Nigel Barge Road Race 7/1/06
For the second year running I made my way to Glasgow's west end in early January to take part in the Nigel Barge 5 mile road race, reports Gerry Scullion.
Over 250 took part with plenty of good runners in the field. The conditions were good for running, rain free, no wind and fairly mild.
I remember from last year that finding the building in which to register wasn't easy so I made sure I had some time in hand for the journey. This time I found it without much difficulty.
My second surprise was to learn that the course route had changed from previous years, apparently the police had refused to give race organisers permission to use some parts of the old route. I was told the the race would be flatter than before and a bit longer. I didn't quite expect the race to extendbetween three-quarters and a mile extra, there seemed to be some disagreement among participants at the end about the exact distance. Still I found the course a good one, 2 loops of a reasonably flat course, with one quite testing hill in it (to go over twice of course).
I tried to set off at a decent but sustainable pace getting to the back of a group of around 10 runners who were well up the field after around the first mile. At the end of the first loop I timed myself at 17 mins. I knew at that point the race was going to be long but felt reasonably comfortable. I was a couple of metres behind 2 runners and I wanted to keep with them. I managed to catch them around half way through the second lap only to fall back a little only a couple of hundred yards further on. Approaching the hill with less than a mile to go I made my attack and went by them. Unfortunately the hill caught up with me and the 2 guys got back to me. Once onto the flat ground they had 5 yards, then 10, on me and I couldn't get back to them. I thought that over the last 200 yards I might get another chance but it wasn't to be. Still I was happy with my performance, 34 mins 10 secs in 27th position.
I knew from the previous year that the prize giving was extensive and there were many spot prizes. Unfortunately I couldn't stay around as I had to deliver late Christmas presents to my brother's children.
This is a good, well organised race. I expect that the course might revert back to its old route which is shorter but a bit more testing, similar to the Glasgow Uni road race in November. There's also good home baking for afters which always goes down well after a bit of exercise.Report Gerry Scullion.
Many thanks to Maryhill Harriers for the photos.
