JOHN LOGAN was the first Greenock Glenpark Harriers runner to cross the line in the Renfrewshire AAA Road Race Championships at the Battery Park in Greenock.
Logan continued his fine run of form by finishing 16th overall and 12th in the senior category in a time of 27 minutes and 25 seconds, racing well alongside clubmate Stuart Greenway.
It was great to see the returning Stuart in the vest again as he nabbed 13th senior spot and 17th overall.
Another sub 30 battle over the distance was between GGH vice-captain Daniel Doherty (28:24) and Chris Mooney (28:29); both men have really been putting their winter training to good use and this was another fantastic effort, with Daniel finishing fifth in the V40 category and Chris close behind in sixth in the same class.
Glenpark captain Stephen Harrison had placed a target on Owen Atkinson’s back early on, and despite falling behind in the first half of the race, gradually pulled the early distance between the two back over the duration of the run; Owen has been struggling with illness and fitness over the last month or so, and couldn’t hold the lead between the two in the last kilometre, with Stephen moving ahead to finish in 32:01 (5th V50) and Owen over the line in 32:06 (16th V40).
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Glenpark’s first medal of the day went to the first female Harrier home – a superb run from Lorna Mitchell (34:41) saw her take bronze in the ladies FV40 category.
Next over was Steven Smith (35:29/8th V50), and he was followed in by another age category medallist – Robin McAuslan’s time of (35:54) taking third place in the V60 mens category.
It shows the kind of form Robin has developed lately as he was slightly disappointed not to go one better than his bronze in 2024.
Next on to the final lap was a closely-matched group of Harriers ladies: Heather Lafferty, ladies captain Lynne Harrison, and Nathalie Smith had traded places throughout the race and now had only seconds between them as the closed out the distance, amid a group of other club runners.
Greenock Glenpark Harriers were well represented in the Battery Park races. (Image: Greenock Glenpark Harriers) This is what racing is all about, and it was Heather (39:43/7th FV40) who came out just on top, holding off Lynne (39:46/10th FV50) by three seconds to lead this group of Harriers over the line, with Nathalie also fighting hard to go under the 40 minute mark with a great run of (39:52 11th FV50).
Despite close attention from other runners all fighting it out, the group of ladies finished within seconds of each other in 86th, 87th and 88th positions.
Sarah Jane Whalen had moved up an age category this year and had another fine run to finish in (43:08), and the Harriers’ final representation came from a runner who is fast becoming a certainty for a medal in every race she enters – Charlotte McKay taking silver in the FV70 category with a brilliant time of 48:36, comfortably under the 50 minute barrier.
The RAAA event also features a variety of race distances for junior runners, and the Harriers youngsters didn’t let the club down with a series of medals.
Elijah Taylor and Lauren McLaughlin took bronze in the under-11 race, with Lauren teaming up with Isabel Lafferty and Lily Dunn to take the girls’ under 11 team silver and Stella McCabe, Iona Quigley and Orla Trainer combining to win team bronze in the under 13 girls’ category.
