CHRISTMAS FUN RUN RELAY

Junior athletes on there marks for the 2013 Christmas Fun Run

Sunday 15th December saw a record entry of 28 junior Harriers taking part in the 2013 Calderglen Harriers Christmas Fun Run.  To make more fun of the event this year we introduced a new relay format with 7 teams of 4 athletes named after Santa's reindeers and we had Donner, Blitzen, Comet, Dancer, Prancer, Cupid and Dasher and a Secret Santa dip.  Again this year we wide range of runners with costumes.

 

We had, again, the Onesie brigade, the 118 118 runners, a clown, a professional footballer, a jester, and a few athletes sporting the traditional Christmas jumper.  All the runners tackled 1 lap of the Christmas Handicap route covering 0.8miles (1.3k) in perfect running conditions.

 

And the reindeer team that was victorious was Cupid.  Team mates Adam Stewart, Holly McAneny, Joseph Fegan and Gavin Herbertson all worked hard individually and collectively to be this year's first ever winning relay team.

 

This year 3 of our junior Harriers took on the seniors and did the full 4 mile (6.5k) course which consisted of 5 laps. The brave Harriers were Craig Stewart, Marc McQuade and Emma Lawton.  All 3 did brilliant with Craig Stewart finishing the Christmas handicap first 27:28 closely followed by 1st timer Marc McQuade finishing second in 28:14, Emma  finishing 6th in 27:06 3rd fastest time of the event.  Well done to all the junior trio.

See senior blog for report on the individual Christmas Handicap race with results.
http://www.calderglen.blogspot.co.uk/

CHRISTMAS FUN RUN 2013



Seniors from 2012s Fun Run

On Sunday 15th December the Calderglen Harriers will be holding their annual Senior and Junior Christmas Fun Run so time to get thinking of a costume!  Previous years the costumes have been Santas, the Hulk, a Ghostbuster, Christmas fairy and even Nuns!

This year we trying a new format for the Junior section and are doing a Relay race.  Each team will cover 3 laps and I will mix the teams up.  The first team back will all get a medal. However all is not lost everyone will get a treat at the end and for this year we will have a Secret Santa.  If everyone brings a small value prize up (max £5), those that bring a present then get to choose one in the lucky dip at the end.  Please wrap the present and make the present unisex - suit a boy or girl.

Race Details

Junior Harriers (Relay Team)
Starts at 10.30am, Run 3 laps (0.8 miles / 1.3k per lap), which is 2.4 miles or 3.8k

Senior Harriers (Individual race): 
Starts at 11am, Run 5 laps (0.8 miles / 1.3k per lap), which is 4 miles or 6.4k

Hopefully some of the older more able junior runners will consider doing the 5 laps and challenge the "old" seniors.  Last year we had Emma Lawton & Craig Stewart give it a go...and Emma won!

 

So please let me know if you can do the Junior or Senior run  ASAP and by Wednesday 11th December at the very latest.

As from previous years the race will be in cold conditions. So if you fancy joining us in this festive running event please come along in fancy dress (optional) and you may even get a treat at the end...........

 

WEST DISTRICT XC CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013

On Saturday 7th December the excellent Ayrshire Athletics Arena in Kilmarnock was host to runners from all over the West of Scotland – no comfy track but in the challenging wide open spaces of the Ayrshire countryside.  A combination of a bright crisp winter day and the venue proved precisely the right conditions required for cross-country running cool and lots of mud!  The host club Kilmarnock Harriers put on a real hard core cross country course for all age groups from under 13 to Seniors and only a select few junior Calderglen Harriers took up the challenge to see who is best in the West!

 

First race of the day was the under 13 girls who had a take on a strength sapping 1 lap 3.2km course.  The Calderglen Harriers had training partner Emma Lawton and 2^nd claim runner in this race running for her 1^st claim club Giffnock North.  Emma had a strong run from start to finish running close to Ayr Seaforth’s Emma Frew for the majority of the race and took a decisive surge with 200 metres to take the fantastic victory with a time of 11.15 minutes.  This win contributed to the team prize for Giffnock North.

Emma Lawton & Marc McQuade

Next up was the under 13 boys running the same course as the girls.  Marc McQuade and Calum MacDonald running in the Calderglen Harriers bumblebee coloured vests. Marc McQuade was our first boy home in 12.23 minutes improving on his performance from the Lanarkshire Cross Country the week before and handling the deep mud very well.   Calum MacDonald completed the team and finished with a time of 12.56 minutes.

For the under 15 athletes we had Megan Anderson, Louise Brown and Lewis MacDonald. The under 15 course distance was 4km and for the girls this was their only second race in this age group.  Megan Anderson was in first with a time of 18.30 minutes followed by Louise Brown in 19.04 minutes. 

The final race the Harriers had young athletes competing was the u15 boys where Lewis MacDonald ran the race for the first time in this age category and stepped up to the bigger 4k route in a field of 61 runners and achieved a time of 20.05 minutes. Well done to Megan Anderson, Louise Brown and Lewis MacDonald for continuing to do well.

On behalf of the Calderglen Harriers, I would like to thank all the young athletes and parents for making this another successful event. Hopefully valuable experience was gained by all which will lead us to future successes.

Well done to all on a fantastic effort on a very tough course.

Richard

 

WEST DISTRICT XC CHAMPIONSHIPS

This Saturday 7th December is the West District XC next to the Ayrshire Athletics Arena, Kilmarnock KA1 3XF.

Race timetable is

under 13 boys start at 11.45am (Marc McQuade & Calum MacDonald)
under 15 Girls start at 12pm (Louise Brown & Megan Anderson)
under 15 boys starts at 12.20pm (Lewis MacDonald)

Please arrive an hour before your race to allow parking and time to warm up
I will be there early and will collect the numbers and be at the course in the tent area (look out for the big yellow Harrier tent)

If anyone can no longer make it please let someone know.

Remember that this is the main selection event for Team West for the inter district event at Holyrood, Edinburgh in January 2014.

Richard

SILVER MEDAL FOR UNDER 15 GIRLS

U15 Girls: Megan, Louise, Morgan & Helen

Mild temperatures for November greeted our 10 junior Harriers today at Drumpellier Park in Coatbridge for the Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships. First up was the under 11 Girls & Boys individual races running a 1.2k course.

 

Harriers were represented by Holly McAneny (4:19), Lana McDougall (4:19) and Fergus Kane (4:01),   who all did really well for 1st timers doing this event.  Fergus ran a really strong race using his arms well in the back incline and finished the race strong.

Marc McQuade

Marc McQuade and Jack MacBain were our under 13 runners.  They had to step up to a longer course of 2.5k and despite both been new to cross country produced good performances.  Marc (9:45)  was the 1st Harrier home finishing mid pack and looking comfortable amongst the grass & mud.  Jack MacBain (10:17) was another 1st timer doing this event and said this was the furthest he had ran before and really enjoyed the challenge.







Fergus Kane powering up hill

One of our stand out performances today was our under 15 Girls of Helen Anderson (15:56), Louise Brown (17:22),  and Morgan Beaton (18:21).  Even though todays race was an individual event there was the opportunity to get a team prize based on the first 3 to count back from club.  Even though their individual performances didn't allow success in the medals individually, they all did their best to produce the best performance they could do and were rewarded with taking a silver team medal amongst all the other Lanarkshire clubs  over the 3.7k course.  So a big well done to the Girls.  Megan Anderson was our 4th runner but she couldn't complete the race due to injury so get better soon Megan and there is the West District next week.  When I thought we couldn't do any better Craig Stewart (19:13),  was running today and did a great run. 



Craig in action with new XC trail shoes!

He was racing in the under 17 men's which was a 5k route over 2 large laps.  Craig asked before the race what he would do and I suggested about 25 mins.  However Craig just demolished my prediction for him and ran a sub 20 minute.  His time according to my watch was 19:13 and he finished really strong.  A great run for Craig and showing his training on Mondays & Thursdays is paying off.  A big thank you to Frances & Emma for helping out today with taking pictures, cheering the runners on and warm ups.  I would like to thank Brian Stewart and Craig Brown for being marshalls for the race as if you didn't to do this are runners could not take part.  And a final thank you for those parents entering and bringing your kids to the event to help promote our club.

 

 

LANARKSHIRE XC CHAMPIONSHIPS - Saturday 30th November

Please be at Drumpellier Park for 11:30am.  Enter from Blair Road and the course is opposite the old St Ambrose High School on Blair Road Coatbridge, ML5 2EW.  I will meet you on the course in the Drumpellier Park.  I will pick up the numbers to issue.

OFFICIALS/VOLUNTEERS:                                 

Lanarkshire AAA states every club must provide a minimum of 2 officials / volunteers.  FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN CLUB ENTRIES BEING DECLINED.  The Calderglen Harrier volunteers are BRIAN STEWART & CRAIG BROWN.  Please report to me on the course I will direct to your position.  You will be marshalling for the under 13 to Senior races. Thank you for your support.  Can both Brian & Craig be there for 12pm as the first race you marshall starts at 12.20pm.  Race Timetable:           

                                                                                                                                                                             

Event	Time	Age group	Distance
Race 1	12:00	U11 Girls	1200m (1 small lap)
Race 2	12:10	U11 Boys	1200m (1 small lap)
Race 3	12:20	U13 Girls	2500m (1 large lap)
Race 4	12:40	U13 Boys	2500m (1 large lap)
Race 5	12:55	U15 Girls	3700m (1 small + 1 large lap)
Race 5	12:55	U15 Boys	3700m (1 small + 1 large lap)
Race 6	13:15	U17 M	5000m (2 large laps)
Race 6	13:15	U17 F	5000m (2 large laps)
Race 6	13:15	Sen Ladies	5000m (2 large laps)
Race 7	13:45	Sen Men	10000m ( 4 large laps)

 

Awards-First three & First three teams (All teams 3 to count).  Presentation ASAP after each race at the course

 

Friday night

ü  Remember to pack your bag on Friday night & don’t leave it late!

On the day please remember

ü  Calderglen Harrier black & amber vest - remember this is essential (phone me, Richard, if you need to buy one) – I will have club owned vests to be issued & returned same day.

ü  Calderglen Harrier yellow training T-shirt if have one

ü  Spikes or Trail trainers

ü  Safety pins for pinning your number on your vest

ü  Layers in case it's cold and waterproofs in case of wet weather

ü  Spare shoes if planning to walk the course (also spare socks)

ü  Food and drink for after your race

ü  If you can't make the race please let me know. 

Remember allow plenty of time to travel, find place and park. Hopefully there should be ample on road parking. 

See you on Saturday, Richard.

LANARKSHIRE XC CHAMPIONSHIPS (Race No.5)

RACE NOW CLOSED TO ENTRIES
This event will take place on Saturday 30th November at Drumpellier Park in Coatbridge (enter the park from Blair Road, opposite the derelict site where the old St Ambrose High School, Blair Road  Coatbridge, ML5 2EW). All the races are "head to head" and not relays like the recent race. Ages as at 31 August / 1 September 2013. Details are as follows:

Event	Time	Age group	Distance
Race 1	12:00	U11 Girls	1200m (1 small lap)
Race 2	12:10	U11 Boys	1200m (1 small lap)
Race 3	12:20	U13 Girls	2500m (1 large lap)
Race 4	12:40	U13 Boys	2500m (1 large lap)
Race 5	12:55	U15 Girls	3700m (1 small + 1 large lap)
Race 5	12:55	U15 Boys	3700m (1 small + 1 large lap)
Race 6	13:15	U17 M	5000m (2 large laps)
Race 6	13:15	U17 F	5000m (2 large laps)
Race 6	13:15	Sen Ladies	5000m (2 large laps)
Race 7	13:45	Sen Men	10000m ( 4 large laps)

Age groups are u11 (9 & 10 yrs), u13 (11 & 12 yrs), u15 (13 & 14 yrs), u17 (15 & 16 yrs) and everybody else is Senior.

Volunteers: The race organiser states that all clubs need to provide a minimum of 2 volunteers and failure to do so will result in club entries being declined.  So if you can volunteer please see Richard.

If you intend taking part in this race give your name to Richard Lawton by Wednesday 27th November at training at the latest or by email.