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SCOTTISH VETERANS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE FIRST TWO RACES

Bill Stoddart with the British Veterans Cross Country Trophy. He defeated England’s Arthur Walsham by thirty seconds

The very first SVHC Cross Country Championships took place on Saturday 20^th March 1971. The venue was Pollok Estate, Glasgow. 33 ran and 32 finished the course.

Willie Russell won, followed by Hugh Mitchell, Willie Marshall, Tom Stevenson, Willie Armour, Chick Forbes, Jack McLean and Andy Forbes, who won the Over 50 title from Tommy Harrison and Walter Ross. John Emmet Farrell was first Over 60, in front of Harry Haughie and Roddy Devon. Shettleston Harriers won the Team Award.

The second Championship, this time officially recognised by the Scottish Cross Country Union, was on 4^th March 1972, at Clydebank, Dunbartonshire. The course was five miles (or eight kilometres) long. The SVHC organised the event, assisted by Clydesdale Harriers.

Bill Stoddart (Greenock Wellpark H) won easily, from Hugh Mitchell (Shettleston H) and Moir Logie (East Kilbride AAC). M50 champion was Andy Forbes (Victoria Park AAC), in front of Tommy Harrison (Maryhill H) and Walter Ross (Garscube H). Emmet Farrell (Maryhill H) retained his M60 title from Ron Smith (SVHC) and George Taylor (Shettleston H). Greenock Wellpark Harriers won the Team Award.

In the programme, Walter Ross, the SVHC Secretary, and a very important figure in the development of Scottish Veteran Athletics, published a poem (written many years earlier by an anonymous Clydesdale Harrier). Walter suggested it could be retitled ‘To a Veteran’.

To a Harrier

Some fellow men seem lucky, yet

I yearn to change with few,

But from my heart this afternoon,

I needs must envy you,

Mud-splattered runners, light of foot,

Who on this dismal day

With rhythmic stride and heads upheld

Go swinging on your way.

A dismal day? A foolish word;

I would not, years ago,

Despite the drizzle and the chill,

Have ever thought it so;

For then I might have been with you

Your rich reward to gain:

That glow beneath the freshened skin,

O runners through the rain.

All weather is a friend to you:

Rain, sunshine, snow or sleet.

The changing course – road, grass or plough –

You pass on flying feet.

No crowds you need to urge you on;

No cheers your efforts wake.

Yours is the sportsman’s purest joy –

you run for running’s sake.

O games are good – manoeuvres shared

To make the team’s success,

The practised skill, the guiding brain,

The trained unselfishness.

But there’s no game men ever played

That gives the zest you find

In using limbs and heart and lungs

To leave long miles behind.

I’ll dream that I am with you now

To win my second wind,

To feel my fitness like a flame,

The pack already thinned.

The turf is soft beneath my feet,

The drizzle’s in my face,

And in my spirit there is pride,

for I can stand the pace.

(Editor adds: a romantic view of cross-country, no doubt, but perhaps how we all feel, briefly, on a very good day! The first SVHC championship took place in 1971: no less than 45 years ago. We owe those pioneers a great deal.)

The ‘anonymous Clydesdale Harrier was Thomas Millar who had been club secretary for many years and contributed to the local Press under the pen name ‘Excelsior’.   After being a member for decades he moved to the English Midlands which was where he sought work as an accountant.   His son Gavin is a film director, BBC programme producer, director, actor and has been responsible for many excellent programmes.

The Chris Anderson Stadium at Aberdeen Sports Village

Probably quite a few Scottish middle or long distance runners have never raced in Aberdeen. Yet since the 1960s many good athletes have lived and trained in the area. Aberdeen AAC and Metro Aberdeen RC have done well in team contests – particularly road racing events like the late-lamented Edinburgh to Glasgow Road Relay (AAAC won three times in the 1980s). A number of international runners (for example cross-country men and women) have improved their fitness in the Granite City.

What is it like to train there? Apart from the longest stretch of sand in the British Isles, Aberdeen and District has quiet country roads and forest paths, hills and parks, golf courses and many miles of suburban pavements. There are knowledgeable coaches for athletes of all ages; and packs of runners train hard on club nights or Sundays. Between the early 1960s and the 1990s, Aberdeen developed many sub-two hours twenty minute marathon runners, including several male or female Scottish marathon champions. In addition, a ten man AAAC team twice broke the relay record for the 850 mile relay from John o’Groats to Land’s End. (In 1982 they finished in 77 hours 26 minutes 8 seconds – just work out speed per mile!)

What about racing venues? Linksfield Stadium was opened on the first of January 1940. In the early sixties, Aberdeen AAC legends Alastair Wood and Steve Taylor took part in a Britain-wide 20 mile Paarlauf competition, and came second, despite the old chunky cinders underfoot. (They each ran 40 220 yard sprints, plus jogs over the track centre in time to take over again.) In the 1980s, Linksfield became the Chris Anderson Stadium and gained a modern hard running track. (In 2007 it was upgraded further to Aberdeen Sports Village, a really impressive resource. Scottish Athletics championships have been held there.) However gales from the North Sea still tend to slow the times of longer track races. Not until 2000 was the four minute mile broken in Aberdeen: 3.57.5 by two young Kenyan athletes. (Three year previously, another unknown African, Noah Ngeny, narrowly missed the target at Linksfield, winning in 4.00.83. However in the 2000 Sydney Olympics he won gold in the 1500m!)

Before and after WW2, Aberdeen FC’s Pittodrie Stadium used to host an annual Sports Day – my father James Youngson ran the mile there in 1934. Occasional races thereafter featured as half-time entertainment. The photo below shows how narrow the space was between touchline and crowd; and how much shoving was necessary at the start!

The Aberdeen Marathon (which usually included the annual Home Countries International match) and Half Marathon used the spectacular Beach Promenade as part of their courses. Nowadays, the Aberdeen Baker Hughes 10k is the big event, with a huge turn-out from runners of widely-varying ability. In 1982 the Aberdeen Marathon record was set by England’s Gerry Helme, who recorded a rapid 2.15.16. Local woman Lynda Bain did 2.41.41 in 1984. Both athletes went on to represent Great Britain. The fastest times in the Half Marathon were in 1984, when Denis Fowles of Wales ran 64.41 and Lynda Bain 73.22. These were all performances on the verge of world-class; and race-day atmosphere at these events was second to none, with in-depth media coverage.

For a few years from 1992, Aberdeen’s splendid Duthie Park hosted an International Festival of Running. For example, during the first promotion, winners included Britain’s Olympic silver medallist Peter Elliott, who won the road mile; and World 10,000m champion Moses Tanui, from Kenya. The latter’s effortless yet powerful style was the most impressive running I have ever seen in Aberdeen.

             
Later versions of this event included a memorable battle between (World Indoor 3000m champion) Yvonne Murray and her Scottish rival (World 10,000m victor) Liz McColgan; and a Union Street Mile featuring amongst others (former World Cross-Country winner) Zola Budd-Pieterse. Autographs collected included those of many major international champions: Peter Elliott, Zola Pieterse, Steve Cram, Steve Ovett, Brendan Foster, John Treacy, Khalid Skah, Eamonn Martin, Kirsty Wade, Rob Denmark, Moses Tanui, Sonia O’Sullivan, Liz McColgan, Yvonne Murray and many more. Not surprisingly, these fixtures were marvellous treats for enthusiastic fans.

Local runner Alan Reid, with Khalid Skah on his left shoulder, leading the 5k in the Duthie Park

But what about other less glamorous races in Aberdeen venues? The North-East Cross-Country league, which flourished from the 1960s to 1970s, and featured clubs from Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews, used two different courses in Aberdeen. One was at Hazlehead Park, through tree-lined paths and past golf courses. The only problem that the route involved a pony track and, occasionally, runners collided with horses!

The alternative course was devised by Aberdeen University Hare and Hounds Club. This started on cobbles, went onto tarmac, down dangerous steps, over a metal bridge, along a dusty path, up a steep grassy bank, onto playing fields, down a long tarred road, right over a dangerous main road, onto sand dunes, then harder sand right beside the sea, across the main road again, along a rough undulating path and finished up a very steep little hill! Six and a quarter miles of very varied terrain. John Myatt and Bill Ewing (both Scottish international athletes) were the two fastest men on this course.

In recent decades, most of the main Aberdeen cross-country races have taken place at Balgownie, which offers flat grass near rugby and football pitches, plus a major climb each lap. Hydrasun used to sponsor races for all ages there; and the Scottish Masters and East District championships were held successfully at the venue.
Runners will certainly enjoy training and racing in Aberdeen!

 

Meadowbank

Meadowbank Stadium was built on the site of the old New Meadowbank which was used for athletics and football competitions.   It hosted the first post-war international match between Scotland, England and Ireland and also hosted the SAAA Championships from 1952 until 1966.   The Meadowbank that most of us know was built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games and was opened officially in May, 1970.   Two Commonwealth Games were held there – 1970 and 1986 – as well as the annual SAAA/SWAAA Championships and numerous international matches.

The stadium hosted many very close races and enthralling competition – for instance any distance running enthusiast must rank  Lachie Stewart’s 10000m victory in 1970 among his top three or four moments in the sport, and at the same Games the McCafferty/Stewart 5000m race was also quite outstanding.    One of my own favourites however was on 8th September, 1973, when Frank Clement won the Europa Cup 1500m in 3:40.8.   He went to the front early on in the race and won by a distance.   The best coverage was in the Athletics Weekly and it read:

Frank Clement started the ball rolling when, on Saturday, he delighted the predominantly Scottish crowd by destroying the opposition in the 1500m.   His rivals were men with fast times and greater international experience to their credit – Olympic finalists Jacky Boxberger (best of 3:36.8), Paul-Heinz Wellmann ((3:38.1), and Vladimir Panteley (3:37.8), wide-ranging international cross-country champion Pekka Paivarinta (3:37.2) and former European junior champion Klaus-Peter Justus (3:39.0) – and yet the bearded Glaswegian was utterly dominant.    One has difficulty in recalling a more convincing display by a British 1500m runner in a major competition.   The sky is the limit for the 21 year old Strathclyde University student, for not only does he bring to the event an under distance ability (1:46.0 800m) matched only by  handful of men in the world but he also clearly possesses those three most precious attributes:  a keen racing brain, a sense of adventure, and the knack of drawing the best from himself in the races which matter.

Clement went ahead soon after 400m (62.6), dissatisfied with the slow pace, and from then on there could be no turning back.   A 58.9 lap was followed by one of 57.5 (2:59.0  1200m)  and still faster he went on the last lap.   One by one his opponents dropped back until only Wellmann was left in contention.   He closed slightly some 60m from the end, but Clement saw the German’s shadow, accelerated again and easily disposed of the challenge.   No wonder the opposition was routed for Clement covered the last 800m in 1:53.6!”

Note the number of superlatives  in the report – ‘one has difficulty in recalling a more convincing display’, ‘the sky is the limit’ ‘matched only by a handful of men in the world’ – which is not in a red top but in the Athletics Weekly.   Result:  1.   Clement  3:40.79;   2.   Wellmann 3:41.85;  3.   Justus 3:42.61;   4.   Paivarinta  3:43.03;  5.   Panteley   3:43.10;   6.   Boxberger   3:46.16.   It was a wonderful race which set the GB team on course for a very good weekend with Andy Carter winning the 800m (1:46.44) and Brendan Foster the 5000m in 13:54.65.

Frank was another really first-class athlete who is not known to the current generation.   Frank set British records for the 1500m of 3:37,4, and the Mile of 3:54.95 in 1975, and 3:54.2 in 1978.   Fifth in the Olympic 1500m in 1976, he was most unfortunate in being barged off the track on to the infield with 300m to go.   He nevertheless got back on to the track worked his way through the pack and was coming fast at the end – five yards past the line he was first!   Unlucky that day but a really first class athlete.

 There were so many great races at this iconic Scottish Track and Field venue that it was a pity that the Council could not find their way to maintaining it.   The state of the stadium was allowed to decline until it was such that the cost of reinstating it as a state of the art facility was too big for them to bear.   This ‘Scotsman’ article ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-35726113 )  was sent  by Joe Small and holds out promises of wonderful things.   If the final provision is as good as the artist involved then it will indeed be a wonderful addition to Scottish athletics facilities and all 500 seated spectators.

Race Certificates used to be designed with a certain flair; and prized by finishers. Since the 1980s certificates have usually been replaced by medals, especially in mass participation events. This is a pity – a medal tells you nothing about the event whereas the certificate gives you date, event, distance, runner’s name, often time as well and on occasion more than that.   We have about 40, from 6 runners, shown below dating from 1932 and including international participation examples as well as many others.   We start with some from the 1930’s then go on to Colin Youngson’s from the 1970’s – what a contrast!   Colin has a wide range of certificates in every sense of the word: ranging across three continents, and a wide range of distances from 10 miles to 50+ miles. There is a second page of certificates mainly for hill races and from Denis Bell’s collection.   Just click on his name.  By the way, runners were also awarded track suit patches – of you’d like to see them, just go  here  .

 

 

 

 

Not strictly speaking certificates, but we’ll make an exception as part of Colin’s collection!

                                                      Cut-down winner’s sash for Swedish Winter Marathon (November 1973, minus five centigrade)

 

 

              Marathon to Athens marathon 1976

Edinburgh Southern Harriers – Grand Slam Winter 1978-1979

 

 

Second in the First 7 Hills of Edinburgh Race 1980

                                         James Youngson finished third M65. The Scottish M65 team won World Veteran Marathon gold medals!

                                                Not a bad time, aged 67! Meanwhile, on the same day, his son was racing from London to Brighton

1980 London to Brighton Road Race: 54 and a quarter miles: 7th place

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having a look at the certificates, I still prefer them to the medals – not the gold, silver and bronze ones that are for those fighting out the leading positions, but those given to all finishers – simply because the medal tells you nothing about the race.   The certificate, whether decorous or not, tells the time, date, often the place and the name of the person winning it.   Authenticity is pretty well guaranteed by the signatures at the foot of the document.   The medal tells you none of that.   You can frame them and hang them on the wall, you can put them in an album as a record of your career or you can put them in a drawer until some performance needs to be verified.   

The second page of certificates are almost ll for hill races.   But for six exceptions (3 are from Shelagh King’s collection  and  3 are of Lanarkshire championships).

Race Certificates: 2

 

 

Brian Carty was born on the 19th of November 1943. During his short but very successful running career, when he was in his early forties, Brian ran for Shettleston Harriers. He worked at the BMC car factory in Bathgate. Hugh Mitchell, who had been a prominent, medal-winning Scottish marathon and ultra-marathon racer in the 1960s, became Brian’s advisor and trainer.
In 1983, Brian Carty ran what seems to have been his first marathon – the Scottish Championships from Meadowbank, Edinburgh. The result was: first Peter Wilson (Aberdeen AAC – 2.26.20); second Colin Youngson (Aberdeen AAC – 2.28.46); third Evan Cameron (Edinburgh Southern Harriers – 2.29.30); and fourth Brian Carty (unattached – 2.33.45). An impressive debut, aged 39! He must have joined Shettleston shortly after this event.

Brian Carty breaking the record in the 1985 Cairnpapple Hill Race, which was the Scottish Veterans Championship.

In the 1985 Scottish Veterans Cross Country Championship at Callendar Park, Falkirk, in a particularly competitive field, Brian finished 6th. Then, in the famous Tom Scott Memorial 10 Miles Road Race, he crossed the line as first Veteran in 52.17 and was presented with the Turnbull Rose Bowl. In the Inverclyde/SVHC Marathon he was timed at 2.29.28 behind Allan Adams and David Fairweather. That November, aged 42, he ran for Shettleston Harriers in the prestigious Edinburgh to Glasgow Road Relay.
The 1986 SAAA Marathon, which took place on the 1st of June, was part of the Edinburgh Marathon which followed a tortuous route from outside Meadowbank, up to the Royal Mile, down Lothian Road, right along Princes Street and back to the start. Then it continued to Seafield, Cramond and back to Seafield before climbing up to the start/finish.
This race was to be the battle of the veterans – Donald Macgregor, the favourite, and Brian Carty of Shettleston Harriers. The latter, a steadily improving, strong-looking man, had finished second in the Scottish Veterans Cross-country Championships, although he much preferred road racing. Brian remembered that he was wary of going too fast, too soon, on a hilly course, so he stayed with the second pack some distance behind the group of six leaders. As far as he could see, Don Macgregor was playing ‘cat and mouse’ with them. Eventually Donald went off into a clear lead, until Brian came through and caught him at Cramond (17 miles).

Carty’s coach, Hugh Mitchell, had advised him, ‘When you catch someone up, talk to them – it shows that you’re fresh.’ So Brian asked how Donald was feeling, and shortly afterwards began to draw away. He finished very strongly indeed, while Donald faded. Although he felt good all the way, he was a lone figure, especially through Seafield, because of the lack of spectators. Only at the finish was there applause, as Brian Carty won the Edinburgh Marathon and the Scottish Marathon Championship in 2.23.42, a personal best, with Donald second in 2.27.30 and Robert Marshall, who much, much later became a British Masters M65 Cross-Country Champion, third in 2.27.59.

Brian Carty wins the 1986 Scottish Marathon Championship

Brian’s training was not unlike Hugh Mitchell’s twenty years previously. Overcoming initial reluctance, he gradually built up to a very strenuous regime indeed. On weekdays he might run thrice: twelve or fourteen miles to work at British Leyland; four miles fartlek at lunchtime; and another ten to twelve miles home. He remembered many hard sessions in the Bathgate hills. In total he might run 120 or even 150 miles per week. So his 1986 triumph was hard-earned indeed.
Donald Macgregor had less happy memories of the event! He wrote that he was quite fit, having done 2.22.05 in London, followed by six weeks of moderate mileage. Since he had done ‘the diet’ for London, it didn’t work properly for this race because the gap between the two events was too brief. Donald lamented that the Edinburgh Marathon was “the least convincing city marathon because the Edinburghers didn’t really give a damn, whereas in Dundee, Glasgow and to some extent Aberdeen you got a lot of interested spectators. Edinburgh is always associated in my mind with a picture of a woman wheeling a pram past us – in the opposite direction, I hasten to add – and seeking to ignore our unpleasant existence.”
“However the organisers offered to put up our family in the George Hotel. That was great, but for some reason I sweated a lot and couldn’t sleep. At last the fulfilment (not for the first time) of Jim Alder’s nightmare: ‘Due for a bad un.’ The course started through the centre of Edinburgh for once before heading out west – I recall passing through the dreaded Granton area again – and finished climactically in a side-street next to Meadowbank, to make sure not too many of the genteel folk would see us. The ‘bad un’ started after 11 very boring miles of cruising along in the lead wondering how long it was going to be before someone came up to my shoulder. Then I began to feel weak at the knees. Brian Carty appeared, and ran away from me for a popular and well-deserved win, but one he told me he had not expected. I crawled in (2.27.30), and unfortunately my father and stepmother had come in person to see me run for the one and only time. I looked like an escapee from some 15th Century Durer woodcut (one of the victims of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse) as I was led away to the shelter of the stadium shower room. I am unlikely to be doing another SAAA Marathon unless paid heavily to take part.”
Apparently, Brian Carty was not officially entered in the rain-swept 1986 Glasgow Marathon, but someone could not start, so Brian donned the spare number and, in a rather ineffectual attempt to conceal his identity, wore a hat.

Brian running the 1986 Glasgow Marathon – in disguise!

1987 was also a good year for Brian Carty. In the Scottish Veterans CC at Huntershill he improved to 2nd, behind Brian Scobie, but just ahead of David Fairweather. Then he showed greatly increased speed in the Tom Scott Memorial 10, recording 50.01 to secure the title of First Veteran again.
On 26th April, the Lochaber Marathon featured a duel between two SAAA Marathon winners. Colin Youngson, aged 39, set out over-confidently, building up a two-minute lead by ten miles into what he thought was a headwind. However after the turn he discovered that there was another headwind to struggle into on the way back, and also that Brian Carty was pulling him in steadily. When Brian caught up at 22 miles, Colin assumed he was ‘dead and buried’ but Brian, true to form, started chatting pleasantly! Too knackered to respond in more than grunts, Colin dropped in behind for a bit of shelter. Just before 25 miles, he had recovered enough to make a last-ditch effort, ran very hard for half a mile and hung on desperately to the finish. Eighteen seconds later, a fresh Brian, such a genuinely nice guy, rolled in to congratulate Youngson who was panting helplessly against a wall. Colin’s 2.26.15 was a course record until Fraser Clyne raced Lochaber. Brian Carty, aged 43, had the consolation of winning the Scottish Veterans Marathon title.
Then, in the 1987 Glasgow Marathon, when more than 5000 ran, Brian Carty of Shettleston Harriers finished an excellent 17th and First Veteran, in 2.25.18.
The 1988 Scottish Veterans CC at Dalmuir Park, Clydebank, was run in a blizzard and Brian Carty, aged 44, ended up 14th.
Sadly, Brian Carty had to give up running after a bad accident at work when his arm got dragged into a machine. However he made a real impression and was liked and respected greatly by runners who trained or competed with him.

The Magnificent Gesture: The Olympic Medal given by Zatopek to Ron Clarke

Tabori leading the eventual winner, Bruce Tulloh, at the Edinburgh Highland Games

Old Meadowbank

Played 23rd February, 1889 on the day when the Harriers Championships were held from there through the country to the north of Parkhead.  The Harriers won the football match.  Teams below

Sydney Wooderson in uniform talking to Allan Watt (Shettleston)

 

 

How about this ?   Halswell’s medals – some of them!

Saving the best to last – the Olympic medal

When glamorous film-stars opened and attended local sports – Dorothy Lamour opened the Singer’s Sports in Clydebank.

Hugh Barrow has sent some more gems of athletics historical memorabilia – some from his own collection, some from friends and some from the internet.

One from Victoria in Australia:  note the dressing rooms!

Ron Hadgraft gets the titles doesn’t he?   My favourite is “Plimsolls on, Eyeballs Out”.   It’s on my shelf.   This one isn’t bad either!

 

When Dennis met Mo …

On a more serious note, he also sent a link to some races and information at the old Santry Stadium in Ireland which is available at

thttp://mortongames.ie/summer-of-58/

    A lot of the pics are from the 1950’s and we start with some of John Landy:   three of Landy at school , –

 

Like many of the top Australians of the time, he trained with Percy Cerutty for a spell, this (from the BBC website) is of a ‘bunk in which four world record holders had slept’ including Landy.

John Landy and Roger Bannister: the first two men under 4 minutes.   You will not need to be reminded of the occasion!

The cover of the London to Brighton Relayis next: There were three regional eight stage relays, including the Edinburgh to Glasgow,and the top teams from the various areas were invited to contest the big London to Brighton in April.    The usual Scottish teams to go were Shettleston, Victoria Park and Bellahouston.   The programme is here with all the teams listed runners.  How many do you remember? The quality is undeniable.

Teams and runners, page 1

Shettleston team here with lots of famous names – McGhee, Fox and Howard all SAAA Marathon champions

The Victoria Park team with great names such as Andy Forbes, Ian Binnie, Bobby Calderwood

Glasgow Academy Sports Programme Cover

From the actual programme

 

Bellahouston Academy Sports: Girls needle and thread race at Ibrox:

When Doug Gillon trained with Jock Wallace’s team at Gullane:

Some autographs from his friend and former international athlete Trevor Vincent:

By the Celtic War Graves Society on a plaque to be placed at the site of the original Celtic Park

The 1961 Scottish Schools team had a reunion in 2011: athletes like Hugh himself, Fergus Murray, Sandy Sutherland, Jim Craig, Sandy Robertson, Tony Hogarth and others that you might not recognise!

Above: Donnie McDonald (Garscube Harriers and Scotland) on the right wearing number 3?

Below: Emsley Carr Mile:   Jim Beatty leads with Grelle second

Above: Lawrie Reilly (Victoria Park) in second wearing number 18: a possible subject for a future profile.

Below:   George Braidwood after winning the Luddon

Above: Programme for the 1930 Commonwealth Games.   The first ever Games, they introduced ideas such as the Athletes Village.   Never seen before, the idea was pinched by the Olympic Games and introduced at the 1932 Olympics for the first time ever.

Below:   Very blurred at a squad day but some are easily recognisable – Alex, David, Mike, Hugh ….

Above: Luddon Half Marathon start

Below: Finish of invitation mile at Ibrox, 1962, under floodlights

HLI parade in Glasgow en route to the Somme

Zatopek and Haegg

Watch presented to Tom Maley in 1904

Andy Forbes in fifth – he finished second

a marvellous programme cover from the Rangers Sports of 1938.

Below: A Tennis exhibition at Ibrox Park

The VPAAC Medley relay team

Above: Rangers Sports

Below: Stanley Matthews in a Rangers shirt playing a charity match at Ibrox

Above: Nat Muir winning the Luddon Strathkelvin Half Marathon

Below: Programme for the Reading Mile where McCafferty and the two Stewart brothers were under 4 minutes  +

The field for the race

Dunky Wright in action

Group from 1924

Above: Programme for the Waterloo Mammoth Road Race, 1964

Below: The top 20 from the race

Above: Cover of programme from the reception for the international 1928

(Brian takes over from Nigel Jones in the 1983 6-Stage Relay)

Brian Kirkwood (born 20^th September 1952) was a very unusual athlete, who produced nearly all his finest performances after becoming a veteran at the age of 40. He seemed to be a very private, dedicated individual: it was obvious that he trained intelligently, and lived healthily, so that a tremendous amount of racing could be done every year. As part of the elite Racing Club teams, especially in the 1990s, Brian had a huge amount of success. Particularly in Scotland, his performances as a Veteran are almost unmatched.

Rumour has it that Kirkwood used to be a racing cyclist. The first mention of ‘B. Kirkwood, runner’ may be in the 1980 National Senior Cross Country Championships, when someone of that name finished 82^nd, representing Lochaber AC! By 1982 the genuine Brian Kirkwood was running considerably better for Edinburgh Athletic Club and improving to 33^rd. Then he was a meritorious 16^th in 1983 but only 34^th in 1984.

EAC also took part in the Edinburgh to Glasgow Road Relay and Brian ran, rather slowly, in 1981. However his improvement was dramatic since, only a year later, his team won silver medals, with Kirkwood second fastest on Stage Seven. He also featured in 1984 and 1986, but further progress came in 1987, when his team were second once more, with Brian fastest on Stage Three. In 1988 EAC were fourth, with BK second fastest on Three, gaining seven places!

The Scottish Six-Stage Relay in Strathclyde Park was another venue where Kirkwood and EAC had a measure of success: bronze in 1982, silver in 1983 and his first Scottish team gold medal in 1984.

His club changed its name to ESPC AC in the 1990 E to G, finishing fourth, with Brian third-fastest on Stage Three. Then in 1991 ‘Racing Club Edinburgh’ was formed – an all-star collection featuring many of Scotland’s best runners. Naturally the new organisation won team gold in 1991, with Kirkwood having a good run on the important Stage Two. 1992 produced another clear victory with Brian fastest on Stage One. And the First Leg became Kirkwood’s territory for several years. New sponsorship meant that the club’s name changed again. ‘Leslie Deans RC’ won the Edinburgh to Glasgow in 1993, 1994 and 1995, with Brian on Stage One each time. ‘Mizuno RC’ were victorious in 1996 (BK on One); but then, although the elite club won again in 1997, Brian ran Stage Five.

The Six Stage Relay produced further Scottish medals for Brian Kirkwood’s speedy club: gold medals in 1991, 1992 and 1993 but ‘only’ silver in 1994. Gold in 1995; silver in 1996; and a final gold in 1998.

The road seemed to be Kirkwood’s favourite surface. He had a fine record in the famous Tom Scott Memorial 10 Mile Road Race: third place (aged 39) in 1992, then 3^rd again and first M40 in 1993, being timed at an outstanding personal best 47.51. Brian was second in 1994 (individual Scottish Senior Championship silver medal in 48.39, only 24 seconds down on the redoubtable Tommy Murray; and, of course, Scottish Masters gold); third (1^st M40) in 1995; second (1^st Vet) in 1996; and First M40/45 in 1998 and 2000.

In 1995 Brian Kirkwood won a Senior Scottish title at the age of 42, with a victory in the Dumfries Half Marathon, clocking 67.38. In 1994 he had won Scottish Masters 10k gold in Aberdeen.

1995 was especially notable for the ‘Sun Life Great Race’, between 2^nd and 23^rd of September, from Glasgow to Edinburgh. After the event, “Scotland’s Runner” magazine reported as follows.

The winner of the inaugural Sun Life Great Race was Paulo Catarino of Portugal who collected prize money of £35,000 for his not inconsiderable efforts. Twenty six year old Catarino completed the 230 mile, 20 stage race in the incredible time of 18-32-43. Consistency was the key to the event, illustrated by the fact that Catarino did not win a single stage over the three weeks of the race. The deciding factor in his triumph was that he did not finish any lower than eighth on any given day. Delmir dos Santos, the 24 year old Brazilian running for the American Boulder Road Runners Club took the green vest for the overall points winner. His colossal total of ten stage victories ensured his success. The first four stages of the race were dominated by 43 year old Kenyan, Kipsubei Kisgei if not always for the right reasons! Although he won all three Scottish legs, he self destructed when he was seen to strike dos Santos on the fourth stage from Gretna to Carlisle. The starting field numbered 107 when the race got under way in Glasgow on September 2nd. By the day of the final Westminster stage, only 82 runners remained. Many of the ‘big’ names withdrew or failed to finish including Mike McLeod, John Graham, Fraser Clyne (who was supposed to write a diary of the event for ‘Scotland’s Runner’), Steve Brace, Gary Kiernan and Dave Moorcroft. In the team contest, the lead changed hands many times before the Boulder outfit took the title.

Hammy Cox, representing Red Counties AC, finished 18th, the highest placed Scot and the third Briton. Brian Kirkwood, UK Elite, ended 38th with Graham Crawford, Wolverhampton & Bilston, finishing in a highly creditable 58th, after entering the event at the last minute. After recovering, Graham said, “It was a first class event which was highly professional in its organisation – especially considering that this was the first event of its kind. The word most used by competitors when describing the event was ‘fascinating.’ Both your own performance and the changes of position up front made it constantly interesting.”

It is obvious that, against a field of top class runners, Brian Kirkwood showed great stamina and intelligence by pacing himself admirably and proving that he was indeed a worthy member of the ‘UK Elite’.

In the Senior National Cross Country, Brian featured in Racing Club teams that secured team silver medals in 1992; 1993 (when Brian was a fine 14^th and of course first Master); and 1995 bronze (24^th and first M40 again). His record in the Scottish Masters Cross Country Championship is superb. Between 1993 and 1996, Kirkwood won M40 gold four years in succession; before fifth place (behind Fraser Clyne) in 1997. Then he returned to the winner’s rostrum to secure M45 gold in 1998 (third overall, with Ed Stewart the M40 victor); 1999 (second overall to M40 Keith Varney); and 2000. Finally, Brian won M50 titles in 2004 (running for Phoenix Racers) and 2005 (for Lasswade AAC).

Brian Kirkwood’s Power of 10 profile is well worth reading. He won endless 10k races all over Scotland and the North of England; and quite a few half marathons too. Particular First Veteran successes were in the 1994 Great Scottish Run Half Marathon; the Brampton to Carlisle; and the Barnsley 10k. He also competed successfully several times in the USA, for example in the Peachtree 10k and Brooklyn Half Marathon.

Other Scottish Masters wins came in many championships: 5000m; 10,000m; indoor 3000m (he also won the British Veterans M45 3000m in 2000); 10k; 10 miles; and Half Marathon. Brian competed for Scottish Veteran Harriers versus Northern Vets but, strangely, did not represent Scottish Masters in the annual British and Irish Home Cross Country International, let alone in European or World Veteran events.

In 2008, Brian finally started to race less often. For a while he ran only the Portobello Promathon plus one or two other events. He seems to have stopped competing after 2013.

His excellent Masters bests include: 5000m (15.16); 10,000m (30.53); 10k (29.23); 10 miles (47.51); and Half Marathon (66.08). In retirement from the sport on which he made such an impression, Brian Kirkwood must look back with considerable pleasure – all the hard work was well worthwhile

RHONA ANDERSON

(Rhona ploughing across a river in the Trapain Law hill race.)

QUESTIONNAIRE
NAME Rhona Anderson
CLUB Dunbar Running Club
DATE OF BIRTH 25/01/64
OCCUPATION Marketing & Business Development (Veterinary medicines)
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT?
I started running in my early twenties when some workmates decided to run the local half marathon, the Wycombe Half (I lived in Bucks at the time) and I decided to join them. It wasn`t as bad as I had imagined! I then joined Wycombe Phoenix Harriers and have been involved with running ever since.
HAS ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP HAD A MARKED INFLUENCE ON YOUR ATTITUDE OR INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE?
My brother in law (Alan Robson – a former Scottish half marathon champion) inspired me to compete and improve in road races – although it would be hard to be as competitive as he was! Also my training partners and friends Rob McGrath (in Bucks), Michelle Beneteau (when I lived and ran in the Paris) and Megan Wright (all better runners than me!) have kept me focussed on training and racing over the years.
WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU GET OUT OF THE SPORT?
Keeping fit and the challenge/satisfaction and frustrations of racing and trying to chase down PBs!
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR BEST EVER PERFORMANCE OR PERFORMANCES?
Getting my PB of 1h25 in the Jersey Half Marathon some time ago now. More recently – very happy to win the W50 category in the 2015 Scottish Masters Cross Country Championships at Kilmarnock this year. (Along with Fiona Matheson, Beryl Junnier and Pamela McCrossan, Rhona went on to win W50 team silver for Scotland in the 2015 British and Irish Masters International Cross Country in Dublin. Ed.)
YOUR WORST?
I had a disappointing run at the Paris marathon last year – I really suffered in the last few miles. Also being out sprinted and losing the team prize as a result in a cross country in France many years ago!
WHAT UNFULFILLED AMBITIONS DO YOU HAVE?
I would love to have got closer to 3 hours for a marathon (my PB is 3h08) but should have started running them before I was a vet!
OTHER LEISURE ACTIVITIES?
Coaching junior athletics, camping, ski-ing and socialising with family & friends.
WHAT DOES RUNNING BRING YOU THAT YOU WOULD NOT HAVE WANTED TO MISS?
I’ve made some great friends through running and visited all sorts of places. Always having a race to aim for keeps you focussed.
CAN YOU GIVE SOME DETAILS OF YOUR TRAINING?
When training for a marathon I run 6 days a week (50-60 miles per week) which includes one long run of 15-20 miles, a 10-11 mile run and a hill or speedwork session. It’s less structured outside of marathon training. I train with Dunbar Running Club on a Tuesday.

 

(David en route to winning the 2015 M45 Scottish Masters title at Kilmarnock. Back in 2008 he was first M35).

David has a very fine record in the Tom Scott Memorial 10 Miles Road Race: winning outright in 2007; finishing first M40 in 2010; and winning Scottish Masters gold medals in 2011, 2014 and 2015.

QUESTIONNAIRE
NAME David Millar
CLUB Irvine (was Athletic Club, now Running Club)
DATE OF BIRTH 9/7/69
OCCUPATION Investment Analyst
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT?
I initially just started running as way to keep fit in my late 20s. I think I’d made a comment to my brother that a half marathon would be “easy” and signed up for the Glasgow Half when he challenged me to prove that. Thereafter, in 1997 I started going down to the club in Irvine. For the first couple of years I was also doing some post graduate studying alongside my normal work so was not running as seriously. However after finishing my studies I was able to start to up my training and get involved in all the races at club level etc
HAS ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP HAD A MARKED INFLUENCE ON YOUR ATTITUDE OR INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE?
Yes, I think the group at Irvine AC (I’ll always think of it as AC) were most influential – they helped me serve my apprenticeship in the running world. We had a great group of experienced and quality club runners and that helped me build up my knowledge of the history of the sport and all the events plus training methods.
WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU GET OUT OF THE SPORT?
Firstly, the fitness and health benefits. However there is a tremendous social side and I’ve met a lot of good friends and indeed my fiancée through the sport. I enjoy the racing and competition as well – although I’ve always loved training so will always run even when I lose the competitive edge. Living in Ayrshire, it’s always easy to get out into the country or to the seaside and running enables you to get out and enjoy being outdoors in a nice part of the world.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR BEST EVER PERFORMANCE OR PERFORMANCES?
I think I’ve been pretty consistent over the years and I’ve won loads of races and titles. It’s difficult to rank preferences but in particular I’ve really enjoyed some of our team successes. Running with a relatively small unfashionable club, we really punched above our weight at times. Some great performances in the old (and much missed Edinburgh to Glasgow Relay) including the Meritorious Award, silver in the West District Cross Country Relay and silver in the National 6 Stage Relays. I remember having watched the top guys in previous years coming flying up the final hill at Livingstone and it was a great feeling to replicate that, coming up in first place after my leg. I’m pretty proud of my consistent record over the years, my pb at the Glasgow Half in 2007 was a good memory (67’01 and second UK athlete) but looking back and seeing a series of road races where I’m hardly ever out of the top 3 over a sustained period of years is pleasing – I like to think that I always raced hard and gained the respect of my fellow racers in that way.
YOUR WORST?
Thankfully I’ve been fairly consistent and not had too many bad runs – for years I was almost metronomic in my 10ks and could almost set my watch by when I would finish! I can’t think of any real disasters, although my only marathon (back in 2000 when I was only really playing about with running) was a bit of an eye opener. I completely hit the wall, finished in 2.45 but that must have been about 20 minutes for the last two miles with rubber legs!
WHAT UNFULFILLED AMBITIONS DO YOU HAVE?
As I said I’ve done fairly well and achieved a fair bit both individually and as a team. I’ve always been driven by times and tried to run as fast as I can – I suppose the only unfulfilled ambition is more of a lingering doubt as to whether I might have been able to go faster if I had started younger. Having said that, starting later has maybe helped longevity. So although acknowledging the passage of time, I’ll still be trying to run as fast as I can and maybe it will be season’s bests as opposed to personal bests that I will have to start aiming for!
OTHER LEISURE ACTIVITIES?
I enjoy being outdoors and do plenty of walking (does that count as added training?). I also like cycling but that does play second fiddle to running and tends to be neglected when I’m fit – mind you a year of cycling when I missed all of 2013 with Achilles problems was a great way to keep fit and also a good way of reminding myself how great running is. In terms of other sports, many of my fellow runners will know I have a weakness in my support for the team representing the blue half of Glasgow.
WHAT DOES RUNNING BRING YOU THAT YOU WOULD NOT HAVE WANTED TO MISS?
As I mentioned health and fitness and the social side. Also, it’s a great way to get out and about and you end up seeing a lot of places, from an industrial estate in Clydebank to the West Highland Way (and that’s just this year) – you see it all. I enjoy being part of the running community and have met some great friends.
CAN YOU GIVE SOME DETAILS OF YOUR TRAINING?
And then I’d have to kill you! Seriously though, as I have a fairly lengthy commute to my work in Glasgow, I have always tended more towards the quality rather than quantity. So I aim to get plenty of bang for my buck in training – as my club mates will tell you I’ve still to learn about the concept of the “slow run”. So pretty unscientific really.

PROFILE OF KERRY-LIAM WILSON

Kerry-Liam has been the outstanding M35/M40 Scottish Veteran Harrier for several years. Only his M35 Ronhill Cambuslang club-mate Robert Gilroy seems likely to rival K-L’s achievements. Kerry has won: five BMAF titles (two cross-country, ten miles, 10k and 5k); 22 Scottish Masters championships; and nine SVHC. On August 16th 2015, he contested the World Masters marathon in Lyon, France, finishing fourth overall (3rd M40) after a truly valiant effort. He was first Briton and helped GB to team silver. Now, as he has entered the M45 age-group, he is motivated to train for future European and World Masters events.
Both Cambuslang stars run huge mileages in training. Kerry –Liam’s programme before Lyon was especially gruelling: three months hard, including six runs of twenty miles plus, and seven weeks of over 100 miles, with a maximum 131! Possibly a bit too much, even for an extremely fit 44-year-old.
Once he takes just a little more care not to overdo it, and improves nutrition before and during a marathon, it seems very likely that a World or European Masters gold M45 medal is possible. No one could deserve it more.

(Kerry-Liam nearing the end of the Lyon marathon. Photo by Alan Ramage)
QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME Kerry-Liam Wilson
CLUBs Ronhill Cambuslang and Scottish Veteran Harriers Club
DATE OF BIRTH Some time during the 1970’s but not exactly sure. Being born in Singapore, a birth certificate isn’t something they gave out in those days.
OCCUPATION Production Line Operative
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT?
Youngest son Caine-Liam went along to the local football club under 7’s. However through time he just became a number, as the club got cliquey and, after I approached the coaches, I was basically told if I wasn’t happy then Caine wasn’t going to get a game. After that incident we were out a family walk and met Nat Taylor of Girvan AAC and, after he was told the above story his words were ” no matter how good or bad you’re at running, everyone gets a number” and invited us along to a training night. At first I was going along basically to keep an eye on Caine, as I didn’t want him doing anything wrong, and also wanted to see him happy after the football incident. A few sessions passed and I was asked if I fancied joining in with the seniors so, after a bit of juggling with Caine and his wee brother Kalle who was two at this time, when Kate worked a back shift, I went out with the seniors on a Tuesday and Thursday and enjoyed it. Whatever route we did on those days I would reverse it on a Saturday before finally get more involved.
HAS ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP HAD A MARKED INFLUENCE ON YOUR ATTITUDE OR INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE?
At Girvan AAC I would say it has to be Nat Taylor and Jack Maxwell, two coaches who went to races a lot and took me along and showed me the ropes. Did a lot of Sunday runs with Jack too and picked his brains when out on those runs. Caine would come along too if he wasn’t racing. Jack’s wife Eileen would look after him, usually in a coffee shop, before supporting us on the home straight of the races.
At Ronhill Cambuslang it has to be everyone! There’s a good team camaraderie, which is a vital part of becoming and staying a winning club. At first it was Stevie Wylie. Jamie Reid and Michael Johnston later on, plus David Cooney, Colin Feechan, James Orr, Owen Reid and Robert Anderson.
Stevie moved to Girvan when he bought a house, and we would do sessions and runs together all the time before his job went onto shifts, but we travelled regularly to races and, not long after that, I switched clubs from Girvan to Ronhill Cambuslang. On training runs again I would pick Stevie’s brains about running, training, diet etc, and then, after meeting Jamie Reid, would delve into his knowledge.
Michael is another knowledgeable individual and I have learned a lot from him. Getting lifts from Michael after he spent a day working with athletes, he still gave me the time to answer questions I was concerned about.
WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU GET OUT OF THE SPORT?
LIFE! When I’m training or racing it gives me time to search for things in life that I’ve never had. Gives me a focus and a meaning to be here! I get the chance to mature, be myself and be in a place I want to be, rather than somewhere worse where I have been before. Since I have been let down by many people throughout my life, running helps me to block out those dark times. Growing up without a father has made me more determined to succeed so that my boys can be proud of me. Anger can be channelled into races.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR BEST EVER PERFORMANCE OR PERFORMANCES?
Probably the Scottish Athletics Masters XC win at Kilmarnock in 2012 was my best win, with the way the race turned around at the front many times, before I made the break on the last uphill section. The only time I got my photo in Athletics Weekly.
Also becoming the first person ever to do the clean sweep of all FIVE Scottish Athletics Masters National title wins during the Scottish Athletics Grand Prix Series in that same year, 2012. Winning the 5k, 10k, 10 mile, Half and Full marathons with PBs at 5k, 10 mile and half marathon. I was nominated twice for the Scottish Athletics Master of the Year Award.
YOUR WORST?
Hard to pick one out because, if you think you’ve had a bad one, there is usually a positive in there that can help you towards the next race. I’m one of the most negative thinking people you’ll find and always look at the worst possible outcome. Anything better on race day is a bonus.
FIVE people help me tremendously, whether it’s during a meeting, before a race or by email/text conversation. They will remain anonymous but I think of them as: The Boss, The Champ, The Chauffeur, The Coach and The Gaffer.
Without them I’d be the first to admit my performances at races would most definitely not have been what they were! I’ve the utmost respect, and owe them dearly for helping me, not only to get where I’m at in my running, but also to help me stay there.
WHAT UNFULFILLED AMBITIONS DO YOU HAVE?
Just happy to be putting one foot in front of the other!
OTHER LEISURE ACTIVITIES?
Don’t do any other sports. Gave up cycling to/from work after consistently having ITB issues. Most strenuous “away from running” thing I do is a walk in and around Culzean Castle Country Park with the family, but after training has been completed for that day.
WHAT DOES RUNNING BRING YOU THAT YOU WOULD NOT HAVE WANTED TO MISS?
Spending time with family. At first when the boys were young I was travelling the night before and sleeping at friends’ or family’s houses, but through time, with Kate changing jobs and getting a driver’s licence, we now go to races together, meaning not many nights away, unless it’s with the Masters squad for the International XC.
One thing I’ve found that running has brought me is the friendliness of everyone, whether they’re from the same club or another club, although from time to time I still get questioned about why I left Girvan AAC to join Ronhill Cambuslang. Before I took up running I followed football home and away in Scotland and throughout Europe with my club and International team, causing mayhem and destruction to the body through alcohol. Once the boys came along this was curtailed dramatically, as the money I used to have pre-kids was now being spent on much more important things. During that time I was often hassled for wearing football club colours, but at running THAT will never happen, so I feel there’s a more secure feeling amongst the running network. It is excellent that I get best wishes and congratulations from other clubs, before and after races. Even during races the amount of people that spur you on is great to see. The National XC for example.
CAN YOU GIVE SOME DETAILS OF YOUR TRAINING?
I work from Sunday to Saturday for my week’s training. At my job I’m currently on a day shift/back shift rota with hours of 06:00-1400 or 14:00-2200 hours, so my training is around those hours of employment.
Day shift week:
Sunday will be the long run day. Depending if I’m racing the following weekend it can go between 16 – 20 miles. Normally around 1.45 – 2.10, again depending on race commitments and the route I choose. If in full marathon training I try and do 2 x 25 mile runs in my training schedule. Nowadays these are done on my own, depending how I’m feeling. If I’m feeling sluggish to begin with, and pick up during the run, I’ll turn it into a progressive session. Other long runs I’ll do 2 miles normal pace then do 1 x mile fast, 1 x mile steady x 8 then 2 miles normal giving me 20 for the day and try and have that in or around the 2 hours.
Monday 05:00 hrs = 30 minutes to work, anywhere between 4.20 – 4.80 miles in length.
Monday 14:00 hrs = 8, 10, 12 miles home in 50-52, 62-64 or 73-75 minutes
Tuesday the same.
Wednesday a.m. run the same, but the run home is a speed session, either a pyramid session or another type of interval workout.
5 x sets of 1 x 100,200,300,400,500 metres, all with 100 metres run through recovery in a pyramid style.
10 x 800 metres, 20 x 1 minute, 16 x 400 metres, 5 or 6 times a mile.
Thursday and Friday the same as Monday/Tuesday.
Saturday, if not working overtime, will be another session or easy run of 6 or 8 miles, normally, if racing on the Sunday.
Sunday again will again be dependent on racing, but if I have not got anything on the radar, then another 16-20 will be run. Sometimes I might do a 22-24 mile run, just for the sake of it.
Back shift week
I’ll start the Monday with 11 miles at 09:00
10pm is the 30 minutes run home from work.
Tuesday : 12 noon = 8, 10 or 12 miles with similar times to the day shift week.
Wednesday : either a session as stated above or the same as Tuesday.
Thursday/Friday: same as Tuesday but, if racing, I tend to taper ever so slightly, with just 30 minutes to and from work.
Saturday the same as last Saturday and again, if racing, an easy paced effort.
Mileage can be around 75-100 miles but again, as stated, it’s all race dependent. In saying that, I’ve run 100+ mile weeks and been very close to my PB for that race distance.
I’m like most people who work full-time, and who have to fit in training around the job, as it’s the job that pays the bills, not the running which, after all, is “just a hobby, really” – but a serious one!
(After months of intensive training, Kerry-Liam ran the World Masters marathon in Lyon. He emailed his reactions not long after the race.)
A good performance (2.31.01) on a hot day, although under 4 minutes slower than my PB.
Mike said afterwards that the results looked good from where he was as, in an ideal situation, I’d have gone out at least five days before the competition to acclimatise.
My splits were as follows:
5.21 5.23 5.26 5.25 5.29 5.31 5.27 5.33 5.39 5.34 5.36 5.36 5.40 5.33 5.33 5.35 5.36 5.44 5.46 5.37 5.48 5.52 6.03 6.18 6.34 6.36 2.30
Took fourth overall but third M40 and GB wonTeam Silver. Two medals in my first ever Worlds can’t be bad, even if it didn’t quite go to plan.
Winner was 2.28:42; second was M45 in 3.30:07; third, second M40, was 2.30:33.
The M45 lad, I was with him from about mile 1 to mile 22. I took the lead at mile 24, but this was short-lived, for 300 metres, before winner and the M45 passed me.
Was overtaken in the last 300 metres by the second M40, to leave me third.
After first lap I was 20 seconds adrift, second lap 39 seconds adrift, third lap just one second adrift whilst working well with the M45. Stitch came from nowhere but in saying that, I took the lead during that period. Short-lived, as previously stated. Then the legs just got heavier and heavier with very little leg lift. What I did notice was the three guys all had energy drinks and the M45 had gels. I only had water from the official stations to use, in paper cups which wasn’t ideal. I remember missing the first water station too. Maybe a lesson learned there!
The second M40 passed me and at that time the legs were getting heavier by the second and I knew he was closing me down but couldn’t respond at all.
Lost toe nail again, same one as before. Legs stiff but I’ve been worse after previous marathons. Not doing any other ones this year and won’t make a decision until New Year about a Spring one.
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and already thinking of Portugal for the Non-Stadia ones, 10k or half there. Following year it’s the Stadia ones in Aarhus; then the Worlds again in Malaga in 2018.
As for diet, I ate pasta the evening before. Didn’t have any at all in the week leading. Had chicken, tuna on the Friday night. Breakfast was three small bread rolls and two bananas. Energy drink and an SIS bar. Stomach sore with the stitch and I remember during Edinburgh the same happened. I feel fine over 10k or a half but, as in Edinburgh it hurt from 20-23 mile mark. Something again to ponder.
Legs feel tight but not planning to run for a few days
One thing that was going through my mind while other guys were going to the feed tables was Nutrition!
My psychologist does triathlons and she happened to ask if I took any nutrition on board during the race. At Belfast I just stuck to water. At Lochaber I had three coffees during breakfast to race start time, then Lucozade during the race. Warm conditions that day too but ended up with excruciating stomach pains almost forcing me to stop.

I really enjoyed the whole experience in Lyon, even though it was just three days.
I intend still do the Scottish and British races but will possibly aim for European or World Masters Championships as my “A” races throughout the year.