SVHC NEWSLETTER: WINTER 2019

MEMBERSHIP NOTES 23rd November 2019

MEMBERS

For those who have not already renewed membership, payment is now due.

Standard Membership £20 Non competing Membership £10 Over 80 Membership Free

Welcome to the 17 new and 18 reinstated members who have joined or re-joined since 9th August 2019. As of 23rd November 2019, we have 556 members, including 30 over 80 & 4 Life Members.

NEWSLETTER The electronic version of the Newsletter is now the preferred option. Any member who would rather receive a printed Newsletter must contact David Fairweather (djf@ dfairweather.plus.com), if they have not already done so. Please inform David if you add or change your email address.

Please send photos, news, letters, articles, etc for the next issue To: COLIN YOUNGSON TOMLOAN, SANQUHAR ROAD, FORRES, IV36 1DG e-mail: cjyoungson@btinternet.com Tel: 01309 672398

SVHC EVENTS

Stewards/marshals are required for club races. The club appreciates all members & friends who volunteer to act as stewards/marshals. If you are not competing just turn up and introduce yourselves to the organisers.

STANDING ORDERS Thank you to the members who have set up standing orders for membership subscriptions. Please keep me informed if your membership details change (especially email addresses. Standing order details: Bank of Scotland, Barrhead, Sort Code: 80-05-54, Beneficiary: Scottish Veteran Harriers Club, Account No: 00778540, Reference: (SVHC Membership No. plus Surname). stewart2@ntlworld.com 0141 5780526 By cheque: please make cheque payable to SVHC and send to Ada Stewart, 30 Earlsburn Road, Lenzie, G66 5PF.

CLUB VESTS Vests and shorts can be purchased from Andy Law – £18 for vests, including postage and £23 for shorts, including postage. If ordering both together deduct one lot of postage. Or, can be delivered to any of the Club races by arrangement with no postage. (Tel: 01546 605336. or email lawchgair@aol.com)

NEW MEMBERS

NUMB CHRS SURN JOIN TOWN

2518 William Halliday 11-Aug-19 Lochgilphead

2519 Scott Henderson 11-Aug-19 Glasgow

2520 Nanette Heaney 19-Aug-19 Ceres

2521 Stuart Gibson 21-Aug-19 East Kilbride

2522 Stuart Robertson 28-Aug-19 Perth

2523 Finlay Finlay 30-Aug-19 Glasgow

2524 Morag Casey 30-Aug-19 Glasgow

2525 Andrew Norris 06-Sep-19 Glasgow

2526 William McCulloch 14-Sep-19 Galashiels

2527 Walter Henderson 16-Sep-19 Glasgow

2528 Yvonne Burgess 19-Sep-19 Glasgow

2529 Joe Chambers 23-Sep-19 Glasgow

2530 Colin Reilly 07-Oct-19 Glasgow

2531 Margaret Cavanagh 24-Oct-19 Kirkcaldy

2532 Daniel Scroop 12-Nov-19 Bearsden

2535 Ewan Jack 22-Nov-19 Dollar

2536 Billy Colvin 18-Nov-19 Edinburgh

2152 Crispin Walsh 21-Aug-19 Glasgow

2462 Barry Queen 23-Aug-19 Helensburgh

1503 James Rowley 31-Aug-19 Carluke

2320 Stuart McGeachy 09-Sep-19 Campbeltown

2047 Russell Whittington 09-Sep-19 Glasgow

917 Andy Rennie 12-Sep-19 Irvine

1702 Robert Rogerson 20-Oct-19 Kilsyth

2378 Jill Smylie 24-Oct-19 Glasgow

2387 Grant Noble 01-Nov-19 Dunbar

2133 Roddy Simpson 01-Nov-19 Linlithgow

2415 Alan Cameron 01-Nov-19 Airdrie

170 Richard Hodelet 01-Nov-19 Bishopton

2234 Morag Taggart 04-Nov-19 Broughty Ferry

1227 Alex MacEwen 05-Nov-19 Edinburgh

1377 Carol-Ann Gray 11-Nov-19 Edinburgh

2190 Jim Wilson 13-Nov-19 Lanark

2003 Louis O’Hare 14-Nov-19 Chryston

931 Douglas Cowie 17-Nov-19 Forres

Ada Stewart Membership Secretary

Obituary: MEL EDWARDS M.B.E.

Sadly, after a typically brave and very long battle against cancer, Mel Edwards, the hugely-popular Aberdeen runner, died recently aged 76. 500 people attended the cremation. Many SVHC members will remember Mel’s endless enthusiasm and love for our sport. Do go to ‘Elite Endurance’ on the Scottish Distance Running History website to find Mel’s updated profile, as well as detailed obituaries of a great man.

                                   BRITISH AND IRISH MASTERS CROSS-COUNTRY INTERNATIONAL

                                        AT AINTREE RACECOURSE ON THE 16TH OF NOVEMBER

                            

         Original Int XC vest. Wrexham 1988 5th November: from Bobby Young

 Scottish athletes enjoyed a particularly successful outing to the 2019 version of this great annual fixture. Individually, three gold, five silver and two bronze medals were secured; and there were two team victories as well as five silver medals (M60, M65, M70, M75, W35) and nine bronze.

Michelle Sandison (W35), Alastair Walker (M60) and Ann White (W65) each retained titles won last year. Ann was chased all the way by Jane Waterhouse (who has a very fine record in this event), Jeanette Craig finished fourth and Linden Nicholson fifth, which ensured team triumph. The other winning Scottish outfit was M35 due to fine runs by Stuart Gibson 2nd, Richard Mair 3rd and Colin Reilly 4th.

Scott Brember won M45 silver for the second year in succession. Alex Sutherland improved to M70 silver. Bobby Young fought off a Welsh rival for M75 silver. Jennifer MacLean, such a consistent runner, took W45 bronze.

Grant Baillie 4th was first Scottish M40; David Gardiner 5th led our M50 team; and Chris Upson finished 9th M55; Alastair Walker (M60)  was well-supported by Rob McLennan 9th and Jeff Farquhar 12th; the M65 Trojans delivered yet again, with Tony Martin 4th, Andy McLinden 5th and Frank Hurley 8th; Alex Sutherland was well-backed by Robert Marshall 7th, Norman Baillie 8th and Stewart McCrae 9th. Bobby Young’s old friend, Pete Cartwright, finished 7th M75.

Michelle Sandison’s W35 team-mates included Katie White 5th, Sara Green 6th and Jill Smylie 10th; Louise Ross finished 8th W40; Megan Wright was 10th W45; Ana Richardson ran well for 4th W50, with Mary McCutcheon 6th; Anne Howie (6th W55) was supported by Mary Western 8th , Rhona Anderson 9th and Pamela McCrossan 10th; Isobel Burnett was 5th W60, with Phyllis O’Brien 9th, Nanette Heaney 10th and Innes Bracegirdle 11th;  Liz Corbett finished 9th W70); and Elizabeth Gilchrist was 4th W75.

Congratulations Alastair Walker Scottish Athletics Masters Athlete of the Year 2019!

This award could not be more deserved. Alastair has had an absolutely fanastic year of competitive success. He is World, European, British and Scottish Masters M60 Champion at 10k and/or 10,000m; European, British and Scottish Masters M60 Champion at 5000m and/or 5k; and British and Irish, British and Scottish Masters M60 XC Champion!

The greatest Scottish Veteran Harriers include runners like Janette Stevenson, Trudi Thomson, Fiona Matheson, John Emmet Farrell, Gordon Porteous, Bill Stoddart, Willie Marshall, Donald Macgregor and Donald Ritchie, amongst others; and now Alastair Walker of Teviotdale Harriers can certainly be added to this small, select list of superstars.

                                                                                       AINTREE

It was fantastic to be selected to represent Scotland again at the Masters International. There is always a great atmosphere within the squad and a rendition of “Flower of Scotland” during the team photo certainly spurred us on.  I was all warmed up and ready to race at 11am when a fifteen-minute delay due to the late running of the England bus was announced: there is nothing worse than hanging about in the cold in your vest and shorts. But at last we gathered at the start. I pushed my way to the front as all the England women had lined up across the start line. It was so much better having a separate race for the older runners: the start was much less crowded and it was sometimes possible to see other runners in my age group during the race.

I found the course itself rather disappointing: three circuits of a flat field with no hills, no mud, no trees and no standing water. Not really cross country at all! But I soon settled into a rhythm and tried to maintain a steady pace. On the second lap my daughter, Katie, told me that I was one second ahead of the next V65 runner. This spurred me on and by half way through the third lap she shouted “Just keep going steady and you’ve got it!” There was plenty of great support all round the course. It really does make a huge difference to hear your name being shouted out. I was delighted to run through the finish line as first woman in the race and even more delighted to realise that we had won the FV65 team gold as well. Great running, Jane and Jeanette! What a team!

The evening event was very enjoyable, meeting up with people that we hadn’t seen since Swansea last year. The camaraderie carried over into the Sunday morning when we met lots of people running down the pier and along the sea front. Then it was all over for another year. Hope to see everyone in Dublin.

By Ann White

 NEW EDITOR REQUIRED FOR THE SVHC NEWSLETTER

The Spring 2020 edition will be my last as editor. By then I will have overseen the creation and publication of 21 magazines – and feel that new blood is needed. It has been a very enjoyable task, with lots of assistance from Karen Connal, our computer expert; and contributions from so many SVHC members, especially David Fairweather.

After Spring, I will continue to help my successor (if asked) by suggesting material or  people to email etc. The new editor will not be unsupported, when she or he works on the Autumn edition and puts her or his own stamp on a fascinating and satisfying project, which receives so much positive feedback.

Please consider yourself for the post! (Joint-editorship with a partner would also be possible.)

Colin Youngson  

 

British Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships

By Mike Clerihew

The main BMAF T&F event was held at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham over the weekend 10th/11th August.  Windy and wet conditions on Saturday hampered performances and although Sunday was dry the gusty wind remained an inhibiting factor.   Despite the conditions the 32 Scottish competitors returned with an amazing haul of 47 medals – 26 gold, 13 silver and 8 bronze setting three British records, one Scottish Masters best with another being equalled.

It was good to see 1970 Commonwealth Games discus champion and multiple Word Masters champion Rosemary Chrimes (formerly Payne) return to competition after an absence of five years and set three British records in the W85 age group winning the hammer with a throw of 19.40, shot with 7.08m and discus with 18.61m.  Although her shot figure is listed as the British record Rosemary actually recorded 7.09m at the beginning of August at Birmingham University relays as well as clearing 90cm for a new British record in the high jump.  A bit odd that her high jump performance has been ratified as a record but her not her shot.

James Smith (Motherwell) was another triple gold winner taking the 200m in a time of 30.65s, bettering his own Scottish Masters best, the 100m and the long jump with a leap of 3.67m in the M75 category.  Double golds were claimed by Claire Cameron (VP-Glasgow) in the W60 shot and discus, Anne Howie (Aberdeen) in the W55 800m and 1500m and John Thomson (Fife) in the M60 800m and 1500m.

Dougie Graham (Edinburgh) equalled his own Scottish Masters best with a winning 4.20m in the M40 pole vault and other winners were Liz Bowers (Worcester ) – W65 800m, Gillian Cooke (Edinburgh) – W35 long jump, Jacqui Etherington (Cambuslang) – W40 2000m steeplechase, Bill Gentleman (Edinburgh) – M75 hammer, Graham Lay (Southampton) – M40 shot, Allan Leiper (Aldershot, Farnham and District) – M55 weight throw, Linzie Marsh (Pitreavie) – W40 high jump, Alan Robertson (Motherwell) – M40 200m, Ron Todd (Central) – M55 pole vault, Julie Tuck (Aberdeen) – W40 80m hurdles, David Valentine (West Suffolk) – M60 hammer, Alastair Walker (Teviotdale) – M60 5000m and Colin Welsh (Gala) – M35 800m.

Well done to all athletes competing and my apologies to any I have omitted.  Full results are listed below.

Name Club Age Event Position Performance Comments
James Buchanan Dumfries M50 3000m s/c 3rd 11m 54.10s
Liz Bowers Worcester W65 800m 1st 3m 14.17s
Stephen Brown West End RR M35 800m 6th 2m 10.30s
1500m 5th 4m 29.48s
Claire Cameron VP-Glasgow W60 shot 1st 9.36m
discus 1st 26.97m
weight 3rd 11.08m
hammer 4th 26.00m
Rosemary Chrimes Halesowen W85 hammer 1st 19.40m British record
shot 1st 7.08m British record
discus 1st 18.61m British record
Gillian Cooke Edinburgh W35 long jump 1st 5.29m
100m 3rd 13.30s
Douglas Dickson Kilmarnock M50 200m 7th 28.43s
Bob Douglas Livingston M65 400m 2nd 66.07s
100m 5th 14.15s
Jacqui Etherington Cambuslang W40 2000m s/c 1st 7m 49.63s
Bill Gentleman Edinburgh M75 hammer 1st 30.90m
weight 2nd 12.26m
Douglas Graham Edinburgh M40 pole vault 1st 4.20m =SMBP
Anne Howie Aberdeen W55 800m 1st 2m 41.08s
1500m 1st 5m 24.29s
Ian Johnston SVHC M50 5000m 5th 17m 09.53s English national
Ian Johnstone Inverness M65 1500m 5th 6m 00.52s
Graham Lay Southampton M40 shot 1st 12.53m
discus 2nd 35.18m
weight 3rd 10.41m
javelin 3rd 41.97m
hammer 4th 28.23m
Gary Leek Edinburgh M55 100m 5th 12.82s
200m 9th 27.36s
Stephen Leek Livingston M35 long jump 2nd 5.39m
javelin 2nd 36.89m
Allan Leiper Aldershot Farnham & Dist M55 weight 1st 13.87m
shot 2nd 12.61m
high jump 3rd 1.45m
javelin 3rd 39.42m
long jump 6th 4.40m
discus 5th 34.92m
pole vault n.h
Martin Leyland Shetland M60 100m 4th 13.43s
200m 4th 27.77s heat 27.62s
Linzie Marsh Pitreavie W40 high jump 1st 1.40m
Paul Masterton Corstorphine M55 high jump 2nd 1.45m
James MacGregor Aberdeen M50 high jump 2nd 1.60m
Grant Ramsay Fairlands Valley Spartans M45 3000m s/c 2nd 12m 25.14s
Alan Robertson Motherwell M40 200m 1st 23.75s
100m 2nd 11.76s.
Iain Robertson Clydesdale M40 800m 4th 2m 06.47s
Jim Sloan Annan M75 discus 5th 22.41m
James Smith Motherwell M75 100m 1s t 14.91s
200m 1s t 30.65s SMBP
long jump 1st 3.67m
John Thomson Fife M60 800m 1st 2m 23.07s
1500m 1st 4m 58.43s
Ron Todd Central M55 pole vault 1st 3.30m
Julie Tuck Aberdeen W40 80m hdls 1st 13.35s
long jump 2nd 4.89m
shot 3rd 8.44m
David Valentine West Suffolk M60 hammer 1st 47.47m
weight 2nd 17.22m
Alastair Walker Teviotdale M60 5000m 1s t 16m 55.16s
Colin Welsh Gala M35 800m 1st 2m 04.26s
1500m 2nd 4m 15.83s

                                  Scottish Masters Track and Field Outdoor Best Performances

  Claims for a Scottish Masters Best Performance should be submitted with details to Mike Clerihew (mikeclerihew@yahoo.com)         

Note: When a Scottish Masters Best Performance betters a British Record and the British Record is held by a Scot the British Record is shown in italics below the Scottish Masters Best.  This situation could arise for a variety of reasons such as appropriate British Record request form not being lodged or being unacceptable.  Legal wind speed readings are required for British Record ratification but not for Scottish Masters bests.                                                                           

The majority of timings are official electronic ones but it has been agreed that if a manual timing is 0.25s better than any electronic one it will be accepted as a best performance.  If less than 0.25s better both timings are recorded.                                                                         

100 metres  

M35 Darren Scott 10.74 2006 Bedford
M40 Darren Scott 10.81 2010 Nyiregyhaza Hungary
M45 Darren Scott 11.19 2015 Manchester
M50 Darren Scott 11.47 2019 Abingdon British Record
M55 John Steede 12.30 1997 Durban S. Africa
John Steede 12.2 (m ) 1997 Coatbridge
Alasdair Ross 12.2 (m) 2007 Bracknell
M60 Alasdair Ross 12.42 2013 Solihull
M65 John Ross 12.91 2003 Derby
M70 Walter Hunter 13.79 2014 Pitreavie
M75 Walter Hunter 14.10 2014 Birmingham
M80 John Ross 16.91 2018 Grangemouth
M85 Duncan McLean 16.3 (m) 1973 San Diego USA British Record
M90 Duncan McLean 19.9 (m ) 1975 Hendon
Duncan McLean 19.9 (m ) 1977 Gothenburg Sweden British Record
W35 Joss Harwood 12.39 1993 Miyazaki Japan
Joss Harwood 12.2 (m) 1993 Rotherham
W40 Joss Harwood 12.72 1999 Gateshead
W45 Pat McKinnon 13.1 (m) 1997 Coatbridge
Dawn Whittle 13.14 2007 Wishaw
W50 Sylvia Wood 14.0 (m) 1997 Coatbridge
Joss Harwood 14.12 2008 Pitreavie
W55 Esther Linaker 14.21 2000 Jyvasklya Finland
Esther Linaker 14.1 (m) 2000 Aberdeen
W60 Esther Linaker 14.05 2003 Pitreavie British Record
W65 Esther Linaker 15.44 2006 Scotstoun
W70 Betty Steedman 18.04 2004 Arhus Denmark
Rosemary Chrimes 17.9 (m) 2007 Solihull
W75 Rosemary Chrimes 18.00 2010 Birmingham
W80 Rosemary Chrimes 19.75 2013 Birmingham British Record
          

200 metres       

M35 Darren Scott 21.15 2008 Ljubljana Slovenia
M40 Darren Scot t 21.64 2010 Nyiregyhaz Hungary British Record
M45 Darren Scott 22.49 2015 Lyon France
M50 Alasdair Ross 23. 2002 Hendon
Darren Scott 23.6 (m) 2019 Warrington
M55 Alasdair Ross 24.66 2007 Riccion Italy
M60 Alasdair Ross 25.38 2015 Lyon France
Alasdair Ross 25.3 (m) 2013 Abingdon
M65 John Ross 26.38 2003 Norfolk Virginia U.S.A.
M70 John Ross 28.86 2008 Pitreavie
Ernie Plimer 28.8 (m) 1987 Glasgow
M75 James Smith 30.6 5 2019 Birmingham
M80 John Ross 36.54 2018 Grangemouth
M85 Duncan McLean 41.1 (m) 1972 Crystal Palace London
M90 Duncan McLean 49.2 (m) 1975 Toronto Canada
W35 Joss Harwood 24.5 (m) 1993 Edinburgh
W40 Joss Harwood 25.9 (m) 1999
W45 Pat McKinnon 27.8 (m) 1997 Coatbridge
W50 Christine Scarles 28.6 (m) 1995 Pitreavie
W55 Esther Linaker 29.94 2000 Jyvasklya Finland
W60 Esther Linaker 29.59 2003 Pitreavie
W65 Betty Steedman 35.64 1998 Sheffield
W70 Betty Steedman 38.04 2004 Arhus Denmark
W75 Christine McLennan 41.31 2007 Riccione Italy
W80 Christine McLenna n 44.28 201 1 Sacramento USA
                     

400 metres     

M35 Darren Scott 49.35 2008 Stretford
M40 Darren Scott 49.81 2011 Sacramento USA
M45 Alasdair Ross 51.18 1997 Durban South Africa
M50 Alasdair Ross 53.55 2003 Derby
M55 Alasdair Ross 54.94 2007 Riccione Italy
M60 Alasdair Ros s 56.53 2015 Lyon France
M65 John Ross 59.71 2003 Norfolk Virginia U.S.A.
M70 John Ross 64.84 2008 Pitreavie British Record
M75 John Ross 72.48 2014 Birmingham
M80 Harry Tempan 83.79 2008 Kingston
M85 Fred Cowan 1.36.00 2019 Grangemouth British Record
M90 Hugh McGinlay 2.19.46 2017 Grangemouth
W35 Philippa Millage 55.59 2016 Southampton
W40 Dianne MacKenzie 59.47 2000 Inverness
W45 Barbara Oliver 60.00 1989
W50 Laura Mahady 61.05 2009 Lahti Finland
W55 Laura Mahady 64.60 2013 Birmingham
Laura Mahady 64.6 (m ) 2013 Aberdeen
W60 Betty Steedman 78.84 1993 Miyazaki Japan
W65 Liz Bowers 85.99 2018 Solihull
W70 Ann Bath 2.06.22 2018 Birmingham
W75 Christine McLennan 90.15 2006 Poznan Poland
                          

800 metres     

M35 Colin Welsh 1.58.56 2018 Stretford
M40 Alastair Dunlop 1.58.45 1996 Malmo Sweden
M45 Alastair Dunlop 1.59.08 2001 Brisbane Aus
M50 Alastair Dunlop 2.03.14 2005 San Sebastian Spain
M55 James Whiteford 2.07.62 1999 Gateshead
M60 Harry Tempan 2.15.2 1985 Wormwood Scrubs
M65 Fred Cowan 2.19.8 2001 Pitreavie
. Harry Tempan 2.21.0 1990 Glasgow British Record
M70 Jimmy Todd 2.38.94 1994 Glasgow
M75 Jimmy Todd 2.42.35 1997 Birmingham
Jimmy Todd 2.45.82 1997 Durban South Africa British Record
M80 Harry Tempan 3.08.8 2008 Kingston
M85 David Morrison 4.19.81 1999 Gateshead
M90 Emmett Farrell 4.38.99 1999 Gateshead British Record
W35 Philippa Millage 2.05.13 2016 Manchester
W40 Sonia Armitage 2.19.3 2004 Aberdeen
W45 Sonia Armitage 2.19.8 2007 Dundee
W50 Laura Mahady 2.19.50 2009 Lhati Finland
W55 Laura Mahady 2.27.05 2013 Grangemouth
W60 Sandra Branney 2.53.61 2016 Grangemouth
W65 Janette Stevenson 3.00.33 2016 Perth Australia
                           

1500 metres  

M35 Stuart Campbell 4.04.62 2006 Grangemouth
M40 Ian Elliott 3.57.9 1992 Grangemouth
M45 Bill Boyd 4.11.16 1999 Gateshead
M50 Alastair Dunlop 4.12.65 2005 San Sebastian Spain
M55 Alastair Dunlop 4.25.83 2011 Sacramento USA
M60 Harry Tempan 4.36.04 1985 Rome Italy British Record
M65 Harry Tempan 4.44.0 1990 Solihull British Record
M70 Jimmy Todd 5.12.51 1992 Kristiansand Norway British Record
M75 David Morrison 5.50.1 1989 Newcastle
M80 Harry Tempan 6.30.1 2007 Kingston
Gordon Porteous 6.39.4 1995 Jarrow British Record
M85 Gordon Porteous 7.41.45 1999 Gateshead British Record
M90 Gordon Porteous 9-01.92 2004 Birmingham British Record
W35 Phillippa Millage 4.20.22 2017 Glasgow
W40 Carol Sharp 4.40.9 1995 Birmingham
W45 Sonia Armitage 4.45.36 2007 Riccione Italy
W50 Fiona Matheson 4.46.86 2012 Derby
W55 Sandra Branney 4.57.58 2009 Pitreavie
W60 Janette Stevenson 5.25.47 2009 Birmingham
W65 Janette Stevenson 5.50.62 2016 Perth Australia
W70 Ann Bath 8.22.09 2018 Birmingham
                     

3000 metres    

W35 Sandra Branney 9.26.0 1989 Walthamstow
W40 Lesley Chisholm 10.05.47 2016 Glasgow
W45 Janette Stevenson 10.17.7 1995 Coatbridge
W50 Fiona Matheson 9.58.0 2012 Grangemouth
W55 Sandra Branney 10.13.8 2009 Meadowbank British Record
W60 Janette Stevenson 11.20.22 2009 Pitreavie
W65 Jocelyn Ross 12.47.6 1993 Wormwood Scrubs
                     

5000 metres    

M35 Robert Quinn 14.23.08 2002 Scotstoun
M40 Donald Macgregor 14.33.5 1979 Edinburgh
M45 Archie Jenkins 15.21.0 1997 Jarrow
M50 Iain Campbell 16.08.3 2010 Eton
M55 Alistair Murray 16.56.00 2008 Pitreavie
M60 Andy Brown 16.48.40 1994 Ayr
M65 Willie Marshall 18.02.12 1993 Jarrow British Record
M70 Willie Marshall 19.16.8 1999 Edinburgh
M75 Jimmy Todd 20.00.13 1997 Durban South Africa
M80 Gordon Porteous 23.39.1 1994 Coatbridge
M85 Gordon Porteous 24.51.7 1999 Edinburgh British Record
M90 Gordon Porteous 31.25.45 2004 Birmingham European Record
W35 Sandra Branney 16.08.15 1989 Jarrow
W40 Hayley Haining 17.02.03 2014 Glasgow
W45 Fiona Mathieson 17.23.93 2008 Pitreavie
W50 Fiona Mathieson 16.55.08 2011 Scotstoun British Record
W55 Sandra Branney 17.52.82 2009 Pitreavie British Record
W60 Janette Stevenson 19.05.70 2009 Birmingham
W65 Janette Stevenson 21.08.25 2016 Perth Australia
W70 Ann Bath 29.17.78 2018 Birmingham
                     

10,000 metres  

M35 Chris Robison 28.47.26 1997 Sheffield
M40 Donald Macgregor 30.04.2 1979 Hanover Germany
M45 Kerry-Liam Wilson 31.33.38 2016 Crownpoint Glasgow
M50 Jeff Farquhar 32.58.51 2010 Meadowbank
M55 Bill Stoddart 33.35 1986 Glasgow
M60 Alastair Walker 34.54.08 2019 Carluke
M65 Willie Marshall 37.30.60 1993 Jarrow
M70 Willie Marshall 40.12.88 1999 Edinburgh
M75 David Morrison 42.03.4 1989 Coatbridge
M80 Gordon Porteous 48.06.0 1994 Greenock
M85 Gordon Porteous 55.03.48 1999 Gateshead British Record
M90 Gordon Porteous 69.27.5 2004 Coatbridge World Record
W35 Hayley Haining 32.47.96 2007 Watford
W40 Janette Stevenson 36.25.0 1990 Glasgow
W45 Fiona Matheson 35.53.8 2010 Coatbridge
W50 Fiona Matheson 35.05.7 2011 Coatbridge World Record
W55 Fiona Matheson 37.04.54 2018 Glasgow British Record
W60 Joselyn Ross 43.01.1 1989 Reading
W65 Joselyn Ross 46.48.34 1994 Miyasaki Japan
W70 Ann Bath 63.33.23 2018 Battersea Park London
                        

2000 m s/chase           

M60 M Scott 8.54.7 1986 Grangemouth
M65 Andrew Galbraith 9.29.87 1999 Edinburgh
W35 Allison Simpson 7.02.33 2007 Scotstoun
W40 Claire Thompson 7.13.19 2016 Manchester British Record
W45 Julie Wilson 8.10.23 2016 Perth Australia
                          

3000 m s/chase    

M35 Grant Baillie 10.15.27 2014 Grangemouth
M40 John Kennedy 9.43.2 1990 Ayr
M45 Stewart McCrae 9.47.93 1992 Glasgow
M50 Jim Buchanan 11.19.41 2018 Birmingham
M55 Benjamin Hands 11.53.43 2016 Perth Australia ;
W35 Allison Simpson 10.36.91 2007 Manchester
                   

80 m hurdles        

M70 Ian Steedman 15.39 1998 Sheffield
W40 Joss Harwood 11.55 1999 Gateshead
Joss Harwood 11.68 1998 Hexham British Record
W45 Joss Harwood 12.58 2005 San Sebastian Spain
Joss Harwood 13.02 2008 Pitreavie
W55 Rosemary Chrimes 14.87 1989 Reading
W60 Betty Steedman 17.56 1996 Malmo Sweden
W65 Betty Steedman 18.56 2002 Sheffield
[.table]

100 m hurdles

M50 Tom Leeson 14.89 2013 Porto Alegre Brazil
M55 Roy Buchanan 16.33 2010 Grangemouth
M60 Ian Steedman 16.9 (m) 1988 Grangemouth
M65 Ian Steedman 17.41 1993 Miyasaki Japan
W35 Joss Harwood 13.96 1993 Birmingham
            

110 m hurdles 

M35 Francis Smith 15.42 2017 Grangemouth
M40 Paul Sutherland 15.90 2006 Birmingham
M45 Eamon Fitzgerald 17.1 (m) 1994 Grangemouth
Tom Leeson 17.1 (m) 2009 Dundee
                   

300 m hurdles    

M60 Robert Stevenson 44.86 2013 Porto Alegre Brazil British Record
M65 Ian Steedman 49.52 1993 Miyasaki Japan
M70 Ian Steedman 59.01 1998 Newport
Ian Steedman 58.8 (m) 1998 Grangemouth
W50 Angela Graham 61.19 2012 Tauranga New Zealand
              

400 m hurdles                                                                                

M35 Derek Paisley 53.27 2009 Lee Valley London
M40 Paul Sutherland 56.87 2006 Eton
M45 Robert Stevenson 57.91 1999 Gateshead
M50 Robert Stevenson 58.40 2oo3 Pitreavie
M55 Robert Stevenson 61.34 2008 Ljubljana Slovenia
W35 Jane Low 60.70 1996 Malmo Sweden
W40 Jacqui Etherington 74.37 2019 Venice Italy
W45 Catherine Geddes 80.15 1994 Ayr

High Jump              

M35 Jamie Creighton 1.85 2019 Grangemouth
M40 Geoff Parsons 1.91 2005 Watford
M45 Eamon Fitzgerald 1.80 1992 Kristiansand Norway
M50 Eamon Fitzgerald 1.75 1998 Inverness
M55 Allan Leiper 1.60 2015 Lyon France
M60 Eric Simpson 1.55 2008 Grangemouth
M65 Bill Lonsdale 1.40 2017 Kingston
M7 0 Trevor Madigan 1.30 2014 Aberdeen
M75 John Ross 1.12 2014 Birmingham
W35 Christine Drewry 1.55 1983 London
Christine Drewry 1.55 1986 Wigan
Nikki Thompson 1.55 1990 Glasgow
Jacqueline Gilchrist 1.55 1997 Durban RSA
W40 Rosemary Chrimes 1.55 1975 Toronto Canada
W45 Janice Hardcastle 1.40 2006 Milton Keynes
W50 Lilian McNab 1.35 2011 Wishaw
Alison Murray 1.35 2017 Rugby
1.35 2018 Twickenham London
1.35 2019 Wimbledon
W55 Rosemary Chrimes 1.37 1989 Reading
W60 Rosemary Chrimes 1.30 1993
W65 Rosemary Chrimes 1.25 1998 Newport
Rosemary Chrime s 1.25 1999 Edinburgh British Record
W70 Rosemary Chrimes 1.26 2003 Carolina USA British Record
W75 Rosemary Chrimes 1.18 2012 Nuneaton British Record
W80 Rosemary Chrimes 1.10 2013 Porto Alegri Brazil World Record
W85 Rosemary Chrimes 0.90 2019 Univ Birmingham British Record
                     

Pole Vault  

M35 Dougie Graham 4.20 2013 Aberdeen
M40 Dougie Graham 4.20 2018 Malaga Spain
4.20 2019 Birmingham
4.20 2019 Venice Italy
M45 Allan Leiper 4.10 2006 Basingstoke
M50 Eamon Fitzgerald 3.70 1997 Linwood
Eamon Fitzgerald 3.70 1998 Cesenatico Italy
Allan Leiper 3.70 2015 Aldershot
M55 Allan Leiper 3.60 2015 Lyon France
M60 Bob Masson 3.00 2010 Aberdeen
M65 Bob Masson 2.90 2012 Pitreavie
Bob Masson 2.90 2013 Aberdeen
M70 Bob Masson 2.70 2019 Aberdeen
M75 John Ross 1.70 2014 Birmingham
W35 Gillian Cooke 3.22 2019 Grangemouth
W40 Janet Lyon 2.81 2004 Aberdeen
W45 Alison Murray 3.30 2016 Wimbledon
W50 Alison Murray 3.10 2017 Birmingham British Record
                     

Long Jump                                                                         

M35 Ian Paget 6.62 2010 Pitreavie
Ian Paget 6.62 2011 Grangemouth
M40 Darren Scott 6.37 2009 Manchester
M45 Robert Stevenson 6.11 2001 Pitreavie
M50 Eamon Fitzgerald 6.01 1997 Sheffield
M55 Robert Stevenson 5.68 2008 Pitreavie
M60 Mike Clerihew 5.14 2008 Birmingham
M65 Robert Stevenson 4.98 2019 Grangemouth
M70 Trevor Madigan 4.22 2016 Aberdeen
M75 James Smith 4.00 2019 Grangemouth
W35 Jane Scott 5.48 2016 Perth Australia
Zara Asante 5.48 2019 Birmingham
W40 Fiona Davidson 5.25 2015 Grangemouth
W45 Linda Nicholson 4.66 2006 Poznan Poland
W50 Linda Nicholson 4.87 2010 Cardiff
W55 Sylvia Wood 4.20 1999 Jarrow
W60 Betty Steedman 3.87 1994 Bedford
W65 Betty Steedman 3.45 2001 Eton
W70 Betty Steedman 3.08 2005 Birmingham
W80 Rosemary Chrimes 2.34 2014 Birmingham

Triple Jump                                                                        

M35 Stuart Benson 13.10 2017 Cosford
M40 Eamon Fitzgerald 12.76 1991 Birmingham
M45 Eamon Fitzgerald 12.25 1992 London
M50 Eamon Fitzgerald 11.78 1999 Meadowbank
M55 Robert Stevenson 11.33 2010 Ayr
M60 Robert Stevenson 10.29 2016 Aberdeen
M65 Robert Stevenson 10.33 2018 Grangemouth
M70 John Oulton 8.33 2003
M75 James Smith 7.80 2019 Venice Italy
W35 Zara Asante 13.41 2018 Sportcity Manchester
W40 Fiona Davidson 11.39 2017 Aarhus Denmark
W45 Sylvia Wood 9.36 1992
W50 Sylvia Wood 9.87 1996 Grangemouth
W55 Rosemary Chrimes 9.12 1988 Cwmbran
W60 Betty Steedman 8.17 1994 Bedford
W65 Betty Steedman 7.06 1999 Gateshead
W70 Betty Steedman 6.48 2005 Birmingham

Shot                                                                          

M35 Neil Elliott 16.55 2007 Wakefield
M40 Steve Whyte 16.27 2004 Eton
M45 Steve Whyte 15.12 2009 Leeds
M50 Steve Whyte 15.54 2014 Solihull
M55 Jim Hogg 14.17 2010 Linwood
M60 Jim Hogg 15.44 2015 Livingston British Record
M65 John A. Scott 12.22 2007 Grangemouth
M70 John A. Scott 12.78 2012 Crownpoint Glasgow British Record
M75 John A. Scott 11.72 2016 Crownpoint Glasgow
M80 Ian Miller 10.88 2014 Birmingham
W35 Rosemary Chrimes 14.60 1972 Crystal Palace
W40 Rosemary Chrimes 14.67 1974 Port Elizabeth RSA
W45 Rosemary Chrimes 11.25 1978
W50 Rosemary Chrimes 11.34 1987
W55 Rosemary Chrimes 12.97 1989
W60 Rosemary Chrimes 12.20 1993 Miyasaki Japan British Record
W65 Rosemary Chrimes 11.04 1999 Gateshead
W70 Rosemary Chrimes 11.02 2003 Derby World Record
W75 Rosemary Chrimes 10.35 2010 Cardiff
W80 Rosemary Chrimes 9.50 2013 Univ Birmingham
W85 Rosemary Chrimes 7.09 2019 Univ Birmingham
7.08 2019 Birmingham British Record

Javelin 

M35 Tom Dobbing 60.81 2008 Portsmouth
M40 Alex Black 59.00 1990 Glasgow
M45 Alex Black 53.98 1994 Meadowbank
M50 Steve Whyte 44.42 2014 Amersfoord Ned .
M55 Allan Leiper 41.41 2019 Hull
M60 John Ross 45.04 1998 Solihull
M65 John Ross 39.07 2003 St George Utah USA
M70 John Ross 36.11 2009 St George Utah USA
M75 John Ross 31.92 2013 St.George Utah USA
M80 John L Scott 20.64 2019 Grangemouth
W35 Norma Bruc e 36.01 2005 Scotstoun
W40 Jane Kirkpatrick 29.98 2014 Scotstoun
W45 Jayne Kirkpatrick 26.89 2018 Lee Valley London
W50 Joyce Rammell 27.22 1997 Grangemouth
W55 Margery Swinton 25.23 1998 Eugene USA
W60 Margery Swinton 27.22 2007 Grangemouth
W65 Margery Swinton 18.72 2009 Pitreavie
W80 Rosemary Chrimes 12.40 2014 Birmingham
                        

Hammer                                                                               

M35 Andy Frost 66.25 2016 Eton
M40 Steve Whyt e 60.13 2006 Twickenham
M45 Steve Whyte 59.80 2009 Leeds
M50 Chris Black 66.92 2002 Potsdam Germany
M55 Chris Black 55.88 2006 Stretford
M60 Bill Gentleman 52.90 2001 Brisbane Australia
M65 Bill Gentleman 50.04 2005 San Sebastian Spain British Record
M70 Bill Gentleman 47.60 2011 Birmingham
M75 Bill Gentleman 41.59 2015 Livingston British Record
M80 Ian Miller 35.44 2014 Birmingham
W35 Mhairi Porterfield 53.15 2017 Livingston
W40 Susan Freebairn 35.77 2006 Scotstoun
W45 Claire Cameron 33.75 2004 Arhus Denmark
Claire Cameron 33.75 2008 Malmo Sweden
W50 Margery Swinton 36.84 1996 Jarrow
W55 Margery Swinton 35.56 2000 Kamloops Canada
W60 Margery Swinton 31.96 2004 Reading USA
W65 Rosemay Chrimes 31.62 2001 Nuneaton
W70 Rosemay Chrimes 31.62 2003 Derby
W75 Rosemary Chrimes 28.63 2010 Leicester
W80 Rosemary Chrimes 24.31 2013 Porto Alegre Brazil
W85 Rosemary Chrimes 19.40 2019 Birmingham British Record

Discus 

M35 Neil Elliott 48.53 2007 Meadowbank
M40 Steve Whyte 48.30 2004 Ewell Court
M45 Steve Whyte 47.31 2009 Compiegne France
M50 Steve Whyte 50.40 2014 Amersfoort Ned.
M55 Steve Whyte 44.89 2019 Hull
M60 Jim Hogg 49.36 2015 Livingston
M65 Bob Masson 42.45 2012 Pitreavie
M70 Bob Masson 38.13 2019 Aberdeen
M75 Jim Sloan 31.10 2017 Grangemouth
M80 Ian Miller 25.41 2014 Birmingham
W35 Rosemary Chrimes 58.02 1972 Birmingham British Record
W40 Rosemary Chrimes 56.40 1973 Crystal Palace Lon. British Record
W45 Rosemary Chrimes 44.26 1978 Wolverhampton British Record
W50 Claire Cameron 34.99 2009 Ancona Italy
W55 Rosemary Chrimes 40.86 1989 Eugene OregonUSA British Record
W60 Rosemary Chrimes 37.56 1993 Miyasaki Japan British Record
W65 Rosemary Chrimes 34.95 2001 Nuneaton British Record
W70 Rosemary Chrimes 31.62 2003 Derby British Record
W75 Rosemary Chrimes 30.07 2010 Leicester
Rosemary Chrimes 29.07 2008 Ljubljana Slovenia British Record
W80 Rosemary Chrimes 24.18 2013 Birmingham British Record
W85 Rosemary Chrimes 18.61 2019 Birmingham British Record
                  

Weight Throw                                                                                

M35 Chris Black 19.03 1986 Grendon Hall
M40 Steve Whyte 18.52 2004 Randers Denmark British Record
M45 Steve Whyte 17.38 2010 Milton Keynes
M50 Steve Whyte (Indoor) 22.10 2014 Budapest Hungary British Record
M55 Chris Black 20.01 2007 Riccione Italy
M60 Bill Gentleman 20.06 2002 Leon Mexico
M65 Bill Gentleman 17.06 2007 Riccione Italy
M70 Bill Gentleman 18.65 2010 Nyerigyhaza Hungary
M75 Bill Gentleman 15.52 2015 Jarrow British Record
M80 Ian Miller 14.44 2014 Birmingham British Record
W35 Susan Freebairn 13.25 2003 Derby
W40 Claire Cameron 11.02 2003 Derby
W45 Claire Cameron 11.41 2004 Randers Denmark
W50 Claire Cameron 11.39 2012 St. John Canada
W55 Claire Cameron 11.33 2014 Budapest Hungary
W60 Margery Swinto n 12.01 2004 Hendon London

                                                                                   

Combined Events – Best age graded performance only                                                                            

Pentathlon                                                                          

M65 John Ross 4032 pts 2003 Solihull
W40 Carolyn Smith 3845 pts 2003 Pitreavie

Heptathlon  

W60 Betty Steedman 4149 pts 1995 Sheffield
                         

Decathlon   

 

M60 John Ross 7582 pts 1998 Scotstoun
                         

Weight Pentathlon          

M50 Steve Whyte 4590 pts 2014 Amersfoort Ned. British Record
W45 Claire Cameron 3668 pts 2004 Aarhus Denmark

 29th August 2019.  Scottish National Senior Championships.

Several Scottish Masters athletes competed at the recent National Seniors champs at Grangemouth with pride of place going to Mhairi Porterfield  (W35) representing VP-Glasgow who won the shot with a throw of 13.54m (fifth in the hammer with 52.00m) and Zara Asante (W35) representing Blackheath and Bromley who won the triple jump with a leap of 12.89m. 

Other medals were claimed by Gillian Cooke (W35 Edinburgh) with silver in the pole vault clearing 3.05m (7th in the long jump with 5.25m), Philippa Millage (W35 VP-Glasgow) with silver in the 800m in a time of 2m 09.15s (4th in the 1500m with 4m 32.05s) and Chris Smith (M40 Arbroath) with bronze in the javelin throwing 52.29m.

Ian Horsburgh (M40 Edinburgh) came 5th in the 200m in a time of 22.67s after a 22.60s heat, Colin Welsh (M35 Gala) ran 1m 59.97s in the heats of the 800m, Michelle Sandison (W35 Springburn) came 7th in the 5000m in 17m 36.60s and Catriona Pennet (W35 Edinburgh) finished 5th in the 100m hurdles with a time of 15.01s. 

All the above athletes performed really well and must certainly have helped to enhance the profile of Scottish Masters.   My apologies to anyone I have missed.

11th September 2019.  Scottish Masters 10,000m Championships.

One Scottish Masters best performance and six Championship bests were recorded at the recent 10k championships held in Carluke with the most notable performance coming from Alastair Walker (Teviotdale) who ran 34m 54.08s in winning the M60 category setting a new Championship best and erasing Bill Stoddart’s Scottish Masters best of 35m 19.2s from 1992. 

Further Championship bests were set by Julia Johnstone (Gala) with 41m 44.96s in the W45 category, Marianne McLevy (Dundee) with 48m 37.92s in the W50s, Andy McLinden (Hamilton) with 39m 39.54s in the M65s, Norman Baillie (Garscube) with 45m 25.32s in the M70 group and Bobby Young (Clydesdale) with 45m 02.12s in the M75 category.

It is good note that over thirty athletes competed in this fairly recently introduced Championship event and, hopefully, it will continue to prosper in years to come as Scottish Masters have historically been at the forefront of Masters distance running.  Well done to all competitors.

October 2019.  European Masters Stadia Championships.

The event was held in very warm conditions at three venues, Jesolo, Caorle and Eraclea on the outskirts of Venice from September 9th to 15th and saw a large British team place third in the overall medals table with 247 gongs, 103 being gold.  The home nation finished top with 337 medals (127 gold) followed by Germany with 317 medals (119 gold)

As far as I can ascertain twenty Scots competed and returned with a total of four individual and five team medals with two Scottish Masters best performances achieved and another equalled.  Jacqui Etherington (Cambuslang) won silver in the W40 2000m steeplechase in a time of 7m 34.35s and set a new Masters best finishing 6th in the 400m hurdles in 74.37s, Dougie Graham (Edinburgh/Arbroath) took bronze with a 4.20m clearance in the M40 pole vault equalling his own Masters best whilst Jim Smith (Motherwell) set new figures of 7.80m in the M75 triple jump.

Ian Horsburgh (Edinburgh), a former British Junior international who recently returned to the track, won silver in the M40 200m in a time of 22.62s after a 22.51s semi and Dave Valentine (West Suffolk) won bronze in the M60 hammer with 48.23m. 

Alan Robertson (Motherwell) was part of the British M40 4 x 100m relay gold winning team, Sue Ridley (Edinburgh) won gold in the W50 cross country team event, Ronnie Hunter (Corstorphine) won silver in the M55 4 x 100m relay as did John Thomson (Fife) with the M60 cross country team and Jim Smith won bronze in the M75 4 x 100m relay.

Full results for all Scots competitors are listed below.  Well done to all with apologies to any I have missed.

Name Club Age Event Position Time/Dist  
Stephen Allan Cumbernauld M45 half marathon 12th 1h 22m 28s  
Claire Cameron VP-Glasgow W60 shot 9th 9.35m  
      discus 8th 27.02m  
      hammer 14th 26.87m  
      weight throw 12th 10.43m  
Gillian Cooke Edinburgh W35 long jump 4th 5.18m  
      pole vault 8th 3.05m  
Jacqui Etherington Cambuslang W40 400m hdls 6th 1m 14.37s SMBP
      2000m s/chase 2nd 7m 34.35s  
      4k cross country 8th 14m 43s  
Paul Forbes Edinburgh M60 800m dnf    
Dougie Graham Edinburgh/Arbroath M40 pole vault 3rd 4.20m =SMBP
Ian Horsburgh Edinburgh M40 200m 2nd 22.62s sf 22.51s
Ronnie Hunter Corstorphine M55 100m heat 13.36s  
      200m heat 27.59s  
      4 x 100m relay 2nd    
Allan Leiper Aldershot, Farnham M55 pole vault 8th 3.30m  
      shot 5th 13.09m  
      discus 10th 32.72m  
      weight pentathlon 11th 3192pts  
Fred McCain Haddington/Central M70 5000m 23rd 29m 28.97s  
Paul Masterton Corstorphine M55 high jump 18th 1.40m  
Iain Moody Pitreavie M55 400m hdls heat 1m 10.93s  
Sue Ridley Edinburgh W50 4k cross country 10th 15m 35s  
      cross country team 1st    
Alan Robertson Motherwell M40 200m 8th 23.70s heat 23.38s
      4 x 100m relay 1st    
Brian Scally Shettleston M50 800m heat 2m 26.23s  
      half marathon dnf    
Jim Smith Motherwell M75 100m 7th 15.27s heat 15.08s
      200m 6th 30.96s  
      long jump 7th 3.91m  
      triple jump 7th 7.80m SMBP
      4 x 100m relay 3rd    
John Thomson Fife M60 800m 6th 2m 19.68s  
      1500m 6th 4m 45.91s  
      4k cross country 10th 14m 25s  
      cross country team 2nd    
Dave Valentine West Suffolk M60 weight throw 6th 16.18m  
      hammer 3rd 48.23m  
Andy Vince Falkirk M60 discus 20th 36.90m  
      weight throw 8th 14.43m  
      hammer 5th 44.27m  
      weight pentathlon 10th 3038pts  
Colin Welsh Gala/TevioT M35 800m 8th 2m 00.01s

 

 

 

Our Computer expert Karen Connal wrote: “The Canicross is going really well. My young dog is amazing and has fairly given me my running mojo back. We did a freedom run round my new local parkrun in 22:09. I have been training there on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Loving it!”

Photo by Karen. How happy all four look!

(Fifty years ago, the editor and Bob Anderson were clubmates in Aberdeen University Hare & Hounds. For several weeks in 1970. Bob visited Portsea in Australia, where the legendary coach Percy Wells Cerutty trained 1960 Olympic 1500m champion Herb Elliott and other great athletes. This is a photograph of one of Percy’s inspirational essays.)

                                                                                            HISTORY SECTION

                                                               THE D. McNab Robertson Memorial Trophy

                                                                       (for Scottish Road Runner of the Year)

                                                                                    PART ONE: 1952-1957)

In 1951 an appeal was launched to commemorate the outstanding Scottish marathoner Donald McNab Robertson who had died so suddenly in 1949. This appeal came to fruition in 1952 when the Scottish Marathon Club handed over a trophy to the Scottish Amateur Athletic Association, to be awarded annually to the Scottish athlete with the most meritorious performances in long-distance road racing, as adjudged by a joint sub-committee of the SAAA and the SMC.

Donald Robertson (Maryhill Harriers) had been the AAA Marathon champion six times (1932, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937 and 1939, adding a silver medal in 1946. He had finished second in the 1934 London Empire Games; and, aged over 40, won the first two Scottish Marathon titles in 1946 and 1947. In Leni Riefenstahl’s notorious yet epic film of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Donald can be seen finishing seventh. Tragically, he died in 1949, aged only 43.

(N.B. From 1987, gaps appear in the list of Robertson Trophy winners; and there are no certain recipients after 1995. However, I have done my best to nominate yearly candidates right up to 2018. When one candidate seems to have the best claim, I have indicated this in bold italics. When it was difficult to make a decision, I have not emphasised any name in this way. At some point, the Donald McNab Robertson Memorial Trophy ceased to be presented; and now it seems to be lost. However, I wish to suggest that there should be annual recognition of Scotland’s best distance road (or trail) runner.)

1952 Charles D Robertson: The minutes book of the SMC makes clear that Charlie Robertson was chosen unanimously as the first trophy winner “by virtue of his fourth place in the AAA Championship Marathon, when he returned a time of 2 hours 30 minutes and 48 seconds, the fastest time ever recorded by a Scotsman.” The presentation was made by Miss Betty Robertson, sister of the late Donald McNab Robertson. Charlie (Dundee Thistle Harriers), the 1948 Scottish Marathon champion, was no relation of Donald. Before nearly making the 3-man GB Olympic team in the AAA event, Charlie had broken the Perth to Dundee 22 miles record; finished first in the Edinburgh Marathon; and then, after the AAA, tackled the Scottish Marathon (a lengthened Perth to Dundee), winning by 25 seconds from John Duffy.

1953 Joe McGhee: While Joe (St Modans) was the up-and-coming runner, and definitely a member of the SMC, he was beaten into third place in the Lauriston (Falkirk) to New Meadowbank Scottish Marathon championship, the winner being John ‘Jock’ Duffy (Broxburn and Hadleigh Olympiads), who had taken the train up from Southend to London and then Edinburgh. This was a twelve-hour journey. He slept for a few hours in his father’s Broxburn house; then more travelling to the start, rather tired already! Duffy was not a member of the SMC, so was not considered for the Robertson Trophy, which was awarded to Joe “for consistently high standard running in 14 races and particularly for his fine performance in the Perth to Dundee race on 29th August 1953, when he beat the existing record set by C.D.Robertson, who had been awarded the Trophy in 1952.”

1954 Joe McGhee: Joe had joined Shettleston Harriers and increased his training. At the end of May, the Scottish Marathon course was from the Cloch Lighthouse, Gourock, to Ibrox Park. Joe set a new championship record of 2.35.22. In early August at the Vancouver British Empire Games, Joe McGhee secured a famous victory in the marathon, after Jim Peters of England collapsed during the final lap of the track. Joe was made an Honorary Life Member of the Scottish Marathon Club. The SAAA presented him with the ‘Coronation Cup’ as “outstanding Scottish athlete of the year.” Naturally, he kept the Robertson Trophy.

1955 Joe McGhee: Joe was fitter than ever, ready to show that he was a worthy Empire Games champion, when at the end of June, over the Falkirk to Edinburgh course, he won the Scottish Marathon by nine minutes. John Emmet Farrell, a Scottish cross-country champion before and after World War Two, wrote in ‘The Scots Athlete’ “Joe McGhee’s championship record-breaking 2.25.50 was easily the feat of the SAAA Championships, puts him into world class and adds extra glitter to his British Empire gold medal.” The SAAA awarded Joe the ‘Crabbie Cup’ for the best performance at the Scottish Athletics Championships; and it was a formality for Joe to retain the SMC Robertson Trophy.

1956 Joe McGhee: Joe retained his Scottish Marathon title – a third successive triumph – in 1956. Injuries had prevented some training but this was a successful come-back. He won in 2.33.36 – a meritorious performance in warm sultry conditions. The pace was fast from the start, but Joe had to slow down after 20 miles. However, his rivals suffered even more and the margin of victory was thirteen minutes. Therefore, Joe McGhee was awarded the Donald Robertson Trophy for the fourth year in a row.

1957 Harry Fenion: This was to be Harry Fenion’s most successful season. The diminutive Bellahouston Harrier became not only the Scottish Cross-Country champion but also the Scottish Marathon winner. Even in 2019, this double achievement in a single year remains unique. Before the Marathon, Harry finished first in the Clydebank to Helensburgh 16.  For some time after the start in Falkirk, on a cold and sometimes damp day, Harry was content to lurk in the leading pack. At the first water station after ten miles, he put in a kick and quickly pulled away. When he eventually entered the track, someone told him that he had a chance of beating the 1955 championship record, so he gave one final sprint and did so – by six seconds, in 2.25.44, three minutes clear of Hugo Fox (Shettleston) who finished second. The SMC agreed that this race was ‘undoubtedly the performance of the season’; and Harry Fenion received the Robertson Trophy.

                                         (Next Time: 1985-2019, featuring 17 wins by female athletes.)

 

                                                             IN PRAISE OF THE TEN-MILER

Don’t you think 10 miles is the absolute greatest race distance?

Most races nowadays are 10k or Half Marathon but the 10-miler just fits so perfectly in between – a handy extra-endurance run for the 10k enthusiast, an ideal tune-up race for the Half Marathoner. There don’t seem to be very many of them but somehow we have ended up, barely into April, with 4 different 10 mile races already under our belts this year.

Netherhall 10-mile Road Race in Maryport, West Cumbria was the first (24th Feb), and was in our calendar only because it was in our Club’s Grand Prix. Starting and finishing at a (very easy to find) school, it’s a loop on mostly minor roads through gorgeous countryside which starts with a pell mell downhill 200m, then turns a corner out of town and grinds steadily uphill for a mile and a half. Whew! There are a couple of uncomfortably steep downhill stretches and some lesser climbs, but other than that it’s fairly low key ‘undulating’ and this year the weather was glorious enough to pass for May. The local support was enthusiastic, and the spread provided afterwards was incredible, with sandwiches, pies and quiche as well as the usual sweet treats.

Lasswade 10-mile Road Race a few miles South of Edinburgh was next (3rd March). This one was in the Scottish Veteran Harriers race list. Registration, changing, prizegiving and post-race feasting at the Whitehill Welfare football clubhouse. It was a sunny, bright day, with SERIOUSLY gusty wind, strong enough at times to lean right into and causing havoc with ponytails. This is not a joke, being whipped across the face with a 50mph ponytail hurts! The course description also prompted much in-race whining about the point at which use of the word ‘undulating’ should become illegal. A short climb out of town, an astonishingly long, quad-trashing downhill into a village that felt almost deep enough to be in the crater of a volcano, then a 400m climb so steep that if you were walking you’d be bracing your hands on your thighs…there were a few later hills which would have paled in contrast if you hadn’t already destroyed your legs in the first 3 miles! The best bit was a long but very gentle (and wind-assisted!) down slope between 6 and 7 miles which delightfully brought together a classic uplifting super-hero bound with that wonderful stage of a 10 miler where you start to overtake the 10k runners as they run out of steam. The finish on leafy cycle path was lovely and the sweet and savoury edibles offered were judged excellent.

Tom Scott 10-mile Road Race is a regular for us, run in Strathclyde Park (just off the M74, 20 mins south of Glasgow), on 31st March. This is usually the Scottish Championship 10 miler and so attracts hordes of super-fast runners. It’s mostly flat, and a good one if you’re looking for a time…if only you could battle your way up to near the front at the start ahead of the elite runners (it’s a big race with a gun start and chip mat only at the finish line), except you’d then have to avoid being trampled by them on the narrow cycle paths! The route goes out around the Loch then loops back on itself and round the other way. Between miles 5 and 6 anyone at a pace over 8-minute miles better watch out for ‘elites’ thundering past on their final mile.

The parking and accessibility is great, the changing facilities and showers excellent (though a few more toilets wouldn’t go amiss on race day!), and the wee printout slips showing your time are brilliant. They don’t, alas, do the ‘spread’ but there were Tunnock’s Caramel Logs as well as Mars Bars at the end. The weather at this race always seems to be perfect – cold, clear, bright sunshine.

3 Village 10 Mile Road Race (7th April, another Grand Prix race) starts in Weatherall, a few minutes off the M6 just below Carlisle in pretty rural Cumbria. A very picturesque run which goes twice round a hilly 5-mile loop and passes through 2 other villages (the clue is in the name!) on the way. Lucky with the weather again, it was cool but dry with a bit of breeze. Considering the size of the villages it was amazing how many cheering supporters were on the road outside their houses or clapping at corners. This race has it all. The community centre used is right on the main road, with an excellent sized, airy hall for the registration, prizegiving and after race re-fuelling as well as plenty of space for hanging around. Well laid out, amply marshalled, generously provisioned, and the added benefits of a chip mat at the start and, like the Tom Scott, a wee printout of your time and position straightaway at the finish!

Reasons to love 10 milers – apart from the secret joy of picking off the ‘roadkill’ of 10k runners in the last 3 miles – are mostly related to the fact that they always seem to be local ‘club’ races rather than bigtime money-making extravaganzas, which from a runner’s point of view means

– Cheaper entry.

– Starting from a local hall or community centre (Parking! Proper toilets! Changing rooms! Showers!).

– Easier to get there. Why is it that ‘big’ runs always seem to start in the middle of a city at some ungodly hour on a Sunday too early for public transport!?

– Less waiting about, shivering in your race kit at the start.

– Lots of friendly marshals and local supporters round the route to cheer and encourage.

– Post-race tea and coffee and tables laden with cake/biscuits/scones and other goodies, often supplied by volunteers and nearly always free for race participants.

– Age group prizes! And they generally wait till everyone has finished running before they start the prizegiving.

– ‘Teams’ from clubs often travel to the race together, so arrive together, cheer each other in and wait together to leave. This means that (especially at registration, buffet time and prizegiving) it’s like a big party with groups of runners in their club colours all mingling and laughing catching up with rivals and comrades from other clubs.

– Tricky, hilly, challenging and otherwise interesting routes where your time can’t really be compared to anything except another time on the exact same course.

And the icing on the cake is that it’s harder than a 10k, but less damaging to ageing joints and muscles than a Half-Marathon, meaning quicker recovery so that even for old-timers, 4 races in 2 sets of consecutive weekends inside 7 weeks is more than just survivable, it’s fun!

By Anne Macfarlane

OFFICE BEARERS SEASON 2018-2019

Honorary President: ALASTAIR MACFARLANE

President: CAMPBELL JOSS 25 Speirs Road Bearsden, G61 2LX Tel: 0141 9420731 cdjoss2@gmail.com

Immediate Past President: ALASTAIR MACFARLANE

Vice-President: ADA STEWART 30 Earlsburn Road, Lenzie, G66 5PF Tel: 0141 578 0526 stewart2@ntlworld.com

Honorary Secretary: ARLENE LEWIS 202 Archerhill Road Knightswood Glasgow, G13 3YX Tel: 07850 070337

Honorary Treasurer: ANDY LAW Euphian, Kilduskland Road Ardrishaig, Argyll PA30 8EH Tel. 01546 605336 Lawchgair@aol.com

Membership Secretary: ADA STEWART 30 Earlsburn Road, Lenzie, G66 5PF Tel: 0141 5780526 stewart2@ntlworld.com

Handicapper: PETER RUDZINSKI 106 Braes Avenue Clydebank. G81 1DP Tel.0141 5623416 p.rudzinski@ntlworld.com

Committee Members:

JOHN BELL Flat 3/1, 57 Clouston Street Glasgow G20 8QW Tel. 0141 9466949

WILLIE DRYSDALE 6 Kintyre Wynd Carluke, ML8 5RW Tel: 01555 771 448

DAVID FAIRWEATHER 12 Powburn Crescent Uddingston, G71 7SS Tel: 01698 810575

EDDIE McKENZIE Little Haremoss, Fortrie, Turriff Aberdeenshire, AB53 4HR Tel: 01464 871430

STEWART McCRAE 17 Woodburn Way, Balloch Cumbernauld G68 9BJ Tel: 01236 728783

PAUL THOMPSON Whitecroft, 5 Gareloch Brae, Shandon, Helensburgh G84 8PJ Tel. 01436 821707

ROBERT YOUNG 4 St Mary’s Road, Bishopbriggs Glasgow G64 2EH Tel. 0141 5633714

BMAF Delegates To be appointed Ada Stewart

SAL West District Delegate Willie Drysdale

SAL Delegate at AGM To be appointed

Website Ada Stewart

Auditor George Inglis

FIXTURES

December 2019

Sun 22nd Xmas Handicap Sea Scouts Hall, Miller Street, Clydebank, Race start 11:00am

January 2020

Fri 3rd Scottish National 3000m Championships Emirates Arena, Glasgow

Sun 26th TBC SVHC Open Masters Road Relays Strathclyde Park, 11:00am February 2020

Sat/Sun 1st/2nd Scottish Athletics Indoor Combined Events. Emirates Arena, Glasgow

Sun 2nd Scottish Athletics Indoor Masters Championships. Emirates Arena, Glasgow

Sat 8th Scottish Masters XC Championships McMaster Community Sports Centre, Johnstone

Sun 9th British Masters 10 Mile Road Championships Lytchett Minster Sports Centre, Post Green Rd, Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset BH16 6JD

Sat 22nd Scottish Athletics XC Champs, Callendar Park, Falkirk

Sun 23rd British Masters Indoor Pentathlon Championships Lee Valley Athletic Centre Meridian Way London N9 0AR

March 2020

Sun 1st TBC 10 Mile Road Race (Lasswade AC) Whitehill Welfare FC, Ferguson Park, Carnethie Street, Rosewell Start time, 12:00pm

Sun 1st Inter-Area Indoor Track & Field Challenge Lee Valley Athletic Centre Sat/Sun 7th/8th British Masters Indoor Track & Field and Winter Throws Championships Lee Valley Athletic Centre

Sat 7th British Masters Open Cross Country Championships Rhug Estate, Corwen, Denbighshire, North Wales UK, LL21 0EH

Sun 15th – Sat 21st European Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships Braga, Portugal

April 2020

Sun 5th TBC Tom Scott 10 mile Road Race Water Sports Centre, Strathclyde Park, Motherwell 10:00am

Sun 19th British Masters 10k Road Championships Grangemouth Stadium, Falkirk St, Falkirk FK2 9DX

May 2020

Wed 6th TBC Snowball Race 4.8 miles Coatbridge 7:30pm Changing at Lochview Golf Driving Centre

Sat 16th TBC British Masters Road Relay Championships Sutton Park Sutton Coldfield Birmingham B74 2YT

Sun 24th British Masters Mile Championships Westminster Mile, The Mall, London. Assemble in Green Park London SW1A 1AA

                                                                       The winning M35 team at Aintree

 

                                                                                            The winning W65 team

                                                                                      Photos by Pete Bracegirdle