SCOTTISH DISTANCE RUNNING HISTORY

More information about Dumbarton AAC in the 1930’s from George Sinclair’s record book is now up on site – programme for the Annual Supper, plus the club member’s handbook are there for inspection. See it at this link.

The latest instalment of George Sinclair’s, Dumbarton AAC, log book from the 1932-33 season which takes us from January 33 to the Closing Run in March. Read it here .

We now have a profile of Brian Edridge up on site. Brian is a remarkable character altogether – he has done all the Munros four times, when he found out about marathon running in the 80’s he ran 29 of them – that’s him above in the Inverclyde Marathon in 1984. He then joined Clydesdale Harriers after meeting Peter Rudzinksi and David Mitchell at the Lochaber Marathon and putting his love of the hills together with running, he took up hill running with a vengeance. That includes the Highland Peaks races. You really do need to read about him at this link.

Allan Adams was kind enough to lend us a Diary compiled by George Sinclair for his years in the club between 1932 and 1925. A genuine and detailed coverage of the athletics and also a social history of the time it is being added exactly as it is without and clever additions or adaptations. The pages covering 1932 are on site now and the remainder will go up after 26th September. See the pages here .

Peter’s funeral was held today, 16th September in Clydebank and there was a goodly turnout. Among those whom I spoke to or spotted were some of his team mates from VPAAC – Alistair Johnston, Hugh Stevenson, Ian Whyte – plus John McKay (Shettleston), Hamish Telfer (West of Scotland) who travelled down from Kingussie, Alastair McFarlane, Danny Wilmoth and Johnny Buntain (Springburn), John Hanratty, Phil Dolan, Bobby Rossborough (Clydesdale Harriers), Allan Adams, snr, (Dumbarton), Stevie Cullen (Garscube) and many others from a range of clubs.

As of right now I am taking a step back from working with the two websites, this one and anentscottishrunning.com , and they are being looked after by Arnold Black on behalf of Scottish athletics. I have enjoyed every minute of it and the help from many friends of all kinds – runners, officials, statisticians has been invaluable. Thanks to you all. You will get some explanations of the websites at this link . Meanwhile, future items for possible inclusion should be sent to Arnold at scotstats@aol.com .

Ronnie McDonald, on the left against Dave Moorcroft, was not only a top miler for Monkland Harriers, but he also ran on the road and over the country for the club and for its successor, Clyde Valley. One of the best of club men, he turned in some sterling performances for them in the Edinburgh to Glasgow 8 stage road race. Joe Small has put together some stats on runners from the club who turned out in the race between 1971 and 1984 and you can find them here. Maybe you have similar stats for your own club? If you do we’d like to see them.

The picture above is an aerial view of Coatbridge Outdoor Recreation Centre – ie the track that has been used for International, national, district, county and club championships; it has been the focus of schools championships all the way up to veterans championships and even 24 hour races. Damaged by fire it is now not used for competition. Joe Small has written an account of the track’s history and ‘glory years’ of the 1970’s (and they really were glorious with Olympians, world record holders and a host of international stars) and you can read it here .

[Marathon Stars] [Career marathons ] [ Elite Endurance] [ The Chasers ] [ The Milers ] [ The Veterans ] [ Men’s Who’s Who] [ Women’s A-Z ][ Women’s Cross-Country ] [ The Professionals] [ The Peds ] [ The Veterans ] [All In The Family ] [The Hills] [ 21st Century Stars ]