Great Scottish Run, Glasgow Half Marathon 6/09/09
It was a 6 o’clock start on Sunday for this one. Met Douglas (Carstairs) at Waverley and we got the train through to Glasgow at 8.00. The train was really busy with more runners getting on at the various stops along the way. For once Scotrail seemed to be on the ball as there were plenty carriages on the train but it was still standing room only if you got on after Linlithgow.
The train arrived in Queen Street at 9.00 and George Square was starting to fill up with the runners for the 10K race which started at 9.30. The half marathon started at 10.30 so we made our way to Glasgow Green which was the finishing point and where the changing facilities were. Once changed we made our way back to George Square in time for the start and a warm up.
The race kicked off about 10 mins late and the first mile was a bit slow due to the numbers and the way the roads had been blocked off made it really narrow so it was hard to pass anyone.
The route itself was a circular rather than out and back which made it a bit more enjoyable I felt. The route also passed through Bellahouston park and Pollock Country park so it mixed it up with running through the streets. The weather was overcast at the start and the rain came on after a few miles but it was vertical and not in your face so did not find it a problem.
Despite the rain there was a decent turn out from people cheering you along the route and there was a piper at every mile mark.
I ended up coming in at 1hr 26 min and Douglas was a minute quicker at 1hr 25min. All in all an enjoyable race and given the numbers – about 15,000 in total including the 10k - well organised.
Report Michael Fullerton
Results here
Gerry on his way to 1.20.59 which gave him the Bellahouston Club vet championship, (5th overall).
Excellent work Gerry and good to see an ex-Porty shining in such a strong club.2 photos courtesy of Jim Buick. Thanks Jim.
This update from Sandy MacDonald...
Their coverage of the Great Scottish Run captures not one, but two Portobello runners. And a blue man. Resulting in me getting lots of e-mails, queries and so on that day as everyone asked 'is that you in the Metro?', etc etc. Had to go find a copy to establish that it wasn't my doppelganger and was in fact me.
In terms of the run itself, I was happy to get round sub 1.40 given I didn't think I'd be able to run at all after coming off my bike exactly a week before. Photographer managed to capture my good side, so no evidence of my black eye, etc at all! Saw quite a few other Porties on the way round - Jim, Emily, Graham (Graeme?), Andrew, etc. Ideal running conditions, with very light cooling rain and enjoyed the run much more than when I last did it a few years back. Really well organised I thought.
Didn't take any pictures myself, so lucky the Metro did the job for me!
Cheers
Sandy
