Wednesday 2nd May - 1K Time Trial

This is a reminder for all young athletes who are coached by Francis Maxwell and Susan Pryce

Francis and Susan have organised a 1K race to take place on Wednesday 2nd May at Calderglen Country Park. Please arrive at ususal location East Kilbride Sport Club for 6:30pm and the race will be starting prompt for 6:45pm. Numbers will be handed out next week to ensure prompt race start.  We will have marshals and official time keepers for the race. 

Any queries on this event please see either Francis or Susan at training next week.

Scottish School’s Athletic Association – Primary Schools Cross Country 2012

A number of Calderglen Harrier young athletes were out on Saturday representing their schools at the annual Scottish School’s Athletic Association – Primary Schools Cross Country at the playing fields of Kirkcaldy High School. The weather from during the week meant parts of the course were muddy and had puddles of water but in the main the course was initially good to run on, however with April showers and progress through the 8 races the course transformed into a quagmire of mud.

This is a massive event with Primary Schools from all over Scotland entering teams.  It had the same kind of feel to it as the Scottish Athletic events like Cumbernauld & Falkirk.  With a total of 8 races split for each Primary gender and then split schools A to K and L to Z there was on average about over 120 kids participating in each race so overall 800 plus kids running the event.

First to go was Emma Lawton, representing Kirktonholme Primary, who lined up with 118 runners in the girls Primary 6 A to K race and put in a determined performance in this 1.5K cross country course.  With the first 100 metres flat then progressing another 100 metres uphill, Emma pushed her way to the front of the pack and was lying around 5^th place by the first bend with the front runner from Clifton Hall school leading.  On the first back straight Emma was progressing nicely through the leading pack and by the end of this stage had caught up with the lead runner.  From this point both Emma and the girl from Clifton Hall school were jostling between 1^st and 2^nd place.  This part of the race lead down a short hill and straight up a sharp hill with Emma coming out 2^nd on the top which then moved into another flat declining section of the course to the next bend. At this point Emma emerged victorious and was leading up the final hill digging in with gritted teeth to maintain her lead.  Towards the top of the hill and final bend Emma was slowing but with shout from her supportive Dad “man on” i.e. the other runner is catching, Emma stepped up to top gear and moved away and opened up on the downhill finish.  With a winning time of 6 mins 9 seconds Emma put in an outstanding performance with her second place rival put in a tremendous run with a time of 6:16 and 3^rd place runner from Edinburgh Academy completing the podium positions with 6:24.  The fastest time on the 2^nd Primary 6 Girls race L to Z was 6.24 so Emma deservedly takes the title of Scottish Primary School Cross Country Champion – Primary 6 Girls. 

The other runners on the day were Kate Kane (Kirktonholme, P7) finishing 29^th in a field of 136, Rachel Johnstone (St Hilary’s, P7) finishing  33^rd in a field of 129,  Anna Fegan (St Hilary’s, P7) finishing  82^nd in a field of 129 and new to the Harriers Jessica Hagan (St Kenneth’s, P6) finishing  52^nd in a field of 115.

Absolutely delighted with Emma’s performance and I was equally delighted with all the other girls. It is a tough race and they all completed it so well.

Well done to all for taking part in the races and for representing their schools so well.

£1 fee for Wednesday 4th April 2012

 

Further to my announcement on Wednesday night, , we will re-commence the collection of £1 per athlete/family from Wednesday 4th April until Wednesday 28th November 2012.  There will be no fees charged in December.

The weekly £1 fee will be used to build funds for the Harriers to subside race entries, equipment and activities for the Young Athletes. 

I would be obliged therefore if as of Wednesday 4th April your child has their fee to hand in when registering their name on the register list.

Please note any young athlete's parents who are members of the Calderglen Harriers or any other sporting sections of the East Kilbride Sports Club and have a family membership are not required to pay the weekly £1 fee.

Thank you

Richard

Easter training arrangements

Over the school Easter holidays there will be a change to the usual coaching whilist the young athletes are on their Easter break from school.

Frances & Susan's group
Cancelled and will resume on Wednesday 18th April at 6:30pm

Richard's and John's groups
On as normal over the next 2 weeks, Wednesday (4/4 & 11/4) at 6.30pm

See you all on Wednesday,
Richard

NATIONAL YOUNG ATHLETES ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Six Harriers were out competing in the National Young Athletes Road Race Championship held Rouken Glen Park in Giffnock and were bathed in Spring sunshine weather.  The first to compete were the now regular Under 13 trio of Girls Megan Anderson, Helen Anderson, and Louise Brown and joined today by Hannah MacLeod making her race debut for the club.  The field of 82 girls ran the big loop of 2.5K route within the grounds of the park and all showed their consistency and strength in running over long distances.  First home was Megan Anderson (68) in a time of 11:47, quickly followed by debut runner Hannah MacLeod (72) with 11:55, then Louise Brown (73) 11:58 and Helen Anderson (75) with a time of 12:08.

In a smaller field of 68 runners, next up in the same age category was Drew Gordon who is always up for a race and consistently does his best no matter the challenge did the 2.5K route with a final battle with a Law & District athlete and finished  in a time of  11:56 (66).  Personal / course best best 51 seconds. 

Finally we ended up with only having 1 Under 15 Boy Craig Stewart running and he continued to do well in his first year in this age category.  He ran a 3.7K route which consisted of 1 small loop and 1 big loop the under 13’s did.  As like Drew, Craig had a battle at the end with a Kilmarnock athlete and was award the same time of 14:31 finishing 52 out of a field of 61.

These are good performances and with continued training, more race experience and some of the current u11s and u13s changing categories on 1st September the Harriers will be fielding more teams with experience and talent to improve on times and places for Cross Countries in October and the National Young Athletes Road Race Championship in 2013.  Any of the other young athletes that are interested in competing in these type of events please feel free to ask any of the coaches, Richard, John or Francis & Susan how to get involved. 

Official results on Scottish Athletics website

http://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/index.php?p=80&itemType=fixtures&itemId=14276

Thanks to Kenny MacLeod (Hannah's Dad) for the photographs.

NATIONAL YOUNG ATHLETES ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Calderglen Harrier team for this RR Championship is:

Under 13 Girls:     Helen Anderson, Megan Anderson, Louise Brown & Hannah MacLeod 

Under 13 Boys:     Drew Gordon  

Under 15 Boys:     Alistair Crawford and Craig Stewart

I will be there on Sunday and will meet you at the Pavilion which is in the park next to the swing park.  I will pick up the numbers from the Pavilion and issue.

I have pre-registered all the above athletes.

The first race, u13 Girls, starts at 12.15pm and declarations close at 11:45am

The second race, u13 Boys, starts at 12.30pm and declarations close at 12pm

The fourth race, u15 Boys, starts at 1pm and declarations close at 12:30pm

On the day please remember

Ø  Calderglen Harrier black & amber vest - remember this is essential (phone if you need to buy one)

Ø  Safety pins for pinning your number on your vest

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

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

Ø  Food and drink for after your race

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

Sadly no club tent as it is getting used at an event the Senior Harriers are doing also on Sunday.

For those with sat nav the postcode is G46 7UG for Rouken Glen Park,Giffnock.

Remember allow plenty of time to travel, find place and park. 

Good luck on Sunday

Richard

NATIONAL XC (FALKIRK) - 2012 Report



Drew's good running technqiue



Well done to the Under 13 team of athletes Megan Anderson, Helen Anderson, Louise Brown and Drew Gordon and solo Under 15 Boy Alistair Crawford for representing the Harriers at this years National XC Championship.

The young athletes started preceedings with the under 13 Boys and we were representated by race regular Drew Gordon running 3200 metres in a time of 18:12 making this a course best by 1 second  showing he is fine steady performer and displaying good running technique (see picture) well done Drew.

Next to run was our under 13 Girls trio of Helen, Megan and Lousie who were all debuting at this event showing they have strong desire to compete.  First Harrier home was Megan in a time of 18:24 followed closely by Louise in 18:39 then Helen in 19:33.  All three are were good times with Helen being the biggest improver.  At the West District XC she was 2 minutes down on her time to Megan and Louise and now she is only a minute down so well done Helen.



Alistair



Our only under 15 boy  running 4000 metres course was Alistair Crawford  in his first year in this age category.  Alistair is returning to form after breaking his colllar bone (I think) and recorded a good time of 17:58. This time is on par with the under 15s from last year so I am sure Alistair will improve more next year with more training and  better fitness. 

Any of the other young athletes that are interested in competing in these type of events please feel free to ask any of the coaches how to get involved.

Thank you to Andy and Frances for setting up the tent for the young athletes.