Nigel Barge Road Race 10k 6/01/07
For the third consecutive year I took part in the Nigel Barge road race reports Gerry. This took place on Saturday, 6th January.
I was in Glasgow the previous night for a friend's party so felt it worthwhile making the trip across to the north-west side of the city to take part in this well organised event. Maryhill Harriers look after the event, a friendly club with a long history and, as I recall from previous years, they put on a good spread afterwards and make participants feel at home with plenty of prizes not solely for those at the front but for the many who take part. It seems to me that there are quite a number who have taken part in this race for many years, certainly the large number of 'vet' runners seems to indicate this. Also the organisers indicated that this year's race had the largest number of participants for 10 years - 250, with over 170 registering online - which the Harriers had welcomed reducing the effort on the day of the race.
To the race itself. It was a 10k event this year, on a course similar to last year, over 2 loops. As the route of the race had been changed in 2006 (from 2005) due to police concerns over the safety for runners, and noone quite knew how long the course was then, the organisers added a few hundred metres to the course this year to make it a 'measured' 10 k event. The conditions for early January were ideal for running; dry, mild and no wind - what's going on with the weather!
The race starts on a fairly narrow path in the West of Scotland's Science Park. The course winds around the park for the first mile or so before a short but reasonably steep hill takes you out of the park and onto the main road. I was changing position quite a lot in the early part of the race, mainly moving forward and passing some of the front running female runners. Reaching the hill I thought I had passed all lady participants but one was right on my side and passed me on the hill. Leaving the park and onto a downward stretch I caught her and passed her, although aware from some onlookers watching the race who were shouting "you're first woman" that she wasn't far away, I managed to stay in front of her for the rest of the race.
Into the third mile and I seemed to have found my position, I wasn't aware of anyone just behind me and the nearest guys in front of me had a few seconds lead on me. At this point there was quite a nasty hill, you go up, pass a barrier and then the hill extends further. before reaching the main road again. For the second lap my aim was to keep in touch with these guys and at some point make a move for them. Just after the half way point someone shouted to me "21st", that was good news, perhaps I could get into the top twenty.
Through the park for the second time, up the 'first' hill for the second time and out of the park and the guys were still in sight. 'Just keep the guys in sight' and maybe I'll start to catch them. A few claps and well done from marshals kept me going, as I find it a bit more difficult going at a fair speed on my own.
Into the fifth mile I saw 'Tommy' from Greenock, a regular attender at west coast road races and who runs carrying flags of all UK countries, raising money for various charities - this time I believe he was raising money for the British Heart Foundation. I wished him well as passed him, or grunted, and he said "thanks". He was accompanied by a lady wearing the 'Final Runner' jacket - a good idea for those near the back of the run to know someone's behind carrying a mobile who can help if needs be.
Along a slightly downhill stretch at around the 5 mile mark and I didn't seem to be gaining on the two guys in front. I could also see some other runners in front of them. Still there's the steepish hill to go I thought. Back into the park, must have been close to the 6 mile mark and I realised I was unlikely to catch anyone. I was getting tired and with 200 metres to go I heard someone running behind me. Though Christmas had just passed I didn't feel in the mood to be too kind so I put in a last burst to keep my position, 21st, in a time of 36 mins 13 secs.
No prizes for me at the award ceremony afterwards, my luck was out. However a nice bite to eat and a good blether to one of the marshall's who husband and sister-in-law were taking part and to the 'last runner' who was heading home for some sleep after doing a 24 hour work-shift at Glasgow's Royal Hospital.
So a good race to do at the start of the year and I was pleased with my performance. Always a relief after my body takes a bit of a pummelling over the Festive season to know I haven't completely lost my running ability.Report Gerry Scullion
Photo nicked from (Westerland's) Chris Upson's blog, though as he was running obviously he didn't take it. If anyone knows how to contact Chris whose blog is well worth a visit HERE (he ran 67 races last year!!!) then let me know, so I can ask retrospective permission...Later.... Chris says the photo was taken by Alan Anderson but using Chris's camera. And we are allowed to use the photo! Thanks guys.
