Double victory for Cambus’ Harriers in Strathclyde Park
There was double cause for celebration as Cambuslang Harriers braved the winter weather in North Lanarkshire last month.
In spite of a number of late changes due to injuries, the M35 and M50 teams managed to win their respective age groups at the LSK Supplies Masters’ Road Relay at Strathclyde Park while the W35 team finished a creditable fifth.
After finishing a close second on the opening leg thanks to Gordon Robertson (19.05), Iain Reid‘s 18.57 clocking took the club into the lead. Ben Hukins (19.27), the day after his hill relay, extended the lead to give Robert Gilroy the glory leg.
Robert’s time of 18.40 was the fastest of the day to give Cambuslang a commanding victory of almost four minutes over new club PHRC.
The M50 team of Des Dickson (21.26), Colin Feechan (21.36), Dave Thom (21.57) and Chris Upson (20.49) were tested more with Shettleston just behind them going into the last leg. However, in spite of Chris still having the previous day’s hill run in his legs he opened up a decisive gap over their local Lanarkshire rivals.
The Harrier’s ladies trio of Bernie O’Neil (24.11), Erica Christie (25.00) and Jennifer Reid (23.50) combined well to achieve fifth place in a highly competitive competition. The ladies B team’s times were very close together with Claire Mennie recording 26.03, Julie Dell 26.04 and Lyn Angley 26.13 to give them a 10th place finish.
There were many other good performances from the club with the B M35 team of Frank McGowan, Brian Douglas, Paul Kernohan and Justin Carter and the M50 team of Alick Walkinshaw, Frank Hurley, Dan O’Connell and Eddie Carr being the first B teams in their age groups over the line.
The other two full teams of Michael Barker, Brian Campbell, Simon Gold and Mick O’Hagan along with Shaz Hakeem, Scott Hunter, John Kelly and David Stirling also competed well while due to the call-offs Iain Burke had no one to hand over to after his first leg run.
Club president David Cooney said: “Apart from having a good turnout of runners it was also encouraging to have numerous supporters including a number of our younger runners to cheer on the ‘old yins’. Many thanks again to photographer Colin Stephen who captured our runners in action.”