Stornoway Running and Athletics Club

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Harris Half Marathon 2011 - Report and Results

HOOD HEADS OFF STRONG STORNOWAY CHALLENGE!

Keith Hood of Corstorphine AAC continued his excellent running form with a well timed effort over the 13.1 mile run up the beautiful west coast of Harris from Borve to Tarbert. But Hood had to work for his Harris Half Marathon victory as Stornoway Running & Athletics Club’s Andrew King made a sensational return to the island. Andrew has had some superb previous times in years gone by but the veteran runner set about the race with a steely determination to take the race on by leading from the front!

From the start at Borve his club mates watched as Andrew increasingly drew away from the following pack and before too long he was out of sight. Most of his SRAC team never saw him again till the finish at Tarbert Pier! However Greig Glendinning of Bellahouston Road Runners and Corstorphine’s Hood stayed with the task of pulling in the SRAC man fronting the race. At ten miles and having shaken off Glendinning, Hood caught Andrew at just beyond the ten mile mark, which was the beginning of the descent into the finish. After some pleasantries were exchanged Hood pulled away over the last three miles to win the Harris title for the second year in succession! A well earned victory following a hard run the previous week in Barra with a 1 minute 16 advantage!

Your scribe Alf busy at the finish line timekeeping had no foreknowledge of the strong Stornoway effort throughout the leading runners far less that of Andrew’s heroics! As the clock ticked onto 1 hour 16 there was a flash of red and gold coming in the finishing strait and as the clocks seconds rolled over to zero two (02) Andrew crossed the line in a new SRAC runner’s course record 1hour 16:02!
Greig Glendinning took third place in 1hour 18:18, while regular visitor and course record holder Phil Mowbray took sixth place. His course record of 1 hour 08:32 may take some beating?

The SRAC success continued as Chirsty MacLeod not only set a SRAC ladies record for the Harris course in a time of 1 hour 24:42, but she was also the second counter for the SRAC team! Chirsty crossed the line having run well and looked very strong at the finish to claim seventh place from the one hundred and fourteen finishers. Season 2011 looks to be the start of a successful running career ahead for the girl from Brue.

SRAC showed good throughout the field with seven runners in the top two dozen and very good individual performances by the like of Alasdair Locket who broke the 90 minute mark. Also under the 90 minutes was the first Harris local John MacAskill, while Marie MacKay was first local lady in 1:42:19.

In the team event Stornoway (4:05:46) won over Corstorphine (4:13:13) second and Hunters Bog Trotters (4:15:33) back in third. In all a great day for local runners in the Harris race with new organiser Dr Angus McKellar ensuring a smoothly run event got the thumbs up from those taking part!

Thanks to all helpers, food contributions, kitchen staff and race sponsors; Harris Tweed Isle of Harris, Harris Hotel and Sea Harris.

A Tupper.