Greenock Glenpark Harriers hold Colin Shields Senior Race

After a number of years beginning and ending this race on Dunlop Street, Greenock,  a decision was taken to find a suitable relocation to ensure the ongoing safety of runners while retaining the characteristics that are unique to the race within the club race calendar.

After careful consideration the factories ‘up the Port’ were chosen and provided a challenging and suitable substitute.

Andy McCall (Image: Greenock Glenpark Harriers) The course meanders through the industrial estate before turning onto the ‘Bikie’, with each loop including the gentle incline that is Barrs Brae. The two-lap course began and finished on Knocknair Street with a wee hill sprint to the finish line thrown in for good measure.  

This was the first running of the race since Colin’s death, and took place in perfect conditions, with sponsorship from The Harbour Barbers.

The race sees runners set off at intervals in groups with the time trial element meaning that (the kudos of) being first past the post is not the overall race winner. 

It was initially thought that this was the club’s first ever visit to Port Glasgow for a club race but club legend Dick Hodlett has ‘fact-checked’ this information and found that in 1973-74 the Harris Trophy and the district cross-country championship, the latter hosted by GGH, were both held in the ‘Portopolis’.

The race kicked off at 2pm with some worried about getting lost but race director John Stevenson ensured a crack team of volunteers were ready to guide runners round the course with ease.

Andy McIntyre (Image: Greenock Glenpark Harriers) Saturday's unsung hero award goes to William Taylor, who fresh from volunteering at the Greenock parkrun, grabbed his brush and set about clearing many of the gathered leaves on the cycle track that potentially could have been a hazard. A fantastic gesture which was greatly appreciated by his fellow Harriers – and added to the family feeling of the event, with William’s family joining in as marshals.

A group of 11 runners set off to resounding cheers from fellow athletes, and after a 10-minute gap the rest of the field were then set off at 30-second intervals, with 25  further groups toeing the start line. 

In total 78 runners started the race , three more than last year’s record turnout.

In a surprising twist, the intitial group included the first and last runner home; leading the way was Andy McIntyre, who scooted home in 41.53, and our final runner home was the infamous Eddie Devine, who was greeted by a rapturous reception by all in attendance and continues to inspire those around him with his exploits as he crossed the line, escorted by the evergreen Charlotte McKay, fresh from her club race and parkrun double.

As the club continues to grow, it was fantastic to see some of GGH’s newer members dip their toe in racing in the club colours; Suzanne Dunn, Lauren Boyce, Johnny McIntosh, Ryan McMonagle, and Andrew McKenzie will hopefully have many more club races ahead of them in the future. 

David Williamson (Image: Greenock Glenpark Harriers) The men’s race was won by last year’s joint club champ Dylan Crawford, with Andy McCall coming home in second and young Lewis McCrae carrying on his fine run of form with a fantastic third place.

Another runner continuing a fine run of form, John Logan, came home in fourth, followed by Steven Campbell, Daniel Doherty and Chris Mooney, who all finished in under 28 minutes. 

There were some other excellent runs amongst the men, with Stuart Anderson coming home in 31:58 and David Thomson in 32:07, another fine effort on the back of his excellent marathon training block.

Richard Newsome squeezed in the race before dashing off to work and came home in 35.45, closely followed by Stephen Reid, while David Carruthers made a return to racing and came home in 50.13, as did Simon Hutton who had no takers to join into his yoga on the start line.

Special mention to both Ryan McMonagle and Johnny Macintosh who both put in excellent showings on their first club races.

Dylan Crawford (Image: Greenock Glenpark Harriers) In the women’s race Jill Cox was first Harrier home followed by young Evie Harrison, who continues to improve, and Lorna Mitchell, who was hoping to find her mojo somewhere, as she powered home in third.

Five other ladies came home in under 36 minutes in what proved to be a hotly contested race, with Ashley Anderson, Jill Aikman, Jennifer Rooney, Lynne Harrison and solo u17 girl Summer Taggart all finishing closely together.

Other notable runs amongst the women were Sharon Black, who came home in 40:35, Yvonne Prager in 42.13 and Lorna McMillan in 43.54, while Gill Orr had a fine race, finishing in 48.41, as did Lynne Fulton, who crossed the line in 52.05. 

The time trial nature of the event ensured some interesting finishes, with Lorna Mitchell holding off Robin McAuslan and Andy McCall on the final hill; Lewis McCrae just squeezed past Paul Meahan in the final strides, while Daniel Doherty, chasing a memorable finish,  hunted a number of vests up the hill, and though he fell just short of reeling in Kev Craig, he did dive in front of Gill Orr and Jim Cuffe at the very last.

Helen Crawford just held off Jennifer Rooney, while David Williamson, revelling in the congratulations of other members following the birth of Blair earlier in the week, had quite the spring to the line, passing Frank McMahon in a photo finish. 

Evie Harrison (Image: Greenock Glenpark Harriers) The new route met with resounding positive feedback, and it looks like the move is here to stay, although it could be that Barrs Brae may be featuring in a few nightmares this week.

William Taylor, starting off with Stephen Harrison and Colin McKinight, set out a brisk pace to try and break the group, which led to a tactical battle between the three, but Colin soon settled into his own race with Stephen managing to make the decisive move on the last effort up Barrs Brae to win this little in race battle.

Lana Kileen, despite running on home turf, was filled with trepidation about getting lost, but at one point on the cycle track found herself racing some young Portonians carrying a suitcase. Sadly they did not finish the race; maybe get them along to our junior section and they can try again next year.

A club spokesperson said: “Huge thanks to David McGowan Fitness for allowing us use of his gym before and after the race and for providing refreshments and cakes. They are raising money for two local charities with a Fight Night and we were delighted to work in partnership with them and provide some support for their charity event. We wish them the best of luck with their efforts.”

The next club race is the highlight of the year for many Harriers; the Wilson is scheduled to take place on December 7 and, weather permitting, is always a great day out. Look out your trail shoes and get the date in your diary - and keep an eye out for registration opening in the near future.

Winners Dylan Crawford and Jill Cox (Image: Greenock Glenpark Harriers) As always new members are always welcome to come along and experience the Harriers. The weekly training sessions are tailored to all abilities and provide a welcoming and safe space to improve your performance and meet like minded folk.

Get in touch via the club’s socials or by email to greenockglenparkharriers@gmail.com to find out more about joining the best wee club in the West.

Full results as follows.

Ladies: Jill Cox 29.32, Evie Harrison 32.15, Lorna Mitchell 32.24, Ashley Anderson 34.21, Jill Aikman 34.48, Jennifer Rooney 35.01, Lynne Harrison 35.07, Summer Taggart 35.55, Liz Heywood 36.34, Debbie McKenzie and Nathalie Smith 37.01, Jill Turner 39.27, Lauren Boyce 39.57, Suzanne Dunn 40.18, Helen Crawford 40.30, Sharon Black 40.35, Yvonne Prager 42.13, Fiona Cushnaghan 42.39, Lorna McMillan 43.54, Linda Rooney 44.48, Charlotte McKay 45.11, Lana Killeen 47.15, Gill Orr 48.41, Doris Heron 48.52, Mary Robinson 49.51, Alison Smart 51.18, Lynne Fulton 52.05.

Climbing the hill to the finish. (Image: Greenock Glenpark Harriers) Gents: Dylan Crawford 24.46, Andy McCall  25.28, Lewis McCrae  26.20, John Logan 27.04, Steven Campbell 27.22, Daniel Doherty 27.41, Chris Mooney 27.46, Owen Atkinson 28.05, Andrew Blair 28.09, Kev Craig  28.09, Stephen Hanley  28.28, John Hampsey 28.54, Gavin Morrison  28.55, Shaun Wiseman  29.12, Dylan Weir 29.34, Stephen Harrison  29.36, William Taylor  29.57, Colin McKnight 30.20, Chris Watson 30.32, Matthew Degan 30.45, Robert Dolan 31.43, Aaron Fullerton 31.56, Stuart Anderson 31.58, David Thomson 32.07, Greig Turner 32.09, Andrew McKenzie 32.10, Graham McGrattan 32.12, Stephen Campbell 32.54, Greg Luke 33.06, Callum Gorry 33.23, Robin McAuslan 33.57, Jim Cuffe 34.12, Mickey Dunn 34.36, Brian McCluskey 34.40, Mark Chesterman 34.45, Paul Meahan 34.50, Richard Newsome 35.45, Stephen Reid 36.18, David Williamson 36.23, Stuart Crawford 38.29, James Doherty 38.38, Steven Fulton 39.11, Ryan McMonagle 39.52, Frank McMahon 40.24, David McDiarmid 41.32, Andy McIntyre 41.53, Kenneth Scott 42.53, Johnny Macintosh 44.11, David Carruthers 50.13, Simon Hutton 55.02, Edward Devine 64.12.