Struan Paton finished runner up. One month later Justin also secured another bronze medal in the Masters 1500M Championships and in March U13 Niamh Riggins had an excellent run to claim the Scottish U13 1500M bronze medal. Katie Bristow had 2 competitions indoors in January over 3000M and 5,000M clocking times of 10.22 and 17.59. Unfortunately these were to be her last 2 races on American soil due to a persistent injury which she could not shake off.

In the late April Scottish 10,000M Outdoor Track Championships at Crown Point Stuart Gibson, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Alex Lamond all set pbs to lift the senior men silver, M40 gold and senior women silver medals. Meanwhile over in the Czech Republic Moira Stewart also finished runner up over the same distance. Struan Paton and Drew Pollock were awarded U17 gold and bronze medals in the Scottish U17 3000M Championships in early June. One week later added the Scottish Schools 3000M title to his portfolio. At the same championships U15 Chris McLew and U17 Gavin Smith also made it to the podium to receive their 1500M silver and 5K bronze medals. Chris went one place better over 1500M at the Scottish U15 Championships in August to score a decisive victory by almost 4 seconds. Struan also picked up the bronze U17 1500M award. As a reward for his consistent track performances Struan was selected to represent the Scottish Schools in the SIAB Schools’ International at Loughborough.

M40 Kenny Campbell, M45 Kerry-Liam Wilson and M55 Colin Feechan were awarded the Scottish Masters 5,000M Track gold medals in their respective age groups and Iain Reid was a recipient of the M35 bronze medal. Kerry-Liam rounded off a successful track season with a victory in the M45 UK 5,000M Championships in mid September.

There were further track medal successes at the West District Championships. The familiar faces of Struan Paton and Drew Pollock finished 2nd and 3rd in the U17 1500M while Chris McLew and Niamh Riggins secured the U15 and U13 bronze awards. In the senior 5K there was a clean sweep of the 5K medals for Ryan Thomson, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Bobby Bristow.

Triathlete Grant Sheldon had a memorable season on the elite men’s triathlon circuit. He competed for GB on 7 separate occasions in Elite ITU Triathlon Events and twice for GB Universities. His highlights included an individual and team victory in the World University Triathlon Championships. He also won a team gold medal in the Lisbon ETU Triathlon European Championships and an individual bronze medal in the Chateauroux ETU Sprint Triathlon European Championships, in addition to 4 other top 10 places. Not surprisingly Grant was chosen as the Scottish Triathlete of the year.

Kirsty Anderson had a superb season too in duathlon and triathlon events. She picked up a W30 bronze medal in the Powerman Long Distance European Duathlon Championships, an overall bronze and senior silver in the Scottish Cross Triathlon Championships and a senior silver in the Scottish Ironman Triathlon Championships.

After having been nominated twice previously Kerry-Liam Wilson was deservedly announced as Scottish Master of the Year at the Scottish Athletics Awards Evening in November. His individual exploits for the year included a European Half Marathon silver medal, 2 UK gold medals and 6 Scottish gold medals and 1 silver.

There were important internal changes regarding club captaincy and coaching personnel. Iain MacCorquodale stepped down as club captain and passed the baton onto Iain Reid. Iain was warmly thanked for the vital contribution he had made during his time as captain in keeping Cambuslang to the forefront of Scottish of Scottish Athletics. Des Dickson, Iain Crawford and Simon Gold volunteered to embark on the Scottish Athletics Assistant Coaching Scheme to help out the existing coaches.

Cambuslang Harriers lost 3 valued former members during 2016 – Jim Robertson, Jim Fitzpatrick and Willie Marshall. Jim Robertson as a senior and veteran athlete, was an excellent club athlete and had a personal track best of 31.35 for the 10,000M. However, his preference was for cross country events and latterly for the hills. He was a member of the club’s M40 runner up team in the inaugural Scottish Masters Cross Country Relay Championships in 1995 and then a member of the victorious team the following year. Jim was crowned M40 Scottish Hill Running Champion in the same year and also helped the club to team gold in the 1997 Scottish Masters Cross Country Championships. Unfortunately his running career was cut short due to injuries.

Jim Fitzpatrick was a loyal club runner from the 1960s to the early 90s. While his competitive days were in his first decade with Cambuslang he still liked to train regularly at the club with his age group peers. He was a cheerful and friendly face to have around the club and served as club treasurer from 1987 to 1989. Although not active in the club thereafter he did pop in to the club house from time to time for a wee chat on how the club was doing. Cambuslang Harriers was still very much in his heart. When the club was looking for a sponsor for its Down By The River Races he willingly stepped in via his Company MacDet in 2010 as a joint sponsor along with Achilles Heel Running Shop.

Willie Marshall only joined Cambuslang Harriers in 1993 at the age of 66 along with his son David. Willie had previously competed for Motherwell YMCA, Clyde Valley and then for a resurrected Motherwell YMCA until it folded once again. As a senior he was a good club runner but it was not until becoming 40 and especially in his 50s that he started to win Scottish and UK titles and then as an M55 and M60 he moved on to winning European gold medals and setting World Masters Indoor Records. During his time as a Cambuslang athlete Willie’s record is spectacular. In 1993 he lifted the M65 European 10K and Half Marathon Gold medals and set a World 3000M Indoors Record as well as taking the UK Track 5,000M and 10000 Titles. Incidentally he set a new UK record over the shorter track distance. The following year he was crowned M65 World Champion in the 10K and 25K events and UK Vets 3000M Indoor Champion. In 1995 he secured back to back European 10K and Half Marathon titles on successive days. In one of his rare cross country competitions he captured the UK title. In 1998 he added the World M70 10K Road Gold Medal to his collection and set a World Record for the 3000M Indoor Event. He was also victorious in the Scottish Indoor 1500M and 3000M and 5,000M Outdoor Championships. The following year saw him capture both the UK Track 5,000M and 10,000M titles. In his final year of competition in 2000 he picked up the Scottish Gold medal in the 3000M Indoor Championships before bowing out with a World M70 10K Road Gold Medal. While he continued to train, he never raced again competitively due to some health issues. He did still follow the fortunes of Cambuslang Harriers as his son David was a member of the M40 Cambuslang Team which won silver medals in the BMAF Cross Country Relay Championships. His grandson Grant Sheldon also took up running and joined the club as an under 17 in 2010 and went on to win several Scottish individual titles on road and country over different age groups. However, he focused more on the triathlon and Willie was able to proudly watch his grandson develop into an elite triathlete at Scottish, British, European and World Levels. Willie’s legacy lives on as one of Grant’s prize possessions is his grandfather’s Cambuslang vest.

2017

Eight Cambuslang athletes were in action at the Inter District Cross Country Championships at Holyrood Park. Niamh Riggins, Ruairidh MacGregor, Drew Pollock, Stuart Gibson, Iain Reid and Grant Sheldon represented the West while Alex Lamond and Ryan Thomson competed for the Scottish Universities. The Scottish Masters Cross Country Championships was next up at Dundee. It was a very worthwhile journey for the Cambuslang Masters as they retained the M40 and M50 Masters Team Titles, in addition to capturing several individual awards. However, it was a very close affair with Corstorphine AC for the M40 award. Both clubs were on 60 points each but the Cambuslang quartet of Robert Gilroy, Frank McGowan, Justin Carter and Colin Donnelly prevailed on count back. Contrastingly the M50 team of Stan MacKenzie, Eddie Stewart and Chris Upson had a comfortable victory. There were age group golds for M40 Robert, M50 Stan, M55 Colin and M60 Eddie and with Paul Thompson and Frank Hurley lifting the silver and bronze there was a clean sweep of M60 individual medals for the club.

At the Scottish Cross Country Championships Cambuslang Harriers was awarded the prestigious AT Mays Trophy for the 6th consecutive year. This award was achieved by finishing teams in 12th, 2nd, 5th, 2nd and 3rd spots in the under 13, 15, 17, 20 and senior men categories. Although only 12th team both Stewart Millard and Fearghus Macgregor gained valuable experience and were to form one half of the victorious U13 team the following year. U15 individual silver medallist Chris McLew led team mates Ruairidh MacGregor, Brodie Aitken and Keir Crawford, the son of coach Iain, to team silver. Drew Pollock in 17th position, Eamon Carr, Ryan Stephen and Andrew Carey were the U17 counters. Craig Jardine and Gavin Smith in 6th and 15th places with support from Scott Sommerville and Scott McKay captured team silver and there was a senior team bronze for Ryan Thomson, Iain Reid, Robert Gilroy, Stuart Gibson and the 2 Campbells, Alasdair and Alistair. U13 Niamh Riggins ran strongly for a top 20 finish and with support from Millie Nicholl, Shona Carey and Eilidh Kennedy finished 10th team, 3 places ahead of the U15 girls. U20 Eve MacKinnon (6th) recorded the highest club female finishing position. Alex Lamond, Kirstie O’Brien (formerly Anderson), Bernie O’Neil and Jennifer Reid brought the senior ladies home in a respectable 9th spot.

Drew Pollock, Ryan Stephen, Ruairidh MacGregor and Keir Crawford formed the Cathkin High Team which gained silver medals in the Scottish Schools Cross Country Championships. Ryan’s mum Pamela was playing an active part in liaising with the school to ensure that entries were put in timeously. Also on the cross country front both Drew Pollock and Gavin Smith were rewarded with selection to represent Scotland in cross country competition. Drew competed for Scotland in the U17 Celtic Cross Country International and Gavin for the Scottish Schools in the Home Nations Event.

The Scottish Young Athletes Road Races at Greenock in early March kicked off the spring road events. While no medals were won there were promising runs by U13 Niamh Riggins in 6th place and by U15 Ruairidh MacGregor in 10th. For the record both U13 teams finished 6th, the U15 boys 5th and the U17 men 4th. All 4 male and female teams gained a place on the podium at the Scottish Senior and Masters Road Relay Championships. The masters ladies team of Claire Mennie, Bernie O’Neil, Erica Christie and Jennifer Reid made club history by securing bronze medals. The M50 quartet of Alick Walkinshaw, Peter Fleming, Colin Feechan and Stan Mackenzie made it 5 wins in a row with an incredible 8 minutes lead over runners up Metro Aberdeen. The margin of victory was down to Alick and Colin recording the 2 fastest short legs and Peter and Stan the 2nd and 3rd quickest long stages. Peter, a 2.13 marathon runner and a former member of Bellahouston Harriers and Mizuno but now a long time Boulder Colorado resident, was making his debut for Cambuslang. Encouraged by his long time friend Iain Burke he joined the club prior to returning to Scotland for a holiday. The M40 sextet of Paul Kernohan, Justin Carter, Michael Barker, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Brian Douglas and Frank McGowan finished runners up to Corstorphine AC. An injured Frank ran a plucky last leg just to complete the team and hold on to 2nd spot. The senior men squad of Iain Reid, Stuart Gibson, Alistair Campbell, Robert Gilroy, Craig Jardine and Ryan Thomson also lifted team silver. Stuart on leg 2 had an inspired run to record the 4th fastest long stage overall behind Derek Hawkins, Cameron Milne and Jamie Crowe.

While the National Road relays were taking place Paul Thompson was flying the Cambuslang flag at the World Masters Championships held in South Korea. Over a 6 day period he participated with distinction in cross country, track and road events. Paul won M60 silver medals in the cross country and 3000M track competitions and then a gold medal in the half marathon.

Bernie O’Neil, Erica Christie and Jennifer Reid again made club history when the trio picked up the senior bronze team medals in the Scottish 10 Mile Road Championships in early April at Strathclyde Park. Robert Gilroy, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Colin Reilly were awarded the team silver medals. M35 Robert and M45 Kerry-Liam won their individual age categories. Also in April the club fielded a team in the English 12 Stage Road Relays at Sutton Coldfield. With Mike Johnston as team manager and Charlie Thomson as assistant manager and driver the club, which fielded 5 U19 athletes, ended up a creditable 21st. Chris McLew was selected to represent Scotland in the London Mini Marathon around the same time. A few weeks later both Robert Gilroy and Kerry-Liam Wilson scooped the Scottish 5K M40 gold and silver medals. Robert had just turned 40 a few days beforehand. There were also U20 team silver medals for Gavin Smith, Craig Jardine and Paul Morrison while Eve MacKinnon was a member of the U20 victorious Edinburgh University team. The following month Kerry-Liam picked up the BMAF M45 5K title at Horwich.

Kerry-Liam Wilson later travelled to Denmark in August for the European Masters Championships from where he returned with 2 M45 silver medals for his 5,000M and half marathon efforts. U20 hill specialist Joshua Boyle was again selected to compete for GB in the European Uphill and then in the World Uphill Championships.

The September Scottish Trail Race Championships Event at Falkland Estate was once again a very successful day for Cambuslang Harriers. The club returned with 2 team gold and 3 team silver medals plus 3 individual gold medals. Holly Brock, Kelly McCutcheon and Ruth Kelly, whose fathers Tony and John were active club members, landed the U17 ladies team gold. A strong senior men quartet of Ben Hukins, Alasdair Campbell, Robert Gilroy and Kevan Harvey took the honours in the men’s event. Kevan had joined the club earlier in the year and was now in possession of his first Scottish medal. Kirsty O’Brien, Jennifer Reid, Erica Christie and Lesley McArdle combined well to land the silver medals for the senior ladies. There were also team silver medals for the U17 and U15 boys thanks to Drew Pollock, Keir Crawford, Andrew Carey, Aaron Grew, Michael Black and Zak Povey. The latter 3 U15 athletes were progressing well under the guidance of coach Colin Stephen. M40 Robert, W60 Erica and U17 Drew were awarded individual age category gold medals.

Another Scottish Team Gold came the way of the senior men at the Scottish 10K Road Championships at Stirling thanks to the efforts of Grant Sheldon, Robert Gilroy and Craig Jardine. Triathlete Grant who was based at the local university took the Scottish individual title while Robert was crowned M40 champion. Kerry-Liam Wilson who just missed out on a team medal had the consolation of being awarded the M40 silver medal. Interestingly Fraser Stewart made his debut for the club and recorded the promising time of 34.15. More was to come from Fraser in the following years.

Prolific racers Robert and Kerry-Liam along with Iain Reid gained team silver medals in the Scottish Half Marathon Championships at Glasgow in early October. On an individual basis there were M40 gold and bronze medals for Robert and Kerry-Liam and also an excellent W40 bronze medal for Jennifer Reid. Kerry-Liam doubled his race distance the following week at Chester to win both the UK M45 Marathon Championship and the Inter Celtic Marathon Gold Medals.

The West District Cross Country Championships at Hamilton Racecourse launched the autumn cross country season. The M40 team of Paul Kernohan, Iain Reid, Robert Gilroy and Justin Carter had a 3 minutes victory margin while the A and B senior teams took the silver and bronze honours. An inspired East Kilbride team pipped the A quartet by 10 seconds. The A team that day was Gavin Smith, Stuart Gibson, Ben Hukins and Craig Jardine with Struan Paton, Bobby Bristow, Alistair Campbell and Kyle McLellan making up the B squad. The W40 trio of Claire Mennie, Erica Christie and Jennifer Reid narrowly lost out on the bronze medal. The young female team of Abbie McClue, Millie Nicholl and Niamh Riggins claimed a very creditable 8th position with the young athlete males occupying 15th and 16th spots in their team competition.

Cambuslang senior men turned the tables the following weekend on East Kilbride at the Lanarkshire Road Relays thanks to the combined efforts of Kyle McLellan, Robert Gilroy, Stuart Gibson and Alistair Campbell. There were also silver medals for the U15 girls and boys. The female medal recipients were Chloe Burton, Niamh Riggins and Shona Carey and the male medals went to Robbie Woods, Michael Black and Aaron Grew.

At the Scottish Cross country Relays the M40 team of Brian Douglas, Robert Gilroy, Justin Carter and Iain Reid just failed by 4 seconds to close the gap on winners Corstorphine AC. In the senior men’s event only 8 seconds separated the A and B squads. The A quartet of Struan Paton, Gavin Smith, Stuart Gibson and Kyle McLellan finished 8th overall, one place ahead of Craig Jardine who had clocked the club’s fastest time of the day, U20 Jamie MacKinnon, Kevan Harvey and Ben Hukins. Both Iain MacCorquodale and Fraser Stewart returned quick times for the D and C teams. Katie Bristow, Kirsty O’Brien, Jennifer Reid and Erica Christie brought the senior ladies home in a solid 19th place. The young males put in a useful performance to finish 12th. Stewart Millard and Michael Black had set Drew Pollock up nicely for the last leg and he duly gained 11 places with the 5th fastest U17 time of the day. Abbie McCLue, Niamh Riggins and Shona Carey in 33rd place gained valuable experience through participating in such a strong national field. Des Dickson, Chris Upson and Dan O’Connell finished a respectable 5th in the M50 contest. On the same day Colin Feechan, Dave Thom, Alick Walkinshaw and Colin Donnelly picked up silver medals in the BMAF Cross Country Relays at Long Eaton. There was also the added bonus of M65 UK Bronze Medals for Peter Ogden, Barnie Gough and Frank Hurley.

Kirkcaldy was the venue once again for the Scottish Short Course Cross Country Championships. Grant Sheldon led Gavin Smith, Craig Jardine and Alistair Campbell to team silver with the senior ladies quartet of Katie Bristow, Kirsty O’Brien, Erica Christie and Lesley McArdle in 10th position. The U17 male trio of Drew Pollock, Ryan Donnelly and Chris McLew was unfortunate to lose out on a bronze medal on count back. Drew continued his good run of form to come home as 6th individual. Sean Friel, Michael Black and Arlo Van De Peer finished a commendable 6th U15 team while Niamh Riggins, Shona Carey and Susie McLaughlin were 2 places behind in the same age group. Individually there were gold medals for M40 Robert Gilroy and W60 Erica Christie and a silver medal for M40 Iain Reid. A final spurt at the end by Robert was enough to hold Iain off in the contest for M40 supremacy.

The club came away from the Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships at Coatbridge with an impressive haul of medals. Both U13 female and male teams captured the team titles thanks to individual silver medallist Millie Nicholl, Eva Ritchie and Abbie McClue and to individual winner Stewart Millard, runner up Lewis Roddis and Fearghus MacGregor. Both U15 team titles were also taken by Niamh Riggins, Shona Carey and Susie McLaughlin and by individual gold medallist Michael Black, Aaron Grew and Sean Friel. The U17 men continued the winning team sequence thanks to race winner Ryan Donnelly, Keir Crawford and Andrew Carey and there was also a silver medal for U17 Holly Brock. For once the younger age groups outperformed the silver medallist senior men team consisting of Jack MacGregor, Justin Carter and Scott Sommerville. Scott was awarded the U20 prize and Justin pocketed the M40 silver medal. The trophy for the best overall male performance not surprisingly went to the club.

Six club members were selected to represent the Scottish Team in the Masters Cross Country International Championships in November. Places were allocated to W35 Jacqueline Etherington, M40 athletes Iain Reid and Justin Carter, M55 Stan MacKenzie, M60 Paul Thompson and M65 Frank Hurley. Gavin Smith was also awarded an U20 Scottish Vest to compete in the British Cross Country Challenge at Liverpool while Moira Stewart competed for the Czech Republic in the U23 European Cross Country Championships.

The club fared well in the West District Cross Country Championships at Irvine. There were team gold medals for the U13 boys, the senior women and men, the U20 men and the M40s along with silver for the U17 men and W40s. Lewis Roddis, Stewart Millard and Fearghus MacGregor combined perfectly to take the U13 title on countback from VP Glasgow with Giffnock North in close attention. Cambuslang had last won this age group title 17 years ago. The ladies also set another historical landmark as 6th placed Katie Bristow, Alex Lamond, Kirsty O’Brien and Jennifer Reid recorded the club’s first ever senior ladies team title. Individual U20 race winner Gavin Smith led Struan Paton and Jamie MacKinnon to victory and with Iain Reid and Robert Gilroy filling the first 2 M40 places and Justin Carter offering strong support their team title was assured. Both teams had now won 3 consecutive titles in a row. The senior men wrestled back the team title from Shettleston thanks to the efforts of first placed Grant Sheldon, Craig Jardine, Stuart Gibson, Ben Hukins, Iain Reid and Iain MacCorquodale. Drew Pollock won the 4th individual gold medal of the day for Cambuslang and with back up from Ryan Donnelly and Chris McLew the U17 men collected team silver. The W40 trio of Jennifer Reid, Erica Christie and Bernie O’Neil also finished runners up. There were other encouraging performances from the U13 girls and U15 girls and boys. The younger age group of Millie Nicholl, Eva Ritchie and Abbie McClue were 4th and the 2 U15 teams finished 5th with their counters being Niamh Riggins, Susie McLaughlin, Shona Carey, Brodie Aitken, Michael Black and Zak Povey.

One notable name missing from the October to December cross country results was Ryan Thomson. Ryan had taken up an athletics scholarship at West Texas A&M University for whom he made a promising debut in a cross country race on 16th September. He was involved in 5 more competitions during October and November.

The January Scottish indoor 3000M Masters and U17 Championships at the Emirates witnessed 5 gold and 2 silver medals go to Cambuslang athletes. W35 Jacqueline Etherington, M40 Robert Gilroy, M45 Kerry-Liam Wilson, M50 Chris Upson and M65 David Cooney were gold medal recipients and M35 Gordon Robertson and U17 Drew Pollock were both awarded silver medals. A few weeks later both Jacqueline and Chris were in the medal mix at the Scottish Masters 800M and 1500M Indoor Championships. Jacqueline secured a double victory while Chris won gold in the shorter race and silver over the longer distance. Jacqueline rounded off a superb indoor season when taking the UK Masters W35 1500M and 3000M titles as well as finishing runner up over 800M. At the same meeting Kerry-Liam added the UK 3000M title to the Scottish one he had won 2 months earlier.

In the opening Scottish Outdoor Track Championship Event Kerry-Liam Wilson earned M45 10,000M gold, Chris Upson M55 bronze and Ben Hukins M35 bronze. Moira Stewart also lifted the Czech Republic 10,000M Ladies Title and later in the season Jacqueline Etherington captured the BMAF W35 silver medal over the same distance. Gavin Smith and Drew Pollock won silver and bronze medals in their respective age groups over 1500M in the Scottish Schools Track Championships with Chris McLew landing an 800M silver medal. Both Chris and Drew were rewarded with selection to the Scottish Schools Team for the SIAB International in Dublin.

Barnie Gough served up 2 M65 gold medal performances over 800M and 1500M in early July at the Scottish Masters Track Championships. The Scottish Masters 5,000M Championships was held at the end of the month and Cambuslang athletes commandeered 2 gold and 3 silver medals with gold going to M40 Robert Gilroy and M45 Kerry-Liam Wilson and silver to M35 Gordon Robertson, M50 Chris Upson and to M60 Sandy Eaglesham. Going into August Kerry-Liam Wilson procured the European M45 5,000M silver medal in Denmark. Towards the end of the month Grant Sheldon made a rare appearance on the track to tackle his first ever 5,000M on that particular surface and ended up with the Scottish Senior Title beating Lachlan Oates, Alastair Hay and future team mate Mike Christoforou. At the same meeting Chris McLew was runner up in the Scottish U17 1500M Event.

Grant Sheldon and Kirsty O’Brien were very active on the triathlon front. Between February and August Grant represented Great Britain in 5 ITU World Triathlon Competitions plus the ETU Triathlon European Cup. His best performance came in the European Cup in Portugal where he finished 4th and was only 5 seconds away from a podium place. Kirsty herself had a fruitful season in Scottish and British Championship Events. At the Scottish Duathlon Championships she came away with the overall female bronze and the senior bronze medals. She also added the British Sprint Distance Triathlon W30-34 gold medal to her collection along with the Scottish Sprint Distance Senior Women bronze. Kirsty also picked up the Scottish Senior Women Cross Triathlon National Championships gold medal in addition to the overall silver medal in the same event. Johnny MacNamara also had a taste of the action when he acquired the Scottish M40 Duathlon silver medal.

The Scottish Athletics Awards Dinner in November turned out to be a momentous evening for Cambuslang Harriers. The various individual and team nominations are all pre listed and Paul Thompson and the club were on the lists for the Master of the Year and for the Off Track Club of the Year. Paul’s collection of medals at Scottish, European and World Levels had deservedly earned him his nomination as had the club’s Scottish medal haul on road, country and trail. Unfortunately Paul did not win his category but the club was announced as winner in its category. The latter award was very much a fitting tribute to all the athletes, coaches and officials who helped to make this prestigious award possible. There is one award, however, which is kept a secret until it is announced on the evening and that is the Tom Stillie Sword and is presented to the person who is deemed to have made an outstanding contribution to athletics in Scotland. On this occasion the award went to Cambuslang Harriers’ Head Coach and former National Endurance Coach, Mike Johnston. This popular announcement resulted in the surprised Mike receiving a well earned standing ovation.

On the coaching front Iain Crawford, Simon Gold and Colin Stephen passed their higher level running and fitness coaching course. The club’s coaching system was based on athlete transfer as they develop. Therefore, more than 1 coach was normally involved in the different stages of athletes’ progression. Broadly speaking Robert Anderson was active in recruiting, Pamela Stephen and David Stirling with assistance from Fiona Pollock were involved with novice U11 and U13 athletes, thereafter Simon Gold, Lynn Angely, Iain Crawford and Dale Woods assisted with the U13 to U15 and some U17 athletes and then Colin Stephen looked after the remaining U17 to U20 age groups. New coach Des Dickson was on hand to assist where he was best needed. Mike Johnston featured in offering advice and guidance to the coaches as well as having a direct input in the training of some young athletes. Long time coach Owen Reid had been forced to step back from his coaching duties due to health reasons. The contribution made by all the mentioned volunteer coaches and by former coaches such as Jim Orr was vital to the ongoing success of Cambuslang as a club and cannot be overstated.

2018

The year began with the traditional Inter District Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh. 11 Cambuslang athletes across the age groups were selected to represent the West and Katie Bristow was chosen to run for the Scottish Universities. Millie Nicholl, Stewart Millard, Lewis Roddis were competing in the U13 age groups, Brodie Aitken and Michael Black in the U15 boys event, Drew Pollock, Chris McLew and Ryan Donnelly in the U17 men’s race and Stuart Gibson, Ben Hukins and Gavin Smith in the senior men’s competition. Also in January U23 Craig Jardine and U20 athletes Gavin Smith and Drew Pollock had the honour of representing Scotland in the Celtic Cross Country International at Antrim where Gavin excelled to land the individual U20 bronze medal.

The month of January closed with the Scottish Masters Cross Country Championships held over a very muddy Kilmarnock course. After a close tussle between Cambuslang and Corstorphine both clubs had the same points total as had happened the previous year. However, this time the title went to the Edinburgh club on countback. The counters for the club were silver medallist M40 Iain Reid, silver and bronze M45 medallists Justin Carter and Stevie Wylie plus Iain Nicholl. A national team medal was a fitting award for Iain Nicholl who had been a regular competitor for the club in senior and masters races. Cambuslang’s M50 trio of Colin Donnelly, Chris Upson and Alick Walkinshaw convincingly won the team title for the 4th consecutive year. There was a good return of individual medals for the M50 plus age groups. M55 Colin and Alick were 1st and 3rd, Eddie Stewart and Paul Thompson captured M60 gold and silver and in the separate M65 competition Frank Hurley was awarded the silver medal. Jennifer Reid finished a respectable 13th in her W45 age category.

The U13 boys team of Stewart Millard, Lewis Roddis, Olli Chung and Fearghus MacGregor took centre stage at the Scottish Cross Country Championships when winning the team championship by 2 points from Inverness AAC. Only 6 seconds separated 12th and 14th placed Stewart and Lewis with Ollie and Fearghus closing in in 36th and 44th positions. There were bronze medals for the U15 quartet of Brodie Aitken, Michael Black, Aaron Grew and Joa Fairweather. In a reversal of fortunes Inverness pipped Cambuslang by 3 points for the silver medals. The U13 girls were a creditable 8th team thanks to Millie Nichol, Eva Ritchie, Abbie McClue and Eilidh Kennedy while the U15 girls were 11th courtesy of Niamh Riggins, Susie McLaughlin, Shona Carey and Peggy-Nan Rodger. Ruairidh MacGregor, Drew Pollock, Andrew Carey and Aidan Tittmar served up an 8th finishing place. Gavin Smith was an excellent 6th in a very competitive U20 race. The senior men sextet of Craig Jardine, Stuart Gibson, Kevan Harvey, Iain MacCorquodale, Fraser Stewart and Iain Reid had a solid outing in 4th spot. Around the same time Moira Stewart landed the Czech Republic Senior Lady Cross Country Title. A few weeks later the same 4 U13 girls counters Millie, Eva, Eilidh and Abbie combined splendidly to capture the Scottish Schools U14 Cross Country Championships Title for Cathkin High School. Niamh Riggins representing Trinity High was highly placed in her race and was awarded a slot in the Scottish Schools Team for the forthcoming Schools International Event. Brodie Aitken, Drew Pollock and Gavin Smith were selected to represent the West U15, U17 and U20 teams in the UK Inter Counties Event.

The BMAF Cross Country Championships was held over a frost bound course at Forres. In the opening event Cambuslang’s M65 team of Frank Hurley, Barnie Gough and David Cooney were announced at the prizegiving as UK Champions by a mere 3 seconds from Inverness AAC. Up until then it was not clear how the team contest had gone as it was being decided on aggregate times and not by points. It had also been uncertain in the days leading up to the race whether Frank and David would be able to compete or not as Frank had been nursing a knee injury and David had been down with flu. However, given that it was a BMAF team competition Frank and David got themselves to the starting line and the club was able to field a team. There was an added bonus for Frank as he took the individual silver medal. Not to be outdone the M55 trio of Colin Donnelly, Alick Walkinshaw Frankie Barton also captured the team honours. Additionally, Colin was declared the leading M55 and Frankie the 3rd M60. In the younger M45 age group Justin Carter ran a stormer to achieve the runner up spot.

The Scottish Young Athletes Road Races in March at Greenock had to be abandoned on the grounds of health and safety due to heavy falls of snow. Unfortunately it proved to be impossible to arrange a new suitable date. However, the Scottish Men and Ladies Relay Championships a few weeks later did not encounter any weather problems. There were mixed fortunes for the club’s M40 and M50 teams. The younger team took back the team award but the older squad lost the title which Cambuslang had won on the 5 previous occasions since its inception. However, a national team medal of any colour is always welcome and the silver medals went to Alick Walkinshaw, Brian Hughes, Des Dickson and Chris Upson. The beneficiaries of the M40 team gold were Iain Nicholl, Stevie Wylie, Michael Barker, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Jamie Reid and Justin Carter. The senior men team of Fraser Stewart, Gavin Smith, Ben Hukins, Craig Jardine, Colin Reilly and Stuart Gibson in 4th place just missed out on a bronze medal position. Katie Bristow acquitted herself well in finishing 6th on the ladies’ opening leg.

The Tom Scott Memorial Race in early April incorporated both the Scottish and West District 10 Miles Championships in which Stuart Gibson gained a West bronze medal. Later in April the club finished a respectable 26th team in the English 12 Stage Road Relays at Birmingham. Charlie Thomson acted as mini bus driver and team manager with Colin and Pamela Stephen assisting him. In early May Jamie MacKinnon captured the U20 Scottish 5K Road Silver Medal and sandwiched between Kevan Harvey and Gavin Smith the senior men finished 4th team with only 8 seconds separating the Cambuslang trio. Katie Bristow in 10th place recorded the fast time of 17.20. Over in the Czech Republic Moira Stewart was crowned the Senior Ladies National 10K Road Champion.

Cambuslang Harriers enjoyed once again a successful day out at the BMAF Road Relays at Sutton Coldfield. None of the athletes and spectators present at the event, apart from those in the Cambuslang camp, would have anticipated a medal, never mind a gold one, for the club’s M45-54 team after the opening 2 legs by Chris Upson and Justin Carter. However, with the experienced and battle hardened duo of Kerry-Liam Wilson and Stevie Wylie to come on the last 2 legs the Scottish outfit was still very much in contention. This had been the plan from the start. After the opening leg by Chris, the eldest member of the quartet, the club was in 19th place and 2 minutes and 5 seconds behind race leaders, Thames Hare and Hounds. Justin covered the 2nd leg and although moving up to 13th spot and having recorded the 4th fastest stage 2 time Cambuslang now found themselves 2 minutes and 24 seconds in arrears to Leicester. However, cometh the hour, cometh the men as Kerry-Liam and Stevie proceeded to mow down the opposition. Kerry-Liam with the fastest 3rd leg stint moved the team into 4th position and the gap behind Leicester had now been reduced to 52 seconds. 2nd and 3rd placed Leeds City and Salford were 41 and 9 seconds respectively ahead of Stevie while Thames Hare and Hounds were 3 seconds close behind. The final leg involving 4 teams with impressive records in BMAF team competitions was set up to be a cliffhanger. However, Stevie, like Kerry-Liam, drew upon his will to win mentality to secure a 9 seconds victory over Salford with the bronze medals being awarded to Thames Hare and Hounds. All 4 athletes were jubilant over how the team victory had been achieved and all equally deserved credit for the vital part each had played. There was an additional bonus for the club as the M55-64 trio of Frankie Barton, Brian Hughes and Alick Walkinshaw came away with the bronze medals. Two weeks later Justin added a West District 10K M40 Silver Medal to his collection.

In June a contingent of Cambuslang athletes made the shorter journey to Horwich to contest the BMAF 5K Road Championships. It was to be another very successful day for the red and whites. M45 Kerry-Liam Wilson struck individual gold to lead Stevie Wylie and Justin Carter to team gold. Stevie narrowly lost out on an individual bronze medal. In the over 65 age group race winner Frank Hurley, Sandy Eaglesham and Barnie Gough triumphed in the team contest. The M55-64 trio of Paul Thompson, Brian Hughes and Frankie Barton fell short by a mere 16 seconds from pipping Warrington AC to the team title. A silver and bronze medal to Paul and Brian added to the club’s individual medals awards. Iain Reid finished a fine 5th in the M40 category in spite of nursing a calf strain.

The club continued to be successful on the domestic front this time in the Scottish Mid Trail Championships at Falkland in September. The U15 boys and U17 men showed the way when securing their respective age group team titles courtesy of Zak Povey, Fearghus MacGregor, Lewis Roddis, U17 individual silver medallist Ruairidh MacGregor, Brodie Aitken and Michael Black. The U15 girls, the senior women and senior men achieved team silver medals. Niamh Riggins, Shona Carey and Millie Nicholl contributed to the girls’ success and Kirsty O’Brien, Bernie O’Neil, Lesley McCardle and Paula McCabe to the ladies. The senior men quartet of leading M40 Ben Hukins, Fraser Stewart, Ryan Thomson and Richie Carr narrowly lost out on the gold medal by 4 points to Inverness AC. The final Cambuslang medal of the day was presented to U20 champion Drew Pollock.

Later that month Cambuslang Harriers retained the Scottish 10K Road team Title at Stirling thanks to individual silver medallist Grant Sheldon, Stuart Gibson and Kevan Harvey. Iain Reid having shaken off his calf issue lifted the M40 individual award. Kerry-Liam Wilson rounded off the autumn road running season in early October by gaining a Scottish M40 Half Marathon Bronze Medal.

During the summer months there were some notable performances from Cambuslang athletes on the hills. Colin Donnelly battled hard in Slovenia for the M55 World Mountain Silver Medal while Joshua Boyle again represented the GB U20 Team in the European Hill Running Championships and M45 Justin Carter competed for the West of Scotland in the British Inter District Hill Running Championships. Justin had earned his place in the West Team by previously having finished runner up senior and M40 in the West Championships. Justin transferred his good form on the hills to the country when he, as part of a GB trio, earned himself a European M45 team medal at Malaga in early September.

The masters women and men produced gold medal winning performances in the West Cross Country Relays at Irvine. The Cambuslang ladies team of Bernie O’Neil, Jacqueline Etherington and Jennifer Reid repeated the club’s 2016 achievement while the male quartet of Charlie Thomson, Justin Carter, Jamie Reid and Ben Hukins clinched the 9th consecutive victory for the red and whites. The senior men A team comprising Jamie MacKinnon, Ryan Thomson, Craig Jardine and Fraser Stewart were 4th with the B team of Kevan Harvey, Gavin Smith, Stuart Gibson and Alistair Campbell 2 places behind. The leading 2 young male Cambuslang teams also finished in close order in 7th and 8th positions. Sam McCarthy, Zak Povey and 2nd quickest athlete overall Chris McLew made up the A trio while Brodie McDonald, Lewis Roddis and Brodie Aitken represented the B team. The C team in 12th position also acquitted itself well thanks to Jay Gallacher, Robbie Woods and Michael Black. Their female counterparts ran well to secure 9th spot courtesy of Mya Carmichael, Niamh Riggins and Susie McLaughlin. Timewise Shona Carey in the B team just edged out Niamh and Susie by 2 and 5 seconds respectively.

The following week at Coatbridge in the Lanarkshire Road Relay Championships the U15 boys trio of Fearghus MacGregor, Robbie Woods and Lewis Roddis was the top Cambuslang performing team as the trio took the team honours. There were also U13 boys silver medals for Jay Gallacher, Sam McCarthy and Brodie McDonald and the same colour of medals for the senior men quartet of Gordon McDonald, Richie Carr, Alistair Campbell and Gordon Robertson.

At the Scottish Cross Country Relay Championships the Cambuslang M40 team captured the title for the 8th consecutive year while the M50 trio regained the M50 team award. Justin Carter, Kenny Campbell, Jamie Reid and Ben Hukins delivered the goods for the former and Chris Upson, Stan MacKenzie and fastest of the day in his age category Colin Donnelly scored for the latter team. The senior men A team of Kevan Harvey, Ryan Thomson, Jamie MacKinnon and Gavin Smith finished 4th in a very competitive race while the B team of Fraser Stewart, Craig Jardine, Iain MacCorquodale and Alistair Campbell ended up in a respectable 12th place. Chris McLew with the 5th fastest U17 clocking built on the work done by Sam McCarthy and Robbie Woods to advance the young athletes A team into 11th spot. The B trio of Brodie McDonald, Lewis Roddis and Ruairidh MacGregor was only 4 places behind them. The young athletes female team of Abbie McClue, Niamh Riggins and Shona Carey put in a solid performance in making the top 20 finishing teams.

The flat Lanark course was the venue for the Scottish Short Cross Country Championships in early November. Pride of place went to the U17 men’s team of Ruairidh MacGregor, Chris McLew and Brodie Aitken which came away with the bronze team medals. The U15 girls finished a superb 4th thanks to an inspired Shona Carey in 8th spot, Niamh Riggins and Peggy-Nan Rodger. A similarly inspired Robbie Woods was in contention for an individual medal until the closing stages but was pushed back to 5th and with support from team mates Lewis Roddis in 10th and Fearghus MacGregor a top 5th position was achieved in the team competition. The senior men quartet of Ryan Thomson, Fraser Stewart, Gavin Smith and Stuart Gibson also crossed the line in 5th. By way of a bonus M40 Ben Hukins, M50 Charlie Thomson and M60 Paul Thompson secured individual silver medals.

At the Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships later that month, although no team gold medals were won, the club lifted 5 age group silver medals and 1 bronze medal along with 2 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze individual medals. The U13 boys and girls gained a silver and bronze medal thanks to the efforts of Sam McCarthy, Brodie McDonald, Gavin Kelly, Abbie McClue, Eva Ritchie and Lucy McGrandle. At U15 level Robbie Woods, Lewis Roddis and Fearghus MacGregor lifted team silver as did the U17 ladies trio of Susie McLaughlin, Holly Brock and Chloe Burton. Both the senior women and senior men were also the recipients of runners up medals with Kirsty O’Brien, Bernie O’Neil, Lesley McCardle, Kevan Harvey, Jamie MacKinnon and Richie Carr being the respective counters. U11 Millie Nicholl and U20 Jamie MacKinnon were first in their age categories while U20 Amy Craig, U13 Abbie McClue, U17 Aaron Grew, senior man Kevan Harvey and M40 Justin Carter captured silver medals with bronze medals going to U15 Robbie Wood, U17 Susie McLaughlin and senior lady Kirsty O’Brien.

In the same month Ryan Thomson represented Scotland in the European Cross Country Trial at Liverpool. There was also Scottish Representation for W40 Jacqueline Etherington, M45 Justin Carter, M55 Stan MacKenzie and M60 Paul Thompson in the annual Masters Cross Country International Event. In early December Moira Stewart competed for the Czech Republic in the European Cross Country Championships.

The West District Cross Country Championships at Kilmarnock brought the curtain down on domestic competition for the year. The senior and masters men went out on a high with a double team victory. With Fraser Stewart placed 4th, Alasdair Campbell 5th, Kevan Harvey 6th, Ryan Thomson 8th, Stuart Gibson 11th and Ben Hukins 18th the team title was retained. Similarly the M40 trio of silver medallist Ben Hukins, bronze medallist Iain Reid and Justin Carter successfully defended the masters’ title. Double silver U20 and U17 individual medallists Gavin Smith and Chris McLew led Jamie MacKinnon, Drew Pollock, Ruairidh MacGregor and Michael Black to team silver medals. U17 athletes Robbie Woods, Lewis Roddis and Zak Povey were also rewarded with silver medals. The U15 girls squad of Niamh Riggins, Shona Carey and Eilidh Kennedy combined well to attain team bronze medals. Abbie McClue, Eva Ritchie and Lucy McGrandle finished a respectable 5th in the U15 team competition with the U13 boys team of Sam McCarthy, Brodie McDonald and Hamish Gardner 7th one place ahead of the senior ladies quartet of Kirsty O’Brien, Jennifer Reid, Bernie O’Neil and Lesley McArdle.

The indoor track season kicked off at the Emirates on the 7th January. Kerry-Liam Wilson as expected took the Scottish M45 3000M title with an inspired Michael Healy capturing the M40 bronze award. Jamie MacKinnon set a PB to claim the U20 silver medal. More indoor medals, this time at 1500M, followed later in March. Frank Hurley was awarded the M65 gold medal, Kerry-Liam Wilson the M45 silver medal and there were bronze medals too for M40 Michael Healy and M45 Justin Carter. In the younger U15 age category both Arlo Van de Peer and Niamh Riggins recorded pbs when finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively over the same distance. In the same month Jacqueline Etherington was presented with a BMAF W35 1500M Bronze Medal.

Ryan Thomson too was active indoors for his university team in the States. During January and February he was involved in 8 races over the mile, 3000M and 5,000M. His best performances for the 3 distances were 4.18.61, 8.35.64 and 14.44.68. He actually posted the 5,000M time the day before he recorded his 3000M time. Back to back doubling up in events was often a feature of the American Scholarship Athletics System.

The Scottish 10,000M Championships launched the outdoor season in late April. M45 Kerry-Liam Wilson picked up his age group gold medal, M35 Ben Hukins and M45 Justin Carter achieved silver medals while there were senior men and M55 medals for Stuart Gibson and Chris Upson. Meanwhile in Prague Moira Stewart was crowned national senior champion over the same distance. She later competed in the European Cup 10,000M for the Czech Republic. During April and May Ryan Thomson had 5 outings on the track including 2 a piece over 5,000M and 10,000M. His fastest time of 31.10.09 was clocked at an elevation of just under 2,000 feet.

Next up was the Scottish Schools Championships held in Aberdeen where Chris McLew was awarded the 1500M gold medal in his age group while Shona Carey clinched a superb bronze medal in the age category below. Chris was subsequently rewarded with selection to compete for the Scottish Schools in the SIAB International at Grangemouth.

The Scottish Masters Championships followed in July at Grangemouth. Cambuslang athletes hoovered up 6 gold medals including 3 for newly turned M65 Sandy Eaglesham in the 800M, 1500M and 5,000M events. There were further gold medals for M45 Kerry-Liam Wilson in the 5,000M and fellow M45 Justin Carter in the 3K Steeplechase, in addition to M60 Brian Hughes in the 5,000M. Jacqueline Etherington rounded off her domestic track season with a with a victory in the BMAF W35 3K Steeplechase Championships.

U20 athletes Gavin Smith and Jamie MacKinnon earned 2 Scottish Track Medals each. Gavin first won the Scottish 5,000M Championships and then followed up with a Scottish 1500M Bronze Medal one week later. In the same event Jamie pipped Gavin for the silver medal and then the following day he duplicated his silver medal in the 3K Steeplechase.

Arlo van de Peer was again among the medals in the West District U15 800M Championships and he also took over from Lewis Roddis and Zak Povey to secure the Scottish U15 Relay Bronze Medals. The U15 and U17 female and male teams acquitted themselves well in the Lanarkshire 3 x 800M Track Relays. The U15 trio in running order of Millie Nicholl, Eilidh Kennedy and Niamh Riggins and the U17 team of Susie McLaughlin, L Stobie and Chloe Burton came away with the silver medals as did the U15 squad of Robbie Woods, Zak Povey and Lewis Roddis. The icing on the cake was the gold medal performance from the U17 threesome of Sean Friel, Aaron Grew and Michael Black.

Four Cambuslang members were active on the duathlon/triathlon scene during the summer months. Johnny MacNamara claimed the M40 title in the Scottish Duathlon Championships and Doug Roberts the senior silver medal in the Scottish National Half Ironman Triathlon. Kirsty O’Brien lifted several awards in Scottish and European Events. Pride of place goes to her European Age Group 35-39 European Sprint Distance Triathlon Silver Medal. On the domestic front her honours included an overall female silver medal and senior female silver medal in the Scottish Duathlon Championships, an overall female bronze medal and senior female bronze medal in the Scottish National Sprint Distance Triathlon, an overall female silver medal and an age group silver medal in the Scottish National Half Ironman Triathlon, a Scottish Standard Distance Triathlon Championships overall gold medal and also a senior woman gold in the same competition and finally an overall gold in the Scottish Cross Triathlon National Championships and senior woman gold in the same competition. As an elite triathlete Grant Sheldon’s season ran from February to October during which he participated for GB in 9 European or World Triathlon Events throughout the world. Grant achieved a bronze podium place in the Alanya ETU Triathlon European Cup as well as well as 3 top 10 finishes in ITU Triathlon World Cup Events. He also represented Scotland individually and in the mixed relay at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games finishing 17th in the individual event and helping the Scottish Team to 7th place.

Cambuslang’s senior coach Mike Johnston was also on duty for Scotland helping to look after the distance runners. This was both an honour for Mike and for Cambuslang Harriers. Mike was close by when Scotland’s Callum Hawkins was unfortunately forced to pull up due to heat exhaustion in the closing stages of the marathon while holding a clear lead.

Club president David Cooney was nominated for Volunteer of the Year Award by Scottish Athletics.

The following were elected at the club’s AGM – David Cooney as president, Colin Feechan as treasurer, Dave Thom as secretary, Fiona Pollock as welfare officer and Iain Crawford, David Stirling and Owen Reid as committee members with Iain Reid being club captain. A new post of vice president was created which allowed Des Dickson to gain an insight into the role of president as David had intimated that he would be stepping down the following year.

2019

After using Holyrood Park to stage the Scottish Inter Counties Cross Country Championships for the previous 14 years the venue was changed to Kings Park in Stirling. 12 Cambuslang athletes had gained selection to represent the West after qualifying performances in the District Championships in December. The runners in question were Shona Carey, Robbie Woods and Lewis Roddis in the U15 age group, U17’s Susie McLaughlin, Chris McLew, Michael Black and Brodie Aitken along with seniors Fraser Stewart, Alasdair Campbell, Kevan Harvey and Ryan Thomson.

The Scottish Masters Cross Country Championships took place in February over a testing and undulating course at Hawick. The rugged course suited most of the Cambuslang athletes and in particular Colin Donnelly who was now resident in the town. With Colin Donnelly the leading M55 and Charlie Thomson and Stan MacKenzie the first 2 M50s the team prize was a foregone conclusion. Spare a thought for Chris Upson who was 3rd M50 but did not manage to be a club counter. It was a special day for Charlie who in a long career had at last won an individual Scottish Championship Gold Medal. The nearest he had come was in 1993 when club mate Stevie Wylie pipped him by 1 second for the Scottish 10 Mile Road Title. His individual gold medal would now take pride of place besides his numerous team golds. The M40 team with their 4 athletes in the top 12 comfortably regained the team title thanks to Ben Hukins, Iain Reid, Kenny Campbell and Justin Carter. Both Ben and Justin picked up bronze medals in the M40 and M45 age categories. In the separate M65 event Frank Hurley was runner up in spite of ongoing knee issues. Jennifer Reid flew the flag for the ladies and finished a creditable 11th in her age group.

Moira Stewart made her 2nd appearance at the Scottish Cross Country Championships and became the first Cambuslang female to have won a Scottish Senior Individual Medal. She added an individual silver to the U20 team silver she had contributed to in 2014. On her return to Prague Moira went one place better to be crowned the Czech Republic Cross Country Champion. With 5 runners now to count in the senior team event the ladies finished 11th as Kirsty O’Brien, Jennifer Reid, Carole Setchell and Lesley McArdle closed in after Moira. U13 girl Abbie McClue had an outstanding run to take 10th position and led Eva Ritchie, Lucy McGrandle and Francesca Fairweather to 15th spot in the team competition. Thanks to solid team work from Shona Carey, Niamh Riggins, Peggy-Nan Rodger and Eilidh Kennedy the U15 girls were 5th and one place ahead of the U17 trio of Susie McLaughlin, Holly Brock and Rachel Wardrope. The overall finishing positions for the 5 male teams saw the club win back the coveted AT Mays Trophy. Since it was first introduced in 1989 Cambuslang Harriers had now been awarded the trophy for the best performing male cross country club on 23 occasions out of a possible 31. This is a truly incredible achievement particularly for a relatively small club with no more than 150 members and is testimony to the hard work put in by athletes, coaches and officials past and present. In the opening boys event the U13 quartet of Sam McCarthy, Brodie McDonald, Reece Duncan and Hamish Gardner finished 16th team. Thereafter, the 4 older age groups were among the team medals. Robbie Woods, Lewis Roddis, Joa Fairweather and Zak Povey combined well to earn silver medals while the efforts of the U17 squad of Chris McLew, Aaron Grew, Michael Black and Brodie Aitken were rewarded with bronze medals. 7th placed Gavin Smith led his U20 team mates Drew Pollock, Ryan Donnelly and Struan Paton to team silver which the senior men sextet of Ryan Thomson, Stuart Gibson, Kevan Harvey, Iain MacCorquodale, Fraser Stewart and Alasdair Campbell replicated.

Following on from his strong Scottish performance Gavin Smith was rewarded with a Scottish Vest at U23 level in the Celtic Cross Country International. Lewis Roddis was selected on the strength of his 7th place in the Scottish Schools Event to represent the Scottish Schools in the SIAB Schools International. Both Susie McLaughlin and Niamh Riggins also acquitted themselves well in the Scottish Schools to come home in 13th and 20th positions. Susie was invited to compete for the West of Scotland in the Inter Counties as were the senior male trio of Ryan Thomson, Kevan Harvey and Fraser Stewart. Colin Donnelly rounded off the spring cross country season with a BMAF M55 Silver Medal. Moira Stewart broadened her experience by competing in the World Cross Country Championships at senior level for the Czech Republic.

After an absence of a year due to inclement weather the Scottish Young Athletes Road Championships were held at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh. The U15 boys courtesy of Robbie Woods, Lewis Roddis and Zak Povey came away with their 2nd Scottish Team Bronze Medal in the short space of 3 weeks. The U17 men trio of Chris McLew, Aaron Grew and Michael Black ended up 4th with the U13 boys led by Brodie McDonald in 14th position. Abbie McClue advanced 1 place from her Scottish Cross Country position to steer the U13 girls in to 8th place. Fiona Hay, Shona Carey and Eilidh Kennedy sealed 5th spot in the team competition for the U15 girls.

Just prior to the Scottish Road Relays at Livingston M40 Iain Reid served up a silver medal performance in the West District Half Marathon Championships. Kerry-Liam Wilson was a notable absence from defending champions Cambuslang’s M40 relay team. On the very same day he was contesting the Scottish 50K Championships at Perth where he duly captured both the senior men and M40 titles. Things worked out well for the M40 relay team as John Paul Murphy, Iain Reid, Michael Healy, Kenny Campbell, Justin Carter and Ben Hukins comfortably delivered the gold medals. The senior men too took the honours heading Inverclyde AC and Corstorphine AC by 72 and 74 seconds respectively at the finish. U20 Drew Pollock executed a mature race to hand over to Kevan Harvey in 3rd spot. Although coming under great pressure Kevan held his nerve to cross the line in 4th only 17 seconds behind the race leader. Stuart Gibson quickly reeled in his 3 rivals and opener up a crucial gap of 31 seconds at the halfway stage. Ryan Thomson, Gavin Smith and Fraser Stewart ran solo and widened the gap further. The M50 quartet of Des Dickson, Dave Thom, Mick O’Hagan and Stan MacKenzie also gained a podium place as bronze medallists. The senior ladies team of Bernie O’Neil, Jennifer Reid, Lesley McArdle and Carole Setchell put in a solid performance to take 21st spot. On the very next day Jacqueline Etherington made her trip to Torun in Poland very worthwhile by taking the European W40 Cross Country Individual Bronze Medal.

Cambuslang athletes were not among the medals at the Scottish 10 Mile Road Race in the first weekend of April. However, Jacqueline Etherington was awarded the BMAF 10K W40 Bronze Medal Title held in Blyth that weekend. A few weeks later the senior men recorded their best time and position ever in the English 12 Stage Road Relays at Sutton Coldfield. Kevan Harvey, Drew Pollock, Gavin Smith, Richie Carr, Stuart Gibson, Alistair Campbell, Alasdair Campbell, Jamie MacKinnon, Ryan Thomson, Ben Hukins, Iain Reid and Craig Jardine finished in 15th place in a time of 4 hours, 26 minutes and 8 seconds. Corstorphine AC, who also performed well, was 3 minutes and 3 places behind and was the only other Scottish club to compete against the cream of English and Welsh teams.

Cambuslang took 2 team and 3 individual medals at the Scottish 5K Road Championships at Edinburgh in May. U20 athletes Drew Pollock, Jamie MacKinnon and Andrew Carey finished runners up in their age group championships. Both Drew and Jamie were also counters along with Colin Reilly for the senior bronze medal team. Individual gold, silver and bronze medals were presented to David Cooney, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Charlie Thomson in their respective M70, M40 and M50 age categories.

Club members also tasted individual and team success on the hills during the summer months. Colin Donnelly captured the M60 European Hill Running Championship Title in Italy while on the domestic front M40 Justin Carter and U23 Craig Jardine were awarded Scottish Hill Running Gold Medals. There was an added bonus of a national team bronze finish for Alasdair Campbell, Iain MacCorquodale and Justin. Justin also lifted the West M40 Silver Medal.

The Scottish Mid Trail Race in early September delivered triple team and individual medals. The U15 trio of Abbie McClue, Eva Ritchie and Fiona Hay was awarded team gold and the U15 boys and senior men gained silver medals thanks to Fearghus MacGregor, Zack Haggerty, Brodie McDonald, Alasdair Campbell, Justin Carter, Richard Cooper and Chris Upson. Justin’s growing medal haul was augmented by another M40 silver and Alasdair and Andrew Carey acquired individual senior and U20 bronze medals respectively.

There were 2 further Scottish Road Championship Events in September. In the Scottish 10K Road Race Grant Sheldon, the individual gold medallist, led Fraser Stewart and Iain Reid to team bronze medals. Stuart Gibson, Fraser Stewart and Kevan Harvey duplicated the team’s finishing position in the Scottish Half Marathon Championships. As an added bonus M40 Kenny Campbell and M60 Des Dickson lifted individual bronze medals. Des was naturally delighted to gain his first individual Scottish Medal.

The autumn into winter cross country season followed its familiar pattern. Kilmarnock was again the venue for the West Cross Country Relay Championships. The female young athletes team of Lucy McGrandle, Abbie McClue and Susie McLaughlin finished a very creditable 7th. The young male athletes trio of Hamish Gardner, Fearghus MacGregor and Michael Black put in a solid performance in 12th place. A well balanced senior men quartet comprising Stuart Gibson, Kevan Harvey, Fraser Stewart and Ryan Thomson had a commanding 70 seconds lead over 2nd placed Shettleston Harriers at the finish. A strong B team with Drew Pollock, Jamie MacKinnon, Craig Jardine and Alasdair Campbell in its ranks narrowly missed out on a bronze medal by 21 seconds. The M40 quartet of Stuart McGeachy, Ben Hukins, Stevie Wylie and Kenny Campbell in 9th place overall held an even wider gap over runners up Garscube Harriers. The U20 team of Ryan Donnelly, Chris McLew, Ruairidh MacGregor and Andrew Carey gave Cambuslang 4 teams in the top 10 which was a superb feat. The W40 ladies added their contribution to the proceedings by securing silver medals in their team competition thanks to the combined efforts of Bernie O’Neil, Jacqueline Etherington and Jennifer Reid.

The Lanarkshire Cross Country Road Relays followed hot on the heels of the West Relays. Kai Newell, Stevie Wylie, Alistair Campbell and Iain MacCorquodale led the way home in the senior men relay. The U13 boys trio of Chris Black, Sam McCarthy and Jay Gallacher took team silver while Lucy McGrandle, Hayley Clarke and Grace Ferry pocketed bronze medals.

Both M40 and M50 teams achieved silver medals at the Scottish Cross Country Relay Championships. In spite of a spirited effort from Stuart McGeachy, Stevie Wylie, Robert Gilroy and Jamie Reid the Cambuslang quartet had to give way to a strong Corstorphine AC team. Likewise the M50 trio of Chris Upson, Mick O’Hagan and the ever green Colin Donnelly succumbed to a well balanced Perth Road Runners squad. Robert who had not raced competitively for over a year due to injury only stepped in at the last minute to cover an empty berth and as usual gave his all. Unfortunately he was not able to shake off his persistent injury and did not reappear later in the year in any competitive events. In a highly contested senior men’s relay Stuart Gibson, Craig Jardine, Iain MacCorquodale and Fraser Stuart acquitted themselves well in 5th spot. The senior ladies quartet of Alex Lamond, Carole Setchell, Lynn Angely and U20 Rachel Wardrope was 41st. The young female athlete team in 19th position edged out their male counterparts by 4 places. Lucy McGrandle, Abbie McClue and Susie McLaughlin made up the female squad with Sam McCarthy, Fearghus MacGregor and Brodie Aitken representing the males. The individual times revealed that Brodie was 11th fastest U17, Abbie 15th fastest U15 and U17 Shona Carey from the B team 17th quickest.

The Scottish Short Course Cross Country Championships in November reverted back to Kirkcaldy. The only medal picked up by a Cambuslang athlete was by M40 bronze medallist Ben Hukins. The senior men team of 6th individual finisher Ryan Thomson, Fraser Stewart, Jamie MacKinnon and Craig Jardine came within 1 point of securing team bronze medals. Edinburgh AC with Mike Christoforou representing them took that medal. Ironically Mike was to join Cambuslang the following year when he moved through to Glasgow for work. The U17 ladies trio of Suzie McLaughlin, Shona Carey and Peggy-Nan Rodger in 6th place gave a very good account of themselves with the U17 men team of Jack MacKinnon, Zak Povey and Michael Black finishing 2 spots adrift. Abbie McClue in 17th position steered Eva Ritchie and Eilidh Kennedy to 11th in the team count. U15 boy Lewis Roddis and U20 woman Rachel Wardrope showed good determination in their respective races and gained useful experience which was to benefit them in the years ahead.

A few weeks later the club had a healthy representation of members in the Scottish Masters Team for the International Cross Country Event at Aintree in Liverpool. W40 Jacqueline Etherington, M35 athletes Stuart Gibson and Colin Reilly, M40 runners Kenny Campbell and Stuart McGeachy, M45 Justin Carter, M55 Chris Upson, M65 Frank Hurley and M75 David Fairweather had all earned their spurs either in the trial race or on current form.

Towards the end of the month the Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships were moved from the traditional Coatbridge venue to Strathaven. East Kilbride AC deserve the credit for suggesting the change and for setting up an undulating and spectator friendly course. Cambuslang collected 5 individual gold, 5 individual silver and 2 individual bronze medals along with 3 team gold and 1 silver medal. The gold medal recipients were senior male Grant Sheldon, U20 lady Rachel Wardrope, U17 male Jack MacKinnon, U15 girl Abbie McClue and U13 boy Sam McCarthy. The silver medals went to senior lady Kirsty O’Brien, W40 Bernie O’Neil, U20 male Kai Newell, U17 male Zak Povey and U13 girl Eva Ritchie. U13 boy Reece Duncan and U11 boy Jamie McCarthy were awarded bronze medals. The U13 boys team of Sam McCarthy, Reece Duncan and Chris Black took the team honours as did Abbie McClue, Eva Ritchie and Eilidh Kennedy for the U15 girls. Not to be outdone the senior ladies team of Kirsty O’Brien, Bernie O’Neil and coach Lynn Angely followed suit. Race winner Grant along with Richie Carr and M40 Justin Carter finished runners up in the senior event.

Come December Moira Stewart again competed for the Czech Republic in the European Cross Country Championships. In the same month the West District Cross Country Championships at Balloch Park brought down the curtain on the domestic scene for the year. The senior men and the masters men recorded their 3rd and 5th consecutive team victory. The senior men sextet of Craig Jardine, Fraser Stewart, Ryan Thomson, Alasdair Campbell, Stuart Gibson and Colin Reilly in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 11th and 16th positions overcame the muddy conditions to sweep away the opposition. The M40 trio of individual bronze medallist Kenny Campbell, Ben Hukins and Stuart McGeachy, both in close attendance, also scored a decisive win. The U17 male squad of Brodie Aitken, Michael Black and Zak Povey combined well to take the team silver medals. U13 boy Sam McCarthy led Reece Duncan and Chris Black to a creditable 4th team finish and in so doing achieved his pre race target of achieving a top 12 finish which would guarantee him automatic selection for January’s Inter District Championships. U15 girl Abbie McClue in 7th spot and U17 female Susie McLaughlin qualified comfortably in 5th and 7th positions. The U15 girls team which also included Eva Ritchie and the ever dependable Eilidh Kennedy occupied 5th spot in the team competition. Chris McLew who is more at home on the track nevertheless persevered in 9th place with Andrew Carey 2 places behind him. Lucy McGrandle just got the better of Olivia McNicol in the U13 girls race. U15 boy Finlay Robb experienced his first taste of cross country running which was to lead 3 years later to an U17 Scottish Team Bronze Medal. The senior ladies team of Kirsty O’Brien, Bernie O’Neil, Jennifer Reid and Lynn Angely worked hard together in the testing conditions for 7th spot.

The Scottish Masters 3000M Indoor Championships at the Emirates in early January attracted a good entry as usual. Both M35 and M45 Stuart Gibson and Kerry-Liam Wilson took the honours in their respective age categories and there were silver medals for W40 Jacqueline Etherington and M55 Chris Upson. A few weeks later U20 Chris McClew captured the Scottish 1500M Indoor Title. Shortly afterwards the masters stepped down a distance to their 800M/1500M Championships. Jacqueline emerged with 2 gold medals and M65 Frank Hurley also doubled up winning 2 silver medals. M45 Justin Carter and M55 Chris concentrated on the 1500M and added 2 more Scottish Silver medals to their collection. Jacqueline had an even busier schedule at the BMAF Indoor Championships. Showing good speed and endurance she picked up silver medals in the 800M, 1500M and 3000M events. Next on Jacqueline’s busy schedule was the World Masters Indoor Championships in Poland where she took in 5 races in 7 days. In her opening event she finished 5th in the 3000M, 3rd in the cross country, first in her 800M heat and then 5th in the final and lastly 5th again in the 1500M.

The Scottish 10,000M Championships at Crownpoint in April launched the outdoor track season. Ryan Thomson set a pb of 30.19.54 to ensure a senior bronze medal and Stuart Gibson was the leading M35 with the excellent time of 30.49.29. Both Fraser Stewart and Coin Reilly set pbs with Fraser breaking 31 minutes for the first time and Colin breaking 32 minutes. Moira Stewart retained her Czech Republic 10,000M title and went on later in the season to represent her native country over the same distance in the Europa Cup B Event and also in the European Team Championships. She also stepped down to the 5,000M and won the gold medal in the Czech Republic Championships.

U15 Abbie McClue turned in her best performance to date when winning her age group race in the Scottish Schools Championships in June. A few weeks later Sandy Eaglesham gained a Scottish M65 800M Silver Medal. In August there were Scottish Senior Bronze Medals for Jamie MacKinnon and Grant Sheldon in their respective 1500M and 5,000M events. The following week in the Scottish Masters 10,000M Championships at Carluke M35 Stuart Gibson, M45 Stevie Wylie and M55 Chris Upson lifted their age group titles. Also that month Jacqueline Etherington added a BMAF 2000M Steeplechase Gold and followed this up later with a European Silver Medal in the same discipline. This final performance brought Jacqueline’s lengthy but highly successful track season to an end. M65 Barnie Gough represented the Scottish Masters in the Inter Regional Track Meeting at Birmingham.

At Western District Level both Abbie and Jamie tasted victory in their chosen 800M and 1500M events while Ryan Donnelly won the Lanarkshire 3000M Championships.

During the summer months the club’s triathletes were very active. Debs Comer took both the Scottish and British Middle Distance Triathlon National Championships Age Group Silver Medals. At the same meeting Doug Roberts captured the Scottish Middle Distance Triathlon National Championships Senior and Overall Gold Medals along with the British Senior and Overall Bronze Medals. Kirsty O’Brien also competed in the same combined Scottish and British Competition and duly picked up the Scottish Senior and Overall Silver Medals and the British Age Group Silver Medal. There were many more national medals to come Kirsty’s way. She gained Senior and Overall Bronze Medals in the Scottish Sprint Triathlon National Championships and also struck Age Group and Overall Bronze Medals in the Scottish Standard Distance Event. She also showed her versatility when taking the Senior Women and Overall Silver Medals in the Scottish Aquathlon National Championships. Grant Sheldon had a quieter 2019 season and only contested 5 ETU and ITU Elite Triathlon Competitions. He ended his season on a high with 2 podium bronze medal places in ITU Triathlon World Cup Events in the Czech Republic and in China in August and September.

In March at the Cambuslang and Rutherglen Sports Council Awards Ceremony club president David Cooney was presented with a Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils Service to Sport Award. Kirsty O’Brien picked up the Female Sportswoman of the Year Award and the senior/masters team won the Senior Team Award.

In September at the club’s AGM David stepped down from his role as president, a position he had held for 33 years. David served 2 terms firstly from 1980 to 1986 and then from 1992 to 2019. David stated that it had been an honour and privilege to have served as club president during this time and thanked all club athletes, coaches and officials past and present who had contributed so much to transform Cambuslang Harriers into one of the top distance running clubs in Scotland and to sustain that position for almost 4 decades. Vice President Des Dickson was elected as president. Dave Thom and Colin Feechan remained in their posts as secretary and treasurer. Fiona Pollock and Iain Reid continued as welfare officer and club captain as did Owen Reid, Iain Crawford and David Stirling in their capacity as committee members. David still remained on the committee and was joined by Richie Carr who was voted on as club vice captain.

Des’ first role as president was to attend the Scottish Athletics AGM. In his feedback to the committee he spoke of Scottish Athletics being focused very much on governance and this was an area he wished to take forward. Other areas to be looked at were communication and engagement, recruitment and retention, wellbeing and events and performances including an action plan for the year ahead.

As 2019 came to an end no one could have predicted what 2020 would bring!

2020

The year started off as normal with the Inter District Cross Country Championships being held again at Stirling. Cambuslang Harriers had 15 athletes participating, 13 for the West of Scotland and 2 for the Scottish Universities. Abbie McClue, Eva Ritchie, Susie McLaughlin, Shona Carey, Sam McCarthy, Fearghus MacGregor, Brodie Aitken, Michael Black, Jack MacKinnon, Zak Povey, Alasdair Campbell, Stuart Gibson and Fraser Stewart lined up for the West and Craig Jardine and Jamie MacKinnon for the Universities.

The Scottish Masters Indoor 3000M Championships at the Emirates on 3rd January provided the opportunity to indulge in some winter speed work for the Cambuslang entrants. M35 Stuart Gibson, W40 Jacqueline Etherington, M45 Kerry-Liam Wilson and M65 Frank Hurley duly obliged by winning their age categories. There were also silver medals for M35 Richie Carr and M55 Chris Upson as well as a bronze medal for M55 Dave Thom. The Scottish Masters Indoor Championships over 800M and 1500M continued the following month. Jacqueline clinched both W40 titles, Frank gained 2 silver medals and Chris acquired a bronze medal in the 1500M. Jacqueline then turned her attention to the BMAF Championships at Lee Valley where she successfully doubled up again in the 800M and 1500M events.

Next up was the Scottish Masters Cross Country Championships at Johnstone at the beginning of February. The M40 team of Kerry-Liam Wilson, Iain Reid, Ben Hukins and Kenny Campbell in 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th places finished comfortably ahead of their nearest rivals Corstorphine AC. During the race the order of the Cambuslang athletes fluctuated and Kenny’s momentum was not helped by losing a shoe in the mud. Gordon Robertson in 15th spot was on hand to offer back up if required. Both Kerry-Liam and Iain picked up the M45 silver and M40 individual bronze medals. The M50 trio of M60 Colin Donnelly, M60 Eddie Stewart and M55 Chris Upson was pushed back into 2nd position by a younger Perth Road Runners team. However, all 3 had the consolation of securing individual M60 gold and silver medals and M55 gold. Colin now shared the record held jointly by Eddie and Greenock Glenpark’s Bill Stoddart of being the only athletes to have won masters individual gold medals in the M40/45/50/55/60 age categories. In the separate M65 race Frank Hurley put his knee problems behind him and carved out a narrow victory over defending champion Tony Martin of Fife AC.

Business as usual continued with the Scottish Cross Country Championships taking place a few weeks later at Falkirk. Just prior to that the club rewarded 20 young committed athletes by taking them to the Muller Indoor Grand Prix at the Emirates. Unfortunately very heavy and prolonged rain in the days leading up to the event meant that the course was water logged and the underfoot conditions became muddier and muddier as the races took place. Everyone that day who finished deserved a medal as did the accompanying coaches, officials, supporters and parents. The only Cambuslang athlete to medal was Moira Stewart who dug deep to earn the senior ladies bronze medal. Kirsty O’Brien, Lynn Angely and Lesley McCardle who had travelled up from London where she is now working also contested the senior ladies event. It was a case of what might have been for the 5th placed U17 men who were only 4 points away from winning a team medal. On current form one of their anticipated counters Zak Povey had broken his wrist a few days beforehand and was unable to race. Nevertheless, Michael Black, Brodie Aitken, Aaron Grew and Sean Friel battled well on the day. Both the U20 and senior men finished 6th. Chris McLew, Struan Paton, Andrew Carey and Ryan Donnelly scored for the younger team and Fraser Stewart, Craig Jardine, Alasdair Campbell, Ryan Thomson, Gavin Smith and Iain Reid featured for the seniors. The U17 female trio of Susie McLaughlin, Shona Cary and Peggy-Nan Rodger was 7th team with the U15 boys squad of Lewis Roddis, Fearghus MacGregor, Zack Haggerty and Finlay Robb 2 places adrift. U15 girl Abbie McClue led home Eva Ritchie, Mya Carmichael and Morvern Crawford to 11th spot. Sam McCarthy was first over the line for the 14th placed U13 boys team with Reece Duncan, Jay Gallacher and Chris Black following him. The U13 girls quartet of Hayley Clarke, Lucy McGrandle, Olivia McNicol and Grace Ferry occupied 14th spot. Rachel Wardrope in the U20 ladies event showed great determination in completing the course in such adverse conditions. For a number of younger runners this was a great learning curve for them although they may not have thought so at the time. The club’s motto is Perseverance and over the next few years, in spite of what was waiting just round the corner, athletes such as Lewis, Finlay, Chris, Olivia and Rachel would persevere and improve. In the same month Grant Sheldon had the opportunity to compete for Great Britain in the Sprint Triathlon African Cup.

The club’s Annual Down by the River Races on 1st March was able to go ahead in spite of a last minute alteration to the 10K course caused by flooding on the Clyde Walkway. Fraser Stewart retained his 10K title and Catriona McDonald of Bellahouston Road Runners was the first lady home. Both athletes were awarded the Jimmy Sands Memorial Shields. The 2 leading master athletes Gordon Robertson of the home club and Kirkintilloch Olympians Annemarie McGregor were presented with the Jim Fitzpatrick Memorial Shields. Zack Haggerty and Hayley Clarke on home territory gained victory in the 3K event. One week later Fraser Stewart and Alasdair Campbell represented the West of Scotland in the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Loughborough. Also in that month Colin Donnelly travelled to Wales where he convincingly added the BMAF M60 Cross Country Title to his Scottish one and Justin Carter achieved a Scottish M40 Hill Running Silver Medal.

The U17 men’s team of Aaron Grew, Michael Black and Sean Friel finished a creditable 4th in the Scottish Young Athletes Road Relay Championships at Greenock with Aaron clocking the fast time of 16.32. Both Susie McLaughlin and Shona Carey ran well in the U17 ladies race to record the excellent times of 18.48 and 19.40. U15 girl Abbie McClue led Eva Ritchie and Morvern Crawford to 6th place in the team competition while the U15 boys trio of Zack Haggerty, Lewis Roddis and Finlay Robb finished 7th. The U13 girls team of Hayley Clarke, Lucy McGrandle and Olivia McNicol was 8th team and Chris Black was the sole U13 boy representative.

Club members were preparing for the Scottish Senior and Masters Road Relays. However, Covid struck and the season came to an abrupt halt due to the implementation of lockdown restrictions. All races and club training were initially cancelled in accordance with UK, Scottish Government and Scottish Athletics guidelines. Club president Des Dickson set up a club sub group comprising himself, Richie Carr, Dave Thom, Fiona Pollock and Pamela Stephen to ensure that all appropriate guidelines would be followed at all times. The sub group also implemented any necessary preventive measures as and when the Covid restrictions were eased. For example, when group training was gradually reinstated a Covid19 free zone with pre temperature testing by Fiona, Pamela and Simon Gold was established. Other safety measures introduced were hand sanitising, creating athlete bubble groups and 2 metres distancing along with the mandatory requirement to complete the on-line form in advance of training nights and the club cabin being a controlled and restricted area. Club member Tony McCutcheon and some colleagues helped the local community by donating and delivering vital PPE equipment to local care homes.

Zoom committee meetings were initiated in early May thanks to secretary Dave Thom and the decision was taken to engage with and to keep our members connected via a zoom forum. A number of informative talks were arranged. Club captain Iain Reid gave one on Strength and Conditioning and Improved Performance, coach Mike Johnston talked about Performance and Coaching and former club captain Iain MacCorquodale’s delivery was on Mental Health and Welfare. Senior Athlete Gavin Smith who had joined the club as an under 11 and had gradually developed from a novice to a Scottish standard athlete pitched his talk particularly to the younger athletes stressing the importance of being patient in their progression and in the need for commitment and self discipline required in following the coach’s training and racing plans. Gavin himself was an ideal role model in this respect. He was at first recruited by Robert Anderson, coached by Jim Orr, then by Jim and Owen Reid, then Owen himself, followed by Owen and Mike Johnston and finally by Mike himself. Gavin’s perseverance and the guidance given to him by his various coaches had paid off as he had now earned an Athletics Scholarship to an American University. Stephen Maguire, the Director of Performance and Coaching at Scottish Athletics, also gave an inspirational talk on Advice and Reflections at the club’s Zoom AGM. Vice captain Richie Carr organised some Zoom Yoga sessions to enhance the variety of activities on offer, all of which were highly important in keeping members involved.

During the early months of the Covid restrictions more and more solo non club athletes were taking to pounding the streets around Cambuslang and Rutherglen. The committee decided to capitalise on this and set up a Covid19 Recovery Recruitment Plan and Richie designed a form/questionnaire to put on the club website and also on Facebook and twitter under the heading “Interested in Joining”? This initiative was to prove to be very successful.

At the club’s Zoom AGM Iain Reid stepped down as club captain with the reins being passed to vice captain Richie Carr. President Des Dickson duly thanked Iain for his 4 years successful stint in his role as club captain. Both Des and Richie were appointed at the meeting as Covid Liaison Officers.

During lockdown Scottish Athletics organised several virtual events in which athletes would run solo over a designated distance, record their time on Strava and send to Scottish Athletics for verification. These virtual solo time trials were a welcome initiative to sustain athlete interest and to test current form. Incorporating the individual solo times into a team competition was an added bonus. One such event was the Scottish Masters Virtual 5K Road Relays. The Cambuslang male master teams dominated 3 of the 4 age categories. In the M35-44 age group the sextet of Gordon Robertson, Iain Reid, Stuart Gibson, Stuart McGeachy, Shaun Butler and Iain McDonald was first team. The M45-54 quartet of Kenny Campbell, Stevie Wylie, Mark King and Richard Cooper emulated the position of their younger team mates. Not only did the M55-64 athletes take first team but they also secured 3rd team. Eddie Stewart, Chris Upson and Paul Thompson counted for the A trio and Stan MacKenzie, Des Dickson and David Marshall for the B team. Eddie did his solo stint in Prague while wearing a mask as required in the Czech Republic. In spite of this handicap 64 years old Eddie still recorded the fastest time by an athlete in the M55-64 age group. M45 Kenny and M65 Frank Hurley were the 2 quickest in their respective age groups while Gordon posted the 2nd fastest time in his 35-44 age group and Chris the 3rd fastest clocking in his 55-64 age category. Kenny Campbell who had just turned 45 confirmed his excellent form by recording the 3rd fastest age time in the BMAF Virtual 5K Road Event.

In August Grant Sheldon was allowed to compete as an elite athlete in a 5K race at Barrowfield in England where he recorded a personal best time of 13.51. He then represented GB in the Hamburg World Triathlon. During September there were some opportunities to compete on the hills and track providing the Covid regulations at the time were adhered to. Justin Carter took advantage of this relaxation in the rules and won a Scottish M40 silver medal in the National Uphill Championships at Comrie. Similarly on the tracks at Stretford and Stirling Jamie MacKinnon was able to record personal best times for the 1500M and one mile distances and Chris McLew set a new U20 club record for the one mile. The club too was able to stage from October onwards a few confined 3K and 5K runs around the quiet Shawfield circuit and a 3K Cross Country Training Event was also organised under strict health and safety procedures at Tollcross Park. Club activities such as these gave participants the opportunity to meet up in a controlled environment with fellow members whom they had not seen for months. The existing Scottish Government and Scottish Athletics Guidelines were followed at all times.

Moira Stewart was able to take advantage of her elite status by competing in the Czech 10K Road Championships and taking the gold medal. A few weeks later she set a pb of 71.08 for the half marathon in the World Championships Race which placed her 34th overall and 12th European athlete ahead of all the GB and Irish competitors. In a select race for Scottish athletes in late November Ryan Thomson, Gavin Smith and Jamie MacKinnon performed well over a closed 5K circuit in Fife to record the creditable times of 14.32, 14.39 and 14.59 respectively. Both Gavin and Jamie were also able to compete a few weeks later in a Scottish Short Course 3K Cross Country Race at Scone Palace.

The season ended with a degree of normality as the Xmas Handicap was held under the prevailing guidelines. However, no Xmas lunch followed the event as the club house was still closed. For the record 16 athletes took part in the first race and 15 in the second. Gavin Smith and U17 Shona Carey were the fastest male and female participants. Kirsty O’Brien and Stevie Wylie recorded the fastest times by a senior lady and by a master male while Chris McLew, Zak Povey and Finlay Robb were the leading U20, U17 and U15 male athletes.

Mike Christoforou, a former senior Scottish Cross Country, Road and Track Individual Medallist, joined the club from Edinburgh AC as he had moved through to Glasgow on account of his work. However, due to the outbreak of Covid and to injury Mike would not make an appearance in an open competitive event until July 2021.

2020 had been an exceptionally challenging year but club President Des Dickson along with his Covid sub group, committee members and coaches worked extremely hard to put in place all the necessary safety arrangements and to keep members involved and motivated as far as possible under difficult circumstances. This was a difficult time particularly for the younger athletes as their normal routine was also being affected by school closures thus increasing their feeling of isolation.

2021

Covid lockdown restrictions were tightened throughout the month of January. Club activities and group sessions were suspended. However, 2 runners were allowed to exercise together and athletes could still participate in virtual events. Scottish Athletics organised such an event for mid January. Cambuslang Harriers had originally 34 athletes entered but only 16 took part. This drop in participation was reflected across the board. Perhaps the icy conditions did not help and also the novelty of virtual events was wearing off. With 4 to score for the senior men the quartet of Gavin Smith, Jamie MacKinnon, Craig Jardine and Stuart Gibson recorded a team victory. Other athletes involved were M40 George Pettit, M55 David Marshall, W45 Jennifer Campbell, U20 Ruairidh MacGregor and fellow U20s Holly Brock, Rachel Wardrope and Ana Bradley along with the U15 contingent of Finlay Robb, Jonathan Dow, Abbie McClue and Lucy McGrandle and U13 Emma Ritchie. An under subscribed virtual Inter District Competition went ahead at the start of February. Stuart Gibson, Ian Hodge and Jennifer Campbell contributed to a double victory for the senior men and women West Teams while Sam McCarthy helped the West U15 team to the silver medals. This was a fitting reward for Sam who had kept his training going during lockdown.

The club continued its “Keep Connected” Series in March with a podcast of Iain Reid interviewing multi Scottish and UK senior and masters medallist Stevie Wylie. In his running career which has been punctuated by injury and working away from home for a period of 6 years Stevie has amassed the grand total of 63 Scottish and UK individual and team medals. His talk on his training and racing with several humorous stories thrown in was well received by his audience. This podcast was followed by another from Iain MacCorquodale on Mental Preparation for Races which was equally entertaining and informative and was accompanied by haunting Hebridean music composed by the MacCorquodale family.

The circumstances in the Czech Republic and her status as an elite athlete allowed Moira Stewart to record the excellent and club record time of 2.29.39 in April for the marathon distance in Switzerland. Unfortunately she was a mere 10 seconds short of an Olympic qualifying time. She was assisted by her younger brother Gerron who himself recorded the fine debut time of 2.30.05. However, their dad Eddie still holds the family record time of 2.23.47 which he recorded at the age of 39 and he also ran 2.26.59 as an M40. Similarly Grant Sheldon was able to take part in 5K for elite runners at Barrowfield and he clocked the impressive time of 13.55.

Around the same time restrictions were eased a little in Scotland which allowed the club to host 3 separate races over 5K at Shawfield. Club captain Richie Carr organised the event and coach Mike Johnston acted as time keeper. The 30 participants were lined up in waves of ten with staggered starting times. Gavin Smith set a new male course record of 14.48 and Eve MacKinnon also established a female record of 18.55. U17 and U20 athletes Zak Povey and Aaron Grew delivered age group best performances. M50 Mark King was the leading master and Eilidh Kennedy the first U17 lady. A number of new members who had signed up to the development group during lockdown such as Callum Ferguson, Mark Finbow, Chris Campbell, Stephen Leonard and Chris Paton performed well. Elsewhere coaches Simon Gold and Lynn Angely set up a 3K event for younger athletes which attracted U17 athletes Gavin Kelly and Chris Black and U13 runners Euan Reid and Dean Edmunds.

The Stirling Monument Mile Event in May offered Scottish athletes, apart from those living in Glasgow and Moray where the Covid rate was still high, the opportunity to compete in open competition. 19 Cambuslang athletes lined up for their separate graded heats. There were pbs for Gavin Smith, Andrew Carey, Aaron Grew, Richie Carr and U15 Sam McCarthy while Ian Hodge, U15 Lucy McGrandle and U15 Emma Kennedy made their debuts at this distance.

At the start of June Moira Stewart improved her marathon time by 11 seconds which was 2 seconds within the Olympic qualifying time. However, she narrowly missed out on a place by a mere 10 seconds as 3 other Czech ladies had bettered her time. In the BMC Meeting in Manchester Gavin Smith recorded a 5000M pb and Jamie MacKinnon in his first track competition of the summer was just outside his 1500M pb time. 2 weeks later 12 club athletes took part in the Linwood Open Graded Meeting. Chris McLew posted an 800M pb while U17 Lewis Roddis was fractionally outside his personal best. Gavin Smith continued his purple patch to set a 3000M pb as did Andrew Carey and U20 athletes Aaron Grew and Zak Povey. Gavin, Chris and Andrew were reaping the benefits of their consistent training through lockdown under the supervision of coach Mike Johnston as were Aaron and Zak under the careful tutelage of coach Colin Stephen. U17 Jonathan Dow also made a promising track debut in the 3000M. Coach David Stirling arranged 3 club races for the following day with a suitable gap between each event at the favoured Shawfield course. There was a good entry of 21 athletes for the mainly junior 3K. U15 boys Gavin Kelly and Chris Black significantly reduced their pbs while U15 girls Olivia McNicol and Lucy McGrandle were the first 2 female finishers. U11 boy Ewan Kennedy performed well to split Olivia and Lucy and U13 Euan Reid, who is coached by his dad Iain, improved his Xmas handicap clocking by a staggering 78 seconds. The senior 3K had a smaller field of 13 runners mostly made up of new members who were experiencing their first race. Although not new to running U20 Theo Carter, the son of Justin, was making his club debut after having transferred from Shettleston Harriers. Theo was well clear in a sub 10 minutes clocking. Newcomer Lesley Blackwood was equally dominant with her impressive 10.52 lady’s record performance. Lesley who had previously done some running during her student days had taken up the sport again during lockdown and had joined Cambuslang’s development group. A host of novice athletes including Ronnie Islip, Jonathan Forrester, Sarah Simpson, Julie Reid, the wife of Iain, new development coach Karen Goldie, Gerry Duddy, Tina Campbell, Lorraine Mullen and Suzy Ross all gave a good account of themselves in their first competitive outing. Club regulars coach Simon Gold and Jacqueline McLew, Chris’s mum, also joined in the action. The senior 5K provided several course records and some close finishes from the 25 competitors. Only 4 seconds separated the leading 3 athletes Iain MacCorquodale, Ian Hodge and Stuart Gibson whose times were 16.19, 16.20 and 16.23. New member Ian who had responded to the club’s recruitment drive during lockdown was clearly reaping the benefit of taking part in the club’s structured training sessions as witnessed by his 12 seconds improvement. U17 Millie Nicholl was the star performer of the day as her 18.41 stint broke Eve MacKinnon’s course record by 14 seconds. M45 Stevie Wylie and Iain McDonald shared the same time of 16.46 which was the first occasion Iain had broken the 17 minutes barrier. New recruit Ben Stafford posted an impressive debut time of 17.15 and U17 Lewis Roddis, U20 Keir Crawford and U15 Sam McCarthy produced sub 18 minutes efforts. Chris Smith, John Henderson and Stuart Ogden were the other participating newcomers while long standing members such as Mark King, Ross Stephen, Justin Carter, Iain Nicholl, Dave Thom, Frank Hurley, Gary Miller, Willie Fairley, Dan O’Connell and Scott Hunter helped to pull some of the new members around the course.

In late June Gavin Smith produced his first sub 3.50 1500M at Manchester while newly turned 50 Mark Gallacher, reinvigorated by his return to the club of his youth, set an 800M pb when winning his heat in the Pitreavie Open Graded Meeting. Ryan Thomson eased himself back into racing again tackling 2 races inside a week. Ryan was pleased with his 30.49 10,000m time at Leeds and with his 3rd place in the Wigan 5K Road Race. In early July M50 Mark Gallacher and W40 Jacqueline Etherington were crowned Scottish Masters Steeplechase Champions in their respective age categories. In so doing Mark’s time of 10.54.35 broke the existing M50 Scottish record. A number of Cambuslang athletes filled the first 3 places in their age groups at the Scottish Veteran Harriers 5K Road Race at Clydebank. M35 Colin Reilly and M40 Gordon Robertson were 1st and 2nd overall, Mark Gallacher was the leading M50, M45 Stevie Wylie and M50 Mark King were 3rd in their respective age categories while M65 Frank Hurley and M60 Dave Thom took 1st and 2nd spots. Kieran and Richard Cooper along with Justin Carter ventured onto the hills at Durisdeer where Kieran gained an excellent 3rd place. Fraser Stewart also finished in that same position in the tough Lairig Ghru Race between Braemar and Aviemore.

At the Stirling Open Graded Track Meeting Gavin Smith pushed the pace in the 3000M and U20 Aaron Grew broke 9.00 minutes for the first time by 5 seconds and U17 Lewis Roddis set an 800M pb. Coach Colin Stephen was naturally delighted with the performances of both Aaron and Lewis. Over the same weekend 4 Cambuslang athletes picked up medals in the Scottish 5000M Masters Championships at Kilmarnock. M40 Gordon Robertson was the M40 gold recipient, M50 Kerry-Liam Wilson and M55 Chris Upson were silver medal recipients and M60 Dave Thom a bronze medal recipient. Further excellent performances were recorded by club members in the following week. Both Gavin Smith and Chris McLew improved their 1500M pbs to 3.48.02 and to 3.53.16 respectively at Manchester while Jamie MacKinnon was just outside his 800M pb in his first track outing having just recovered from Covid. Ryan Thomson reduced his 5000M time to 14.18.67 at the Glasgow Milers 5000M Event. However, there was no pb this time for Gavin in his last outing before leaving for Massachusetts to take up his athletics scholarship at the American International College there. His recent bout of racing and setting pbs had caught up with him. Mike Christoforou in the B heat made his long awaited club debut and a welcome return to competition after a lengthy injury spell to post the solid time of 15.14.32. At the same meeting Chris McLew and Jamie MacKinnon produced the nippy times of 3.53.91 and 3.54.00. U20 Ryan Donnelly, M50 Mark Gallacher and U15 Sam McCarthy all set pbs for this distance.

Next up M35 Colin Reilly, M55 Chris Upson and M60 Colin Feechan secured Scottish Masters 10,000M Track Gold Medals at Kilmarnock in early August. Colin’s victory was well deserved given the sustained injury problems he had encountered over the last 4 years. Later in the month Jamie MacKinnon repeated his senior bronze medal performance of 2019 when again lifting the Scottish 1500M Bronze Medal in a tactical race. Although Chris McLew and Fraser Stewart just missed out on the medals in 4th place they nevertheless set pb times of 1.53.5 and 14.37.76 for their 800M and 5000M events. U20 Aaron Grew posted a promising 5000M debut time of 15.52.34 for 5th place. Ten days later Jamie went on to set an excellent pb time of 3.49.49 for the 1500M at Manchester. Mark Gallacher added the British Masters 3K Steeplechase time to his Scottish title. Both Mark and Jacqueline also represented the Scottish Masters in the Inter Area Match held at Nuneaton. Although Moira Stewart did not get to compete in the Olympics she had some consolation in lifting the Czech ladies 10K Road and 10,000M Track Titles as well as securing a 1500M silver medal. Her younger brother Gerron underlined his potential when setting a pb time of 69.39 for the half marathon distance.

In mid August 23 Cambuslang runners took part in the Roon the Toon 10K at Kilmarnock. The club featured in the men’s team awards and in several individual awards. The Cambuslang trio of Mike Christoforou, Fraser Stewart and Kevan Harvey packed well in 4th, 7th and 8th positions to scoop the team prize. New member Lesley Blackwood with a sub 39 minutes pb was 3rd senior lady, Rachel Wardrope 2nd U20W, Gordon Robertson 3rd M40, Richard Cooper 1st M50, Dave Thom 2nd M60 and Erica Christie the leading W60. There were pbs too for Kevan, Ian Hodge, Iain McDonald and Gordon McDonald. It was also pleasing to see a number of new members participating who had joined the club during lockdown such as Karen Goldie, Stephen Leonard, Sarah Simpson, Gerry Duddy and Suz Ross.

In late August 15 Cambuslang athletes made the short crossing from Cairnryan to Larne to participate in the prestigious Antrim Half Marathon. Ryan Thomson was given an elite entry. He justified his invitation by clocking a time of 65.52 thus slicing 31 seconds of his pb. However, later to his dismay the course was deemed to have been 56 metres short and his time and all other times were automatically invalid too. This was unfortunate for U20 Andrew Carey who had posted an impressive debut time of 71.08 and for Ian Hodge whose 74.54 recording was a massive 10 minutes improvement. Iain Nicholl was also deprived of a pb. Others whose times was ruled out were George Pettit, Willie Fairley, Eddie Carr, David Scott and fellow club coaches Simon Gold, Iain Crawford and David Stirling. Mike Christoforou unfortunately pulled up at half distance due to a tummy upset while well placed. Neither Richie Carr nor Dave Thom toed the line on account of an achilles niggle and illness.

Scottish Road Championship Competition resumed as normal with the Scottish 10K Championships being held at Stirling in September. Unfortunately Cambuslang’s senior men were outside the team medals for the first time since 2009. A late call off on the morning of the race from Fraser Stewart who had tested positive for Covid was a blow to the team’s chances. However, 3 individual medals were acquired by the club. A pb clocking of 32.27 secured a 5 seconds victory for M40 Gordon Robertson over his Central AC rival Scott Brember and there was a silver U20 award for W17 Millie Nicholl and a bronze M60 medal for Dave Thom. Millie’s superb time of 36.58 put her to the top of the under 17 UK rankings for the season. After a 2 years absence from running Millie, under the watchful eyes of coach Colin Stephen and father Iain, had been steadily building up her training again during lockdown. Michael Christoforou’s time of 30.53 for 10th spot in a class field demonstrated that he was getting back to his best after his injury.

Cambuslang Harriers Head Coach and former Scottish Endurance Lead Coach Mike Johnston was appointed Convenor of the Scottish Road Running and Cross Country Commission at the Scottish Athletics AGM. His previous experience as National Coach and his wide knowledge of the Scottish endurance scene made him an ideal appointment for this role. Further honours came to Cambuslang Harriers when Fiona Pollock and Pamela Stephen were announced at the Annual Awards Presentation Evening as winners of the Scottish Athletics Volunteer of the Year Award. This award was richly deserved for their continued dedication in looking after the club’s younger athletes, liaising with the local primary and secondary schools, ordering and distributing club clothing and monitoring child welfare and protection.

Alasdair Campbell rounded off a successful year on the hills when he finished runner up in the Scottish Hill Running Championship at Dingwall. His 2nd place finish also clinched 2nd overall spot for him in the Scottish Hill Running Championship Series. Justin Carter also performed well to gain a silver M40 medal in the West Hill Running Championships.

In late September the club’s AGM was held at the Sports/Rugby Club and there was also a Zoom link for those who could not attend in person. All of the committee members from last year retained their posts with Barnie Gough rejoining the committee. A Covid Links Team of Des Dickson, Richie Carr, Dave Thom, Fiona Pollock and Mike Johnston was appointed. Eve MacKinnon, Iain Reid, Richie Carr and Dave Thom had embarked on the Scottish Athletics Assistant Club Coaches Training Course. Another welcome addition to the club’s all volunteer coaching staff was Karen Goldie who was focusing on the new senior/masters Development Group.

In early October Millie Nicholl confirmed her excellent form to finish runner up in the Scottish Secondary Schools U17W Road Race ahead of 5 of the 6 athletes who had represented Scotland in the London Mini Marathon. In the corresponding race for males U17 Jonathan Dow was well placed in 13th spot. A week later Moira Stewart recorded a superb pb of 70.16 in 4th place behind 3 Kenyan athletes in the Rome Ostavia Half Marathon. Although this was the quickest time ever recorded by a Czech national it was not recognised officially as the event did not meet the international criteria for a point to point race.

A degree of normality returned to the Scottish Cross Country Calendar of Events as the District and National Cross Country Relays were restored in October. However, there were no Lanarkshire competitions on offer. The West District Relays courtesy of Shettleston Harriers were held at Alexandra Park in Glasgow. The female young athlete A team of Erin Kearney, Lucy McGrandle and Millie Nicholl finished 18th, 5 places ahead of the B trio of Elena Bolanos, Olivia McNicol and Eilidh Kennedy. Millie continued her rich vein of form to pull in 20 runners on the last leg and to record the 2nd fastest time by an U17 athlete. U15 Olivia also produced a strong leg for the B team. The girls also completed a 3rd team thanks to Keira Gallacher and sisters Martha and Grace Fleming. Mollie Mae Scott also competed in an incomplete team. The U17 male A team of Jamie and Sam McCarthy and Lewis Roddis was a very creditable 7th in the team competition. The B trio of Alistair McLachlan, Chris Black and Jonathan Dow also acquitted themselves well in 14th spot and the C squad of Euan Reid, Jay Gallacher and Fearghus MacGregor put in a good effort in 22nd position. Lewis and Jonathan were ranked 8th and 11th of all U17 athletes, Sam was 9th in the U15 age category and Jamie was 11th in the U13 age group. In the Women’s Relay with 3 to run the club finished 3 teams composed of a mixture of familiar and new faces, some of whom were experiencing their first taste of cross country running. Although the course was undulating it was fortunately dry underfoot. The A trio of Lesley Blackwood, Kirsty O’Brien and Catriona Bain ran solidly for 15th position. Both Lesley and Catriona were making their cross country debut. Similarly B team member Sarah Ross who led off Jacqueline McLew and Paula McCabe was a cross country debutant. The C team of U20 athletes Peggy Nan Rodger, Rachel Wardrope and Ana Bradley in 35th spot were 5th places behind the B team. It was impressive to see 8 red and white teams participating in the men’s event. There was a thrilling finale to the men’s competition as only 12 seconds covered the first 3 teams. Unfortunately the Cambuslang A team of Kevan Harvey, Jamie MacKinnon, Mike Christoforou and Fraser Smith was pipped in the latter stages by Giffnock North AC and Inverclyde AC. A very strong B quartet of Chris McLew, Iain MacCorquodale, Colin Reilly and Craig Jardine secured 6th spot and not surprisingly was the first B team to cross the line. The Masters team of George Pettit, Justin Carter, Gordon Robertson and Stevie Wylie in 12th position achieved a 41 seconds victory over Garscube Harriers. The next Cambuslang team was only 3 places behind the masters and was made up of U20 athletes Theo Carter, Michael Black and Zak Povey along with Ross Stephen. A 2nd masters team of Mark Gallacher, Mark King, Mick O’Hagan and Iain Nicholl captured the 28th team slot while club captain Richie Carr led Chris Smith and coaches Simon Gold and Frank McGown to 36th position. A mature O50 team of Chris Upson, coach and secretary Dave Thom, Frank Hurley and president Des Dickson closed in 2 places later. Scott Hunter, Eddie Carr, Peter Ogden and newcomer Stephen Leonard ensured that all 8 teams finished. Considering the adverse circumstances and challenges of the last 18 months which everyone had to endure it was gratifying to see a good turnout of club members competing together in open competition again. A vote of thanks is due to the club committee and coaches for their sterling contribution in trying to keep members connected and focused while following the Scottish Government guidelines.

2 weeks later at the Scottish Cross Country Relays at Scone Palace Olivia McNicol joined Erin Kearney and Millie Nicholl in the young athletes female A team. The trio finished in 32nd position with the B team of Megan O’Brien, Lucy McGrandle and the ever dependable Eilidh Kennedy taking 58th spot. Millie recorded the 10th quickest time for an U17 athlete. The young male athletes assembled 4 teams. Jamie and Sam McCarthy and Lewis Roddis were 16th with the B trio of Alistair McLachlan, Chris Black and Jonathan Dow in 32nd spot. Euan Reid, Lewis Cook and Fearghus MacGregor occupied 44th position, 22 places ahead of the D team of Dylan Howat, Cian Kearney and Dean Edmonds. The Cambuslang ladies quartet of Jacqueline Etherington, Lesley Blackwood, Kirsty O’Brien and Jacqueline McLew crossed the line in 24th spot. However, Peggy-Nan Rodger, Rachel Wardrope and Sarah Simpson did not have a 4th runner to complete a B team. The club’s A and B men’s teams were selected on the basis of times recorded in the previous District Championships. Therefore, places in the A team were awarded to Chris McLew, Mike Christoforou, Kevan Harvey and Craig Jardine while Cameron Smith, Fraser Stewart, Iain MacCorquodale and Jamie MacKinnon made up the B squad. Cameron, a former student at Glasgow University but now working in Nottinghamshire was given a berth in the B team on account of his performances down south. With the 2 teams evenly matched it came as no surprise that the B team in 6th place got the better of the A team by 2 places. The C team was a mixture of youth and experience and U20 Zak Povey, Colin Reilly, U20 Michael Black and Richie Carr finished a commendable 25th and 3rd C team. In spite of a great effort by George Pettit, Stevie Wylie, Justin Carter and Gordon Robertson the masters just missed out on the M40 gold medal by 5 seconds. The honours this time went to Edinburgh AC. The club’s 2nd masters squad of Iain Nicholl, Scott Hunter, Kenny Finlayson and coach Iain Crawford dead heated with the quartet of Theo Carter, Gary Lyon, coach Simon Gold and Stephen Leonard. In the M50 competition Richard Cooper, Mick O’Hagan and Chris Upson lifted the team bronze medals while the B trio of Dave Thom, Des Dickson and Frank McGowan in 6th place was the first B team home.

The Scottish Short Course Championships returned to the disused Lanark Race Course courtesy of race organisers Law AC. Unfortunately the competitors had to contend with heavy rain and near gale force winds. Olivia McNicol and Lucy McGrandle were first to run and both ran strongly in the conditions to finish 32nd and 62nd out of 100 finishers. Their male age counterparts also acquitted themselves well and Sam McCarthy in 26th place led home Chris Black and Lewis Cook to secure 8th team position from 14 complete teams. In the under 17 ladies event Millie Nicholl came close to achieving the bronze medal but eventually came home 6th and with support from Abbie McClue and Eva Ritchie the girls finished 5th team. Eilidh Kennedy with a strong finish was only one place behind Eva. The counting trio for the under 17 males packed even closer together with Lewis Roddis, Jonathan Dow and Finlay Robb occupying 28th, 31st and 32nd positions to also take 5th team. There was a buzz of anticipation and excitement when Laura Muir, the Olympic 1500M silver medallist lined up with 220 other starters in the ladies 4K. As expected, she ran a controlled race to win comfortably. Eve MacKinnon, the former under 17 Scottish Cross Country bronze medallist, put in her best performance in recent years to cross the line in 28th place with Lesley Blackwood in her first season of running not far behind in 51st spot. Experienced triathlete Kirsty O’Brien and another newcomer Catriona Bain anchored the team into 13th place from 23 finishing teams. Lesley McCardle who had journeyed up from London where she is now working was the next Cambuslang athlete home ahead of Jacqueline McLew and Rachel Wardrope. Olympian and Scottish 3000M and 5000M record holder Andrew Butchart of Central AC dominated proceedings in the men’s race to breast the tape ahead of his club mate Jamie Crowe and Shettleston Harriers Lachlan Oates. With Central AC being team winner certainties the competition for the silver and bronze medals was potentially fierce with Cambuslang being in the mix along with Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities, Shettleston, Giffnock North, Kilbarchan and Fife AC. The fight for these 2 medals could not have been closer with Edinburgh University pipping Cambuslang by 1 point only. Cameron Smith (13th), Fraser Stewart (22nd), Mike Christoforou (23rd) and Chris McLew (29th) all finished within 23 seconds of one another. Unfortunately Jamie MacKinnon, the Scottish 1500M bronze medallist, who was a mere 3 seconds behind Chris narrowly missed out on a team medal. Cameron who had travelled up from Nottingham was pleased to have held off the Scottish 1500M record holder Jake Wightman in the dash to the line. Gordon Robertson continued his good sequence of winning Scottish Masters M40 medals when finishing runner up in his category with the improving under 20 Zak Povey not too far behind. Club captain Ritchie Carr was sandwiched between 2 other under 20 athletes, Ruairidh MacGregor and Theo Carter. Ritchie did well to participate given that he was bitten by a dog during his pre race warm up. Thereafter, a succession of master runners crossed the line in the following order, Chris Upson who was announced post race as the recipient of the bronze M50 individual award, George Pettit, Iain Nicholl, Mick O’Hagan, Kenny Finlayson and Des Dickson. Chris Smith broke the flow of masters before the next flurry appeared – Scott Hunter, David Scott, fellow coaches Simon Gold and Iain Crawford, Eddie Carr, Stephen Leonard and Chris Paton. Club treasurer Dave Thom was unfortunate to pull out just after half way when in the M60 bronze position. A sudden sharp foot pain meant there was no way he could continue.

Tinto Hill could just be seen from the Lanark Race Course rising above the mist. If conditions were bad enough at the ground level Lanark Course the driving wind and rain on the 711m or 2,333ft hill were much worse. Kieran Cooper and dad Richard showed good strength to finish 5th and 2nd M50 respectively. On the same day Jennifer Campbell battled away bravely to finish 4th lady in a time of 4.59.27 in the gruelling 33 miles Glen Ogle Trail Race in Perthshire. Having increased her weekly mileage during lockdown she was keen to try an ultra race. On the cross country front Colin Donnelly returned to competition after a lengthy period of injury to participate in the Borders Cross Country League held on his local course at Hawick. In many ways this undulating course is akin to hill running which suited the former Scottish, UK, European and World Hill Running Medallist admirably. Therefore, not surprisingly he was the first M60 and 3rd master overall.

Members of Cambuslang Harriers were keen to participate in the West District Cross Country Championships which was cancelled last year due to the Covid lockdown. The competition for all age groups from under 13 to masters was held in early December at the scenic but testing Balloch Country Park course. Cambuslang Harriers came away with 2 gold, one silver and 2 bronze individual medals along with 2 team gold and one bronze team medal. There was an added bonus of 5 runners gaining automatic selection to represent the West District in the forthcoming Scottish Inter Counties with another 7 staking a strong claim for the remaining discretionary places. The club’s two under 13 athletes Erin Kearney and Megan O’Brien can be pleased with their efforts while their under 13 male counterparts, Jamie McCarthy, Euan Reid and Alistair McLachlan, combined well to finish 5th team. U15 runners Olivia McNicol and Lucy McGrandle put in strong performances in their age group as did Sam McCarthy, Chris Black and Lewis Cook who were 4th team in the U15 boys’ competition. Millie Nicholl ran a well judged race to come through strongly to take the individual bronze U17 ladies medal and with good support from Abbie McLue and Eilidh Kennedy a team bronze medal was secured. Millie’s individual bronze was confirmation of her recent good form. The U17 men’s team consisting of Lewis Roddis, Jonathan Dow and Finlay Robb just missed out on team bronze. Fearghus MacGregor and Dean Edmunds provided the back up in this age group. Rachel Wardrope was the sole Cambuslang competitor in the U20 ladies’ event and she stuck to her task well on this difficult course. The club had a clean sweep of the individual medals in the men’s U20 race thanks to Chris McLew, Zak Povey and Ruairidh MacGregor who not surprisingly lifted the team award. Theo Carter offered valuable backup support. Cambuslang Harriers top the Teams Medal Table for U20 men having amassed 13 gold, 4 silver and 1 bronze in the history of this competition

The women’s 8.5K race saw the senior ladies competing alongside the master ladies. Eve MacKinnon showed welcome signs of returning to her earlier form as an U17 and U20 athlete by coming home in 10th position to seal an automatic place in the West District team while newcomer Catriona Bain continues to progress. There were creditable performances too from W45 Jennifer Campbell and from Erica Christie, the leading W65 runner. With 4 to count in the team competition the ladies finished in 10th spot. The big question before the final event of the day was whether Cambuslang could win a 4th consecutive senior men’s title. As the race unfolded it was clear that it was a 3 way contest between Cambuslang, Shettleston and Inverclyde. In the end Cambuslang prevailed over Shettleston by 7 points. Fraser Stewart in 3rd place led home Mike Christoforou (4th), Craig Jardine (9th), Iain MacCorquodale (18th), Jamie MacKinnon (20th) and Stevie Wylie (36th). Achieving automatic places in the West District Team was a further bonus for Fraser, Mike and Craig. It was a remarkable run by Stevie who also picked up the M50 individual award thus adding to his previous titles as a senior and as a M40. He has also featured in 4 of the club’s senior team gold successes with his first medal being won 27 years ago. Likewise, former club captain Iain MacCorquodale has a proud competitive record in this championship event having claimed individual silver in season 2002 – 03, in addition to his 9 team gold medals. Fellow M35 runners Richie Carr and Ian Hodge, in his first cross country race, put in strong performances as did M40 athletes Stuart McGeachy and Justin Carter. Cambuslang’s masters’ team was placed second but unfortunately only 1 team medal was given out in spite of the sizeable number of masters competing. A trio of M50s were next to cross the line – Richard Cooper (4th M50), Chris Upson (1st M55) and Mick O’Hagan (5th M50). M40 Iain Nicholl led home fellow M40 Kenny Finlayson ahead of former M50 victor Paul Thompson who was the leading M65. The remaining 7 members to finish were Phil Burns, M40 David Scott, Chris Campbell, Frank Hurley (3rd M65), M40 Ian McNair, M60 Eddie Carr and M50 club coach Iain Crawford.

Senior man Ryan Thomson and M50 Stevie Wylie rounded off the year 2021 in fine style with age victories in the Tilli 10K on the 27th December. Ryan set a pb of 29.45 to hold off Robbie Simpson, the 2018 Commonwealth Marathon bronze medallist. Stevie produced a swift 33.57 clocking for his age category.

During the year triathlon events in Scotland had also been curtailed due to Covid lockdown restrictions. However, as the situation improved national competition opportunities opened up again. Kirsty O’Brien took advantage of this relaxation and picked up 4 Scottish gold and 1 silver medal in her W35 age group. Her 4 gold medals came in the Scottish Sprint Distance Triathlon, the Scottish National Aquathon, the Scottish National Standard Triathlon Championships and the Scottish National Duathlon Championships and the silver in the Scottish National Triathlon Middle Distance Championships. M55 Alan Ramage also gained a bronze medal in the Scottish National Standard Triathlon Championships. Grant Sheldon, as an elite GB triathlete, had greater opportunity to travel and compete in the UK and abroad. He fitted in 10 triathlon events either in the European or World Series between the months of April to November and raced in Morocco, Portugal, England, the Czech Republic, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, twice in Italy and twice in Canada. His best performance was in September in the World Triathlon Cup in the Czech Republic where he gained a runner up podium place.

2022

After an absence of 1 year due to the Covid -19 pandemic the Scottish Inter-District Cross Country Championships at Irvine Beach Park in January kicked off the 2022 cross country calendar of events. Cambuslang had 10 athletes selected to represent the West of Scotland. The McCarthy brothers, Jamie and Sam, were competing in the U13 and U15 boys events with Olivia McNicol in the U15 girls race. Millie Nicholl, Abbie McClue, Lewis Roddis and Jonathan Dow participated in their respective U17 competitions as did senior runners Eve MacKinnon, Mike Christoforou and Fraser Stewart.

The Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships made a welcome return to the calendar in February. East Kilbride AC hosted the event on their spectator friendly undulating course at Strathaven. Cambuslang Harriers came away with 4 team and 11 individual medals. Both the senior women and men’s teams captured the gold medals thanks to Eve MacKinnon, Catriona Bain and Kirsty O’Brien, Iain MacCorquodale and the U20 pair of Ruairidh MacGregor and Aaron Grew. There was also team gold for the U15 boys trio of Sam McCarthy, Chris Black and Lewis Cook with Olivia McNicol, Lucy McGrandle and Martha Fleming taking the U15 girls silver medals. Individual gold medals went to Eve, Ruairidh, U17 male Finlay Robb and W60 Erica Christie. There were runner up spots for Aaron, U15 Sam and M60 Colin Feechan as well as bronze medals for Iain MacCorquodale, U20 athletes Peggy-Nan Rodger, Luke Biggart and M60 Dave Thom.

The Scottish Cross Country Championships at Falkirk in February was on the Scottish Athletics’ menu of events once again. The repercussions of Covid lockdown across the board were that apart from the U15 and U17 female races having a slight increase in entries all other age group numbers were down on the pre Covid period. In spite of the best efforts of clubs like Cambuslang Harriers doing their best to keep connected with and encouraging their athletes during lockdown to continue training some athletes were lost to the sport or had got out of the way of competitive racing. Normal routines for younger athletes had been disturbed by schools being closed. In the U13 girls and boys event the club had 3 participants namely Emma Ritchie, Euan Reid and Alistair McLachlan. The U15 girls and boys teams both finished in 9th position courtesy of Olivia McNicol, Lucy McGrandle, Martha Fleming, Mollie Mae Scott, Sam McCarthy, Chris Black, Lewis Cook and Gabriel Murphy. The U15 girls and boys also shared the same finishing place. An excellent 5th individual spot by Millie Nicholl led Eva Ritchie and Abbie McClue to 4th in the team competition. Eilidh Kennedy provided backup. Solid packing by Lewis Roddis, Finlay Robb, Jonathan Dow and Fearghus MacGregor also secured a very respectable 4th in the team placings. Peggy-Nan Rodger was the sole representative in the U20 ladies event. A top 10 finish by U20 Chris McLew led Zak Povey, Luke Biggart and Michael Black to 6th in the team contest. Eve MacKinnon, who was just outside the top 20 finishers, along with Catriona Bain and Lesley McCardle were involved in the senior ladies race. The highlight of the day for the club was the spirited performance by the senior men. From 627 finishers Ryan Thomson (8th), Mike Christoforou (17th), Craig Jardine (18th), Fraser Stewart (23rd), Cameron Smith (26th) and Iain MacCorquodale (54th) dug deep to capture the bronze medals. Former club captain Iain showed true club grit to cross the line as the vital 6th counter in spite of having to run the last mile with a pulled calf muscle. If it had been an individual competition he would have done the sensible thing and dropped out but he kept going to ensure that his team would medal. Unfortunately for him it meant a longer period of recovery and rehabilitation. Kieran Cooper and Andrew Carey who were just behind Iain were representing their universities on this occasion. M40 Gordon Robertson in 70th position was the next runner home in a red and white vest behind Iain. He was followed home by Stuart Gibson, newcomer Ian Hodge, Owen Walpole, club captain Richie Carr, Iain McDonald, Chris Upson, Justin Carter, Brian Douglas, Mick O’Hagan, club treasurer Colin Feechan, club secretary Dave Thom, David Scott, club tent carrier Dan O’Connell, coach Iain Crawford and new member Chris Paton.

Next up was the Masters Cross Country Championships held in early March at Aberdeen. The M50 team comprising the individual M50 and M55 gold medallists Stevie Wylie and Chris Upson with support from M60 Colin Feechan secured the team silver medals from the defending champions of 2020 Perth Road Runners. Early in the race it looked as if Cambuslang would regain the team title. However, Mick O’Hagan, the 3rd counter at the time took unwell and dropped right back out of contention. The importance of having back up in team competition came into play as Colin Feechan who was only easing himself back into racing after a prolonged injury spell moved up to being 3rd counter and ensured the silver medals for the club. Fellow M60 and club president Des Dickson was not far behind Colin with Mick and Iain Crawford next to complete the course. Mick deserves credit for finishing in spite of feeling ill. Erica Christie took the W65 bronze individual medal to lead Bernie O’Neil and Jacqueline McLew to 4th place in the W50 team contest. Unfortunately the M40 trio of 4th individual Gordon Robertson, Justin Carter and Brian Douglas did not have a 4th runner to complete a team.

The spring cross country competitions ended with U17 Millie Nicholl and senior man Craig Jardine representing the West of Scotland in the UK Inter County Championships at Loughborough. Millie played her part well there in finishing in 27th spot from 256 competitors and helping the West team to the gold medal.

Millie Nicholl was the star Cambuslang performer at the Scottish Young Athletes Championships at Greenock. She lifted the U17 bronze medal in a pb of 17.48 for the 5K event. Eilidh Kennedy also set a pb of 21.57. Fellow U17 athletes Lewis Roddis and Finlay Robb also set pbs of 16.16 and 16.57. The U15 trio of Sam McCarthy, Chris Black and Gavin Kelly attained 5th team position and were supported by Lewis Cook, Gabriel Murphy and Cian Kearney. Olivia McNicol performed well in her U15 race. The U13 girls team of Emma Ritchie, Erin Kearney and Megan O’Brien, and the U13 boys duo of Alistair McLachlan and Euan Reid gained useful racing experience.

The Scottish Senior and Masters Road Relays took place one week later at Livingston. The M50 quartet of Mark Gallacher, Chris Upson, Richard Cooper and Kerry-Liam Wilson turned the tables on their conquerors at the Cross Country Championships, Perth Road Runners. Kerry-Liam supplied the fastest M50 long leg time and Mark and Richard recorded the 2 quickest short leg stages. M65 Paul Thompson who had won the Antartica Half Marathon in February came home a creditable 6th on the opening short leg in spite of a heavy fall at the start. The M40 men in spite of a valiant effort by Brian Douglas, George Pettit, M50 Kevin Newberry, Gordon Robertson, Iain Nicholl and Justin Carter narrowly missed out on a bronze medal to Gala Harriers. Injuries to M40 stalwarts Iain Reid and Kenny MacPherson and the transfer of Ben Hukins to his local club PH Racing during lockdown was depriving the club of key personnel. The senior men sextet of Kevan Harvey, Richie Carr, Fraser Stewart, Colin Reilly, Shaun Butler and Stuart Gibson were 14th team. Fraser in his last race before the Manchester Marathon had a fast mid race short leg blow out which gave him the 5th quickest time of the day. Kevan with the 12th fastest time of the day was satisfied with his comeback effort after a period of injury. Club member Andrew Carey secured a team bronze medal competing in the colours of Glasgow University. The senior ladies acquitted themselves well in 10th place thanks to Catriona Bain, Lesley Blackwood, Paula McCabe and Kirsty O’Brien. Lesley in her first 8 months with Cambuslang was pleased to clock the overall 12th fastest long stage time. Bernie O’Neil, Erica Christie and U20 Rachel Wardrope made up an incomplete B team. On the same weekend Moira Stewart, competing in Istanbul, set a Czech National Record of 70.14 for the Half Marathon distance.

The April Tom Scott Road Race incorporated both the Scottish and the West District 10 Miles Championships. Scottish individual silver medallist Mike Christoforou led Andrew Carey and M40 gold medallist Gordon Robertson to national team silver. Stevie Wylie and Erica Christie also acquired Scottish individual gold and bronze awards in their respective M50 and W65 age categories. Regarding West District medals Mike was given senior silver, Gordon and Stevie M40 gold and M40 bronze, Chris Upson M50 silver, Dave Thom M60 bronze, Lesley Blackwood senior lady silver and Erica Christie W60 bronze. On the same weekend Fraser Stewart made an impressive marathon debut at Manchester when he came first in the open race in the excellent time of 2.18.40.

The Jim Dingwall Round the Houses 10K Road Race at Grangemouth which incorporated the BMAF and Scottish Universities Championships proved to be a very rewarding day for members of Cambuslang Harriers. Taking advantage of staging a British Masters Championship Event on home soil the club amassed 4 team and 9 individual awards and by way of a bonus Andrew Carey was crowned Scottish Universities Male Champion. BMAF team gold medals went to the M55-64 trio of Chris Upson, Kevin Newberry and Dave Thom and to the M65-74 squad of Frankie Barton, Frank Hurley and Peter Ogden. There were silver medals in the M45-54 age group for Stevie Wylie, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Justin Carter while in the M35-44 age category Ian Hodge, George Pettit and Gary Lyon received bronze medals. This was a special day for Kevin, Ian, George and Gary as they picked up their first ever BMAF medals. Team manager Colin Feechan, who had ensured a good turnout of Cambuslang athletes, joined in the race although not fit just to provide possible cover for the M55-64 team. On an individual basis there were M50 and W60 gold medals for Stevie and Erica, silver for M50 Kerry-Liam, M55 Chris and M65 Frankie with M45, M55, M60 and M65 medals going to Justin, Kevin, Dave and Frank.

The Scottish 5K Road Championships held in conjunction with the Self Transcendence Race at Silverknowes in Edinburgh kicked off the programme for May. While there were no team medals gained the senior men finished 6th and the ladies 14th, Mark Gallacher took the M50 silver medal on the line with an inspired finish and there was a host of pbs recorded. Mike Christoforou in 9th position, Kevan Harvey and M40 Gordon Robertson made up the men’s team and Nathalie Brohan, Kirsty O’Brien and U20 Rachel Wardrope counted for the ladies. Among those achieving pbs were Andrew Carey representing his university, Gordon, U17 Lewis Roddis, U15 Sam McCarthy, Ian Hodge, Keir Crawford, U17 athletes Jonathan Dow and Millie Nicholl, Chris Smith, Nathalie and Chris Campbell.

A few weeks later at Sutton Coldfield in Birmingham Paul Thompson, Frank Hurley and Frankie Barton were decisive winners of the BMAF M65-74 Road Relay by the sizeable margin of 3 minutes and 21 seconds. Paul was also rewarded with the fastest overall time with Frank 4th and Frankie 6th quickest. Over the years this venue has been very kind to this Cambuslang trio. M60 athletes Colin Feechan and Dave Thom moved down to the younger M45-54 age group to give M50 Kevin Newberry a taste of running in such a prestigious event in which they finished 14th. Kevin who had just taken up competitive running again after an absence of over 30 years from the sport had been delighted with his recent M50 BMAF 10K bronze medal. In his younger days he won a Scottish U17 1500M bronze medal and as an U20 clocked 4 minutes dead, 8.30 and 31.41 for the 1500M, 3000M and 10K road while also representing Scotland in the same age group in the Gateshead Cross Country International.

The Kilmarnock Roon the Toon 10K hosted the Scottish Road Championships for the first time. While the senior men were expected to challenge for the senior medals there was no such pressure on the ladies although recent results in the previous 2 Babcock 10K Races had suggested that they might be outside contenders. This proved to be the case as personal best performances from individual bronze medallist Eve MacKinnon, Lesley Blackwood and W40 Nathalie Brohan gave the ladies the bronze medals behind Fife AC and Giffnock North. The senior men captured team silver thanks to the efforts of individual bronze medallist Mike Christoforou, Fraser Stewart and Kevan Harvey in his first race after a lengthy injury spell. The Cambuslang team was sandwiched between Shettleston Harriers and East Kilbride AC. Both Mike and Fraser recorded pbs as did Andrew Carey and Iain McDonald while Kevin Newberry set a comeback pb. 3 other age category awards went to Gordon Robertson, Mark Gallacher and Erica Christie. Gordon gained the M40 silver medal and Mark and Erica received bronze medals in their M50 and W60 age groups.

In August Fraser Stewart and Mike Christoforou had the honour of representing Scotland in the Antrim Half Marathon. Both justified their selection with their excellent times of 66.23 and 67.05 for Fraser and Mike respectively. Fraser’s clocking was a pb for him. In the same month Moira Stewart represented the Czech Republic in the European Marathon Championships. A brief illness shortly before the event did not deter her from lining up. For much of the race she was hitting her planned target times until the latter stages when her previous illness caught up with her and the wheels came off. However, she carried on and finished in a time of 2.43.03.

The senior ladies quartet of Kirsty O’Brien, Nathalie Brohan, Paula McCabe and Rachel Wardrope excelled in the Scottish Mid Trail Championships at Falkland Estate in early September by securing the team gold medals. The U17 men under the guidance of coach Colin Stephen equalled the performance of the ladies courtesy of individual gold medallist Sam McCarthy, individual bronze medallist Finlay Robb and Chris Black. This was an apt reward for their ongoing commitment to participating in club training sessions. M50 Chris Upson and M60 Stan MacKenzie were also bronze medal recipients in their respective age groups.

In the middle of September Moira Stewart returned to competition after her recent marathon and duly lifted the Czech Republic 10K Road Title with a time of 33.30. Later in September the senior ladies won their 3rd successive Scottish team medal in the National Half Marathon Championships held in Glasgow. Lesley Blackwood, Nathalie Brohan and Kirsty O’Brien were the 3 counters for the silver medal winning team. The senior men trio of Fraser Stewart, M40 Stuart McGeachy and Steven Fitzpatrick also gained silver medals. There was further icing on the cake for the club when it was announced that new member Jacqui Thomson was first in the W50 age category, Erica Christie 2nd in the W60 age group and Nathalie 3rd in the W40 age classification. Also on the roads in that month Cameron Smith finished 3rd in the Midlands 10K Championships.

Over the summer months both Colin Donnelly and Kieran Cooper were active on the hills. Colin achieved a World Mountain Running M60 Silver Medal and Kieran represented Scotland in the Home International Up and Down Race and also the West of Scotland in the Inter Counties Hill Running Championships.

The West Cross Country Relays held at nearby King’s Park signalled the start of the cross country season. A number of club volunteers organized by president Des Dickson assisted Giffnock North with the setting up and marshalling of the course. Cambuslang fielded 2 complete female young athletes’ teams comprising of Anna Murray, Olivia McNicol and Grace Ferry in the A team and Isabella Marco, Zoe O’Donnell and Lucy McGrandle in the B team with Abigail Brannan and Martha Fleming in an incomplete C team. For some of the girls this was their first experience of cross country running. The young athlete male A trio of Rory Barclay, Lewis Cook and Sam McCarthy combined well to finish a creditable 12th and the B team of Jack Gillon, Daibhidh Kinnaird and Chris Black were not far behind in 17th position. Logan Morrison, Euan Reid and Gabriel Murphy occupied 30th spot while Kyle Morrison and Alistair McLachlan ran in an incomplete team as the club had lost the services of one of its top U17 athletes, Jonathan Dow, who was a late call off due to illness on race day. Cambuslang ladies excelled themselves to finish 2 teams in the top 10 thanks to the 5th placed A squad of U20 Millie Nicholl, Lesley Blackwood and Eve MacKinnon and to the B trio of debutant Hannah Addison, Georgia Freeman-Mills and Kirsty O’Brien in 9th. Both Millie and Hannah got the club off to a good start and the rest of the ladies responded well with Eve on the anchor leg recording the 9th fastest time of the day. The C team of Catriona Bain, Rachel Wardrope and Julie Reid also performed well to pip the masters’ trio of Carole Setchell, Bernie O’Neil and Erica Christie. Anne Marie Masterton and Kathmar Dow also acquitted themselves well in their first ever race on country having only joined the development squad during the Covid lockdown period. In a very competitive men’s field the A quartet of Chris McLew, Kieran Cooper, Jamie Mackinnon and Gavin Smith all ran within 14 seconds of one another to cross the line in 5th place. The B team ably led off by U20 Lewis Roddis, Iain MacCorquodale, Stuart Gibson and Richie Carr were the 2nd B team home in 11th position. It was good to have Iain back in action again following the calf injury he sustained while helping the club to the bronze medal in the Scottish Cross country Championships last February. The senior C team, comprising U20 Theo Carter, cross country debutant Tom Adams and masters Jamie Reid and David Scott, was a mixture of youth and experience. It was also a welcoming sight to see Jamie, a former Scottish Marathon Champion and multi Scottish medallist on road and country, in his first competitive race after an absence of a few years due to injury. The masters A team of George Pettit, Justin Carter, Stuart McGeachy and M50 Mark Gallacher took the silver honours in the M40 veteran team contest. Although there was no M50 veteran team award Cambuslang fielded 2 strong M50 teams comprising Mark King, Chris Upson, Richard Cooper, Brian Douglas, Paul Thompson, Des Dickson, Colin Feechan and Tony McCutcheon. Sandwiched between the 2 M50 teams was a combined M40/50 quartet of Gary Lyon, Dave Thom, Iain Nicholl and Mick O’Hagan. The remaining places went to a mixture of experienced and novice runners with club tent man Dan O’Connell, coach Iain Crawford, Willie Fairley and M70 Peter Ogden being in the former category and newcomers Alan Anderson and David Lyon in the latter.

Two weeks later the Cambuslang Harriers M50 trio of Brian Douglas, Mark Gallacher and Chris Upson won silver medals at the Scottish XC Relays held over the testing and muddy Cumbernauld course. The W50 counterpart team of Jacqui Thomson, Erica Christie and Bernie O’Neill finished an excellent 4th. The club’s B M50 trio of Dave Thom, Mick O’Hagan and Kevin Newberry was the first M50 B squad in 10th position while the C team of Des Dickson, Dan O’Connell and Willie Fairley were 22nd. The M40 quartet of George Pettit, Gordon Robertson, Justin Carter and Gary Lyon and the W40 team of Nathalie Brohan, Carole Setchell and Julie Reid were both inside the top 10 finishing teams in 6th and 10th spots respectively. Iain Nicholl, Iain Crawford and Chris Paton ran in an incomplete M40 B team. Gordon, Jacqui and Chris had the satisfaction of achieving the fastest, second fastest and 3rd fastest times in their age groups. A well balanced senior ladies A team of Lesley Blackwood, Eve MacKinnon, Millie Nicholl and Hannah Addison finished 9th equalling the best ever position previously achieved while the B quartet of Georgia Freeman-Mills, Kirsty O’Brien, Rachel Wardrope and Catriona Bain gave a good account of themselves in 32nd spot out of 54 finishing teams. The men’s A squad of Jamie MacKinnon, Cameron Smith, Fraser Stewart and Gavin Smith put in a very solid performance to come home in 8th position. The B quartet of U20 Lewis Roddis, Craig Jardine, Stuart Gibson and Mike Christoforou occupied a creditable 19th spot while the C team of Owen Walpole, Steven Fitzpatrick, Andrew Anderson and Tom Adams completed the club’s senior men’s placings just outside the top half of the 92 complete teams. Unfortunately due to a clash with the schools’ October holiday week the club could not field any under 13 female athletes in the opening leg of the Young Athletes Relays to allow our under 15 and 17 year olds to participate in the 2nd and 3rd legs. However, the young males were able to assemble 3 complete teams plus one U13 individual. The A trio of Rory Barclay, Lewis Cook and Sam McCarthy worked their way steadily through the large field to finish 19th while the B squad of Logan Morrison, Euan Reid and Chris Black can be pleased with their 32nd place. Flynn Osbourne, Jack Gillon and Gabriel Murphy in the C team (56th) gained useful experience at this level of national competition as did Kyle Morrison on the opening lap.

The O55 male team of Kevin Newberry, Colin Feechan, Dave Thom and Chris Upson made the long journey south to compete in the British Masters Athletics Federation XC Relays at Long Eaton in Derbyshire. Previously this event has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Cambuslang Harriers and the quartet added to the club’s record of success at this venue by taking team bronze. Dave, Kevin and Chris had the luxury of travelling down by car the day prior to the race. However, Colin spent the Friday flying back home from his holiday in Corfu. He set out early on race day at 6.30am to drive the 300 miles to Long Eaton to join his team mates. 2 consecutive days of long-distance travel is not the best preparation for racing. If it had only been an individual race Colin might have thought twice about undertaking the lengthy car journey but his services were required for the 4 men relay event. Kevin, whose training had been interrupted by injury, brought the club home in touch in 6th place with a time of 11.46. Colin’s time of 11.49 then advanced the red and whites into 4th position and Dave’s clocking of 11.42 helped to cut back the gap on 3rd placed Brighton Phoenix. Going into the last leg Chris had an 18 seconds deficit to make up if he was to anchor Cambuslang to the bronze medal position. This is the type of situation which he relishes and he was up for the challenge. Not only did he pass his Brighton opponent but he was 19 seconds clear of him by the finish. Although Chris ran the glory leg all 4 runners’ contribution was vital to the outcome. The club was given a very warm reception at the post race prize giving in appreciation of the fact that Cambuslang had been the only Scottish club to make the journey down south for this British Championship Event. Thereafter, it was another long drive back to Scotland.

The Scottish Short Course Championships for all age categories over 15 were staged once again at Kirkcaldy. The over 15 and 17 athletes competed over 2K with the older groups covering 4K. Cambuslang Harrier 10^th placed Daibhidh Kinnaird ran strongly in the U15 boys event and with support from Euan Reid and Alistair McLachlan the team finished 11th. In the same age group Olivia McNicol headed Martha Fleming. Under 17 Finlay Robb just got the better of Sam McCarthy on this occasion with Chris Black not too far behind which gave the trio 7th spot in the team competition. Gabriel Murphy was the 4th U17 Cambuslang athlete to finish. From a large field of 260 finishers the ladies’ quartet of Hannah Addison, Nathalie Brohan, Kirsty O’Brien and Catriona Bain were 13th team with Erica Christie and Rachel Wardrope next to cross the line. Erica was rewarded with an individual bronze medal in the O60 age category for her sterling effort. In the men’s competition the seniors narrowly missed out on a bronze medal even although only 7 seconds covered the 4 counters – Gavin Smith, Cameron Smith, Ryan Thomson and Jamie MacKinnon. 5th club finisher Fraser Stewart was only 8 seconds adrift of Jamie and was followed home by fellow seniors Chris McLew, Craig Jardine, club captain Richie Carr, Brendan Carey, M55 Chris Upson and Andrew Anderson. M40 Iain Nicholl pipped Colin Feechan who clinched the M60 individual silver medal while managing to hold off M55 Kevin Newberry. Club secretary Dave Thom got the better of fellow M60 club president Des Dickson ahead of the M50 trio of Dan O’Connell, Iain Crawford and Chris Paton.

The following week’s highlight was the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International in Dublin. Seven proud Cambuslang athletes, namely M35 Stuart Gibson, M45 Justin Carter, M50 Mark Gallacher, the M55 pair of Chris Upson and Kevin Newberry and the M60 duo of Colin Feechan and Dave Thom lined up in their Scottish vests to take on runners from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Unfortunately Paul Thompson who had won the M65 trial could not participate on account of injury. The magnificent 7 gave their all and there was an added bonus for Mark, Kevin and Chris as their age group teams won bronze medals. It was a dream weekend for Kevin who only returned to competitive running 20 months ago after an absence of 3 decades to gain his first Scottish vest and a team medal into the bargain.

The West District Cross Country Championships at Kilmarnock rounded off the cross country season for 2022. First off for the club were Ross Barclay and Jack Gillon in the U13 Boys Event. Both ran well to achieve 17th and 22nd place. U15 Olivia McNicol finished ahead of Martha Fleming and in the corresponding Boys’ race Daibhidh Kinnaird reinforced his potential by taking 5th spot and thus clinched an automatic berth in the U15 West Team for the Inter District Championships in January. Lewis Cook and Euan Reid added their support to help Cambuslang to 5th position in the team competition. The Harriers were represented by Grace Ferry, Lucy McGrandle and Eilidh Kennedy in the combined U17 and 20 Ladies Race. Likewise, the U17 trio of Sam McCarthy, Finlay Robb and Chris Black lined up beside the U20 due of Lewis Roddis and Theo Carter. The 3 under 17 men packed well to land the bronze medals and there was an added bonus for Sam who automatically sealed his place in the West Inter District Team. Lewis, building up his fitness again after illness, got the better of Theo. In the penultimate event the senior/master ladies fielded 9 runners, which was a record turnout for the club. 6th placed Eve MacKinnon led Hannah Addison, Kirsty O’Brien and super vet Jacqui Thomson to 4th in the team standings. This quartet was followed home by Catriona Bain, Kathleen McLachlan, Erica Christie, Julie Reid and Rachel Wardrope. Jacqui, Kathleen and Erica secured 7th place for the master ladies. Eve became the 3rd Cambuslang athlete to gain an automatic West Inter District vest. A large contingent of 24 senior and master men lined up for the final race of the day. In the 6 to count senior team competition the club won bronze but lifted the gold in the 3 to count M40 championship. Gavin Smith, Fraser Stewart and Jamie MacKinnon in 5th, 8th and 14th slots spearheaded the Cambuslang challenge and were supported by near veteran Iain MacCorquodale and fellow veterans Gordon Robertson and Iain Reid. Kerry-Liam Wilson, the leading M50 on the day sealed a convincing team victory for the masters. Stuart Gibson who was gradually improving his form after a lengthy injury split Iain and Kerry-Liam. Next came Chris McLew, club captain Richie Carr, M40s, Justin Carter and George Pettit, Owen Walpole, Chris Upson, Steven Fitzpatrick, Andrew Anderson, the leading M60 Colin Feechan, Kevin Newberry, Mick O’Hagan, Stan Mackenzie, Tony McCutcheon, Ryan Donnelly, Dan O’Connell and Iain Crawford. Both Gavin and Fraser booked their automatic places for the West Team in the January Inter District Championship.

The Indoor Track season at the Emirates commenced on the 30th January with the Scottish Masters 3000M Championships. Multi Scottish medallists Stevie Wylie and Chris Upson led home their fellow M50 and M55 rivals. M65 Sandy Eaglesham gained a silver medal and there were bronze medals for M35 Richie Carr, M50 Mark Gallacher, M60 Dave Thom and M70 Peter Ogden. The Scottish Students Athletics Indoor Championships was sandwiched between the Masters 3000M Championships and the 800/1500M Championships. Glasgow Cross Country Club Captain Andrew Carey produced a 3000M pb of 8.58.86 to secure the student gold medal. The 800/1500M masters took to the track the following day. M50 Mark Gallacher doubled up and was rewarded with a gold medal in the shorter event and a bronze in the longer race. M65 Sandy Eaglesham earned a bronze medal in the 800M while M45 Justin Carter occupied 2nd place in the 1500M and M60 Dave Thom slotted into 3rd spot over the same distance. One week later Ryan Thomson was involved in a close race for the Scottish 3000M senior title with GB Internationalist Kristian Jones. Ryan was just edged out in the final sprint to the line but had the consolation of lifting the silver medal and taking 32 seconds off his pb into the bargain. Both athletes set pb times of 8.03.92 and 8.04.29.

The Scottish 10,000M Track Championships at Crownpoint opened the outdoor track season. Cambuslang athletes delivered gold, silver and bronze medals. Stevie Wylie was awarded the M50 gold medal, Fraser Stewart the senior men silver and Alistair Campbell the M35 bronze. Fraser’s time of 29.55.00 reduced his previous best time by a massive 62 seconds. At the same time Moira Stewart Stewart set a pb of 32.54.74 to retain her national 10,000M title. In May Stuart Gibson travelled to Inverness where the 3 district 10,000M championships were being held and came away with a West silver medal. At the end of the month Ryan Thomson represented Scotland at the Loughborough International Meeting where he finished 6th in an outdoor pb of 8.09.88. In June Moira posted a new Czech Republic record of 32.08.06 when finishing 10th in the European 10,000M Cup in France. Ryan Thomson surpassed himself in June at the Watford BMC Meeting when he reduced his 5000M pb by 24 seconds to clock the superb time of 13.54.74. 3 Cambuslang masters were in action in July in their Scottish Championships at Dundee. M55 Chris Upson was a double gold medallist in the 800M and 1500M races, M50 Mark Gallacher won bronze and silver over the same distances and M60 Dave Thom claimed a silver medal in the 5000M. Mark went on to represent the Scottish Masters in the 1500M at the Masters Inter Area Competition at Nuneaton where he secured 3rd place in a pb of 4.32.87. The Scottish Senior and U17 Championships in August was also staged in the North of Scotland at Aberdeen. Eve MacKinnon’s strong 17.35.46 run secured her the senior bronze medal. In the corresponding men’s 5000M Cameron Smith in 5th spot overtook Ryan Thomson in the closing stages to push him back one place. U23 Andrew Carey had the satisfaction of setting a pb. The men’s 1500M offered up a thrilling finale. Going into the last lap 6 athletes including Cambuslang’s Gavin Smith, Jamie MacKinnon and Chris McLew were all in contention for the 3 available medals. In a blanket finish Jamie denied Gavin the bronze medal with a late surge to the line. Only 2 seconds separated the first 6 finishers with Jamie 3rd, Gavin 4th and Chris 6th. Jamie showed his championship mettle in gaining his 3rd consecutive Scottish medal at this distance. It was a very good day for coach Mike Johnston who coaches Eve, Jamie, Gavin and Chris. U17 Sam McCarthy who is coached by Colin Stephen returned from the Granite City with a 1500M pb. The Lanarkshire Track Championships in September at Crownpoint brought the curtain down on the track season. U20 Lewis Roddis was 2nd overall but first in his age group. Training partner Finlay Robb got the better of fellow U17 athlete Sam McCarthy who both claimed the gold and silver medals. Sam again reduced his pb.

Kirsty O’Brien had a very successful year on the Scottish Triathlon Circuit. She claimed the W35 gold medal in the Scottish Aquathlon Championships and also won her age group in the Scottish Sprint Triathlon and in the Scottish National Mid Distance Triathlon as well as picking up overall bronze and silver in the same 2 competitions. Her medal haul was completed when capturing the National Scottish Duathlon W35 title. Fellow club members Nathalie Brohan and Deborah Comer were also among the medals at the National Scottish Duathlon Championships. Deborah was awarded the W50 gold medal and Nathalie the W45 bronze medal.

Fellow triathlete Grant Sheldon had an even busier season as he participated in 12 Elite Triathlon Events between March and November. During that period he enjoyed 5 top 10 performances. The highlight of his season was representing Scotland for the 3rd time in the Commonwealth Games at Birmingham in July. He achieved his best Commonwealth position to date when finishing a superb 5th ahead of some of his more fancied rivals in the individual event. In a star studded line up he came through strongly in the 3rd and last discipline, the 5K run, to move up to 5th behind event winner England’s Alex Yee, New Zealander Hayden Wilde and 2 Australians. His time of 15.15 on the hilly Sutton Coldfield course, the scene of numerous medal winning performances over the years by Cambuslang Masters, was the 5th fastest split on the day. With only one full day’s rest Grant then led off the Scottish Mixed Relay Team. Grant, Beth Potter, Cameron Main and Sophie Green combined extremely well to take 5th place, the highest ever finishing position by Scotland. Grant’s mum and dad, Carol and Brian, and his uncle David Marshall were there to cheer him on and were justifiably proud of his achievement. Grant’s late inclusion to the GB Mixed Relay Team in the World Series Championships at Leeds in June was also a memorable occasion for him. Both Jonny Brownlee and Alex Yee were late withdrawals and Grant was drafted in. He played his part well when contributing to the GB quartet’s 2nd place finish ahead of pre race favourites Germany with France in 3rd spot. Grant first started off as a swimmer before turning to the triathlon. Although his main focus is understandably on the triathlon he has competed for Cambuslang Harriers whenever possible. He takes inspiration from his grandfather Willie Marshall who was a multi Scottish, UK, European and World Champion Masters Distance Runner. Grant first ran for Cambuslang in 2010 in the Scottish Cross Country Championships as an U17 youth and helped the club to team silver. The following year he won the U20 individual title leading Cambuslang to team bronze and was also a member of the silver winning team in 2012. His 2nd overall and first U20 placings led to both senior and U20 team victories in the 2014 Scottish Road Championships. He also won Scottish 10K Road individual gold in 2017 and 2019 and silver in 2018 leading his teammates to 2 team gold medals and one silver. Finally in a rare track appearance in 2017 he secured gold in the 5000M Scottish Championships.

The club was sad to announce the sad passing of former club president and secretary Des Yuill who died in February at the age of 83. He was originally a member of Maryhill Harriers but joined Cambuslang Harriers in 1972 when he moved to Burnside. Des continued to run for enjoyment and still did the occasional race. He was proud of his achievement of winning the club veteran championship title in 1980. Des became heavily involved in the administration of the club and served as secretary from 1973 to 1983 and then as president from 1986 to 1992. He contributed greatly in these roles to help transform Cambuslang from a small local club into one of the leading distance clubs in Scotland. He also used his excellent administrative skills as a committee member of the Scottish Cross Country Union and then as a member of the Scottish AAA. Des became well known for his involvement in the prestigious Edinburgh to Glasgow Road Relay. Having competed in this event for Maryhill in the early 1960s and with Cambuslang participating from 1972 onwards, he became actively involved as a race recorder, clerk of course and finally convenor. Through his employment with Barrs Irn Bru he secured the company’s long term sponsorship of the event in 1979. In addition, he wrote a detailed account of the history of the event from 1931 to 1939 for the Scottish Marathon Club Magazine. Although Des left the harriers in 1992 he still took an interest in the club and was regularly seen at district and national competitions cheering on the red and white vests. Brian McAusland aptly summed up his contribution to Cambuslang Harriers and to Scottish Athletics in an article which appeared on his excellent Scottish Distance Running History Website.

“He was always a good clubman” and “as an administrator and official he was of the first order.”

The club also mourned the death of former stalwart Donald Glen who served the club in many ways from the late 60s to the 1990s. He was a popular figure and was a committee member from 1973 to 1977 as well as being the boys captain in 1973 and club captain in 1974. After coming off the committee he still helped out in other ways with fund raising and organising a club bus for runners and supporters at the time of the Edinburgh to Glasgow Road Relay. He also enjoyed his long Saturday afternoon club runs with Dick Whiteford, Jim Brownlie, Jim Fitzpatrick and others.

At the club’s AGM in September President Des Dickson reported that over the last year he “was pleased to see the progress being made to engender a real sense of belonging for all our athletes, junior and senior, as well as those in the development groups and right throughout the club with the support from our talented group of coaches and volunteers”.  Formally last year’s committee was re-elected plus 2 new members from the development group, Lorraine Mullen and Suz Ross, were elected. Coach Graeme Gallie was also appointed as a 2nd auditor. To finish off the meeting, club member and Scottish international distance runner Fraser Stewart delivered a most informative “Question and Answer” session to his audience extolling what can be done through hard work, commitment, consistent training, listening to advice and taking guidance from coaches.

2022 ended on a sad note when former member Derek McCutcheon passed away on the 28th of December one week short of his 82nd birthday. Derek, the uncle of Robbie McCutcheon, was a popular athlete who enjoyed his long Saturday afternoon runs from the club alongside Des Yuill, Jim Fitzpatrick, Donald Glen and others.

2023

Cambuslang Harriers entered into its 75th year of existence on 1st January. Former club president David Cooney had an unexpected start to the year when he was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s 2023 New Year Honours List. His citation stated “Committee Member, Cambuslang Harriers. For services to Athletics.” David first joined the club in January 1971 and came onto the committee in 1974 and 50 years on is still a committee member. During that time period he served as president from 1980 to 1986 and from 1992 to 2019 thus accumulating 33 years of service in that role. While being delighted and proud to accept the award he feels that he should not be singled out as there are other members who have also contributed to the success of transforming Cambuslang from a small local club into one of the major Scottish Endurance Clubs on road and country. David holds the view that this award is not only for himself but also for his club Cambuslang Harriers.

The Inter District Cross Country Championships at Scone Palace was the first major outdoor running event of the year. The club was represented by U15 Daibhidh Kinnaird, U17 athletes Sam McCarthy and Finlay Robb, senior ladies Eve MacKinnon and Hannah Anderson and senior male Fraser Stewart. Daibhidh put in a strong performance to make the counting 6 finishers for the victorious West boys team. U17 Chris Black took advantage of the open entry system and spilt his clubmates Sam and Finlay. U13 boys Rory Barclay and Jack Gillon also entered via this route and acquitted themselves well.

In the Masters Cross Country Championships at nearby Tollcross individual gold medals were won by M50 Stevie Wylie, M60 Colin Donnelly, M65 Eddie Stewart and W65 Erica Christie. Eddie’s historic victory in the M65 category gave him the unique record of having won individual gold over 6 different age groups. M55 Chris Upson, M60 Stan MacKenzie and M70 Frank Hurley were presented with bronze medals. After an absence of 3 years the M50 trio of Stevie, Justin Carter and Colin picked up the team award. The W50 team of Jennifer Campbell, Erica and Bernie O’Neil in 4th spot just missed out on a team medal. In a highly competitive M40 contest Gordon Robertson was a close 4th and led Iain Nicholl, Gary Lyon and Scott Hunter to 7th in the team competition while Kirsty O’Brien recorded 12th place in the W40 age group. Other competing Cambuslang Harriers were M70 Peter Ogden, M50 athletes Brian Douglas and Mick O’Hagan, M55 Kevin Newberry, M60 runners Colin Feechan and Des Dickson, M55 Dan O’Connell and M50 Iain Crawford.

The Armagh International Road Races in early February presented an opportunity for 8 club athletes to record fast times over 3K and 5K. Eve MacKinnon set a pb of 9.40 over the shorter distance as did Hannah Addison (10.22) in spite of feeling unwell during her run. Similarly all 6 men broke new ground with Gavin Smith clocking 14.01, Fraser Stewart 14.06, new member Callum Tharme 14.11, Jamie MacKinnon 14.23, Kevan Harvey 14.51 and Andrew Carey 15.27. Unfortunately Ryan Thomson whose track 5000M time of 13.54.74 from June 2022 had earned him a place in the first wave of athletes to set off was forced to watch from the sideline on account of a hip injury.

The Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships was incorporated into the final West League Match held in Bellahouston Park. U11 girl Brooke Walker took the individual bronze medal while her male counterpart Ewan Kennedy was crowned Lanarkshire Champion and with support from Niall Smith and Noah Midwinter the trio captured team silver medals. At U13 level Rory Barclay and Jack Gillon finished 2nd and 3rd. U17 athletes Sam McCarthy and Finlay Robb duplicated the placings of Rory and Jack and with Jonathan Dow as back up the team silver medals were secured. The senior women and mens individual and team finishing places were identical. Lesley Blackwood and Mike Christoforou were crowned champions with Catriona Bain and Stuart Gibson in the bronze medal positions. The final athletes for the women and men’s teams Kathleen McLachlan and Colin Reilly clinched the team gold medals.

Ewan Kennedy

The Scottish Cross Country Championships at Falkirk were blessed this year with dry weather which made running conditions more favourable for the athletes apart from a few who revel in the glorious mud. Cambuslang Harriers came away with 2 team bronze medals courtesy of the U17 men and the senior men and the senior women achieved their best finishing position ever taking 6th spot. The U17 quartet of Sam McCarthy, Finlay Robb, Chris Black and Zach Seenan packed tightly as a group with only 19 seconds between them which was sufficient to repeat the team bronze performance of 2019. Jonathan Dow, Zack Haggerty and Gabriel Murphy offered the important back up. The proud medallists were delighted with their success as were their parents, their coach Colin Stephen, the coaching staff, club officials and the large group of supporters present. The club was very well represented in the senior men’s event with 30 members recording times. Gavin Smith in an excellent 11th place closely followed by international triathlete Grant Sheldon and elite marathon runner Fraser Stewart in 14th and 17th spots led new member Callum Tharme (24th), Mike Christoforou (33rd) and Kevan Harvey (34th) to the fiercely contested bronze medals. Each club can have only one counting team but, if allowed to score, Cambuslang’s next 6 runners would have been 6th team. The 6 finishers – Kieran Cooper, Jamie MacKinnon, Chris McLew, Andrew Carey, M40 Gordon Robertson and Stuart Gibson – occupied positions 38th to 92nd. Colin Reilly just made the top 100 with Ruairidh MacGregor just outside in 108th place. Club captain Richie Carr, Craig Jardine, former club captain M40 Iain Reid, newcomer Steven Fitzpatrick and Andrew Anderson were all inside the top 190 finishers. M45 Kenny Campbell on the comeback trail after a prolonged injury narrowly missed out on a top 200 place by 6 seconds. The next club runners to cross the line were Tom Adams in his first Scottish Cross Country Championship, M60 Stan MacKenzie, M45 Iain Nicholl who both shared the same time, new members Kevin Farmer and Callum Wright, club president M60 Des Dickson, M40 Chris Campbell, M55 Dan O’Connell, M50 Iain Crawford and M50 Chris Paton. At U20 level Lewis Roddis and Theo Carter put in solid performances. Cambuslang also had a good turnout for the senior women’s race although Hannah Addison was unable to start due to illness. Eve MacKinnon, fresh from her 3K pb in Armagh, ran positively from the gun and was rewarded with a superb 12th place finish. The dry underfoot conditions suited Lesley Blackwood who confirmed her recent good form in 30th spot and, with valuable back up from W40 Kirsty O’Brien, Georgia Freeman-Mills in her first season with the club and W50 Jennifer Reid, the sextet secured a magnificent top 6 team finish. Next home were W40 Kathleen McLachlan, Rachel Wardrope and prolific racer W65 Erica Christie. There were encouraging Scottish Cross Country debuts from novice U13 athletes, Rory Barclay and Jack Gillon, who finished well up the field as did U15 Daibhidh Kinnaird who has had an excellent first season for the club and has been selected to represent Scotland at school level. Euan Reid and Alistair McLachlan acquitted themselves well in their first year in the same age group as did 2nd year U15 Olivia McNicol. Mollie Mae Scott represented the red and whites in the U17 ladies event.

The month of March was a fruitful one for members of Cambuslang Harriers. Fraser Stewart and Erica Christie set the standard early in March when Fraser lifted the Scottish Half Marathon Title at Inverness in a pb of 65.24 while W65 Erica returned to Glasgow with the W60 bronze medal. Naturally Fraser was delighted with his first ever Scottish individual gold medal. In the Scottish Young Athletes Road Races the U17 men equalled their national bronze medal cross country performance thanks to Zack Haggerty, Finlay Robb and Zach Seenan. Jonathan Dow who is working his way back to full fitness was only 15 seconds behind Finlay and Zach. New member Logan Morrison split his team mates Rory Barclay and Jack Gillon to help the U13 boys to 4th place in the team event. Logan Emmott-Sinclair and Flynn Osbourne also made their club debuts in the same age group. The U15 trio of Daibhidh Kinnaird, Euan Reid and Lewis Cook were 7th team home while Angus O’Neil performed well in his first race. Olivia McNicol also had a good workout in the U15 girls race.

The M50 and senior men teams lifted gold and silver medals in the Scottish Road Relay Championships. The M50 quartet in running order of Brian Douglas, Justin Carter, Mark Gallacher and Stevie Wylie lived up to their pre race favourite tag to record an emphatic victory. Not surprisingly with Stevie and Justin clocking the 2 fastest long leg stages and Mark and Brian first and 4th quickest on the short legs a new M50 course record was set. The senior men team of Chris McLew, Mike Christoforou, Kevan Harvey, Ryan Thomson, Jamie MacKinnon and Gavin Smith had a good tussle throughout the 6 stages with Scottish Cross Country Champions Central AC and Glasgow University. By the end of the 5th leg the challenge from Glasgow University had wavered and Central AC was in pole position with Cambuslang 20 seconds behind. At the finish the positions remained the same. The Cambuslang senior men can be rightly proud to have given Central a very competitive race. Jamie was 2nd fastest overall on the short leg, Kevan joint 4th and Chris 8th while on the long stage Gavin, Mike and Ryan were 8th, 10th and 13th. Another pleasing aspect of the race was the return of Ryan after a 4 months absence due to a hip injury. Although the men’s B team was not complete, U20 Lewis Roddis, Steven Fitzpatrick, Andrew Blain, Ian Hodge and Tom Adams acquitted themselves well. The M40 team with Gary Lyon, Kenny Campbell, Colin Feechan, Stuart McGeachy, Chris Campbell and Iain Nicholl in their line up was a creditable 4th. The W50 trio of Bernie O’Neil, Jennifer Campbell and Erica Christie also gave a good account of themselves in 5th spot as did the 7th placed senior ladies squad of Hannah Addison, Eve MacKinnon, Catriona Bain and Kirsty O’Brien. Eve had the satisfaction of claiming the joint 3rd fastest time on the long stage.

Several Cambuslang athletes competed in the Dumbarton 10 Miles Road Race which incorporated the West District Road Championships and came away with 3 individual awards. Justin Carter captured the M50 gold medal, Alasdair Campbell the senior silver and Andrew Carey the senior bronze. Both Alasdair and Andrew set new pbs of 51.42 and 52.27. Iain Hodge in a time of 58.09 made a good debut at this distance while M45 Iain Nicholl recorded his 2nd fastest time ever for 10 miles. On the same day Colin Reilly was a clear winner by 2 minutes in the Springburn 10K and M50 Mark King had the same margin of victory in his age group.

Under 15 Daibhidh represented the Scottish Schools in the Schools Cross Country International Event and was a counter for the Scottish team which finished runners up to England. Daibhidh was certainly making an impressive start in his first season of running.

The red and white vests of Cambuslang made a definite impression at the BMAF Cross Country Championships at Wallsend in the North East of England. Both M50 Stevie Wylie and M60 Colin Donnelly were well ahead of their nearest age group rivals and there were further individual medals for Chris Upson and Colin Feechan who took the M55 silver and M60 bronze medals. There was the added bonus of a team gold in the M55-64 category for the 2 Colins and Chris. Scott Hunter also made the long journey south to participate in the M45-54 race.

Cambuslang Harriers male and female senior teams made a spectacular start to the month of April when medalling in the 59th Tom Scott Memorial Road Race which also incorporated the Scottish 10 miles Road Championships. Fraser Stewart, Mike Christoforou and Ryan Thomson in 2nd, 4th and 6th positions were comfortable winners ahead of a strong Moray Road Runners team while Lesley Blackwood, Nathalie Brohan and Kirsty O’Brien pipped Giffnock AC on countback for the bronze medals. Fraser had a ding dong battle throughout the 10 mile race with Central AC’s Hamish Hickey. There had been a similar tussle 2 weeks earlier in the Scottish Half Marathon Championships which ended in a victory for the Cambuslang athlete as Hamish dropped back to the bronze medal spot. However, over the shorter distance the Central AC runner managed to open up a decisive 3 seconds gap over the last half mile. Both athletes were rewarded with Scottish A Standard personal best times of 49.10 and 49.13. Mike and Ryan’s pb times of 50.15 and 50.53 were inside the Scottish B Standard. There were also pbs for Lesley and Nathalie with Kirsty not far off her pb. All 3 were delighted with their well deserved national team medals. Mark Gallacher, Colin Feechan and Erica Christie also acquitted themselves well to be awarded the gold medals in their respective M50, M60 and W60 age categories and Mark had the added bonus of setting a pb having broken 60 minutes for the first time by 58 seconds. The M50 silver medal went to Mark King who also set a sub 60 minutes pb.

Over the same weekend Moira Stewart competed in her first half marathon of 2023 when finishing 7th in the excellent time of 72.41 in the Prague Half Marathon. Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes filled the first 6 places which is testimony to the high quality field assembled by the organiser. Both Cameron Smith and Craig Jardine also assisted their English clubs Notts AC and Abingdon AC in the Midlands and Southern Counties Road Relay Championships to qualify for the English Men’s 12 Stage Road Relay Championships.

The opening race of the Scottish Hill Running Championship Series kicked off the same weekend with the Birnam Hill Race. In a quality field Kieran Cooper and Alasdair Campbell were highly placed in 2nd and 5th spots while Justin Carter was 4th in the M50 category and Colin Donnelly was well clear in his M60 age group.

Two weeks later Eve MacKinnon, Hannah Addison, Lesley Blackwood, Jennifer Etherington, Catriona Bain, Rachel Wardrope and coach and team manager Iain Crawford journeyed south to Birmingham to compete for the first time ever in the English 6 Stage Ladies Road Relays. It was very much an unknown but exciting adventure for the ladies as they prepared to test themselves against the cream of female English distance runners. Eve and Lesley were elected to run the 2 long stages which were conducted on laps 1 and 4. Eve ran well to hand over to Hannah in 14th place out of 35 starters. Hannah although running the fastest club short leg was pushed back into 17th position. Jacqueline took the club up to 16th spot which was maintained by Lesley. After the final 2 short legs run by Catriona and Rachel the ladies finished a very creditable 17th in such a high class field and the club can be proud of their efforts. UK events such as this not only help to foster team camaraderie but expose the athletes to a higher level of competition which in turn aids their development.

The following day the BMAF 10K Championships came to Scotland as part of the Grangemouth 10K Road Race. Team manager Colin Feechan’s advanced promotion of the event had ensured a good representation from Cambuslang athletes. The masters event was open to athletes from the age of 35 upwards. While there were individual BMAF medals in 5 year age categories the team awards covered a 10 year age bracket. Cambuslang Harriers with 9 individual and 4 team awards came away with the biggest haul of medals from all participating clubs. In the M35-44 age group M35 individual bronze medallist Colin Reilly led Alistair Campbell and Kevin Farmer to team silver. New member Kevin was delighted to have secured his first ever BMAF medal. Gary Lyon was on hand to provide any necessary back up if required. The 3 M45-54 team counters were also awarded individual medals in their own age categories. Iain Reid, only 2 weeks after his fine 2.38 Paris Marathon run lifted the M45 silver and Justin Carter and Mark Gallacher achieved M50 silver and bronze medals. Both Kenny Campbell and Brian Douglas offered their close support. In the W45-54 event Bernie O’Neil and Erica Christie dropped down from their age groups to form a team with Jennifer Campbell which is perfectly permissible and encouraged by the BMAF to promote team competition. This move proved to be a rewarding one as Jennifer, Bernie and Erica gained silver in the team competition. Erica had the additional bonus of receiving the W60 gold medal. As in Cambuslang’s M45-54 team the 3 M55-64 silver medallists were presented with individual awards. Chris Upson took the M55 bronze medal and Dave Thom and Colin Feechan were given the M60 silver and bronze awards. It was encouraging to see club secretary Dave returning to form after a quiet period due to injury. Club treasurer Colin displayed true grit and great club spirit in managing to finish the race as his hamstring went with 2K still to run. However, knowing that his services were required to complete the team he painfully struggled on to clinch the team silver. Frank Hurley in spite of a chronic knee problem showed what a competitor he is when acquiring the M70 individual silver medal. Nick Saunderson made his club debut in the open 10K and his time of 36.48 was not far off his pb.

The London Marathon attracts not only elite, club and fun runners but also those wishing to raise funds for their own particular charity. Nine Cambuslang members were participated this year in the event. Scottish Half Marathon Champion Fraser Stewart had been given the honour of an elite entry and he fully justified his invitation by setting a pb of 2.18.34 and finishing 3rd Scottish runner. This gained him an individual Scottish bronze medal in the incorporated Scottish Marathon Championships and he led team mates Steven Fitzpatrick and Iain Murphy to Scottish team bronze medals. Both Steven and Iain had the double satisfaction of setting new pbs of 2.32.29 and 2.54.05. Iain Nicholl although recording his 2nd fastest time ever just missed out on the 3rd counting spot by a mere 45 seconds. Julie Reid, Kathryn King and club coach Iain Crawford were all delighted to lower their best times. Dan O’Connell overcame his recent injury to dip under the 4 hours mark to raise funds for his chosen charity. Frank McGowan in his role as a carer was involved as part of a 4 person team to assist wheel-bound Sam Perkins around the course to boost funds for his MND Charity, Stand Against MND. Sam was also helped by 4 times World Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington. The team did an excellent job in completing the course in just over 5 hours.

The club had an excellent turnout of 30 athletes for the Scottish 5K Road Championships held over the fast popular Edinburgh Course at Silverknowes. The Cambuslang senior women’s team of Eve MacKinnon, Lesley Blackwood and Hannah Addison and the senior men’s trio of Gavin Smith, Callum Tharme and Chris McLew both lifted team bronze medals. This was another historic achievement for the Cambuslang ladies who had never previously medalled in this national event. M60 individual bronze medallist Dave Thom continued his return to form. Incredibly 19 of the club participants posted pbs which speaks volumes for our athletes and coaches. 4th placed Gavin Smith was the first club runner home in a time of 14.28 and was followed by Callum Tharme (14.45), returning to competition after injury, and Chris McLew who shared the same time as Kieran Cooper with Colin Reilly only 1 second adrift. Although both Kieran and Colin just missed out on a team bronze medal, they had the consolation of recording pbs. 4 other runners were inside the 16 minutes barrier namely Andrew Carey, U20 Lewis Roddis, club captain Richie Carr and Steven Fitzpatrick. Both Lewis and Steven had the satisfaction of lowering their pb times significantly as did U17 athletes Finlay Robb (16.15) and Zach Seenan (16.19). U20 Theo Carter with a pb of 16.52 just missed out on defeating his dad Justin for the first time ever by 2 seconds. A 17.19 clocking by M50 Brian Douglas was his fastest time since 2016. Eve MacKinnon (17.31) led the female charge over the line with Lesley Blackwood (18.04) and Hannah Addison (18.09) backing her up in the team contest. Iain Murphy (17.40) squeezed in between Eve and Lesley and Hannah’s finishing positions as all 4 produced pbs. Iain Nicholl (18.01) and Dave Thom were separated by 1 second only. W40 Jacqueline Etherington underlined her return to full fitness in achieving a pb of 18.36 and 6th spot in her age category. Chris Campbell’s pb of 19.01 was sufficient to hold off a sub 20 minutes female trio of Nathalie Brohan, Kirsty O’Brien and Catriona Bain who also bettered their previous best times as did David Scott (20.00) and Rachel Wardrope (20.16). Scott Hunter finished 17 seconds later pursued by coach Iain Crawford (22.05) and 4th placed W60 Erica Christie (22.38). Cameron Smith had hoped to compete in this event but was unable to do so because of work commitments. However, he posted a 6 seconds pb of 14.24 the following day in the Leicester Podium 5K Event.

Gavin Smith, Callum Tharme, Chris McLew – (C) Bobby Gavin

The Scottish 10K Road Championships was incorporated for the first time into the Babcock Shettleston 10K Event staged over a 2 lap course in Glasgow Green. 18 Cambuslang members toed the starting line in expectation of some good individual and team performances and they were not disappointed in this respect. At the post race presentation 4 national individual and 2 team medals were awarded to club members. Club secretary Dave Thom continued his current purple patch to come home first in the M60 age group and club president Des Dickson showed a return to form in taking the silver medal in the same age category. Their achievements demonstrate that it is possible to combine club committee and coaching duties with competitive running. Erica Christie once again gained a podium place as the 3rd W60 lady in the race. Ryan Thomson’s senior bronze medal in a time of 30.43 was another indication that he is getting back to his pre injury form. He was ably backed up by the consistent Mike Christoforou (30.55) in 4th spot with the improving Colin Reilly in a pb of 31.45 closing in in 12th place to clinch the team gold medals. The senior men had now picked up 6 Scottish team awards so far this year with 2 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze having been won. There has been a good spread of medals among members. Mike has 4, Ryan 3, Gavin Smith 3, Fraser Stewart 3, Kevan Harvey 2, Chris McLew 2, Callum Tharme 2 and one a piece for Jamie MacKinnon, Colin Reilly, Steven Fitzpatrick, Grant Sheldon and Iain Murphy. The senior bronze ladies team of Kirsty Wright, Kirsty O’Brien and Georgia Freeman Mills, whose times ranged from 40.23 to 41.41, also continued the successful run of national female medal awards. They have now acquired 3 Scottish team bronze medals for this year with 7 athletes having played their part. Lesley Blackwood and Kirsty O’Brien have 2 each and Eve MacKinnon, Hannah Addison, Nathalie Brohan, Kirsty Wright and Georgia Freeman-Mills have one each.

A

Kirsty Wright, Dave Thom, Callum Wright, Steven Fitzpatrick (c) Daren Bornynski

fter a quiet winter due to injury Moira Stewart returned to competition in early April in the Prague Half Marathon. She was the first Czech Republic athlete to finish in the excellent time of 72.43 although she was headed by 6 other ladies of Kenyan or Ethiopian origins. One month later in the Prague Marathon she finished 7th again behind 6 African runners. However, Moira (2.31.54) was a clear winner of the Czech Republic title. She had been on schedule for a sub 2.30 clocking until the closing stages. Nevertheless, in spite of reduced training time over the winter she can be very pleased with her recent exploits. Also in May the BMAF staged its One Mile Road Championships at Silverknowes in Edinburgh where Jacqueline Etherington captured the W40 gold medal and Erica Christie the W65 silver award.

Moira Stewart had the honour of competing for the Czech Republic in the August World Marathon Championships held in a warm and humid Budapest. In spite of the sultry conditions she stuck to her task to complete the course in a time of 2.34.02 for 26th place. Shortly afterwards Fraser Stewart represented Scotland in the Antrim Half Marathon. He was going very well up to the 10k mark when he began to feel unwell. However, not wishing to drop out or jog in he battled on bravely and still managed to clock 69.25. Once over the finishing line Fraser spent some time in the medical tent to help him recuperate.

Cambuslang hill runners also made their presence felt during the summer months. In early May Kieran Cooper was chosen to represent the West of Scotland in the Inter District Hill Championships held in the Lake District. Back in Scotland the Scottish Hill Running Championships were held across the water on the Island of Arran. Alasdair Campbell produced one of his best hill performances to date to secure the Scottish senior bronze medal in the fast time of 77.50. Justin Carter also delivered the goods, without having trained specifically for the event, to be awarded the M50 silver medal in the Scottish Championships. Legendary hill running specialist Colin Donnelly, a former Scottish, UK, European and World Champion over different age groups, clinched the M60 title by almost 5 minutes in finishing only 38 seconds behind Justin. 10 days later the Kilpatrick Hill Race staged the West District Championships. The Cambuslang quartet of Alasdair Campbell, Iain MacCorquodale, Justin Carter and Iain Murphy came away with the team silver medals while Alasdair and Justin scooped the individual senior and M50 prizes with Iain MacCorquodale taking the M40 silver medal. Alasdair was rewarded for his current hill running form by being chosen to represent Scotland for the first time in the forthcoming Snowden International Mountain Race. Cambuslang athletes Colin Donnelly and Neil Wilkinson have been former winners of the event. The Scottish team in which Alasdair was a member finished 2^nd in the team competition. A further Scottish call up came his way when he was selected to represent his country in the Vertical Nasego which is one of Italy’s premier mountain running events. The race is a challenging 4.2K with approximately 1,000M of vertical ascent.

The Scottish Masters 3000M Indoor Championships in January launched the 2023 indoor track season. Jacqueline Etherington, on the comeback trail after injury, picked up the W40 title while M55 Chris Upson gained a silver medal. There were age group bronze medals also for M35 Steven Fitzpatrick, M50 Mark Gallacher and M60 Colin Feechan. Steven’s performance stood out for a number of reasons. He had just recently joined the club, had never raced indoors before and his indoor time was 22 seconds superior to his road 3K time. The indefatigable Chris added another silver medal a few weeks later in the 1500M Championships. Jamie MacKinnon was a close runner up in the Scottish Men’s 1500M Indoor Championships. Unfortunately his training partner Gavin Smith narrowly lost out on the bronze medal in the closing few strides.

The Scottish 10,000M Track Championships at Crownpoint Stadium marked the start of the outdoor season. Cambuslang athletes lifted 2 gold and 2 bronze medals and 5 personal bests were set. M55 and M60 athletes Chris Upson and Dave Thom won their respective age category titles while Colin Reilly and Justin Carter achieved bronze medals in the M35 and M50 age groups. Colin had the double satisfaction of significantly reducing his pb to 31.37.15. Fellow M35 runners Stuart Gibson and Richie Carr were involved in a close tussle to the line with Stuart holding off his club captain by 2 seconds. Richie’s time of 32.53.65 was a 70 seconds improvement. In spite of losing out on the senior bronze medal by 0.14 seconds Ryan Thomson was nevertheless be pleased with his pb time of 30.02.41 especially as he had missed 3 months of training over the winter due to injury. Andrew Carey in the same heat made a promising 10,000M track debut of 32.21.41 as did Georgia Freeman-Mills (41.04.38).

Dave Thom (C) Bobby Gavin

The following month Cameron Smith set a 1500M pb of 3.52.66 and an outdoor 3000M best time of 8.26.86 over 2 successive weekends at Loughborough. Jamie MacKinnon, the current Scottish indoor silver and outdoor bronze medallist, acquitted himself well in his first race for Scotland at the Loughborough International over the iconic mile distance. His early season opening time of 4.10.75 was only just over 1 second outside of his best time. Eve MacKinnon travelled down to London to participate in the Night of the 10,000M PBs at Parliament Hill. In a highly competitive heat Eve stuck to her task to record a time of 36.17.83 which at the time put her in 4th place in the current Scottish Ladies Rankings. Several of the club’s younger athletes showed good early form at the West District Track Championships at Kilmarnock. First year U13 Ewan Kennedy took the 800M silver medal with a 2 seconds improvement on his pb and U15 Daibhidh Kinnaird picked up the 1500M bronze medal in a tight race. In the same age group Euan Reid took a massive 16 seconds off his 800M pb in his heat and later finished a very creditable 6th in the final. Sam McCarthy also finished 6th in the U17 1500M final while Gabriel Murphy achieved a pb in the same race. U17 Chris Black in 6th spot fractionally missed out on an outdoor 800 pb.

The month of June kicked off with Moira Stewart representing the Czech Republic in the European Cup 10,000M A Race. She performed well to record a time of 32.54.86 for 10th spot which put her ahead of all the GB athletes. Unfortunately Cambuslang Harriers have never had a proper track in Cambuslang or Rutherglen and have to travel to either Crownpoint in Glasgow or to East Kilbride to fit in track sessions. However, this did not deter Chris McLew, Gavin Smith and Jamie MacKinnon from breaking the 11 years old Scottish Senior 3 x 800M Relay Record held by a Giffnock North team which included the current European silver medallist Neil Gourley. The Cambuslang trio knocked over 2 seconds from the previous national record and over 13 seconds from the existing club record set in 1997 by Graham Ferguson, David MacRae and Kevin Downie. On that occasion the club lifted the bronze medals. Coach Mike Johnston was involved with both Cambuslang teams. The trio’s achievement was formally recognised in the House of Commons by the local MP. 6 Cambuslang athletes lined up in their respective 1500M heats at the Livingston Open Graded Meeting and all came away with personal bests. Gavin Smith clocked a superb pb time of 3.44.55 for 2^nd place in the premier heat. In the 2nd heat Callum Tharme reduced his pb by 9 seconds to take his time down to 3.57.60 and U20 Lewis Roddis can now boast a pb of 4.06.33 having taken 6 seconds off his pb. The biggest improvement of all came from U17 Chris Black whose 4.21.08 clocking removed 32 seconds from his previous time. U15 Daibhidh Kinnaird finished a stride behind Chris taking 6 seconds off his pb. U20 Zak Povey (4.28.59) who has had a difficult season due to injuries showed that he is on the road to recovery with a 23 seconds time improvement. The U20 and U17 athletes have been training consistently under the watchful eye of coach Colin Stephen and U15 David is being guided by coach Iain Reid.

Moving into July, 5 male Cambuslang Harriers shared 9 Scottish Masters track medals among them. M70 Sandy Eaglesham secured 3 silver medals over 400, 800 and 1500 metres while M55 Chris Upson and M60 Dave Thom enjoyed double medal success. Chris took the 1500M gold in his age group and the 800M silver with Dave striking gold in both the 1500M and 5000M events. Over the longer distance M35 Stuart Gibson replicated Dave’s golden award and M50 Mark Gallagher added a valuable silver medal to his growing collection. Mark also had the honour of representing the Scottish Masters in the Masters Inter Area M50 3000M race at Nuneaton where he came 3rd in a season best time. Towards the end of the month the GAA 5000M Race gave the club’s distance runners an opportunity to shine. Gavin Smith stamped his authority on the field to open up a decisive gap to breast the tape in a pb of 14.14.89. There was a scramble to the line for the minor places with Fraser Stewart utilizing his strength to take the runner up spot with Callum Tharme in 4th place. Both also recorded personal best times of 14.20.19 and 14.20.67. Cameron Smith who had been with the leading group until 3K came home 6th in a time of 14.31. 88. Earlier in the season Cameron had set an excellent pb of 14.17.58. Ryan Thomson was unfortunately unable to compete due to illness. Steven Fitzpatrick in a separate heat recorded a personal best of 16.32.44.

Jamie MacKinnon’s immediate preparations in his build up to the Scottish 1500M Championships went well. He set a pb of 1.51.31 for the 800M at Stretford and followed up with a superb 1500M victory representing Glasgow Jaguars in the National Athletics League Premier Division at Scotstoun. He was therefore seeking to improve on his Scottish senior bronze medal performances from 2022, 2021 and 2019. With the finishing line only a few strides away it appeared that his wish would be granted. Although fast finishing Ben Potrykus was reeling Jamie in it looked as if Jamie would get to the tape first. However, he fell just short of the line which meant Ben claimed the coveted title. While on the ground he was also overtaken by training partner Andrew McGill for the silver. Jamie then showed true grit by crawling over the finishing line to secure his 4th outdoor Scottish senior 1500M bronze medal. Another of Jamie’s training partner, Callum Tharme, was pleased to gain his first ever senior track medal when finishing runner up in the 5000M. Fellow Cambuslang athlete Cameron Smith occupied 8th position. Spare a thought for Gavin Smith who had entered for both the 1500M and 5000M events and was a serious medal contender over both distances. He unfortunately took unwell in the week before the championships and could not compete. Chris McLew was unfortunate in the 800M. Although he finished 2nd Scot in the final he was 4th overall. The gold and bronze medals went to athletes from the Cook Islands and England which is permissible as the Scottish Track Championships are deemed to be an open entry.

In the final open graded meeting of the season M60 Chris Upson not only set a 1500M pb time of 4.37.98 which may be a new Scottish age group record. Harry Tempan did record the faster time of 4.36.04 in 1984 in Italy but there seems to be some debate on whether or not the Surrey based athlete is Scottish or not. However, Chris can certainly claim the fastest ever M60 1500M time clocked in Scotland by a Scottish athlete. Prior to his outstanding time the best performance by a Scottish athlete was credited to Alastair Dunlop who ran 4.39.74 in Hungary in 2014 while Paul Forbes posted a time of 4.41.36 at Scotstoun in 2021.

In the first week of September Alasdair Campbell was again selected to represent Scotland in the Vertical Nasego, a challenging 4.2K with 1,000M of vertical ascent. A star studded field of some of the best Vertical racers including the current World Uphill Champion from Kenya was assembled in Italy. The Scottish contingent fared well and in a field of 113 finishers Jacob Adkin, was 12th, Rory Abernethy 17th, Scottish Cross Country Champion Jamie Crowe 19th and Alasdair 34th. High calibre events such as this will assist his progression in his preferred speciality of hill running. Club members had been looking forward to the Scottish Mid Trail Championships in which Cambuslang athletes have had an impressive record. However, the event did not go ahead this year due to problems with access to the Falkland Estate.

Jacqui Thomson, Kirsty O‘Brien and Zach Seenan were active on the triathlon front while Grant Sheldon was unfortunately sidelined due to injury. Jacqui bounced back with a vengeance from a long standing injury to claim the runner up spot in the W60 Age Group Category in the World Duathlon Championships held in Ibiza. Kirsty O’Brien kicked off her summer triathlon season in fine form when she achieved the W40 gold medal and the overall bronze medal in the Scottish National Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships. She then headed to Hamburg to participate in a World Sprint Distance Qualifying Event which could give her automatic entry to the World Championships Final later in the season. Finishing 9th in her age group meant that she had achieved her goal. Next up for Kirsty was the Scottish National Aquathlon Championships at Balloch in which she scored a convincing W40 victory. She maintained her excellent run of form to lift the overall gold medal along with the W40 award in the Scottish Middle Distance Triathlon Championships at Aberfeldy. New member Zach Seenan who was a member of Cambuslang’s U17 bronze medal teams in the Scottish Cross Country and in the Scottish Road Championships turned his attention to the Scottish Aquathlon Championships. Using his running fitness he worked his way through the field after the swim to secure the overall silver and U20 gold medals. Uplifted by his aquathlon success he headed for Sunderland to contest the U20 British Standard Distance Triathlon Championships and came away with the silver medal. The penultimate Scottish Triathlon Championship Race of the season took place at the Knockburn Sports Loch in Banchory where 3 Cambuslang members were among the medals in the Scottish National Standard Distance Event. Once again Zach Seenan excelled himself to finish 2nd overall and 1st U20 triathlete. He came through strongly in the last discipline to record the fastest 10K time by 2 minutes. At this early stage in his running and triathlon career Zach appears to have a bright future ahead of him. Kirsty O’Brien who is no stranger to the podium continued her winning ways and captured the W40 gold medal along with the overall bronze medal. In a competitive W50 contest Debs Comer was delighted to come away with the silver medal.

The Scottish Duathlon held at St Andrews brought the triathlon season to a close. Club members Stan MacKenzie and Nathalie Brohan came out on top in their respective age groups. Stan lifted the M60 gold medal while Nathalie not only took the W45 title she was also crowned the overall female champion. Kirsty O’Brien was disappointed at having to miss the event due to sustaining a calf injury while competing in the Dumfries Half Marathon. She had hoped to have made it 5 out of 5 W40 national victories.

The Scottish Veteran Harriers Club held their annual trial for the upcoming British and Irish Masters Cross Country International at Tollcross Park where the event will be staged in November. The spectators, if not the athletes, were blessed with unexpected warm and humid weather for September. 7 Cambuslang participants namely M35 Colin Reilly, M40 Stuart Gibson, M50 Justin Carter, M60s Dave Thom and Chris Upson, new M65 Colin Feechan and M70 Frank Hurley gained automatic selection to the Scottish team on the day. Erica Christie narrowly missed out on an automatic spot but was subsequently selected. Stan MacKenzie who did not do the trial was given a discretionary M60 place on account of his recent good form. New M45 member John Speirs and M65 Paul Thompson were named as reserves.

The Lanarkshire Championships at Crownpoint also brought the curtain down on track competition. The club’s younger athletes acquitted themselves well by winning 5 medals. U15 Daibhidh Kinnaird captured the 1500M gold medal while fellow U15 Euan Reid’s pb gained him an 800M bronze medal. Promising U13 Ewan Kennedy in his first season in that age group took a silver medal over the same distance as did Brooke Walker in her U13 competition. U11 Rory Dodds in his first track race came away with a 600M silver medal.

Colin Donnelly continued his amazing mountain running career. He won his 3rd masters age group individual gold medal in the World Mountain Running Championships. Competing in his last year in the M60-64 age group he convincingly swept the opposition aside in the short uphill event held in Madeira. His previous victories had come in 2001 and 2008 as an M40 and M45. He has also 3 World Mountain individual silver medals to his credit as a senior from 1989 and as an M55 and M60 from 2018 and 2022. He also claimed victory in the European M55 Mountain Championships in 2019. Colin’s achievements for 2023 do not end here as he lifted the Scottish and UK M60 Hill Championship Series Titles. Club mates Alasdair Campbell and Justin Carter finished 2nd and 3rd in the Scottish senior men and M50 categories respectively.

On the road Callum Tharme made a huge breakthrough in the Vitality 10K in London. He lowered his pb from 30.49 to 29.34 which gave him 3rd place. Nearer home at Dumfries John Speirs won his first West District medal wearing the red and white vest when he was awarded the M40 silver medal. Kirsty O’Brien was on schedule to replicate John’s silver medal but for a calf injury she sustained at the 8 miles mark. Although bravely soldiering on she was relegated to the bronze medal position in the closing stages. U23 Andrew Carey made a promising marathon debut when recording the excellent time of 2.27.44 for 11th place in Warsaw while on the same day in Berlin Steven Fitzpatrick’s time of 2.35.54 was only 3 minutes outside his pb.

Cambuslang’s 75th AGM in September was memorable as Kirsty O’Brien was appointed club captain. Thus, for the first time in the history of the club a female captain was elected. She replaced Richie Carr who was warmly thanked by club president Des Dickson for his most encouraging, positive and energetic engagement with both new and current members during his captaincy. The other change was that Gary Lyon came onto the committee which in its 75th year was composed of President Des Dickson, Secretary Dave Thom, Treasurer Colin Feechan, Welfare and Wellbeing Officer Fiona Pollock and ordinary members David Cooney, Barnie Gough, Iain Crawford, David Stirling, Owen Reid and Gary Lyon.

4 Cambuslang athletes, Colin Feechan, Dave Thom, Chris Upson and Jacqueline Etherington flew the flag for the club in the European Track and Non Stadia Championships in Italy. All 4 either achieved or indeed exceeded their private expectations and did themselves, their families, club, Scotland and Great Britain proud by bringing home 5 individual European gold, 2 individual bronze, 2 team gold and 1 team silver medals as well as setting 2 new age group Scottish Masters records. Colin who had only turned 65 on the eve of the Championships put on an impressive display of strong running to lift within the space of 11 days the individual gold medal in the 10,000M track, the 8K cross country, the 10K road and half marathon events. What made the achievement all the more remarkable was that his training and racing had been severely curtailed since April due to ongoing hamstring issues. His only competitive outing since then had been at the Scottish Masters Cross Country Trial on 9th September. Club treasurer Colin remarked that the combined achievements “highlight once again that Cambuslang Harriers, male and female, can compete successfully at the highest level in Europe”. M60 Dave had set the ball rolling by earlier claiming his age group 10,000M title after putting in a strong 2nd half to leave his rivals behind. Finishing 5th in the cross country competition he was a member of the gold medal M60 team which included Chris Upson. Club secretary Dave was unfortunately pipped for the M60 bronze in the 10K road event while sharing the same time as the bronze medallist but led the GB team to silver in the team event. Chris, who was edged out in the home straight for the M60 1500M bronze medal, had the consolation of setting a new Scottish age group best time. His near individual medal miss later spurred him on to capture the M60 cross country individual bronze medal and a subsequent team gold. Although this was his 6th major championships this was the first time that he felt he was really competing for the medals. Chris considered the championships to have been “a great experience and fantastic representation by the club”. Jacqueline who had recently moved into the W45 age group achieved her twin objectives of making the podium and of setting a new Scottish age group best time for the 2K steeplechase event. Her bronze medal award duly delivered the desired new age group record. She, just like the other 3 put everything into their events and her comment that “the guys were amazing and I was whacked” sums up the level of commitment and effort shown by all 4. The Cambuslang quartet was well supported during the championships by the GB team managers Archie Jenkins and Lynne Marr who are also members of Cambuslang Harriers. Their important contribution not only to their own successes but to all of the GB distance athletes was much appreciated and valued.

The West District Relay Championships at Alexandra Park ushered in the autumn cross country season. Unfortunately the weather the day before and on the morning of the event resulted in numerous road closures due to flooding. Some clubs such as Inverclyde AC could not travel and Cambuslang Harriers lost the services of Kenny Campbell who was due to run the first leg for the M40 team. Kenny and his wife Jennifer had set out early from their home in Campbeltown but had to abandon their journey on account of road flooding and an avalanche. M50 Mark King and senior lady Georgia Freeman-Mills were also late calloffs due to train cancellations. Senior A team athlete Colin Reilly who ran to the course had to wade through the flooded road at Shawfield which was closed to traffic. Not surprisingly the testing undulating course was made more challenging by the muddy conditions. However, in spite of the elements the club fared very well. The M40 quartet had a convincing team win, the senior ladies were narrowly pipped for the gold medal by Shettleston Harriers, the W40 ladies earned a splendid bronze medal, the senior men finished 4th, the young male athletes 5th and the young female athletes 18th.

The opening relay race of the day featured U13 Brooke Walker, U15 Erin Kearney and U17 Grace Ferry. Brooke ran a stormer to cross the line in 4th place to hand over to Erin with Grace on the last leg. Their overall 18th placing was a good achievement. First year U13 Eve Campbell underlined her potential when placing 26th on the opening leg. 5th placed Ewan Kennedy, also a first year U13, got the boys’ team off to an excellent start. Daibhidh Kinnaird, with the 5th quickest U15 time, advanced one place and 9th fastest Sam McCarthy only dropped one spot in a highly competitive U17 last leg. The Reid brothers, Fraser and Euan, started off the B team and with Gabriel Murphy on the anchor leg the trio sealed a creditable 16th position. Fraser in his first competitive race on the country can be well pleased with his effort. Both brothers are coached by their dad Iain who has an excellent running pedigree at young athlete, senior and at master levels. Aiden O’Connell and Angus O’Neil gained valuable experience on legs one and two.

The senior and master ladies were next up on the programme. Hannah Addison launched Cambuslang’s challenge by coming home a close 3rd on the first leg. Eve MacKinnon quickly proceeded to open up a lead on defending champions Shettleston Harriers. Debutant Stefanie Tucker had the unenviable task of holding off Irish Internationalist Fionnula Ross who had her in her sights. Although the Cambuslang athlete was running strongly her Shettleston rival was gradually pulling her in and eventually passed her. However, Stefanie was now on her tail and managed to stay within 4 seconds of Fiona by the time the tape was reached. Both ladies had given their all in what was an exciting climax to the race. Fiona was rewarded with the fastest clocking of the day and Stefanie recorded the 4th best time. With Eve and Hannah being the 5th and 8th fastest overall the ladies team silver was very well deserved. The masters’ competition was held in conjunction with the seniors and it was therefore more difficult to chart the progress of the W40 trio of Jacqueline Etherington, Julie Reid and new club captain Kirsty O’Brien. At the prize giving the ladies were presented with team bronze medals much to their delight. Jacqueline who a few weeks earlier had won the European W45 bronze medal, put the Cambuslang team into 4th spot, a position which Julie held before Kirsty advanced to 3rd. This was Julie’s first ever team medal which she proudly showed to her 2 sons and husband Iain. The senior B team of Catriona Bain, Natalie McWilliams and Rachel Wardrope ran well in the conditions for 16th place as did U20 Eilidh Kennedy in an incomplete C team.

The Cambuslang ladies’ welcome success meant that the men had a hard act to follow. However, the M40 team of John Speirs, Stuart Gibson, Iain MacCorquodale and Gordon Robertson rose to the challenge to reclaim the team title from Garscube Harriers who had defeated Cambuslang last year by 15 seconds. In the13 year history of the M40 team competition the club’s record is an impressive read of 12 gold medals and 1 silver medal. John in his first team race for the club came home a close 2nd and new M40 Stuart took the lead which the second and fastest M40s of the day, Iain and Gordon, were unlikely to throw away. The club finished 2 other M40 teams, albeit one was a M50 team comprising recent European M60 10,000M gold medallist Dave Thom, Mark Gallacher, Justin Carter and M60 European Cross Country bronze medallist Chris Upson. This vintage squad was 5th overall and a 3rd M40 team in 15th spot was also a M50 team in disguise in the form of Dan O’Connell, Gary Miller, development athlete Alan Anderson and Willie Fairley. Dan’s services earlier in the day to the club were also vital as he brought the club tents with him which were so vital in such wet weather. The senior men quartet of Colin Reilly, Kevan Harvey, Jamie MacKinnon and Gavin Smith in 4th place came close to the bronze medals. U20 Seonaidh MacInnes made a promising cross country debut for the B team. His leg 1 placing of 8th helped U20 Lewis Roddis, debutant Callum Matthews, on the comeback trail after a lengthy injury, and Kevin Farmer to 16th position in the team standings. Seonaidh has just come down from North Uist to study in Glasgow and is following in the footsteps of fellow islander Iain MacCorquodale who made a similar journey 21 years previously. There were also useful performances from Theo Carter, Tom Adams, Callum Wright, David Wardrope, Simon Gold and Chris Paton.

The weather pattern in the days before the Scottish Cross Country Relay Championships mirrored that before the District Championships. This was particularly true in the North East of Scotland where the public was advised not to travel which meant that the competition was missing teams from Aberdeen and Dundee. However, when competitors gathered at the race venue in Cumbernauld everyone was surprised to discover that the weather had turned dry and the sun had even come out. As in the West Relays Brooke Walker made a good start for the young female athletes when finishing in 10th place. Subsequent legs by Erin Kearney and Grace Ferry put the club in 35th position overall. Both Eve Campbell and Kiera Gallacher, whose dads Brian and Mark are also members, competed well. The young male athletes recorded their highest finishing place for some time as Ewan Kennedy, Daibhidh Kinnaird and Zach Seenan combined well to occupy 5th spot. Coaches Colin Stephen and Iain Reid were naturally delighted with their performances. The B trio of Fraser and Euan Reid and Cian Kearney finished a respectable 35th team. U13 runners Flynn Osbourne and Aiden O’Connell and U15 athletes Rory Barclay and Angus O’Neil were given the opportunity to participate in a national championship.

The senior ladies were relishing the challenge which was awaiting them to get onto the rostrum for the first time ever in the national cross country relays. With 4 to count for this event Stefanie Tucker, Eve MacKinnon and Hannah Anderson were joined by Katie Clubb previously known as Bristow. Katie had last represented Cambuslang in a team event as far back as 2018. In the intervening years she had returned to her native Shetland to work there, had got married and started a family and of course there was the infamous Covid lockdown period. She still kept in touch with her coach Mike Johnston who devised schedules first to rehabilitate her after long term injuries and then to build up her fitness again. A promising time of 18.12 for the Inverness Campus 5K in late July indicated that she was moving in the right direction. Some group training sessions which sometimes included Springburn’s Michelle Sandison helped to improve her fitness further. After the opening 2 legs Edinburgh University and Shettleston Harriers were in the driving seat but Cambuslang’s Hannah Addison and Eve MacKinnon had put the club in a good position in 4th place to contest the bronze medal from fast starting Edinburgh AC and from a strong Edinburgh University B team. Although losing a little ground to the university B squad athlete Katie made up ground on her Edinburgh AC opponent. An exciting last leg had now been set up and so it proved to be. Stefanie went out hard quickly overhauling her Edinburgh AC rival and then proceed to close in on hill running specialist Isla Hedley of the university B team. The Cambuslang athlete managed to open up a gap but her now pursuer had not yet given up the fight. However, Stefanie tightened the screws on the latter part of the course and opened up a safe gap of 26 seconds by the finish. After crossing the line she was mobbed by her 3 jubilant team mates. Hannah, Eve, Katie and Stefanie had made club history by becoming the club’s first female team to capture a Scottish Cross Country Relay medal and in Cambuslang’s 75th anniversary year too. Mike Johnston who coaches all 4 was able to present them with their medals in his role as Convenor of the Road and Cross Country Commission. All 4 have previously won team medals in younger age groups in the Scottish Cross Country Championships. At U17 level Hannah gained team silver in 2015 while representing her previous club Corstorphine AC and Eve and Katie picked up bronze medals for Cambuslang in 2013 and 2011. Katie has also had the honour of being a member of the U20 Cambuslang gold and silver medallist teams of 2013 and 2014 while Stefanie secured an U20 bronze medal in 2019 in the colours of Glasgow University. The B team of Rachel Wardrope, Natalie McWilliams, Julie Reid and Erica Christie acquitted themselves well as did Marie Kane on her cross country debut. Nathalie Brohan, Jennifer Campbell and club captain Kirsty O’Brien finished a splendid 5th in the W40 relay event.

Once more the Cambuslang ladies had laid down a challenge to the male athletes. Perhaps inspired by their efforts the men responded by taking the M40 and M50 titles and finishing 4th in the senior men’s event. The Cambuslang masters executed 2 different approaches to their team victories. The M40 quartet of John Speirs, Iain MacCorquodale, Kenny Campbell and Gordon Robertson worked their way to the front and ended up comfortable winners ahead of Garscube and Gala whereas the M50 trio of Chris Upson, Mark Gallacher and Justin Carter led from start to finish although they were closely tracked all the way by a very strong Garscube team with Cumbernauld 3rd. Cambuslang’s M40 teams have an impressive record over the last 25 years in this event. Out of the 24 M40 competitions staged (not held in season 2020-21 due to the Covid 19 pandemic) that age group has accumulated a total of 17 medals, 13 of which are gold and 4 silver. The record for the M50s is statistically even more impressive as the older age group has lifted 10 possible medals from 11 competitions, 6 of which are gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze. Indeed, the only time the M50s have been outside the medals was in 2017 when the M55 quartet of Colin Feechan, Dave Thom, Alick Walkinshaw and Colin Donnelly secured silver medals in the BMAF Cross country Championships on the very same day.

The Cambuslang senior men A quartet came within 18 seconds of a bronze medal thanks to the sterling efforts of Kevan Harvey, Jamie MacKinnon, Mike Christoforou and Gavin Smith. Kevan handed over to Jamie in 8th position who then gained a further place. Mike held 7th spot and Gavin finished with a flourish to elevate the team to 4th, their highest position since 2018. The B squad of Seonaidh MacInnes, Callum Matthews, Kyle McLellan and Steven Fitzpatrick combined well for 19th spot. It was good to see Kyle competing again after a very lengthy injury spell. Hopefully with some consistent training behind him the 2015 West District senior cross country champion can get back to full fitness. Theo Carter, Callum Wright and Kevan Farmer ran the first 3 legs for the senior C team. The club also fielded a second M40 and M50 team. The M40 quartet was made up of the younger Mark Gallacher and 3 M50 athletes, namely Willie Fairley, David Wardrope and cross country debutant Iain Wallace while the M60 trio comprised of club president Des Dickson, tent organiser Dan O’Connell and Garry Miller. U20 athlete Zak Povey who represented Glasgow University on this occasion produced one of his best cross country runs ever.

Quadruple M65 European Champion Colin Feechan continued his excellent form to knock 3 seconds off the 30 year old Scottish age group 10,000M track record which had been set by fellow Cambuslang athlete Willie Marshall. Colin clocked the excellent time of 37.27.09 at Cumbernauld immediately prior to the Scottish Veteran Harriers AGM. Willie’s M70 Scottish record of 40.12.88 posted in 1999 still survives.

Several club athletes have been flying the flag for Cambuslang recently on the road in half and full marathons. Ryan Thomson trimmed his best half marathon time down to 66.11 in Manchester and Moira Stewart was not far off her pb when clocking the excellent time of 70.44 in Malaga for 3rd place, sandwiched between 4 Kenyan athletes. Elsewhere Steven Fitzpatrick recorded a marathon pb of 2.31.44 in Dublin, John Speirs improved his time to 2.44.39 in Frankfurt, Ian Hodge lowered his pb to 2.45.39 in Amsterdam and Gerry Higgins achieved a life time best of 2.53.26 in York. Fraser Stewart delivered a solid 2.29.31 performance also in Frankfurt while James Smith was satisfied with his Loch Rannoch time of 3.11.04.

After a 2 year absence the Scottish Short Course Championships made a welcome return to Lanark Race Course in early November. The dry weather conditions were in sharp contrast to the very heavy rain there in 2021. Nearby Tinto Hill was clearly visible in the distance whereas previously it was hidden from sight by the very low clouds. Cambuslang Harriers fielded teams in the U15 boys and U17 men’s 2K and 3K events and in the separate 4K races for the senior/master women and men. Team wise the highlight was a silver medal for the senior men while the U15 boys in 4th place and the senior women in 6th spot acquitted themselves well. The Cambuslang trio of Colin Feechan, Eddie Stewart and Dave Thom swept the M60 board to capture the gold, silver and bronze individual medals.

Impressive runs by 5th placed Daibhidh Kinnaird and 9th placed Euan Reid helped the U15 squad to 4th in the team contest. Rory Barclay was the 3rd counter and close back up was provided by Angus O’Neil and Jack Gillon. Whilst Daibhidh has consistently been performing at this high level in recent races this was a significant step up for Euan and a just reward for all his hard work in training alongside Daibhidh. In the U17 men’s team competition the trio of Zach Zeenan, Chris Black and Gabriel Murphy claimed 11th spot. Chris was making a welcome return to racing having shaken off an injury. U17 Sam McCarthy, who had earlier in the morning clocked a fast 16.12, a 35 seconds improvement, for 5K at Strathclyde Park, was in attendance to cheer on his teammates.

Just under 300 athletes toed the line in the senior women’s event. As expected on the flat course there was an initial cavalry charge which clear race winner Eloise Walker seemed to sustain from gun to tape. Cambuslang’s Stefanie Tucker and Eve MacKinnon maintained their places in the chasing pack and can be well pleased with their finishing positions of 6th and 9th. With support from Hannah Addison and Catriona Bain the women finished 6th team thus achieving their highest position to date. A posse of red and white vests closed in after Catriona as Kirsty Wright led the charge closely followed by the masters duo of Nathalie Brohan and club captain Kirsty O’Brien, Marie Kane, Natalie McWilliams, U20 Eilidh Kennedy and W60 Erica Christie. Zoe Pflug had made a tentative start but pulled out early to avoid exacerbating a long-standing injury. Rachel Wardrope was running in the colours of Edinburgh University.

If the women’s start was a cavalry charge, the men’s was more like a stampede with over 500 athletes jostling for positions. Unfortunately Gavin Smith was accidentally tripped which lost him some vital early ground. Callum Tharme was in close attendance at the front with Jamie MacKinnon, Gavin Smith and Mike Christoforou making up Cambuslang’s 4 counters. A spirited Callum sustained his challenge to cross the line in 5th place and was followed home only 3 seconds later by the fast finishing Jamie MacKinnon in 10th spot. Gavin (24th) and Mike (26th) who had advanced steadily during the 2nd lap clinched the team silver medals sandwiched between defending champions Central AC and Edinburgh University. Two years ago at the same venue the students had pipped Cambuslang for the silver medals by one point. This time the red and whites had a 32 points advantage. A further 20 club athletes crossed the finishing line in the order of Andrew Carey, U20 Seonaidh MacInnes, 4th placed M40 Gordon Robertson, Brendan Carey, U20 Finlay Robb, M40 Stuart Gibson, Steven Fitzpatrick, U20 debutant Joel MacInnes, 4th placed M50 Mark Gallacher, Ian Hodge, the 3 M60 individual medallists Colin Feechan, Eddie Stewart and Dave Thom, new member Findlay Dickson, Callum Wright, M60 Stan MacKenzie and then a quartet of M50s being tent organiser Dan O’Connell, coach Iain Crawford, Iain Wallace and Chris Paton. Another U20 Zak Povey, running in the colours of Glasgow University, put in an excellent performance. Kevin Farmer forfeited his chance of running the national 4k to act as a race volunteer.

Later that evening Cambuslang Harriers held its 75th Anniversary Celebration Dinner in Rutherglen Town Hall. Just under 100 people were in attendance including past and present members and Lindsay McMahon, the National Club Manager for Scottish Athletics. There was a 70 years age gap between Lewis Roddis, the youngest athlete present, and the eldest guest, former Scottish Marathon Champion Gordon Eadie. The assembly included a mixture of former and present Scottish, UK, European and World Medallists, coaches, club officials and some partners. In the absence of Club President Des Dickson coach Graeme Gallie ably performed the Master of Ceremony duties although later in the proceedings a congratulatory message from Des was relayed from Dubai. Former Club President David Cooney (BEM) spoke briefly about the gradual transition of the club from its humble origins to becoming one of the leading distance clubs in Scotland. After a splendid 3 course dinner and some liquid refreshment former and current club captains Richie Carr and Kirsty O’Brien revealed the 75th Anniversary T Shirt designed by club member Colin Reilly, and these were quickly snapped up. There were two other surprises, one for a member and one from another member. Peter Ogden who has been a loyal member for 40 years was deservedly awarded a life membership to a rapturous audience response. A new club signage manufactured by Willie Fairley was displayed and it will be positioned at the Coats Park Grounds to advertise the whereabouts of Cambuslang Harriers. The committee is also indebted to Andrew Bain who kindly supplied the music for the evening.

Sadly on the same day as the 75th Anniversary Celebration former club president, coach and club champion Andy Fleming passed away at the age of 94. His greatest achievements were to have represented Scotland in the 1959 Cross Country International and to have won a bronze medal in the 1966 Scottish Marathon Championships.

Nine club athletes had the honour of representing Scotland on home soil at Tollcross Park in the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International. The opening 6K race involved the over 65 men and women. Colin Feechan was cited as one of the pre race favourites given his recently acquired 4 M65 European gold medals. Colin made a positive start in the initial downhill charge matching strides with his rivals. However, on the first testing climb he opened up a slight gap on his opponents. Using his local knowledge of the course he pushed on relentlessly and managed to increase his lead lap by lap as the race progressed. Encouraged by the enthusiastic shouts from fellow Scottish athletes and supporters Colin breasted the tape 34 seconds and 39 seconds clear of the silver and bronze medallists from Northern Ireland and England. His win also paved the way for a Scottish team victory which fellow Cambuslang athlete Paul Thompson also contributed to. Erica Christie finished 4th overall and was a member of the victorious W65 women’s team. In spite of a persistent knee problem M70 Frank Hurley helped his Scottish age group team to the silver medals.

The 3 age categories within the men’s 50 – 64 age groups participated in a separate 8K event. M50 Justin Carter’s team picked up the gold medal award but Stan MacKenzie and Dave Thom, the first 2 M60 Scots home in 7th and 8th positions, just missed out on the team bronze medals. Unfortunately M60 Chris Upson could not take up his place in the team due to a hamstring issue.

Likewise, the M35-39, the M40-44 and M45-49 athletes also covered the 4 lap 8K distance in the final international event of the day. M35 Colin Reilly competed well to assist his age group team to the bronze medals. The M45 team for whom late replacement John Speirs was drafted into also secured the same colour of medals. Although having competed in the Frankfurt and New York Marathons in the previous 2 weeks the lure of a first Scottish masters vest was too good an offer for John to turn down.

The following week Colin Feechan, Paul Thompson and Barnie Gough represented the club in the BMAF M65-74 Road Relays at Mallory Park near Leicester. Barnie, who is in the upper age bracket and competing against younger opponents on the opening leg, hung in well to set up Paul and Colin to advance the red and white cause. With Colin and Paul recording the 2 fastest age group times of the day the silver medals were secured much to the delight of all 3. For the record Barnie had also led off the victorious M40 8 Men Road Relay Team in 1999. This was a welcome return to form for Paul who is getting fitter again after a lengthy injury. As for Colin, it was further confirmation of the superb shape he is currently in having recently achieved 4 European gold medals, a Scottish 10,000M track record, Scottish M60 short course gold, a clear victory in the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International and now another gold for the fastest time in the BMAF Road Relay Championships, all as an M65 athlete.

The first West Cross Country League Match of season 2023-24 was staged at Kilmarnock in mid November. The value of this competition is that it gives athletes resident in the West of Scotland further opportunities to gain race experience on the country and it is also one of the few events in which athletes under 11 can participate. U11 runners Monica Smith, Amelia Otakoya, Niall Smith and Douglas Gallie duly took part as did the trio of U13 girls Brooke Walker, Eve Campbell and Iona Campbell along with U17 Gabriel Murphy. Both women and men ran together in the U20/senior/masters competition with separate results being produced post race. Senior Woman Catriona Bain and masters Nathalie Brohan, club captain Kirsty O’Brien and Erica Christie were well to the fore in their respective age groups. The senior and masters men had the largest Cambuslang representation. Marathon runners Stephen Fitzpatrick and new M40 Iain Murphy led home club debutant triathlete Lewis Andeson, U20 Ross Noble and the M50 trio of Dan O’Connell, Iain Wallace and coach Iain Crawford.

The prestigious Liverpool Cross Country Challenge which incorporates the trials to select athletes for the U20, U23 and senior age groups to represent Great Britain in the European Cross Country Championships always attracts a quality entry. 10 Cambuslang athletes lined up on the day. Stefanie Tucker was making her Scottish international debut on the back of her excellent runs in the Scottish Cross Country Relays and also in the Scottish 4K Championships. Stefanie justified her place by finishing 44th in a top class field. Eve MacKinnon continued her excellent run of form to achieve 57th place. Catriona Bain also confirmed her recent improvement while Rachel Wardrope put in a solid performance. In the senior men’s race Gavin Smith and Callum Tharme acquitted themselves well to secure 64th and 79th spots in a highly competitive event. Earlier in the day first year U13 Ewan Kennedy set the standard for the club when crossing the line in 16th place and was 3rd Scot home. U15 boy Daibhidh Kinnaird, in arguably the best performance of the day from a Cambuslang athlete, crossed the line as 3rd Scottish club runner in 6th position. He was ably supported by his team mates Euan Reid and Rory Barclay who are progressing well under their coach Iain Reid. On the subject of coaches one of Mike Johnston’s coached athletes, Andrew McGill of Glasgow University and Livingston AC, delivered the goods to clinch a place in the UK U20 team for the upcoming European Championships Event.

The final championship competition of 2023, the West District Cross Country Championships, took place at Strathaven in early December. Several heavy frosts leading up to the event had left the ground bone hard. However, overnight snow had helped to provide a slight cushioning. East Kilbride AC deserve the credit for organising the event on behalf of the West District Committee. In addition to winning West individual and team medals the first 10 finishers in all age groups apart from the U20 men and women were guaranteed places in the West District teams for the forthcoming Inter District Championships in January.

In the opening 2 races U13 girl Brooke Walker in 10th spot and 5th placed U13 boy Ewan Kennedy secured their automatic selection. U13 Eve Campbell in her first season of competitive running also showed promise. Under 15 boys Daibhidh Kinnaird, Euan Reid and Angus O’Neil combined well to capture the team silver medals. By way of a bonus Daibhidh’s individual bronze medal and Euan’s 6th place also qualified them for the West team. Zach Seenan and Sam McCarthy had an engaging head to head contest in the U17 men’s race with the outcome only being settled in the final 100M uphill sprint to the line. Zach clinched 6th place with Sam in 7th spot. Amazingly Sam had run the full race with only one spike shoe on having lost a shoe in the scramble at the start. Nevertheless, he was pleased, as was Zach, to have earned selection to the West team. There were also brave runs by Chris Black and Gabriel Murphy who were recovering from heavy colds. For the record the U17 men were 4th team. Zak Povey, Seonaidh McInnes and Finlay Robb packed closely in 5th, 7th and 8th spots to be awarded the U20 men team title. The race to the line between Seonaidh and Finlay was so close that both shared the same time. Coach Colin Stephen was delighted with the effort shown by all 3. Newcomer Joel MacInnes was on hand in 16th place to offer back up if needed. Unfortunately fellow U20 Lewis Roddis was unable to compete due to illness.

In the penultimate race of the day senior woman Eve MacKinnon went out hard from the gun leaving her rivals in her wake. Her relentless pace throughout widened the gap even further and by the finish she was 71 seconds clear. This was probably Eve’s best run since 2013 when she lifted the Scottish U17 Cross Country Bronze Medal. With support from 11th placed Katie Clubb who had come down from the Shetland Isles, the ever improving Catriona Bain and club captain Kirsty O’Brien in 28th and 29th spots the women secured the team silver medals in a close contest between the first and third placed clubs Shettleston Harriers and Glasgow University. Marie Kane in only her 3rd race on the country fared well as did club debutant Zara Higgins. Both Catriona and Marie are progressing well under the guidance of coach Iain Crawford. The indefatigable Erica Christie was the leading W65.

The club fielded 17 athletes in the senior and master men event. Hopes were high that the senior men could wrestle the team trophy back from holders Inverclyde AC and also hold off the challenge from a strong Shettleston squad. As the race unfolded it was clear that either Cambuslang or Shettleston would be the victors and it was the red and whites who prevailed by 8 points with Glasgow University in the bronze medal position. Victory was achieved thanks to the sterling efforts of bronze medallist Gavin Smith, Scottish 1500M bronze medallist Jamie MacKinnon, Scottish Internationalist Hill Runner Alasdair Campbell, Scottish Half Marathon Champion Fraser Stewart, Scottish M35 Internationalist Colin Reilly and former Scottish U20 1500M gold medallist Chris McLew. The senior men top the West Senior Men’s Clubs’ Medal Rankings having amassed 28 gold medals, 12 silver and 5 bronze medals since 1976. Callum Matthews was not far off the 6th counter and he was followed home by M40 Stuart Gibson and fellow M50s Justin Carter and Mark Gallacher. This trio just missed out on the masters team gold medal by one point. Nevertheless, with the late withdrawal of a number of masters through injury and illness Stuart, Justin and Mark had given a good account of themselves. Near veteran athlete Ian Hodge was only a few strides behind Mark. Multi European M65 gold medallist Colin Feechan was the first over 60 to cross the line. Senior men Tom Adams and Lewis Anderson were next to finish ahead of the masters trio of Dan O’Connell, Iain Wallace and Iain Crawford. Dan took a break from his club tent duties with Barnie Gough stepping in for him.

The temperature that weekend was much more appealing in Valencia where thousands of runners including Moira Stewart and Ryan Thomson had gathered for the marathon. Both has set their sights high. For Moira her aim was to get under the stringent women’s 2024 Olympic Marathon qualifying time of 2.26.50 and gain selection to the Czech Republic team. To do so she would need to reduce her personal best time by 2 minutes and 38 seconds. She had come so close to gaining a place in the previous Olympic Games having achieved the qualifying time but 3 other athletes had narrowly bettered her time. Therefore, she was determined to book her place this time. However, her carefully prepared travel plans from Prague to Valencia via Madrid were ruined when she was not allowed to board the last flight from Madrid to Valencia in spite of having a boarding pass. The flight had been overbooked. With the airport closing down for the night she was therefore stranded in Madrid and had to find accommodation for the night in addition to booking a flight the for the next day. When she arrived at her hotel it was too late to buy any food. Not surprisingly she did not get much sleep that night. When she did reach her Valencia hotel the next day she discovered that contrary to her booking her hotel had no dining facilities which caused further distress. Fortunately Moira had another day to try to relax before her race. On the big day she was able to put aside her travel problems and focus on fulfilling her ambition. She positioned herself within a group of women who were also seeking the qualifying time. Moira was uncertain whether she was on course to get the time she required until turning the final corner and seeing the finishing clock. Such was her relief she was immediately sick but was still able to push on over the final few hundred metres to set a life time best of 2.25.36 and to make the Olympic qualifying time by 70 seconds. There was further celebration as she had just set a new Czech Republic national record to add to her half marathon and 10,000 metres track national records. Her mum Mia and dad Eddie, both former Czech Republic and Scottish cross country internationalists, were following the race at home on TV and were anxiously waiting as the clock had now reached 2 hours and 25 minutes when much to their delight she appeared on the screen for the first time. Mission accomplished.

Ryan’s target in only his 2nd marathon was to break the 2.20 barrier. 2 years earlier in London when making his debut at this distance he was on schedule to do so at the halfway point – 68.42. However, shortly afterwards he was forced to slow down due to strained calves and ended up clocking 2.37.23. Naturally he was disappointed with his time. As part of his preparation for Valencia he teamed up with top English marathon runner Phil Sesemann of Leeds AC for altitude training in Fort Romeau and thereafter did another training block with him in Leeds. While there Ryan set a pb of 66.11 when taking 4th place in the Manchester Half Marathon. Unlike Moira, Ryan had no travel issues to contend with. He was accompanied by his mum Carole Anne and dad Charlie who were also former Scottish Internationalists along with his girl friend Holly Morrison who competes for Shettleston Harriers. Ryan’s half marathon split of 68.23 was slightly quicker than his previous split in London and with a 2nd half split of 70.23 he crossed the line in the excellent time of 2.18.46 for a pb of almost 19 minutes. His training partner Phil also set a pb and an Olympic qualifying time of 2.08.48.

On the following weekend Callum Tharme, Jamie MacKinnon and Gavin Smith participated in the Telford 10K which has a reputation for attracting a classy field and for producing fast times. All 3 produced excellent times. Callum’s time of 29.39 was only 5 seconds outside his pb which he had recorded earlier in the season in London. Jamie who has been more at home over 800/1500M clearly demonstrated that he has improved his endurance this year by setting an impressive debut time of 29.58. Gavin in only his second 10K posted a 69 seconds pb of 30.27. He too is in sub 30 minutes shape but 3 consecutive weekends of hard racing had blunted his edge.

The club Xmas handicap was held on the same weekend. Unfortunately the athletes, helpers and spectators had to contend with torrential rain which made the course extremely muddy in certain areas. 33 runners contested the over 15 to masters’ event. Scratch man U20 Zak Povey worked his way through the field to finish first and was presented with the prize of a magnificent large salmon by Bob Burt. Each year Bob brings down the traditional salmon courtesy of Mowi Asa, formerly Marine Harvest Asa. U17 Sam McCarthy posted the 2nd fastest time with U15 Daibhidh the 3rd quickest. Iain Reid and Steven Fitzpatrick were the fastest master and senior men and Kirsty O’Brien and Marie Kane were the corresponding leading females. 12 young athletes participated in their handicap event and in a very close finish U11 Rory Dodds just pipped U13 Brooke Walker by 4 seconds with U11 Finlay Reid providing the 3rd fastest time.

In the closing weeks of 2023 there were several positive news stories concerning members of Cambuslang Harriers. The new Senior Men Scottish 3 x 800M Relay time set by Chris McLew, Gavin Smith and Jamie MacKinnon during the summer was officially ratified.

Club members Kirsty O’Brien and Zach Seenan were declared winners of the female veteran and U20 Men’s National Triathlon Series. While club captain Kirsty is no stranger to individual national triathlon awards it was a new and welcome experience for Zach in his first triathlon season.

Mark Gallacher, the Scottish M50 3000M Steeple Chase Record Holder, was appointed as an ambassador for the Athletics Trust Scotland Charity whose aim is to make running and its benefits accessible to all, no matter one’s background in terms of finance, ethnicity and disability. He will be part of a team who will spread the word of the charity and publicise fund raising activities including the National Running Week.

Mollie Mae Scott was one of 15 young athletes aged 14-23 to be selected to Athletics Trust Scotland Young People’s Forum. The aim of the forum is to give young people a platform and voice in the sport of athletics and how it can have a positive outcome for young people. This is the 2nd phase of the development project and the YPF will continue to look at the retention of young athletes in athletics and mental health in sport for young people.

Club head coach Mike Johnston was awarded the prestigious Ron Pickering Memorial Award for Services to Athletics gifted by the British Athletics Writers’ Association. He first joined Cambuslang Harriers in 1982 and embarked on a coaching course in 1989. While continuing to run he began to concentrate more on the coaching side at club level and also took on voluntary District and National endurance coaching roles. From 2004 he was employed by Scottish Athletics as Endurance Lead until retiring in 2014. However, he still is very active in coaching a number of Cambuslang athletes as well as athletes from different clubs. He has also mentored the present day Cambuslang coaches as they progressed through their coaching course training. Mike has also been involved in coach and team management roles with Scottish Athletics as well as with Team Scotland at the last 4 Commonwealth Games. He is showing no signs of slowing down as he is the current Road and Cross Country Commission Convenor for Scottish Athletics. Mike’s contribution to Scottish Athletics was deservedly recognized earlier in 2017 by Scottish Athletics when he was presented with the Tom Stillie Award which is given annually to someone who has made a significant contribution to the sport in Scotland. His coaching philosophy is summed up as reported by Peter Jardine, Head of Communications at Scottish Athletics. Incidentally Peter’s son Craig is one of the many athletes coached by Mike.

“I just enjoy coaching. I like to see people improve. It doesn’t have to be winning medals or making teams but I like to see people get the most out of athletics and just enjoy the sport. That’s the key thing”.

The year ended on a sad note with the passing of former member Jim Cunningham. Jim was the club captain during season 1956-57 and was also the coach to the junior athletes and a committee member from 1975 to 1980. His son John whose speciality was the 800M also competed for the club during the latter period.

The medal statistics in the following Appendices help to sum up the excellent achievements of Cambuslang Harriers over the last 25 years. This relatively small club with an average membership of 150 athletes has amassed 124 Scottish team gold, 89 silver and 75 bronze medals in addition to having lifted the AT Mays Trophy on 15 occasions. Also at British Masters level 36 team gold, 17 silver and 7 bronze medals have been won by the club’s athletes.

In my account I have aimed to personalise the achievements of our athletes, dedicated coaches and club officials who together have helped to make all of this possible. However, there is more to Cambuslang Harriers than the top end achievers. The club has also given the local community, whether school pupils or adults, the opportunity to take up running at whatever level and whatever age to improve their physical and mental well-being, whilst ensuring the name of Cambuslang is always prominent throughout the sports pages of local and national press outlets.

It is difficult to predict what the next 25 years will bring but hopefully Cambuslang Harriers can retain its position as one of Scotland’s leading male and female distance running clubs. The club’s motto is Perseverance and certainly 75 years on from its formation Cambuslang Harriers has not just persevered. It has flourished from a modest first 25 years with only 2 Scottish medals, one gold and one silver to its credit, but then advancing to 58 gold, 40 silver and 38 bronze Scottish medals during the middle 25 years period before reaching the grand total of 183 gold, 130 silver and 113 bronze Scottish team medals being procured throughout the 75 years of Cambuslang Harriers’ existence.

David Cooney

January 2024

APPENDICES

Appendix A How Cambuslang Harriers was founded in 1948

Appendix B Cambuslang Harriers Club Presidents

Appendix C Cambuslang Harriers Club Coach / Captain

Appendix D Cambuslang Harriers Club Secretaries

Appendix E Cambuslang Harriers Club Treasurers

Appendix F Down By The River (DBTR) 10K and 3K History

Appendix G Cambuslang Harriers and Armagh AC Link

Appendix H Cambuslang Harriers Individual European Medallists

Appendix I Cambuslang Harriers Individual World Medallists

Appendix J Cambuslang Harriers International Island Games Individual Medallists

Appendix K Cambuslang Harriers Club Champions

Appendix L Cambuslang Harriers Club Records

Appendix M BMAF Championship Team Medals Won 1999-2023

Appendix N Scottish Championship Team Medals Won 1999-2023

Appendix O Scottish Championship Team Medals Won 1948-1998

Appendix P District Championship Team Medals Won 1999-2023

Appendix Q District Championship Team Medals Won 1948-1998

Appendix R District Championship Relay Team Medals Won 1999-2023

Appendix S District Championship Relay Team Medals Won 1948-1998

Appendix T Cambuslang Harriers World Record Holders

Appendix U Cambuslang Harriers Scottish Cross Country Medallists

Appendix V Cambuslang Harriers Scottish Mid Trail Medallists

Appendix W Cambuslang Harriers Scottish Inter District Cross Country Medallists

Appendix X Cambuslang Harriers Scottish Road Championships Medallists

Appendix Y Service To Sports Awards

APPENDIX A

HOW CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS WAS FOUNDED IN 1948

1948 TIMETABLE OF KEY EVENTS FROM THE CAMBUSLANG ADVERTISER

When the 75th Anniversary of Cambuslang Harriers was written it was not known which month of 1948 the club actually began. However, the Cambuslang Advertiser has confirmed that the club was founded in late February of 1948. The following extracts from the paper and my comments chart the story of 1948.

20th March “HARRIERS GO AHEAD”.

“Not yet a month old, the local harriers are making excellent progress and look forward to a successful future. Comprised mostly of former members of Cambuslang YMCA – defunct since 1941 – the new club was inaugurated as a result of a meeting in MacKintosh’s Hall last month, so young harriers have the assurance that expert tutors will be willing and plentiful. Recruits, it is learned, are coming forward satisfactorily, but there is room for still more”.

COMMENT – Therefore Cambuslang Harriers must have started up in late February 1948, although I could not find an exact reference to it within the newspaper.

Continuation of the same article – “SEEKING TRACK”.

“Officials at the moment are scouting for a suitable place for track running and arrangements are made to visit a few likely places. Meanwhile, headquarters are still at Gateside Pit Baths on Wednesday at 7.15pm.

Last Saturday one pack covered 4 1/2 miles cross country and at 3 o’clock tomorrow, (Saturday), there will be a similar run, probably again behind Dechmont Hill”.

COMMENT – Unfortunately 75 years further on Cambuslang Harriers is still seeking a suitable place for track running!

27th March “HARRIERS NEW NIGHTS. TRAINING FACILITIES GESTURE”.

“Because quite a number of their lads are now free of evening class studies, officials of the club have decided to increase the number of training nights.

These will now be on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, at Gateside Pit Baths as usual. Facilities are generously extended to any Cambuslang and district residents who are members of other clubs, but who may wish to do a spot of training near home.

On Saturday last, under difficult conditions, 2 packs covered a 5 mile cross country run, finishing at Gateside, where a warm shower bath was appreciated.

Usual run takes place tomorrow, (Saturday), at 3 o’clock”.

COMMENT – The warm shower bath facilities available to the harriers were excellent for the time. 300 showers had been installed at the Gateside Pit during WW2 at the pit to improve the conditions of the miners as production of coal was vital to the war effort. Miners from surrounding pits were bussed there after their shifts.

APRIL 10th “HARRIERS TRAINING FACILITIES”.

“As intimated in these columns recently, local harriers officials were making strenuous efforts to procure suitable training facilities for their increasing membership and it is announced that full track training facilities are now available. These have been kindly granted by the Clyde Paper Company, at their football field in Eastfield, commencing on Tuesday, 20th April, and thereafter on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 o’clock.

Last Saturday, one pack covered a 5 mile trail over road and country, travelling round Dechmont and finishing at Gateside Pit Baths via Robb’s farm and Lightburn Road.

Training next week will be at Gateside as usual on Tuesday and Thursday, with the usual meet at 3 o’clock on Saturday”.

APRIL 24th “HARRIERS IN TRIM”.

“Under the capable supervision of their coach Tom Brew, the harriers spent their last cross country day in “lapping” around Cairns estate.

Members express their gratitude to Gateside Pit committee for their kindness in in granting use of the pit baths, and hope to resume there in September for the winter session.

On Tuesday night the harriers made a beginning at the summer quarters at Clyde Paper Company’s grounds at Eastfield, where despite the inclemency of the weather, there was quite a satisfactory turn out. Training continues at Eastfield every Tuesday and Thursday”.

COMMENT – Unfortunately Tom Brew was never allowed to compete in a race for the club as he was deemed to be a professional and not an amateur runner.

22nd MAY The club participated in the East Kilbride YMCA track meeting.

24th JULY There was a lull in training due to the Glasgow Fair holidays. The club was experiencing a shortage of vests (red and white singlets) and an appeal was made by the club to former YMCA members to hand over their old vests.

4th SEPTEMBER The first AGM was held and the first committee was elected. Robert Love became the first president, William Lindsay secretary, William Smith treasurer, Tom Brew captain and Alan Brockbank vice captain. Committee members were John Ballantyne, Alex Fleming, James Fraser, Andrew Millar and Alan Brockbank. The club’s constitution was adopted and a Saturday fixture list was presented from 8th October to the end of March 1949. During the month of October there were 2 home (club) runs, a muster run away with Motherwell YMCA (a muster run was when the front runner reached a pre-defined point on the run, as directed by the Pace Maker, and then proceeded to turn round in an arc and started to run back in the opposite direction), another club home run and finally a home run with Hamilton Harriers being the guests. The initial club fees were a weekly stripping and accommodation fee of 2d and the annual fees were 5 shillings (25p) for seniors and 2 shillings and 6 (12 1/2p) for juniors. The constitution stated that “The club colours shall consist of Red Singlet, White Band and White Shorts”.

COMMENT – Inter club runs were very popular at the time.

4th NOVEMBER NEWSPAPER REPORT ON INTER CLUB RUN WITH HAMILTON HARRIERS.

“Hamilton Harriers were the visitors to Gateside Pit Baths. 2 packs covered a 5 mile trail. The first pack was led by Jimmy Brew and Bobby McKendrick paced the medium pack. Cambuslang supplied a hot cup of Bovril to the visitors”.

COMMENT – Club and inter club runs were conducted under formal rules which were stated in the club handbook issued to all members.

“All members shall obey the orders of the Captain or his Deputy at club runs. At all runs the Club should be under the control of the Pace Makers and Whips, who shall be appointed by the Captain or Vice Captain, and no member shall be allowed to go ahead of the Pace Makers unless it be a racing run or the signal be given for a race home. The Pace Makers shall bring up the Pack when requested to do so by the Whips”.

13th NOVEMBER NEWSPAPER HEADING “CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS”.

The results of the club’s Novice Cross Country Championships were announced – William Scoular 1st, George Russell 2nd and James Brew 3rd.

20th NOVEMBER REPORT ON THE NATIONAL NOVICE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP AT HAMILTON RACE COURSE.

The newspaper only mentioned the Cambuslang participants whose names were probably in line with their anticipated finishing order – William Scoular, George Russell, James Brew, Robert McKendrick, George Hinshelwood, John Ballantyne, James Fraser and Bert McForan.

The newspaper also mentioned who the club representatives were at the Lanarkshire Youth Championship which had also been held at Hamilton Race Course the previous week. Their names were Andrew Millar, Alex Fleming, Robert Hogg, Robert McElhinney and Terry Brown.

COMMENT – This was the last reference to the club I could find in the Cambuslang Advertiser for 1948.

However, according to fixtures for December the following runs were due to take place – 2 club runs followed by a home inter club run with both Renfrew YMCA and Larkhall YMCA and then the club Xmas Handicap on Xmas Day.

APPENDIX B

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS CLUB PRESIDENTS

1948 – 1958 Robert Love

1958 – 1960 Robert McElhinney

1960 – 1962 Andrew Fleming

1962 – 1966 Peter Low

1966 – 1967 John Connor

1967 – 1971 Alex Wood

1971 – 1972 Andrew Fleming

1972 – 1974 Robert Inglis (Snr.)

1974 – 1980 Joe Hamilton

1980 – 1986 David Cooney

1986 – 1992 Des Yuill

1992 – 2019 David Cooney

2019 Onwards Des Dickson

APPENDIX C

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS CLUB COACH / CAPTAIN

1948 – 1949 Tom Brew

1949 – 1950 George Russell

1950 – 1951 Robert McKendrick

1951 – 1952 Eddie Reilly

1952 – 1955 Andy Fleming

1955 – 1956 William Mulrooney

1956 – 1957 Jim Cunningham

1957 – 1959 Andy Fleming

1959 – 1960 William Mulrooney

1960 – 1961 Eddie Reilly

1961 – 1962 Willie Kelly

1962 – 1964 Andy Fleming

1964 – 1965 Willie Kelly

1965 – 1968 Andy Fleming

1968 – 1973 Robert Anderson

1973 – 1974 Donald Glen

1974 – 1981 Robert Anderson

1981 – 1982 Alec Gilmour

1982 – 1983 Eddie Stewart

1983 – 1984 Robert Anderson

1984 – 1985 Eddie Stewart

1985 – 1986 Robert Anderson

1986 – 1987 Jim Orr

1987 – 1989 Charlie Thomson

1989 – 1991 Jim Orr

1991 – 1992 Charlie Thomson

1992 – 1993 Jimmy Quinn

1993 – 1994 Alec Gilmour

1994 – 1995 Stephen Fleming

1995 – 1996 Mark McBeth

1996 – 1997 Graeme Croll

1997 – 2002 Robert Anderson

2002 – 2004 Jack Brown

2004 – 2009 Robert Anderson

2009 – 2012 Jamie Reid

2012 – 2014 Stuart Gibson

2014 – 2016 Iain MacCorquodale

2016 – 2020 Iain Reid

2020 – 2023 Richie Carr

2023 Onwards Kirsty O’Brien (First Female Club Captain)

 

APPENDIX D

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS CLUB SECRETARIES

1948 – 1951 William Lindsay

1951 – 1952 Ian Dunn

1952 – 1955 Robert McElhinney

1955 – 1960 James Colquhoun

1960 – 1962 Sydney Laird

1962 – 1963 David Knox

1963 – 1964 Bob Burt

1964 – 1966 John Connor

1966 – 1969 Charlie Jarvie

1969 – 1972 Robert Inglis Senior

1972 – 1982 Des Yuill

1982 – 1992 Jim Scarborough

1992 – 1993 Cameron Brown

1993 – 1998 Ian Gordon

1998 – 2002 Robin Ferguson

2002 – 2008 Ian Gordon

2008 – 2011 Andy Steven

2011 – 2012 Michael Hendry

2012 Onwards Dave Thom

APPENDIX E

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS CLUB TREASURERS

1948 – 1950 William Smith

1950 – 1951 John Ballantyne

1951 – 1952 Robert McElhinney

1952 – 1953 Frank Traynor

1953 – 1954 J Hay

1954 – 1955 William Mulrooney

1955 – 1957 Robert McKendrick

1957 – 1960 Joseph Mulrooney

1960 – 1962 Robert McElhinney

1962 – 1963 Bob Burt

1963 – 1966 Jim Brownlie

1966 – 1970 Dick Whiteford

1970 – 1972 Joe Hamilton

1972 – 1976 Robert Anderson

1976 – 1982 Jim Scarborough

1982 – 1983 Robert Anderson

1983 – 1986 Jim McDougall

1986 – 1989 Jim Fitzpatrick

1989 – 1991 Jim Scarborough

1991 – 1993 Cameron Brown

1993 – 1994 Ian Gordon

1994 – 1996 Cameron Brown

1996 – 1997 Mark McBeth

1997 – 1999 Cameron Brown

1999 – 2002 Ian Gordon

2002 – 2008 Joe Kealey

2009 Onwards Colin Feechan

APPENDIX F

DOWN BY THE RIVER (DBTR) 10K AND 3K HISTORY

The Down by the River 10K and 3K Races were launched in late December 2006. The thinking behind the 3K was mainly to provide the club’s younger athletes with a development race which they could comfortably compete in. For the first 4 years of its existence the 10K was sponsored by Athletite, a sport’s shop in Hamilton run by triathlete Colin Freeman and his wife, and the 3K by fellow members Barnie Gough and Freddy Connor. The original race start was in front of the former Hoover factory gates. Competitors ran downhill turning right onto Cambuslang Road, doing a short circuit within Cambuslang Industrial Park before going onto the Clyde Walkway in the direction of Glasgow Green before turning and coming back the way they came. The first male and female winners were Allan Adams of Shettleston Harriers (31.34) and Toni McIntosh of Ayr Seaforth (39.15) with the M40 prizes going to Jeff Farquhar of Pitreavie and Pamela McCrossan of Clydesdale Harriers. The Cambuslang trio of Stevie Wylie, Joe Kealey and Robert Gilroy in 2nd, 3rd and 6th places secured the team prize for the host club. The inaugural 3K male winner was U17 Andrew Gibson of Nithsdale and the female award went to Cambuslang’s U15 Danielle Melville.

In 2007 Cambuslang’s own Iain Reid claimed victory and led Iain MacCorquodale and Johnny MacNamara to another team victory. Clerc Koenck, an American running for Pitreavie broke the women’s record by almost 3 minutes and her clubmate Jeff Farquhar retained his M40 title. First M40 lady Fiona Mathieson was also inside the old record. Club athletes U15 Jack Hamilton and U17 Caitlin Hendry claimed victory in the 3K.

The following year Tipton’s Martin Williams who was in Scotland visiting his father over Xmas broke away from Stevie Wylie to set a new course record of 31.21. In a conversation after the race club president David Cooney jokingly said to Martin “I don’t suppose you have a Scottish parent”. To which he replied “Yes”. Martin then signed up and went on later to win the Scottish Marathon and to represent Scotland in the Commonwealth Games Marathon in Delhi in 2010. The female honours went to Angela Howe of Fife AC and Helensburgh’s Michelle Hetherington and Kerry-Liam Wilson of Cambuslang picked up the respective masters’ awards. M55 Freddy Connor provided the crucial back up to deliver the club’s 3rd successive team title. Both Jack and Caitlin retained their 3K titles.

In 2009 due to ice and snow the event was switched on health and safety grounds to the club’s playing fields at Coates Park. The heavy going suited Cambuslang’s Johnny MacNamara who crossed the line with over a minute to spare from his nearest pursuer. With Stuart Gibson who had joined the club from Calderglen and Whitemoss in 3rd spot and Jack Brown the leading M40 the team title remained in Cambuslang’s hands. Toni McIntosh repeated her 2006 win Hazel Robertson capturing the W40 award. In the shorter race Jack Hamilton made it 3 wins in a row with fellow U17 Mairi Brown making it a double victory for the home club.

The early March weather was again unkind in 2010 and the decision was made to hold the races again on country. Previous year’s victor Johnny MacNamara had to give way to Stuart Gibson and with Iain Reid next over the line a home team victory was assured. Victoria Park’s Claire McCracken and Michelle Hetherington captured the senior and masters ladies awards. Michelle’s Helensburgh team mate M50 Paul Thompson who was later to join Cambuslang beat his younger rivals in the masters’ category. Katie Alexander of Achilles Heel and former club member Jim Fitzpatrick of MacDet were now the twin sponsors of the longer race. Barnie Gough continued his sponsorship of the 3K in which U15 Jack MacGregor was first over the line on his home course and Rona Tytler of Kilbarchan AC took the female honours.

Unfortunately the weather was so severe and travelling conditions so treacherous in 2011 that holding the event even on the country was out of the question and the event did not take place that year.

The committee decided to put back the date for the 2012 event to the first available weekend after the Scottish Cross Country Championships in the hope that the weather conditions would be more favourable. The March 10K witnessed the club take the first 6 places thanks to Stuart Gibson with a new course record of 31.18, Robert Gilroy, leading master Stevie Wylie, Martin McLaughlin, David Munro and Jamie Reid. There was no guessing required to work out the men’s team result. Claire McCracken now with Bellahouston Harriers and Jacqui Thomson of City of Glasgow were the recipients of the senior and master ladies’ prizes. There was another double home victory in the 3K for U17 Ross Stephen and U13 Niamh Brown following in the footsteps of her elder sister Mairi.

Cambuslang’s Davy Munro gained a narrow victory over Robert Gilroy in 2013 with 3rd placed Roger van Gompel taking the M40 award. Louise Mitchell of Bellahouston Harriers was the leading lady with home athlete Kirsty Anderson (O’Brien) filling the runner up place and Mary McCutcheon the W40 spot. First M50 Dave Thom in 5th place sealed the men’s team victory for Cambuslang with Motherwell taking the female team award. There was no Cambuslang 3K first finisher this year. The awards went to Luke Foss of Law AC and the unattached Emily Greenan.

Robert Gilroy went one place better the following year to finish ahead of team mate Ben Hukins and M40 David Millar of Irvine AC. The senior lady award was captured by Claire McArthur of Hamilton Harriers and the masters by Melissa Wylie of Dumbarton AAC. 4th placed Bobby Bristow ensured another Cambuslang team victory. Cambuslang’s U15 Gavin Smith and U15 Holly Little of Victoria Park were the 2 main prizewinners in the 3K. Both were later to achieve Scottish International status.

In 2015 Robert Gilroy had to give way to Stuart Gibson and Edinburgh University’s Ben Stevenson. This was Stuart’s 3rd victory. He was also presented with the Jimmy Sands Memorial Shield in memory of former member Jimmy who had won a Paralympic gold medal in 1988. Former race winner Iain Reid in 6th spot was the club’s 3rd counter and M50 Chris Upson headed M40 Mick O’Hagan by 2 places. The battle for victory among the female competitors was fierce with Sarah Douglas of Edinburgh University (37.54) edging out Lothian Running Club’s Jo Williams by 14 seconds with Dumbarton AAAC’s Melissa Wylie securing the W40 prize. Sarah, as first lady finisher, also received the Jimmy Sands Memorial Shield. Non Cambuslang athletes claimed victory in the 3K. Aidan Kilbride of East Kilbride AC who was later to be awarded an American Athletics Scholarship and Emma Gilmour of Victoria Park took the honours.

The following year Stuart and Robert went once again head to head. The contest was settled only in the uphill drag to the finishing line when Robert (31.41) broke away for an 8 second victory. There followed a succession of red and white vests namely Iain Reid, Ben Hukins, Gordon Robertson, Shaun Butler and first M40 Frank McGowan. Fanni Gyurko of Central AC smashed the ladies’ record with her excellent time of 35.17 ahead of Anneka Smullen, unattached, and Cambuslang’s Alex Lamond. M40 Mary McCutcheon repeated her 2013 success. Both Robert and Fanni were the recipients of the Jimmy Sands Memorial Shields. Gavin Smith, now U17, repeated his 3K win while senior lady Claire Thompson was the leading female finisher.

Robert Gilroy (31.40) now in the M40 category was forced to give ground in 2017 to the younger legs of Ryan Thomson (31.37) in the final 100 metres sprint to the line. Ben Hukins in 5th place headed off Iain Reid, Gordon Robertson, Colin Reilly and Richie Carr to clinch the 3rd place in the winning home team. The Cambuslang trio of Alex Lamond, Kirsty O’Brien and Vikki Semple made it a double team victory for the home club. W40 Karen Kennedy of PH Racing Club (38.49) was the first lady to cross the line and she and Ryan were also presented with the Jimmy Sands Memorial Shields. Bernie O’Neil of Cambuslang Harriers received the W40 prize and Mary Western of PH Racing Club the W50 award. U17 Brodie Aitken and U13 Niamh Riggins were to the fore in the 3K event.

In 2018 the course had to be changed due to new house building at the traditional starting area. The race start and finish were moved to the Industrial Estate close to the River Clyde Walkway. Thus, apart from the initial and final 200 metres, the course was now an out and back one on the Clyde Walkway. Fraser Stewart’s winning time of 32.20 and runner up Iain Reid’s time of 32.52 now became the senior men and masters’ men’s course records. Colin Reilly was pipped by Shettleston’s Paul Sorrie for 3rd place by 1 second but he had the consolation of sharing in the team prize. Fraser was also awarded the Jimmy Sands Memorial Trophy. Laura Wallace (38.39) claimed victory and the Jimmy Sands Memorial Trophy in the ladies’ competition, 25 seconds clear of W40 Ruth Fraser-Moodie of Springburn Harriers. M60 Brian Hughes was the leading over 50 male and W60 Erica Christie the first over 50. Bellahouston Road Runners came out on top in the ladies’ team competition. Once again it was a double victory in the 3K for the home club courtesy of U13 Michael Black and U15 Susie McLaughlin.

Fraser Stewart retained his title the following year breaking his own course record by 41 seconds which secured him a cash bonus courtesy of sponsor Barnie Gough along with the Jimmy Sands Memorial Trophy. Colin Reilly and M40 Iain Reid were next over the line to ensure another men’s team victory for the home club. Iain was also awarded the Jim Fitzpatrick Memorial Trophy. Cambuslang’s Andrew Carey’s time of 34.50 was not only a pb but also a new U20 course record. The host club also supplied the leading M50 and M60 athletes namely Mark King and Des Dickson. Giffnock North’s W50 Mary McCutcheon was the first lady home and the recipient of the Jimmy Sands Memorial Trophy. Kirsty O’Brien finished runner up with the unattached Debs Comer in 3rd spot. With good backing from W50 Bernie O’Neil in 4th place and Lesley McArdle the Cambuslang ladies made it a double in the team stakes. Erica Christie once again took the W60 prize. The Jim Fitzpatrick male and female O40 Memorial Shields were presented for the first time to Iain Reid and Bernie O’Neil. The 2 shields were in memory of former long standing member Jim Fitzpatrick who was also a race sponsor via his Company, MacDet. Two U17 Cambuslang athletes, Aaron Grew and Niamh Riggins, were the 3K male and female victors. Aaron had the double satisfaction of setting a new course record of 9.50. The club was delighted to receive sponsorship from City of Building Engineering Services for the 3K event as well as the continued sponsorship of the 10K from ah and Macdet. The post race Tunnocks Caramel Wafers were greatly appreciated by all.

The 2020 event nearly did not go ahead. Course director Owen Reid had been regularly monitoring the route, which is run mainly on the Clyde Walkway, in the weeks leading up to the event. Although Scotland had experienced its highest February rainfall in 30 years the course was water free on the Saturday. However, persistent heavy rain during the night had led to flooding on the furthest out section of the course. While the flooding did not affect the 3K course the 10k route was quickly amended and remeasured so that the race could go ahead. The club supplied the leading 3 males thanks to Fraser Stewart who registered his 3rd consecutive win ahead of Stuart Gibson and 1st M40 Gordon Robertson. Fraser and Gordon were recipients of the Jimmy Sands and Jim Fitzpatrick Memorial Shields. Catriona MacDonald of Bellahouston Road Runners and W50 Annemarie McGregor of Kirkintilloch Olympians were presented with the ladies’ memorial trophies. Catriona led her club to victory in the team competition. Irvine’s David Millar and Sharyn Ramage of Edinburgh AC took the M50 and W50 prizes with club president M60 Des Dickson and W60 Erica Christie securing their age category awards. Zack Haggerty and Hayley Clarke continued Cambuslang’s domination of the 3K which was again sponsored by City of Building Engineering Services.

Unfortunately no Down by the River 10K or 3K races were held in 2021 due to the outbreak of Covid and the subsequent cancellation of all athletics events.

Cambuslang Harriers were delighted to stage once again in 2022 the Achilles Heel and Tunnocks sponsored Down by the River 10K and 3K races held on the traffic free Clyde Walkway. The very calm conditions on the day were conducive to producing fast times and so it proved to be with a number of course records being set. Race winners Fraser Stewart of the home club (31.05) and Catherine Stewart (38.10), an unattached runner, reduced the existing course records by 44 and 29 seconds respectively with runner up Lesley Blackwood (38.25) of Cambuslang also comfortably inside the previous record. Fraser became the first athlete to have achieved 3 victories thus pulling ahead of Stuart Gibson and Robert Gilroy’s 2 wins each. Other course records fell to second placed M40 Iain Carroll of Bellahouston Harriers, Cambuslang’s M50 Stevie Wylie and to U20 Eilidh Kennedy of Cambuslang. Stevie’s new course record by a massive 3 minutes and 54 seconds put him a close second in the UK M50 rankings for the distance. The Cambuslang male trio of Fraser, 3rd placed Gordon Robertson and 4th placed Stevie lifted the team award ahead of Bellahouston Harriers as did the Cambuslang ladies trio of Lesley, Kirsty O’Brien and Catriona Bain from the local Newton Road Runners. The U20 men and O60 ladies’ prizes went to promising newcomer Luke Biggart and the experienced Erica Christie, both also representing the red and whites. Unattached runners Nathalie Brohan, Jacqui Thomson and Gareth Walker took the F40, F50 and M60 awards. The Jimmy Sands Memorial Shield went to race winners Fraser and Catherine while the Jim Fitzpatrick Memorial Shield was presented to the leading male and female masters Iain and Nathalie. It was also pleasing to see a good number of new club athletes who had signed up to the development group during Covid. Promising U17 and U15 athletes Sam McCarthy and Olivia McNicol of the home club took the honours in the 3K.

The 15th annual Down by the River 10K and 3K races in 2023 took place in weather perfect conditions on the out and back course along the Clyde Walkway. The 10K was sponsored this year by a club benefactor who wished to remain anonymous. From an entry of just over 300 runners 242 started out on the day including the sizeable figure of 46 Cambuslang athletes. Defending champion Fraser Stewart, driven on by the challenge from Kilbarchan’s Robbie Ferguson, smashed his own course record to register the excellent time of 30.17 and thus collected an additional bonus prize donated by club member Barnie Gough as well as the Jimmy Sands Memorial Trophy. Runner up Robbie was also inside the previous course record. 3rd place went to East Sutherland’s Finlay Murray. With club captain Richie Carr dipping under 33 minutes in 4th place and Euan Duernberger 5th in a pb of 33.11 the team prize went to the home club. The contest for a podium place in the ladies’ event was a much closer affair. In the end the verdict went to visiting athlete Elisa Viora from Torino who set a pb of 39.26, 5 seconds ahead of Beth Shearer from the local Newton Road Runners with Shettleston’s Kirsty Mann a further 22 seconds adrift. Both Beth and Kirsty also clocked pbs. The Cambuslang trio of debutant Kirsty Wright, leading W40 Kirsty O’ Brien and new member Kathryn King packed well in 4th, 5th and 6th positions to clinch the team medals for the club’s ladies. Kirsty Wright and Kirsty O’Brien were respectively awarded the Jimmy Sands Memorial Shield and the Jim Fitzpatrick Memorial Shield for finishing the first Cambuslang senior and first master lady. Three other Cambuslang men made the top 10 finishers with the improving Steven Fitzpatrick and Brendan Carey setting pbs in 6th and 8th spots and 9th placed Stevie Wylie taking the M50 prize and also the Jim Fitzpatrick Memorial Shield. Other age category prizes went to W60 Erica Christie, M60 Stan MacKenzie and M70 Frank Hurley. In the 3K Zack and Olivia repeated their 2020 and 2022 victories.

APPENDIX G

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS AND ARMAGH AC LINK

The relationship between Cambuslang Harriers and Armagh AC began as far back as 1994. Club President David Cooney received a letter out of the blue from Armagh AC’s Race Director Brian Vallely to participate in their Running Festival which had first begun in 1990. Brian wished to invite “a top Scottish club” to compete along with the leading club from both England and Wales. Cambuslang Harriers, having just completed its 7th consecutive senior men cross country championship victory, therefore fitted the bill. The invitation was for 4 athletes to take part in the Armagh 5K Road Race and then in the Ras Na h Eireann Cross Country Event. Stevie Wylie, Douglas Runcieman, Charlie Thomson and Steven Fleming represented the club in both events with distinction. Stevie was a close runner up in the road race but won the cross country event leading Cambuslang to team victory on road and country. The following year Stevie managed to secure victory in both events leading the club to team victory on the country and to 2nd place in the road race. Not surprisingly Stevie had caught the attention of the Armagh athletes who gave him the nickname of “the Flying Scotsman”.

A Cambuslang contingent has been involved in the International Armagh Event ever since the inaugural 1994 visit apart from 2018, when there was a communication mix up, and in 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid Lockdown. Cambuslang also invited Armagh athletes over for the McAndrew Road Relays in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Not surprisingly a strong bond of affection has built up over the years between members of both clubs.

Due to the efforts of former Race Director Brian Vallely and the current Race Director James Vallely and their dedicated team the International 5K for men and 3K for women have grown in stature and entry quotas are reached very quickly. Athletes do not come for the prize money which is quite modest compared with other city events which also charge steep entry fees. The big attraction for athletes is the prospect of a fast time under the street lights and floodlights on the home straight of the iconic Mall circuit and the warm and friendly reception given by the Armagh club to all runners. Their generosity towards the competing athletes is exceptional. The event itself is more than just an event. Good club athletes have the opportunity to race alongside internationalists and to mingle with them at pre and post race meals. The race organisation is very slick and professional. With 11 races for local school children from the age of 7 to 14 included in the programme starting at 6.30pm, the whole community is involved. The curtain is then brought down by the Senior Women’s 3K, the Men’s 5K and finally by the Men’s Open 3K. By the time the last athlete crosses the finishing line at 9.10pm over 1100 children and just under 600 adults will have raced round the iconic Mall.

The following statistics from 2023 for both the 5K and 3K events on the accurately measured and approved course is clear evidence of the quality and strength in depth for both events. 132 men broke 15 minutes with 17 under 14 minutes and 55 women dipped under 10.00 minutes with 23 under 9.30 seconds. According to Running News Daily the Armagh International Event is ranked as the best and most popular road race in the world.

Gavin Smith holds the club record on the Armagh course of 14.01 from 2023 while from the same year Fraser Stewart recorded 14.06, Callum Tharme 14.11 and Jamie MacKinnon 14.23. Ryan Thomson also ran 14.23 in 2020. Stuart Gibson’s best time of 14.39 was in 2015 and Grant Sheldon clocked 14.40 in 2017. Kevan Harvey achieved a time of 14.51 last year and Stewart Orr (14.55 in 2012) is also a member of the sub 15 minutes club. Spare a thought for Robert Gilroy who in 2016 as an M40 was given the time of 14.59 11, only to have it rounded up to 15.00 minute on the final results sheet. Stewart Orr holds the leading U20 time of 15.25 from 2011.

Eve MacKinnon is the ladies’ club record holder for the 3K having produced a time of 9.40 in 2023. The next 2 best performances of 10.24 and 10.35 were posted by Hannah Addison in 2023 and Katie Clubb, formerly Bristow, in 2013. Katie herself holds the junior club record of 10.42 from 2012. In the open men’s 3K Chris McLew tops the men’s rankings which is also an U20 club best of 8.51 set in 2020. The next best time goes to Alistair Campbell who won the 2014 race in a time of 8.56. Stewart Orr has also an U20 best time of 8.59 from 2013 and David Robertson clocked 9.32 for first U17 in the same year.

APPENDIX H

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS INDIVIDUAL EUROPEAN MEDALLISTS

NAME	YEAR	EVENT	MEDAL
ARLENE BRISTOW	2011	10K ROAD	W40 BRONZE
JACK BROWN	2005	CROSS COUNTRY	M40 GOLD
COLIN DONNELLY	2019	MOUNTAIN	M55 GOLD
JACQUELINE ETHERINGTON	2019	STEEPLECHASE	W40 SILVER
	2023	STEEPLECHASE	W45 BRONZE
COLIN FEECHAN	2023	10,000M	M65 GOLD
	2023	CROSS COUNTRY	M65 GOLD
	2023	10K ROAD	M65 GOLD
	2023	HALF MARATHON	M65 GOLD
ARCHIE JENKINS	1997	3000M INDOORS	M40 BRONZE
	2002	10,000M	M50 SILVER
WILLIE MARSHALL	1993	10K ROAD	M65 GOLD
	1993	HALF MARATHON	M65 GOLD
	1995	10K ROAD	M65 GOLD
	1995	HALF MARATHON	M65 GOLD
KIRSTY O’BRIEN	2015	HALF IRONMAN	W30 BRONZE
	2016	DUATHLON	W30 BRONZE
	2018	TRIATHLON	W35 SILVER
GRANT SHELDON	2012	TRIATHLON CUP	JUNIOR SILVER
	2013	TRIATHLON CUP	JUNIOR SILVER
	2015	TRIATHLON CUP	SENIOR SILVER
	2016	TRIATHLON CUP	SENIOR BRONZE
	2018	TRIATHLON CUP	SENIOR BRONZE
DAVID THOM	2023	10,000M	M60 GOLD
IAN WILLIAMSON	2009	10K ROAD	M45 SILVER
KERRY-LIAM WILSON	2016	HALF MARATHON	M45 SILVER
	2017	5,000M	M45 SILVER
	2017	HALF MARATHON	M45 SILVER

APPENDIX I

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS INDIVIDUAL WORLD MEDALLISTS

NAME	YEAR	EVENT	MEDAL
JACK BROWN	2004	CROSS COUNTRY	M40 GOLD
	2006	HALF MARATHON	M40 GOLD
COLIN DONNELLY	1989	MOUNTAIN	SENIOR SILVER
	2001	MOUNTAIN	M40 GOLD
	2008	MOUNTAIN	M45 GOLD
	2018	MOUNTAIN	M55 SILVER
	2019	MOUNTAIN	M60 GOLD
	2022	MOUNTAIN	M60 SILVER
	2023	MOUNTAIN	M60 GOLD
JACQUELINE ETHERINGTON	2019	CROSS COUNTRY	W40 BRONZE
WILLIE MARSHALL	1994	10K ROAD	M65 GOLD
	1994	25K ROAD	M65 GOLD
	1998	10K ROAD	M70 GOLD
	1998	HALF MARATHON	M70 GOLD
	2000	10K ROAD	M70 GOLD
JIMMY SANDS	1997	1500M CP	SENIOR GOLD
GRANT SHELDON	2013	TRIATHLON	U20 BRONZE
	2013	TRIATHLON CUP	U20 BRONZE
	2016	UNIVERSITIES	SENIOR GOLD
	2019	TRIATHLON CUP	SENIOR BRONZE
	2021	TRIATHLON CUP	SENIOR SILVER
JACQUI THOMSON	2023	DUATHLON	W60 SILVER
PAUL THOMPSON	2016	HALF MARATHON	M60 GOLD
	2016	5,000M	M60 GOLD
	2017	CROSS COUNTRY	M60 SILVER
	2017	3000M INDOORS	M60 SILVER
	2017	HALF MARATHON	M60 GOLD
KERRY-LIAM WILSON	2015	MARATHON	M40 BRONZE

APPENDIX J

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS INTERNATIONAL ISLAND GAMES INDIVIDUAL MEDALLISTS

NAME	YEAR	EVENT	MEDAL
KATIE CLUBB, née BRISTOW	2015	5,000M	SENIOR SILVER
IAIN MACCORQUODALE	2005	1,500M	SENIOR BRONZE
IAN WILLIAMSON	1997	HALF MARATHON	SENIOR GOLD
	1997	10,000M	SENIOR SILVER
	1999	HALF MARATHON	SENIOR GOLD
	1999	10,000M	SENIOR SILVER
	2001	HALF MARATHON	SENIOR SILVER
	2001	10,000M	SENIOR SILVER
	2003	HALF MARATHON	SENIOR SILVER

APPENDIX K

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS CLUB CHAMPIONS

Under 11 Boys
2022-23 Ewan Kennedy
2021-22 Ewan Kennedy
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Jamie McCarthy
2018-19 Neal McShane
2017-18 Samuel Riggins
2016-17 Callum Gray
2015-16 Fearghus MacGregor
2014-15 James Bacon
2013-14 Euan McLew
2012-13 Christopher McLew
2011-12 Ryan Stephen
2010-11 Struan Paton
2009-10 Grant McGregor
2009-10 Callum Morton
2008-09 Sean Paul Brannan

Under 11 Girls
2022-23 Brooke Walker
2021-22 No Award
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Emma Ritchie
2018-19 Olivia McNicol
2017-18 Olivia McNicol
2016-17 Eva Ritchie
2015-16 Eilidh Kennedy
2014-15 Naimh Riggins
2013-14 Chloe Burton
2012-13 No Award
2011-12 Kirsty Robertson
2010-11 Olivia Mulholland
2009-10 Niamh Brown
2008-09 Niamh Brown

Under 13 Boys
2022-23 Rory Barclay
2021-22 Alistair McLachlan
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Sam McCarthy
2018-19 Sam McCarthy
2017-18 Stewart Millard
2016-17 Fearghus MacGregor
2015-16 Sean Friel
2014-15 Christopher McLew
2013-14 Ryan Stephen
2012-13 Struan Paton
2011-12 Struan Paton
2010-11 Sean Reilly
2009-10 Jack McGregor
2008-09 Ross Stephen
2007-08 Ryan Thomson
2006-07 Michael Rankin
2005-06 Michael Rankin
2004-05 Stewart Orr
2003-04 Stephen Taggart
2002-03 Raymond Black
2001-02 ??
2000-01 ??
1999-00 Stephen Dunn
1998-99 Barry Kimmit
1997-98 Andrew Scott
1996-97 Andy Steven
1995-96 Stuart McNair
1994-95 ??
1993-94 Gordon Robertson
1992-93 Gary Lyons
1991-92 Alan Dobbie
1990-91 ??
1989-90 Andrew Horrocks

Under 13 Girls
2022-23 No award
2021-22 Emma Ritchie
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Lucy McGrandle
2018-19 Abbie McClue
2017-18 Millie Nicholl
2016-17 Niamh Riggins
2015-16 Chloe Burton
2014-15 Christie Dalgleish
2013-14 No Award
2012-13 Olivia Mulholland
2011-12 Niamh Brown
2010-11 Niamh Brown
2009-10 Eve MacKinnon
2008-09 Rebecca Bonomi
2007-08 ??
2006-07 ??
2005-06 ??
2004-05 Amanda Gebbie
2003-04 Amanda Gebbie
2002-03 Caitlin Hendry
2001-02 ??
2000-01 ??
1999-00 Caitlin Hendry

Under 15 Boys
2022-23 Daibhidh Kinnaird
2021-22 Sam McCarthy
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Fearghus MacGregor
2018-19 Robbie Woods
2017-18 Brodie Aitken
2016-17 Ruairidh MacGregor
2015-16 Christopher McLew
2014-15 Struan Paton
2013-14 Struan Paton
2012-13 Gavin Smith
2011-12 David Robertson
2010-11 Ryan Thomson
2009-10 Ryan Thomson
2008-09 Dean McMurran
2007-08 ??
2006-07 ??
2005-06 ??
2004-05 ??
2003-04 Ryan Dickson
2002-03 Richard Maguire
2001-02 ??
2000-01 ??
1999-00 Chris Hendry
1998-99 Andy Steven
1997-98 Andy Steven
1996-97 Kevin Kealey
1995-96 Joe Kealey
1994-95 Graham Ferguson
1993-94 Martin Campbell
1992-93 Steven Kennedy
1991-92 Alan Reynolds
1990-91 Craig Cleland
1989-90 Iain Richardson

Under 15 Girls
2022-23 Olivia McNicol
2021-22 Olivia McNicol
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Abbie McClue
2018-19 Shona Carey
2017-18 Niamh Riggins
2016-17 Christie Dalgleish
2015-16 Christie Dalgleish
2014-15 Olivia Mulholland
2013-14 Olivia Mulholland
2012-13 Lauren Carey
2011-12 Eve MacKinnon
2010-11 Eve MacKinnon
2009-10 Sarah Miller
2008-09 Mairi Brown
2007-08 Mairi Brown
2006-07 Claire Wallace
2005-06 Rebecca Forrest
2004-05 Danielle Melville
1997-98 Lauren Farmer

Under 17 Boys / Youth
2022-23 Sam McCarthy
2021-22 Lewis Roddis
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Michael Black
2018-19 Christopher McLew
2017-18 Drew Pollock
2016-17 Drew Pollock
2015-16 Gavin Smith
2014-15 Scott Somerville
2013-14 Jack MacGregor
2012-13 Ryan Thomson
2011-12 Ryan Thomson
2010-11 Matthew McKenna
2009-10 Jack Hamilton
2008-09 Jack Hamilton
2007-08 Andrew Coulter
2006-07 I McDonald
2005-06 R Dickson
2004-05 Ewan McLeod
2003-04 David Ward
2002-03 ??
2001-02 ??
2000-01 ??
1999-00 Ian Munro
1998-99 Tam McNally
1997-98 Joe Kealey
1996-97 Graham Ferguson
1995-96 Graham Ferguson
1994-95 Martin Campbell
1993-94 Steven Kennedy
1992-93 Alan Reynolds
1991-92 Craig Cleland
1990-91 Eddie McAfferty
1989-90 Mark McBeth
1988-89 Mark Gallacher
1987-88 Mark Gallacher
1986-87 ??
1985-86 Sam Wallace
1984-85 Sam Wallace
1983-84 Pat Morris
1982-83 David McShane
1981-82 David McShane
1980-81 Tom Farrell
1979-80 Kevin Rance
1978-79 John Cunningham
1977-78 D.C. Anderson
1976-77 Coln Shepherd
1975-76 H Reid
1974-75 ??
1973-74 I Cameron
1972-73 D Goldie
1971-72 No Award
1970-71 S Baran
1969-70 G.D. Brownlee
1968-69 W Mack
1967-68 R Walker
1966-67 J.R. Brownlie
1965-66 W Devine
1964-65 Robert Anderson
1963-64 Robert Anderson
1962-63 Charlie Jarvie
1961-62 Charlie Jarvie
1960-61 R Russell
1959-60 No Award
1958-59 Sam Moore
1957-58 Sidney Laird
1956-57 David Gourlay
1955-56 J.W.C. Brown
1954-55 Tom Millar
1953-54 Matthew Steven
1952-53 Ian Tierney
1951-52 John Lyle
1950-51 Eddie Reilly
1949-50 Eddie Reilly
1948-49 Iain Ballantyne

Under 17 Girls
2022-23 No award
2021-22 Millie Nicholl
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Susie McLaughlin
2018-19 Susie McLaughlin
2017-18 Holly Brock
2016-17 Ruth Kelly
2015-16 No Award
2014-15 No Award
2013-14 Eve MacKinnon
2012-13 Rebecca Bonomi
2011-12 Rebecca Bonomi
2010-11 Katie Bristow
2009-10 Mairi Brown
2008-09 No Award
2007-08 Caitlin Hendry
2006-07 Caitlin Hendry

Junior Men
2022-23 Lewis Roddis
2021-22 Christopher McLew
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Christopher McLew
2018-19 Gavin Smith
2017-18 Gavin Smith
2016-17 Craig Jardine
2015-16 Ryan Thomson
2014-15 Ryan Thomson
2013-14 Ryan Thomson
2012-13 Jack Hamilton
2011-12 Jack Hamilton
2010-11 Stewart Orr
2009-10 Andrew Coulter
2008-09 No Award
2007-08 Andrew Robertson?
2006-07 Stephen Dunn or David Ward?
2005-06 Stephen Dunn?
2000-01 to 2004-05 ??
1999-00 Kevin Kealey
1993-94 to 1998-99 ??
1992-93 Eddie McAfferty
1991-92 Mark McBeth
1979-80 to 1990-1991 ??
1978-79 Colin Feechan
1977-78 Colin Donnelly
1976-77 D Flannigan
1973-76 No Awards
1972-73 John Wilson
1971-72 John Wilson
1970-71 Bobby Inglis
1969-70 J Kennedy
1968-69 J Kennedy
1967-68 S McIntosh
1966-67 Robert Anderson
1965-66 Robert Anderson
1964-65 Charlie Jarvie
1963-64 Charlie Jarvie
1962-63 J Connor
1961-62 D Knox
1960-61 J Dunn
1959-60 Unknown
1958-59 D Kerr
1957-58 P Mulrooney
1956-57 P Mulrooney
1955-56 W Mulrooney
1954-55 B Morton
1948-54 No Awards

Junior Women
2022-23 Eilidh Kennedy
2021-22 Rachel Wardrope
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Rachel Wardrope
2018-19 Amy Craig
2017-18 No Award
2016-17 Eve MacKinnon
2015-16 Eve MacKinnon
2014-15 Eve MacKinnon
2013-14 Katie Bristow
2012-13 Alex Lamond
2011-12 Katie Bristow
1997-98 to 2010-11 ??
1996-97 Pamela Crawley

Senior Men
2022-23 Gavin Smith
2021-22 Fraser Stewart
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Fraser Stewart
2018-19 Ryan Thomson
2017-18 Craig Jardine
2016-17 Ryan Thomson
2015-16 Robert Gilroy
2014-15 Robert Gilroy
2013-14 Robert Gilroy
2012-13 Wegene Tafese
2011-12 Stuart Gibson
2010-11 Stuart Gibson
2009-10 Robert Gilroy
2008-09 Steve Wylie
2007-08 Jamie Reid
2006-07 Jamie Reid
2005-06 Jamie Reid
2004-05 ??
2003-04 ??
2002-03 ??
2001-02 ??
2000-01 ??
1999-00 Charlie Thomson
1998-99 Jack Brown
1997-98 Charlie Thomson
1996-97 Charlie Thomson
1995-96 Charlie Thomson
1994-95 Alex Robertson
1993-94 Stevie Wylie
1992-93 Graham Croll
1991-92 Douglas Runcieman
1990-91 Charlie Thomson
1989-90 Eddie Stewart
1988-89 Eddie Stewart
1987-88 Eddie Stewart
1986-87 Eddie Stewart
1985-86 Eddie Stewart
1984-85 Eddie Stewart
1983-84 Alex Gilmour
1982-83 Rod Stone
1981-82 Eddie Stewart
1980-81 Rod Stone
1979-80 Rod Stone
1978-79 Rod Stone
1977-78 Peter Preston
1976-77 Alec Gilmour
1975-76 Peter Preston
1974-75 George Skinner
1973-74 Gordon Eadie
1972-73 Robert Anderson
1971-72 Robert Anderson
1970-71 Robert Anderson
1969-70 Robert Anderson
1968-69 Charlie Jarvie
1967-68 Robert Anderson
1966-67 Charlie Jarvie
1965-66 Gordon Eadie
1964-65 Willie Kelly
1963-64 Gordon Eadie
1962-63 Willie Kelly
1961-62 Gordon Eadie
1960-61 Gordon Eadie
1959-60 Eddie Reilly
1958-59 Gordon Eadie
1957-58 Eddie Reilly
1956-57 Eddie Reilly
1955-56 Eddie Reilly
1954-55 Andrew Fleming
1953-54 Andrew Fleming
1952-53 Andrew Fleming
1951-52 Andrew Fleming
1950-51 Andrew Fleming
1949-50 George Russell
1948-49 James Brew

Senior Women
2022-23 Catriona Bain
2021-22 Eve MacKinnon
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Kirsty O’Brien
2018-19 Kirsty O’Brien
2017-18 Kirsty O’Brien
2016-17 Bernie O’Neil
2015-16 Kirsty Anderson
2014-15 Katie Bristow
2013-14 Caitie Gorton-Phillips
2012-13 Kirsty Anderson
2011-12 Kirsty Grant

Veteran Men
2022-23 Gordon Robertson
2021-22 Justin Carter
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Kenny Campbell
2018-19 Ben Hukins
2017-18 Iain Reid
2016-17 Robert Gilroy
2015-16 Kenny Campbell
2014-15 Mick O’Hagan
2013-14 Jamie Reid
2012-13 Dave Thom
2012-13 Dave Thom
2011-12 Steve Wylie
2010-11 Kerry Wilson
2009-10 Colin Feechan
2008-09 Colin Donnelly
1980-81 to 2007-08 ??
1979-80 Des Yuill
1978-79 Dick Whiteford & Jimmy Mahon

Veteran Women
2022-23 Kathleen McLachlan
2021-22 No Award
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Lynn Angley
2018-19 Jennifer Reid
2017-18 Jennifer Reid
2016-17 Erica Christie
2015-16 Lynn Angley

Super Veteran Men
2022-23 Mick O’Hagan
2021-22 Chris Upson
2020-21 No Award
2019-20 Mick O’Hagan
2018-19 Des Dickson
2017-18 Alick Walkinshaw
2016-17 Chris Upson
2015-16 Colin Feechan
2014-15 Colin Feechan
2013-14 Colin Feechan
2012-13 Frank Hurley
2011-12 Dave Thom
2010-11 Frank Hurley
2009-10 David Fairweather

Super Veteran Women
2022-23 Jennifer Campbell
2021-22 No Award

M60 Men
2022-23 Colin Feechan
2021-22 Colin Feechan

M60 Women
2022-23 Erica Christie
2021-22 Erica Christie

APPENDIX L

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS CLUB RECORDS

Age Group	Athlete	Record	Year	Age Group	Athlete	Record	Year
Male				Female
60m				60m
U13				U13
U15	Alec Thomas	7.4	2011	U15
U17	Alec Thomas	7.16	2013	U17	Rachael Steele	8.25	2012
U20	Alec Thomas	7.16	2013	U20	Rachael Steele	8.21	2013
Senior	Alec Thomas	7.15	2013	Senior	Rachael Steele	8.21	2013
100m				100m
U13	Tony Grey	12.57	1997	U13	Lauren Baird	16.0	2007
U15	Ewan Cameron	11.3	1989	U15	Robyn Taylor	12.82	2015
U17	Colin McRoberts	10.8	1991	U17	Rachael Steele	13.18	2012
U20	Colin McRoberts	10.8	1991	U20	Rachael Steele	13.18	2012
Senior	Brian Ashburn	10.7	?	Senior	Rachael Steele	13.18	2012
200m				200m
U13	Tony Grey	26.73	1997	U13	Selina White	31.9	2009
U15	Alec Thomas	23.59	1994	U15	Kerrie Miller	31.4	2008
U17	Colin McRoberts	21.8	1991	U17	Caitlin Hendry	27.4	2007
U20	Colin McRoberts	21.8	1991	U20
Senior				Senior
400m				400m
U13	Paul McBride	59.22	1992	U13
U15	Michael Jones	54.3	1994	U15
U17	Gerry Simpson	49.65	1988	U17	Caitlin Hendry	62.09	2007
U20	Gerry Simpson	49.1	1990	U20	Caitlin Hendry	62.2	2009
Senior	Gerry Simpson	49.1	1990	Senior	Leslie McArdle	82.01	2023
800m				800m
U13	Paul McBride	2.13.61	1992	U13	Niamh Brown	2.31.00	2001
U15	Chris McLew	2.02.58	2016	U15	Caitlin Hendry	2.19.91	2005
U17	Michael Chisholm	1.53.48	1990	U17	Caitlin Hendry	2.19.91	2005
U20	Ian Munro	1.51.31	2002	U20	Caitlin Hendry	2.13.83	2009
Senior	Ian Munro	1.48.16	2005	Senior	Jacqueline Etherington	2.25.01	2018
1500m				1500m
U13	Chris McLew	4.34.20	2014	U13	Niamh Brown	4.59.91	2011
U15	Chris McLew	4.21.13	2016	U15	Shona Carey	4.56.15	2018
U17	Sam Wallace	3.52.1	1985	U17	Eve MacKinnon	4.54.64	2013
U20	Sam Wallace	3.45.6	1986	U20	Moira Stewart	4.42.14	2014
Senior	Jon McCallum	3.37.75	2000	Senior	Moira Stewart	4.22.80	2019
Mile				Mile
U13				U13
U15	David Ward	4.56.46	2001	U15	Olivia McNicholl	5.40.83	2022
U17	Mark McBeth	4.21.71	1990	U17	Emma Ritchie	6.07.03	2022
U20	Chris McLew	4.14.57	2020	U20
Senior	Ian Gillespie	3.58.4	1997	Senior	Eve MacKinnon	5.01.42	2023
3000m				3000m
U15	Eddie McAfferty	9.13.5	1988	U15	Niamh Riggins	10.49.27	2018
U17	Graham Ferguson	8.42.4	1996	U17	Niamh Riggins	10.49.27	2018
U20	Ryan Thomson	8.28.52	2015	U20	Alex Lamond	10.19.30	2012
Senior	Ian Gillespie	7.48.28	1997	Senior	Sarah Benson	9.19.29	2014
5000m				5000m
U17	Charlie Thomson	15.44.9	1982	U17
U20	Ryan Thomson	14.45.08	2015	U20	Millie Nicholl	17.24.47	2022
Senior	Ian Gillespie	13.18.06	1997	Senior	Moira Stewart	15.49.79	2019
10,000m				10,000m
U20				U20
Senior	Alex Gilmour	29.37.18	1986	Senior	Moira Stewart	32.08.96	2022
Marathon				Marathon
U20	Charlie Thomson	2.39.46	1984	U20
Senior	Keith Anderson	2.17.08	1998	Senior	Moira Stewart	2.29.28	2021
1500m S/C				1500m S/C
U15	Eddie McAfferty	4.44.5	1988	U15
U17	David McShane	4.25.32	1981	U17
2000m S/C				2000m S/C
U17	David McShane	6.12.6	1983	U17
U20	Pat Morris	6.03.73	1985	U20
Senior	Gordon Rimmer	5.34.21	1979	Senior
3000m S/C				3000m S/C
U20	Pat Morris	9.07.7	1986	U20
Senior	Gordon Rimmer	8.26.6	1980	Senior	Sarah Benson	10.00.74	2014
70m Hurdles				70m Hurdles
U13	Gordon Adam	12.9	1995	U13	Niamh O’Donnell	15.54	2008
80m Hurdles				75m Hurdles
U15	Gordon Adam	12.46	1997	U15	Kerrie Miller	16.00	2009
100m Hurdles				80m Hurdles
U17	Robert Taylor	14.2	1988	U17
110m Hurdles				110m Hurdles
U20	Mark Gallagher	21.6	1990	U20
Senior	J Dunn	16.5	1994	Senior
400m Hurdles				400m Hurdles
U15	Michael Jones	62.9	1994	U15
U17	Michael Jones	61.6	1995	U17
U20	G Roy	59.5	?	U20
Senior	Gerry Simpson	58.6	1991	Senior	Leslie McArdle	98.87	2023
High Jump				High Jump
U13	Gary Woods	1.7	1988	U13	S McInnell	1.20	2013
U15	Gary Woods	1.89	1989	U15	Mairi Brown	1.46	2008
U17	Gary Woods	1.96	1991	U17
U20	Tony Gilhooly	2.05	1994	U20
Senior	Tony Gilhooly	2.18	1998	Senior
Long Jump				Long Jump
U13	Roberto Demarco	5.06	1992	U13	Niamh O’Donnell	3.77	2009
U15	Alec Thomas	5.91	1988	U15	Rebecca Bonomi	4.05	2009
U17	Colin McRoberts	5.99	1991	U17	Marie McBride	4.44	2012
U20	Mark Craig	6.91	1991	U20	Rachael Steele	4.52	2013
Senior	Brian Ashburn	7.36	?	Senior
Triple Jump				Triple Jump
U13	Gary Woods	10.12	1988	U13
U15	Scott Waugh	12.98	1988	U15
U17	Scott Waugh	13.32	1989	U17	Lucy Deeny	7.84	2009
U20				U20
Senior				Senior
Pole Vault				Pole Vault
U17	Fraser McIlraith	3.00	1994	U17
U20	Kenny McNicoll	?	1991	U20
Senior	Adam Anderson	4.10	1991	Senior
Shot Put				Shot Put
U13	Paul Longridge	10.49	1994	U13	Helen Wilson	5.80	2008
U15	Douglas Worral	11.52	1988	U15	Lauren Docherty	5.35	2008
U17	Brian Hill	12.84	1988	U17	Sarah Miller	6.50	2009
U20	Brian Hill	10.86	1990	U20
Senior	George Loney	11.??	198?	Senior	Jacqueline Etherington	7.77	2022
Discus				Discus
U13	Chris Morris	22.42	1988	U13	Rebecca Bonomi	11.94	2008
U15	Chris Morris	27.6	1990	U15
U17	Brian Hill	35.04	1988	U17	Lucy Deeny	7.51	2009
U20	Brian Hill	29.22	1990	U20	Danielle Melville	9.16	2008
Senior	George Loney	39.??	198?	Senior	Jacqueline Etherington	22.31	2021
Javelin				Javelin
U13	P Harrington	27.5	1994	U13	Hannah McDonald	7.88	2009
U15	Stuart Peter	40.26	1988	U15	Claire Witherspoom	11.88	2007
U17	Brian Hill	51.62	1988	U17
U20	Brian Hill	50.54	1990	U20
Senior	Brian Hill	54.10	1992	Senior	Jacqueline Etherington	20.56	2022
Hammer				Hammer
U17	Chris Johnston	25.58	1997	U17
U20	Chris Johnston	19.25	1998	U20
Senior	Kenny Rance	37.??	198?	Senior	Jacqueline Etherington	20.66	2023

APPENDIX M

BMAF CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM MEDALS WON 1999-2023

MEN
AGE GROUP	GOLD	SILVER	BRONZE
M40	15	3	1
M50	4	5	2
M35-39	3	0	0
M34-44	2	3	1
M45-54	3	1	0
M55-64	6	3	2
M65-74	3	1	1
TOTAL	36	16	7
WOMEN
W55-64	0	1	0
TOTAL	0	1	0
TOTAL MEN AND WOMEN	36	17	7

APPENDIX N

SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM MEDALS WON 1999-2023

EVENT	AGE GROUP	GOLD	SILVER	BRONZE
SCOTTISH XC	SENIOR MEN	6	6	6
	U20 MEN	4	4	4
	U20 WOMEN	1	1	0
	U17 MEN	3	6	3
	U17 WOMEN	0	0	2
	U15 BOYS	3	4	8
	U13 BOYS	6	0	0
TOTAL OVERALL		23	21	23
AT MAYS TROPHY FOR BEST MALE CLUB		15 WINS
SCOTTISH XC RELAYS	SENIOR MEN	1	1	0
	SENIOR WOMEN	0	0	1
	M40	13	4	0
	M50	6	3	1
TOTAL OVERALL		20	8	2
SCOTTISH SHORT COURSE XC	SENIOR MEN	2	6	5
	U17 MEN	0	0	1
	U15 BOYS	0	1	0
TOTAL OVERALL		2	7	6
SCOTTISH MASTERS XC	M40	16	4	1
	M50	9	2	0
TOTAL OVERALL		25	6	1
SCOTTISH MID TRAIL RACE	SENIOR MEN	5	2	0
	SENIOR WOMEN	1	1	1
	U17 MEN	3	2	0
	U17 WOMEN	1	0	0
	U15 BOYS	2	2	0
	U15 GIRLS	1	1	0
TOTAL OVERALL		13	8	1
SCOTTISH ROAD RELAY	SENIOR MEN	5	5	7
	M40	8	3	1
	M50	7	1	1
	W40	0	0	1
TOTAL OVERALL		20	9	10
SCOTTISH YA ROAD	U20 MEN	3	0	2
	U17 MEN	2	5	3
	U17 WOMEN	0	0	1
	U15 BOYS	1	5	3
	U13 BOYS	0	5	3
	U13 GIRLS	0	0	2
TOTAL OVERALL		6	15	14
SCOTTISH 5K ROAD	SENIOR MEN	1	0	5
	SENIOR WOMEN	0	0	1
	U20 MEN	0	2	1
	U20 WOMEN	0	0	1
TOTAL OVERALL		1	2	8
SCOTTISH 10K ROAD	SENIOR MEN	8	5	4
	SENIOR WOMEN	0	0	2
TOTAL OVERALL		8	5	6
SCOTTISH 10 MILES ROAD	SENIOR MEN	2	4	0
	SENIOR WOMEN	1	0	1
TOTAL OVERALL		3	4	1
SCOTTISH HALF MARATHON	SENIOR MEN	0	3	1
	SENIOR WOMEN	0	1	0
TOTAL OVERALL		0	4	1
SCOTTISH MARATHON	SENIOR MEN	2	0	1
TOTAL OVERALL		2	0	1
SCOTTISH 3 x 800M	SENIOR MEN	1	0	1
TOTAL OVERALL		1	0	1
TOTAL MEDALS OVERALL		124	89	75

APPENDIX O

SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM MEDALS WON 1948-1998

EVENT	AGE GROUP	GOLD	SILVER	BRONZE
SCOTTISH XC	SENIOR MEN	10	3	3
	U20 MEN	4	4	2
	U17 MEN	10	4	2
	U15 BOYS	6	3	2
	U13 BOYS	6	1	2
TOTAL OVERALL		36	15	11
AT MAYS TROPHY FOR BEST MALE CLUB		8 WINS
SCOTTISH XC RELAYS	SENIOR MEN	4	4	5
	M40	2	1	2
	YA BOYS	3	5	7
TOTAL OVERALL		9	10	14
SCOTTISH MASTERS XC	M40	3	4	2
TOTAL OVERALL		3	4	2
SCOTTISH ROAD RELAY	SENIOR MEN	1	4	4
	U15 BOYS	1	0	0
	U17 MEN	0	1	0
TOTAL OVERALL		2	5	4
SCOTTISH YA ROAD	U20 MEN	1	0	0
	U17 MEN	3	0	0
	U17 WOMEN	0	0	1
	U15 BOYS	2	0	0
	U13 BOYS	1	0	1
TOTAL OVERALL		7	0	2
SCOTTISH 10K ROAD	SENIOR MEN	1	1	0
TOTAL OVERALL		1	1	0
EDINBURGH TO GLASGOW	SENIOR MEN	1	6	5
TOTAL OVERALL		1	6	5
TOTAL MEDALS OVERALL		59	41	38
PLUS 2 EDINBURGH TO GLASGOW MOST MERITORIOUS AWARDS (1958 AND 1972)

APPENDIX P

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM MEDALS WON 1999-2023

WEST DISTRICT XC

AGE GROUP	GOLD	SILVER	BRONZE
SENIOR MEN	16	4	3
SENIOR WOMEN	1	1	0
U20 MEN*	10	2	1
U20 WOMEN	1	0	0
U17 MEN	0	9	2
U17 WOMEN	1	0	1
U15 BOYS	2	4	6
U15 GIRLS	0	0	1
U13 BOYS	3	0	5
U13 GIRLS	0	0	1
M40**	12	4	2
W40	1	0	0
TOTAL	47	24	22

*U20 2002-03 Gold not yet included in SAL official records site

**M40 2000-01 and 2005-06 Golds not yet included in SAL official records site

APPENDIX Q

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM MEDALS WON 1948-1998

MIDLAND DISTRICT XC (1948 TO 1975)

AGE GROUP	GOLD	SILVER	BRONZE
U17 BOYS	1	1	1
U15 BOYS	0	0	2
U13 BOYS	1	0	0
TOTAL	2	1	3

WEST DISTRICT XC (1975 TO 1998)

AGE GROUP	GOLD	SILVER		BRONZE
SENIOR MEN	12	8		2
SENIOR WOMEN	0	0		0
U20 MEN	4	2		2
U20 WOMEN	0	0		0
U17 MEN	6	4		2
U17 WOMEN	0	0		1
U15 BOYS	9	2		3
U15 GIRLS	0	0		0
U13 BOYS	8	2		1
U13 GIRLS	0	0		0
M40*	3	0		0
W40	0	0		0
TOTAL	42	18		11
OVERALL TOTALS	44	19	14

*M40 1997-98 Gold not yet included in SAL official records site

APPENDIX R

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP RELAY TEAM MEDALS WON 1999-2023

WEST DISTRICT XC

AGE GROUP	GOLD	SILVER	BRONZE
SENIOR MEN	4	3	8
SENIOR WOMEN	0	3	0
YOUNG ATHLETE MALES	0	1	4
YOUNG ATHLETE FEMALES	0	0	0
MASTERS MEN*	12	1	0
MASTERS WOMEN*	2	0	2
TOTAL	18	8	14

*Masters men and women relays introduced in 2010

APPENDIX S

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP RELAY TEAM MEDALS WON 1948-1998

WEST DISTRICT XC (1975 TO 1998)

AGE GROUP	GOLD	SILVER	BRONZE
SENIOR MEN	3	3	2
SENIOR WOMEN	0	0	0
YOUNG ATHLETE MALE*	7	8	2
TOTAL	10	11	4

*YOUNG ATHLETE MALE AND FEMALE RELAYS INTRODUCED IN 1975

APPENDIX T

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS WORLD RECORD HOLDERS

NAME	AGE / CATEGORY	EVENT
KEITH ANDERSON	M40	20K ROAD
WILLIE MARSHALL	M60	1500M INDOORS
WILLIE MARSHALL	M60	3000M INDOORS
WILLIE MARSHALL	M65	3000M INDOORS
WILLIE MARSHALL	M70	3000M INDOORS
JIMMY SANDS	PARA SPORTS CP 5	400M OUTDOORS

APPENDIX U

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS SCOTTISH CROSS COUNTRY MEDALLISTS

FEMALE SCOTTISH CROSS COUNTRY MEDALLISTS

AGE GROUP YEAR NAME MEDAL

U13 1996-97 CATHERINE GALLACHER GOLD

U17 2012-13 EVE MACKINNON BRONZE

U20 2012-13 ALEX LAMOND BRONZE

SENIOR 2018-19 MOIRA STEWART SILVER

SENIOR 2019-20 MOIRA STEWART BRONZE

MALE SCOTTISH CROSS COUNTRY MEDALLISTS

AGE GROUP YEAR NAME MEDAL

U13 1972-73 STEPHEN CAMERON BRONZE

U13 1977-78 DAVID MCSHANE GOLD

U13 1978-79 DAVID MCSHANE GOLD

U13 1985-86 DAVID MACPHERSON SILVER

U13 1986-87 EDDIE MCAFFERTY GOLD

U13 1991-92 ALAN DOBBIE SILVER

U13 1994-95 DANIEL TAIT SILVER

U13 1996-97 IAIN MUNRO GOLD

U13 2000-01 STEWART KIRK SILVER

U13 2013-14 ROSS STEPHEN GOLD

U15 1979-80 DAVID MCSHANE GOLD

U15 1980-81 DAVID MCSHANE SILVER

U15 1982-83 MARK HUGHES BRONZE

U15 1983-84 SAM WALLACE SILVER

U15 1988-89 MARK MCBETH GOLD

U15 1989-90 IAN RICHARDSON BRONZE

U15 1991-92 ALAN REYNOLDS GOLD

U15 1992-93 STEPHEN KENNEDY SILVER

U15 1994-95 GRAHAM FERGUSON SILVER

U15 1995-96 JOE KEALEY GOLD

U15 1996-97 KEVIN KEALEY SILVER

U15 1998-99 ANDY STEVENS BRONZE

U15 2001-02 IAN LAFFERTY GOLD

U15 2007-08 STEWART ORR SILVER

U15 2016-17 CHRIS MCLEW SILVER

U17 1951-52 JOHN LYLE GOLD

U17 1952-53 IAN TIERNEY SILVER

U17 1981-82 DAVID MCSHANE GOLD

U17 1983-84 PAT MORRIS SILVER

U17 1985-86 SAM WALLACE SILVER

U17 1985-86 RAYMOND FOLEY BRONZE

U17 1989-90 MARK MCBETH GOLD

U17 1990-91 MARK MCBETH GOLD

U17 1991-92 CRAIG CLELLAND GOLD

U17 1992-93 ALAN REYNOLDS SILVER

U17 1996-97 GRAHAM FERGUSON SILVER

U17 2009-10 JACK HAMILTON SILVER

U17 2010-11 GRANT SHELDON GOLD

U17 2012-13 RYAN THOMSON BRONZE

U20 1983-84 DAVID MCSHANE BRONZE

U20 1999-00 GARETH MELVIN GOLD

U20 1996-97 IAIN REID SILVER

U20 2002-03 JASMAIR PAL BRONZE

U20 2013-14 RYAN THOMSON BRONZE

SENIOR 1991-92 TOMMY MURRAY GOLD

SENIOR 1992-93 TOMMY MURRAY GOLD

SENIOR 1992-93 DOUG RUNCIEMAN BRONZE

SENIOR 1993-94 GRAEME CROLL SILVER

SENIOR 1994-95 KEITH ANDERSON GOLD

SENIOR 1994-95 GRAEME CROLL SILVER

SENIOR 1997-98 KEITH ANDERSON SILVER

SENIOR 2002-03 STEVIE WYLIE SILVER

SENIOR 2012-13 WEGENE TAFESE GOLD

FEMALE MASTERS

W65 2021-22 ERICA CHRISTIE BRONZE

W65 2022-23 ERICA CHRISTIE GOLD

MALE MASTERS

JOCK SEMPLE QUAICH (PRESENTED TO FIRST MALE MASTER TO FINISH)

M40 1997-98 EDDIE STEWART

M40 1999-00 COLIN DONNELLY

M40 2000-01 COLIN DONNELLY

M40 2003-04 ALEX ROBERTSON

M35 2009-10 KERRY-LIAM WILSON

M40 2011-12 KERRY-LIAM WILSON

M40 2013-14 KERRY-LIAM WILSON

M40 2015-16 KENNY CAMPBELL

M35 (2005-2013) 2007-08 STEVIE WYLIE SILVER

M35 2008-09 STEVIE WYLIE GOLD

M35 2008-09 KERRY-LIAM WILSON SILVER

M35 2008-09 JAMIE REID BRONZE

M35 2009-10 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

M35 2009-10 JAMIE REID SILVER

M35 2012-13 ROBERT GILROY SILVER

M40 1974-75 GORDON EADIE SILVER

M40 1975-76 GORDON EADIE BRONZE

M40 1996-97 ARCHIE JENKINS SILVER

M40 1996-97 FRANK BARTON BRONZE

M40 1997-98 EDDIE STEWART GOLD

M40 1998-99 FRANK BARTON BRONZE

M40 1999-00 COLIN DONNELLY GOLD

M40 2000-01 COLIN DONNELLY GOLD

M40 2001-02 COLIN DONNELLY SILVER

M40 2000-01 ROSS ARBUCKLE BRONZE

M40 2003-04 ALEX ROBERTSON GOLD

M40 2003-04 JOHN COWAN SILVER

M40 2003-04 ROSS ARBUCKLE BRONZE

M40 2007-08 CHARLIE THOMSON BRONZE

M40 2009-10 DAVID RODGERS GOLD

M40 2010-11 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

M40 2010-11 NEIL WILKINSON BRONZE

M40 2011-12 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

M40 2012-13 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

M40 2013-14 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

M40 2014-15 STEVIE WYLIE SILVER

M40 2014-15 KERRY-LIAM WILSON BRONZE

M40 2015-16 KENNY CAMPBELL GOLD

M40 2015-16 JAMIE REID SILVER

M40 2016-17 ROBERT GILROY SILVER

M40 2017-18 IAIN REID SILVER

M40 2018-19 BEN HUKINS BRONZE

M40 2019-20 IAIN REID BRONZE

M45 1993-94 CHARLIE McDOUGALL BRONZE

M45 1995-96 CHARLIE McDOUGALL SILVER

M45 1997-98 CHARLIE McDOUGALL SILVER

M45 1997-98 ARCHIE JENKINS BRONZE

M45 1998-99 ARCHIE JENKINS SILVER

M45 1999-00 ARCHIE JENKINS BRONZE

M45 2000-01 FRANK BARTON SILVER

M45 2002-03 FRANK BARTON BRONZE

M45 2005-05 EDDIE STEWART GOLD

M45 2004-05 COLIN DONNELLY SILVER

M45 2006-07 COLIN DONNELLY GOLD

M45 2006-07 ROSS ARBUCKLE BRONZE

M45 2007-08 COLIN DONNELLY GOLD

M45 2007-08 JACK BROWN SILVER

M45 2007-08 ROSS ARBUCKLE BRONZE

M45 2008-09 COLIN DONNELLY SILVER

M45 2009-10 ROSS ARBUCKLE SILVER

M45 2012-13 CHARLIE THOMSON BRONZE

M45 2013-14 KENNY MACPHERSON BRONZE

M45 2014-15 GREG HASTIE SILVER

M45 2015-16 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

M45 2017-18 JUSTIN CARTER SILVER

M45 2017-18 STEVIE WYLIE BRONZE

M45 2018-19 JUSTIN CARTER BRONZE

M45 2019-20 KERRY-LIAM WILSON SILVER

M50 1999-00 CHARLIE McDOUGALL SILVER

M50 2002-03 ARCHIE JENKINS SILVER

M50 2004-05 ARCHIE JENKINS BRONZE

M50 2005-06 FRANK BARTON GOLD

M50 2006-07 EDDIE STEWART GOLD

M50 2009-10 COLIN DONNELLY GOLD

M50 2010-11 EDDIE STEWART GOLD

M50 2010-11 IAIN CAMPBELL SILVER

M50 2011-12 COLIN DONNELLY GOLD

M50 2012-13 DAVE THOM GOLD

M50 2014-15 CHRIS UPSON GOLD

M50 2015-16 STAN MACKENZIE BRONZE

M50 2016-17 STAN MACKENZIE BRONZE

M50 2018-19 CHARLIE THOMSON GOLD

M50 2021-22 STEVIE WYLIE GOLD

M50 2022-23 STEVIE WYLIE GOLD

M55 1996-97 BOBBY BRENNAN SILVER

M55 2000-01 TERRY DOLAN GOLD

M55 2000-01 DAVID FAIRWEATHER BRONZE

M55 2001-02 TERRY DOLAN GOLD

M55 2007-08 ARCHIE JENKINS SILVER

M55 2009-10 ARCHIE JENKINS BRONZE

M55 2010-11 FRANK HURLEY GOLD

M55 2011-12 EDDIE STEWART GOLD

M55 2013-14 COLIN FEECHAN GOLD

M55 2014-15 EDDIE STEWART GOLD

M55 2014-15 COLIN FEECHAN SILVER

M55 2015-16 EDDIE STEWART GOLD

M55 2016-17 COLIN DONNELLY GOLD

M55 2017-18 COLIN DONNELLY GOLD

M55 2017-18 ALICK WALKINSHAW BRONZE

M55 2018-19 COLIN DONNELLY GOLD

M55 2018-19 STAN MACKENZIE SILVER

M55 2018-19 CHRIS UPSON BRONZE

M55 2019-20 CHRIS UPSON GOLD

M55 2021-22 CHRIS UPSON GOLD

M60 2012-13 FRANK HURLEY GOLD

M60 2013-14 FRANK HURLEY GOLD

M60 2015-16 FRANK BARTON GOLD

M60 2016-17 EDDIE STEWART GOLD

M60 2016-17 PAUL THOMPSON SILVER

M60 2016-17 FRANK HURLEY BRONZE

M60 2017-18 EDDIE STEWART GOLD

M60 2017-18 PAUL THOMPSON SILVER

M60 2019-20 COLIN DONNELLY GOLD

M60 2019-20 EDDIE STEWART SILVER

M60 2022-23 COLIN DONNELLY GOLD

M60 2022-23 STAN MACKENZIE BRONZE

M65 1993-94 WILLIE MARSHALL GOLD

M65 1994-95 WILLIE MARSHALL GOLD

M65 1995-96 WILLIE MARSHALL GOLD

M65 2009-10 DAVID FAIRWEATHER BRONZE

M65 2013-14 ROBERT ANDERSON BRONZE

M65 2017-18 FRANK HURLEY SILVER

M65 2022-23 EDDIE STEWART GOLD

M70 2022-23 FRANK HURLEY BRONZE

APPENDIX V

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS SCOTTISH MID TRAIL MEDALLISTS

AGE GROUP YEAR NAME MEDAL

U15 BOYS 2015 ROSS STEPHEN SILVER

U17 MEN 2015 STRUAN PATON SILVER

U17 MEN 2015 GAVIN SMITH BRONZE

U17 MEN 2016 EAMON CARR BRONZE

U17 MEN 2017 DREW POLLOCK GOLD

U17 MEN 2018 RUAIRIDH MACGREGOR SILVER

U17 MEN 2022 SAM MCCARTHY GOLD

U17 MEN 2022 FINLAY ROBB BRONZE

U20 MEN 2015 CRAIG JARDINE GOLD

U20 MEN 2018 DREW POLLOCK BRONZE

U20 MEN 2019 ANDREW CAREY BRONZE

SENIOR MEN 2013 WEGENE TAFESE GOLD

SENIOR MEN 2013 JOSH LILLY SILVER

SENIOR MEN 2014 KYLE MCLELLAN SILVER

SENIOR MEN 2015 JAMIE REID SILVER

SENIOR MEN 2019 ALASDAIR CAMPBELL BRONZE

M40 2013 COLIN FEECHAN BRONZE

M40 2014 JAMIE REID GOLD

M40 2015 JAMIE REID GOLD

M40 2015 JUSTIN CARTER BRONZE

M40 2016 JUSTIN CARTER SILVER

M40 2017 ROBERT GILROY GOLD

M40 2018 BEN HUKINS GOLD

M40 2019 JUSTIN CARTER SILVER

M50 2015 COLIN FEECHAN BRONZE

M50 2022 CHRIS UPSON BRONZE

 

M60 2015 FRANK HURLEY GOLD

M60 2016 FRANK HURLEY GOLD

M60 2022 STAN MACKENZIE BRONZE

 

W60 2017 ERICA CHRISTIE GOLD

APPENDIX W

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS SCOTTISH INTER DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY MEDALLISTS

U13 BOYS

1986-87 EDDIE MCCAFFERTY BRONZE

1992-93 DAVID MACCRAE BRONZE

1996-97 IAIN MUNRO GOLD

1999-00 STEPHEN DUNN BRONZE

2006-07 MICHAEL RANKIN BRONZE

2011-12 TYRONE RYAN SILVER

2013-14 DREW POLLOCK BRONZE

U15 BOYS

1981-82 PAT MORRIS SILVER

1988-89 MARK MCBETH GOLD

1990-91 CRAIG CLELLAND BRONZE

1991-92 ALAN REYNOLDS SILVER

1992-93 STEPHEN KENNEDY SILVER

1992-93 IAIN REID BRONZE

1998-99 MICHAEL CHISHOLM GOLD

1998-99 ANDY STEVENS GOLD

2006-07 ANDREW COULTER BRONZE

U17 MEN

1991-92 CRAIG CLELLAND GOLD

1996-97 GRAHAM FERGUSON BRONZE

2003-04 DAVID WARD BRONZE

2009-10 JACK HAMILTON SILVER

SENIOR MEN

1990-91 CHARLIE THOMSON GOLD

1991-92 STEVIE WYLIE BRONZE

1992-93 DOUG RUNCIEMANN BRONZE

1995-96 STEVIE WYLIE BRONZE

1999-00 NEIL WILKINSON GOLD

2000-01 NEIL WILKINSON SILVER

2003-04 STEVIE WYLIE BRONZE

2012-13 WEGENE TAFESE BRONZE

SENIOR WOMEN

2023-24 EVE MACKINNON SILVER

APPENDIX X

CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS SCOTTISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS MEDALLISTS

EVENT YEAR AGE GROUP NAME MEDAL

1995-96 U13 BOYS STUART MCNAIR BRONZE

1996-97 U13 BOYS IAIN MUNRO GOLD

1997-98 U13 BOYS TONY GRAY SILVER

2000-01 U13 BOYS STEWART KIRK GOLD

2006-07 U13 BOYS MICHAEL RANKIN SILVER

2013-14 U13 BOYS RYAN STEPHEN GOLD

1995-96 U15 BOYS SCOTT CARSON SILVER

1996-97 U15 BOYS KEVIN KEALEY GOLD

1998-99 U15 BOYS MICHAEL CHISHOLM SILVER

2001-02 U15 BOYS STEPHEN DUNN SILVER

2007-08 U15 BOYS STEWART ORR SILVER

2021-22 U17 WOMEN MILLIE NICHOLL BRONZE

1995-96 U17 MEN GRAHAM FERGUSON SILVER

1996-97 U17 MEN GRAHAM FERGUSON BRONZE

1997-98 U17 MEN JOE KEALEY SILVER

2002-03 U17 MEN STEPHEN DUNN SILVER

2003-24 U17 MEN STEPHEN DUNN SILVER

2011-12 U17 MEN RYAN THOMSON GOLD

1995-96 U20 MEN ALAN MACPHERSON GOLD

1995-96 U20 MEN IAIN REID BRONZE

1996-97 U20 MEN IAIN REID GOLD

1997-98 U20 MEN GORDON ROBERTSON BRONZE

2001-02 U20 MEN MICHAEL CHISHOLM GOLD

2001-02 U20 MEN JASMAIR PAL BRONZE

2002-03 U20 MEN JASMAIR PAL SILVER

SCOTTISH 5K

2012 U20 WOMEN KATIE BRISTOW SILVER

2013 U20 WOMEN KATIE BRISTOW BRONZE

2012 U20 MEN JACK HAMILTON BRONZE

2014 U20 MEN GRANT SHELDON GOLD

2014 U20 MEN RYAN THOMSON SILVER

2018 U20 MEN JAMIE MACKINNON SILVER

2014 SENIOR MEN GRANT SHELDON SILVER

2011 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2012 M35 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2012 M35 ROBERT GILROY SILVER

2013 M35 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2014 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2015 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2015 M40 STEVIE WYLIE SILVER

2016 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2017 M40 ROBERT GILROY GOLD

2017 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON SILVER

2018 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON SILVER

2019 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON SILVER

2019 M50 CHARLIE THOMSON BRONZE

2022 M50 MARK GALLACHER SILVER

2023 M60 DAVE THOM BRONZE

2019 M70 DAVID COONEY GOLD

SCOTTISH 10K

2022 SENIOR WOMEN EVE MACKINNON BRONZE

1992 SENIOR MEN TOMMY MURRAY BRONZE

1994 SENIOR MEN STEVIE WYLIE GOLD

1995 SENIOR MEN STEVIE WYLIE BRONZE

2001 SENIOR MEN NEIL WILKINSON SILVER

2003 SENIOR MEN STEVIE WYLIE BRONZE

2007 SENIOR MEN STEVIE WYLIE BRONZE

2012 SENIOR MEN WEGENE TAFESE BRONZE

2013 SENIOR MEN JOSH LILLY GOLD

2013 SENIOR MEN WEGENE TAFESE BRONZE

2017 SENIOR MEN GRANT SHELDON GOLD

2019 SENIOR MEN GRANT SHELDON GOLD

2022 SENIOR MEN MIKE CHRISTOFOROU BRONZE

2023 SENIOR MEN RYAN THOMSON BRONZE

2005 M40 CHARLIE THOMSON GOLD

2011 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2012 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2013 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2013 M40 ROBERT GILROY SILVER

2014 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2015 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2015 M40 KENNY CAMPBELL SILVER

2016 M40 ROBERT GILROY GOLD

2016 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON SILVER

2017 M40 ROBERT GILROY GOLD

2017 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON SILVER

2018 M40 IAIN REID GOLD

2021 M40 GORDON ROBERTSON GOLD

2022 M40 GORDON ROBERTSON SILVER

2022 M50 MARK GALLACHER BRONZE

2021 M60 DAVE THOM BRONZE

2023 M60 DAVE THOM GOLD

2023 M60 DES DICKSON SILVER

SCOTTISH 10 MILES

2023 W60 ERICA CHRISTIE GOLD

1993 SENIOR MEN STEVIE WYLIE GOLD

1993 SENIOR MEN CHARLIE THOMSON SILVER

2014 SENIOR MEN ROBERT GILROY GOLD

2014 SENIOR MEN STUART GIBSON BRONZE

2022 SENIOR MEN MIKE CHRISTOFOROU SILVER

2023 SENIOR MEN FRASER STEWART SILVER

2012 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2013 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2014 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON SILVER

2015 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON SILVER

2015 M40 STEVIE WYLIE BRONZE

2016 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2017 M40 ROBERT GILROY GOLD

2017 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON SILVER

2022 M40 GORDON ROBERTSON GOLD

2022 M50 MARK GALLACHER GOLD

2022 M50 MARK KING SILVER

2023 M50 STEVIE WYLIE GOLD

2023 M60 COLIN FEECHAN GOLD

SCOTTISH HALF MARATHON

2022 W50 JACQUI THOMSON GOLD

2022 W60 ERICA CHRISTIE SILVER

1995 SENIOR MEN ALEX ROBERTSON SILVER

1998 SENIOR MEN ALEX ROBERTSON GOLD

2003 SENIOR MEN STEVIE WYLIE GOLD

2003 SENIOR MEN ALEX ROBERTSON BRONZE

2004 SENIOR MEN STEVIE WYLIE GOLD

2005 SENIOR MEN JAMIE REID GOLD

2005 SENIOR MEN ROBERT GILROY SILVER

2006 SENIOR MEN ROBERT GILROY BRONZE

2007 SENIOR MEN STEVIE WYLIE SILVER

2007 SENIOR MEN ROBERT GILROY BRONZE

2008 SENIOR MEN ROBERT GILROY BRONZE

2011 SENIOR MEN MARTIN WILLIAMS SILVER

2012 SENIOR MEN BEN HUKINS SILVER

2O13 SENIOR MEN KERRY-LIAM WILSON BRONZE

2014 SENIOR MEN ROBERT GILROY BRONZE

2023 SENIOR MEN FRASER STEWART GOLD

2011 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2012 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2013 M40 BEN HUKINS GOLD

2013 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON SILVER

2015 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2016 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2017 M40 ROBER GILROY GOLD

2017 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON BRONZE

2018 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON BRONZE

2019 M40 KENNY CAMPBELL BRONZE

2019 M60 DES DICKSON BRONZE

SCOTTISH MARATHON

2003 SENIOR MEN JAMIE REID GOLD

2005 SENIOR MEN ROBERT GILROY GOLD

2005 SENIOR MEN JAMIE REID SILVER

2006 SENIOR MEN JAMIE REID SILVER

2006 SENIOR MEN STEVIE WYLIE BRONZE

2007 SENIOR MEN JAMIE REID GOLD

2007 SENIOR MEN CHRIS WILSON SILVER

2009 SENIOR MEN MARTIN WILLIAMS GOLD

2012 SENIOR MEN KERRY-LIAM WILSON BRONZE

2013 SENIOR MEN KERRY-LIAM WILSON BRONZE

2014 SENIOR MEN KERRY-LIAM WILSON SILVER

2023 SENIOR MEN FRASER STEWART BRONZE

2011 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2012 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2014 M40 KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

2016 M40 DAVID COLE BRONZE

SCOTTISH 50K

2014 SENIOR MEN JAMIE REID GOLD

2011 SENIOR MEN JACK BROWN GOLD

2019 SENIOR MEN KERRY-LIAM WILSON GOLD

APPENDIX Y

SERVICE TO SPORTS AWARDS

CAMBUSLANG AND RUTHERGLEN SPORTS COUNCIL COACHING AWARD

ROBERT ANDERSON

MIKE JOHNSTON

OWEN REID

TOM STILLIE SWORD ANNUAL AWARD TO THE PERSON CONTRIBUTING THE MOST TO SCOTTISH ATHLETICS

MIKE JOHNSTON

RON PICKERING MEMORIAL AWARD FOR SERVICES TO ATHLETICS GIFTED BY THE BRITISH ATHLETICS WRITERS ASSOCIATION FOR SERVICES TO ATHLETICS

MIKE JOHNSTON

SCOTTISH ATHLETICS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

FIONA POLLOCK AND PAMELA STEPHEN

SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL SPORTS COUNCILS SERVICE TO SPORTS AWARD

DAVID COONEY

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL SERVICE TO CAMBUSLANG HARRIERS AND SCOTTISH ATHLETICS

DAVID COONEY