Thursday, the 3rd of August, was the third and final 2-mile time trial of the 2023 summer series.
This series takes place monthly from June until August on a hilly and challenging course starting outside Cartha Rugby Club downhill towards Pollok House where it sweeps left and continues up a ‘never-ending’ hill until it turns left again at the duck pond passing the White House and back to the grounds of the rugby club.
The course has been measured and certified and this allows runners to be confident that the run is an accurate 2-mile challenge.
The club have kept detailed and accurate records since 2011 of club members times thanks to Matthew Brown and his very big spreadsheet!
The August time trial attracted 50 Harriers, the largest turnout since the pre-pandemic numbers of August 2019. This was not surprising as the number of members training weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays are generally over 50 per night, and our membership now exceeds that of 2019.
The initial part of the race was captured by the club drone which showed the eventual winner, Adam Stark, heading the field. His run of 10:28 was a 19-second PB. Sam Kelly, the 2nd placed finisher, ran a 4-second PB to finish in 11:23. Dave Eames scored a PB and broke the 12-minute barrier for the first time, clocking 11:58.
The ladies' race saw Kristina Greig beat her PB by one second to finish in 12:17 and she continues as the 5th quickest Harrier in this event. The 2nd and 3rd placed ladies, Emma Rogerson at 12:51 and Katherine Hylands at 13:01, equalled their PB performances.
The series winners after the completion of the three races were; 1st male David Eames, 2nd Sam Kelly, and 3rd Garry Henderson.
Katherine Hylands was the 1st female, followed by Rebecca Simister 2nd and Angela Campbell 3rd.
The August event saw 14 runners either equal or beat their PBs. It also saw 6 Harriers make debuts: David Johnson, Aedan Brennan, Laureen Macintosh, Paul Hush, Sally McLintock, and Kerrie Francis.
The time trial provides an excellent opportunity for competitors to improve their times over the three-race series, including Amy Frank who improved by 81 seconds, and John Softley by 74 seconds.
As always, the event can only be delivered by volunteers, so thanks to all who gave up their time.
🦅 - Drone. DJI Mini2 & Editing - Scott Mason
✍🏻- Race report - Tom Keenan
#bellahoustonharriers #monthebella #NilDesperandum
00:00 Form-up.
00:18 Race START!
01:32 Top 3 Male finisher.
02:10 Top 3 Female finisher.
3:10 Finish area.
02:16 BBQ & beer time!