Senior roundup 22.2.22

There have been loads of great results for our Junior and U20 athletes reported in the last couple of weeks – safe to say the future is looking very bright for the club!  However, the youngsters haven’t had all the fun – a number of our senior athletes have been back in the blue and white and representing the club at a variety of events around the country.

First up for the Masters athletes was a welcome return to indoor competition for the 4J Studios SA Masters Championships on Sunday the 13^th of February.  This was run alongside the relay championships and parallel success events so the team were able to cheer on our fantastic relay teams and also Katy Orr in the 60m before getting down to business.  It was a hugely successful day for the club with Robert Lindsay taking silver in the V45 400m, Douglas Dickson doubling up for silver medals in the V55 60m and also in the 200m, Colin Young bringing home silver in the V50 60m, Jennifer Beattie a fantastic double gold V35 in the 800m and 1500m and David Sherrington running his first ever track event for a very credible 4^th V40 in a hotly contested men’s 1500m.

It was a quick turnaround for both David and Jennifer who joined Jamie Nix at the 4J Studios SA Senior 400/800/1500/3000 championships on Friday the 18^th – this was rescheduled after the main Senior Indoors Championships were affected by Covid for non-laned races.  David had another consistent run in the 1500m for 4:31.93 and Jamie smashed his 1500 PB, finishing very strongly in 6^th place with a time of 4:23.40.  Jennifer ran a PB in the 800m (2:30.73) behind a strong field.  No medals on this occasion, but happy athletes ready to build on this for the outdoor season ahead!

While the middle distance runners have been enjoying(!) the warm and dry of the indoors, the road runners have been facing the full force of the elements – probably never more so than at the Hillbilly 10k held on Sunday the 20^th at Dalmellington.  You could have been forgiven for thinking it was a triathlon given the water on the course, but 7 hardy Harriers set out and conquered the wet, muddy and hilly route.   First back was U17 athlete Jonathon Downey who was 2^nd overall and 1^st in his age group running a fantastic 40:51.   He was followed home by Steven Robson in 11th (45:56), Josh Raeburn in 16^th (47:25), Paul Black in 29^th (51:09), Les McDerment in 127^th (1:02:46), Douglas Steele in 132^nd (1:03:00) and Kirsty Mackay in 138^th and 25^th lady (1:03:38).  Great running in some horrible conditions, well done all.

Leaving the country but not escaping the weather were Scott Martin and James Wales who headed across the border for the 3 Villages 5 miler near Carlisle after a long break from racing.  Scott was 6^th overall and 1^st V50 in 30:30, and James was 27^th overall in 34:58.  Well done guys!

Next on the agenda is National XC this Saturday at Falkirk and the following week we have 7 teams entered in the Allan Scally relays.  Still potentially looking for a couple more for this – keep an eye on Facebook next week if you might be interested.