Wilson returns some fast times

0 - 0 • Published 27 May 2009 12:00

Robert Wilson returned to fine form after his recent marathon exploits to record his fastest half marathon and 10km times of the season - all in the space of two days.

On Saturday he travelled down to the borders to compete in the Kirkcudbright Half and his long journey was rewarded with a fantastic time of one hour 21 minutes and 13th position overall. That earned him first veteran prize.

The result surely would be a great confidence booster ahead of his attempt in the World Veterans Marathon Championships later this summer.

Robert was joined by eight Glenparkers 48 hours earlier, running at the 2009 Helensburgh 10km.

All runners reaped the benefits of perfect conditions to record fast times.

Again it was Scottish vet marathon champ Wilson who recorded the fastest club time of the evening.

In a role reversal of the Troon 10km two weeks ago, he tracked Alan O"Rourke to 7km before cruising by with relative ease.

Picking it up over the final mile, he did just enough to sneak under 37mins and finish 38th in a field of 800 runners.

Making a welcome return, and just behind Robert, was former Glenpark middle distance great Pat Duffy, with O"Rourke seconds behind again. O"Rourke would be bouyed by his best 10km time in five years and boost his hopes of a good Edinburgh Marathon this week.

In only his second run back after injury, Robert Wilson jnr broke the 40-minute barrier, a two-minute improvement since Troon.

Wilson then went on to join his dad at Kircudbright, running in the 11.2km and finishing third overall in 44 minutes.

Ladies" captain Terry Wall, and Fiona Cushnaghan, were also using Helensburgh as a final warm-up before Edinburgh and were over the moon to record surprise personal bests.

Wall"s racing had been up and down since the London Marathon but she finally put all the high mileage to good effect as she broke an eight-year PB in 44.44.

Likewise Cushnaghan has been attempting to break the 47-minute barrier for some time, only to narrowly fail on each occasion.

At Glasgow she had the heartbreak of running 47 minutes dead but, with 1km to go at Helensburgh, one final effort and surge saw her cross the line, but this time with just a second to spare in 46.59.

Both ladies have improved greatly this season and should make further improvements with a bit more speed training once they get the Edinburgh Marathon out their system.

Maria Reay made a welcome return after a lengthy injury while Robert Mitchell played the good Samaritan to pace his sister to a good time.

Helensburgh results were as follows: R. Wilson 36.54, P. Duffy 37.26, A. O"Rourke 37.34, R. Wilson Jr 39.46, T. Wall 44.44, F. Cushnaghan 46.59, R. Mitchell 48.24, M. Reay 52.04.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 27 May 09

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