THREE athletes from Greenock Glenpark Harriers brought home prizes from the British Masters Championship half-marathon, with a haul of one gold and two silver medals.

There were British Masters titles up for grabs in all age categories at the Dumfries Half Marathon, starting with V35 upwards.

With weather conditions near perfect, the course was a real challenge and would provide a stern test for all the athletes, with very few flat sections to allow for quick times.

The Dumfries Half Marathon doubled up as the British Masters Championship event at the 13-mile distance.The Dumfries Half Marathon doubled up as the British Masters Championship event at the 13-mile distance. (Image: Mad Mac Photography)

The race was won by local athlete Tom Cammack in an incredible time of 1:13:56.
Greenock Glenpark Harriers were represented by Andy McCall, Neil Lafferty and Paul Monaghan, all of whom have been coming into great form at the right time, and the race would prove to be a highly successful one for the local club.

First home for the Harriers was Andy McCall, who finished in an incredible third place overall in the race behind runner-up Marcus Scotney.

Andy McCall was the first Harrier across the line.Andy McCall was the first Harrier across the line. (Image: Mad Mac Photography)

This had been a key race for Andy as he set his sights on breaking a 17-year-old personal best time at this event; he came agonisingly close to doing so, finishing just six seconds outside his target time, but his overall third place won him the British title in the Masters V35 category in a time of 1:15:54.

Neil Lafferty and Paul Monaghan battled it out together from the starting gun, and both athletes were trading places with each other throughout the race.

Neil Lafferty won silver in the V45 class. Neil Lafferty won silver in the V45 class. (Image: Mad Mac Photography)

It was club champion Neil who made the decisive move with around one mile to go as he looked to secure his place on the podium; Neil's marathon preparations are clearly paying off as he ran a new personal best time of 1:17:41, securing the silver medal in the British Masters V45 class.

Only six seconds separated Neil from the Harriers’ most experienced and decorated Masters athlete Paul, who has been finding his form once again, and was delighted to see his hard training coming together to secure a silver medal in the British Masters V50 category with a time of 1:17:47.

Paul Monaghan brought home a silver medal in the V50 category. Paul Monaghan brought home a silver medal in the V50 category. (Image: Mad Mac Photography)

The efforts of the Greenock men meant that Glenpark Harriers were awarded the first team prize, rounding off a hugely successful day out for the local club on the national stage.