February 12th, 2018

Cambuslang Harriers returned from the Masters Cross Country Championships held at Kilmarnock with 8 individual medals and two team medals across the age groups from 40 to 65.  In the M40 category Iain Reid had a fierce battle throughout with defending champion Jethro Lennox of Shettleston only to lose out by a few strides at the finish.  With Iain taking M40 silver and with support from the ever improving Justin Carter and resurgent Stevie Wylie, who lifted M45 silver and bronze medals, and from Iain Nicholl the Cambuslang team was completed.  Despite the valiant efforts of the quartet to retain their team title Cambuslang narrowly lost out to Corstorphine AC on count back.  Both clubs had 66 points but Corstorphine took team gold as their final counter crossed the line before Cambuslang’s.  By coincidence there was also a count back situation last year with Cambuslang edging out Corstorphine on that occasion. It was good to see Iain Nicholl winning his first Scottish medal as a reward for his enthusiasm and commitment to the club.  The finishing order for our other M40 runners was Mick O’Hagan, Tony McCutcheon, Scott Hunter and Willie Fairley.

 Colin Donnelly although in the M55 category was the first runner over 50 home.  He duly retained his age category title and led the M50 team of Chris Upson and Alick Walkinshaw, the bronze M55 winner, to the team title ahead of Shettleston and Corstorphine.   Eddie Stuart retained his M60 title in spite of recent health issues with Paul Thompson not far behind in the silver medal position.   Behind them Stan Mackenzie on the comeback trail after a lengthy injury, Des Dickson and Dan O’Connell crossed the line in quick succession.
 
The M65 plus runners event was held in conjunction with the ladies O40 race.  Frank Hurley was a clear second in the M65 category.  Unfortunately representation from our ladies was curtailed due to injuries and illness.  However, Jennifer Reid ran her usual gutsy race to finish 13th in her age category.

At the Scottish Masters Indoor Championships the following day at the Emirates Justin Carter, Frank Hurly and Chris Upson displayed remarkable powers of recovery to compete over 1500 metres with Frank lifting M65 gold and Justin M45 bronze in a personal best.   Multi Scottish and UK medallist Kerry-Liam Wilson took M45 silver in his indoor debut over this distance while club debutant Michael Healy gained M40 bronze in a personal best.

Elsewhere at the weekend there were 5K parkrun victories for Richard Carr, Susie McLaughlin and Kevan Harvey with second and third place finishes for Michael Barker, Eva Ritchie and Michael Black.  Jamie MacKinnon secured the U20 prize at the Renfrewshire 5 mile road race.

David Cooney