Scorching run for Glenpark's Thomas

0 - 0 • Published 4 Jun 2009 14:00

GREENOCK Glenpark Harriers Thomas Loehndorf produced the club"s run of the day in Sunday"s Edinburgh Marathon.

He scorched round the course in two hours and 50 minutes, leaving him well placed in 55th overall and 13th veteran.

This was more than satisfying for Thomas, who used the race as a training run in his final preparations for the 95 mile West Highland Way race in just under three weeks time.

On what was the hottest day of the year in the Capital, it put paid to any hope of fast times for most of the runners. Even the early 9am start did not help as the temperature had risen rapidly from dawn.

And to compound the problems for the 12,000 participants, the water stations on the course ran out of supplies midway during the race.

Also rising to the challenge was Alan Henderson who was second home for the club. His tactic of making a very cautious start paid off as he came through strongly as others around him wilted in the heat. He finished just outside his best time in 269th position.

Fiona Cushnaghan, although not her quickest time over the distance, was delighted with her run leading the Glenpark ladies home (124th in her category) and also beating five of her male team-mates into the bargain.

Silke Loehndorf was one of the few to run a new best - and what an improvement it was, by over 20 minutes, just failing to break four hours.

Although a few were disappointed with their results, all can take great credit for coming through what was a real test of their spirit and endurance.

Travelling with Glenpark were a few local runners from the town, with the best display coming from Andy Norris running a PB by one minute.

Glenpark Ladies had two teams of four entered in the marathon relays, completing the 26 miles in very respectable times of 3.46 and four hours in 70th and 160th positions.

Special thanks to Wilsons coaches for providing transport and to driver Robert.

Results: T Loehndorf 2.50, A Henderson 3.11, A O"Rourke 3.20, R Dolan 3.24, A Norris 3.44, S Campbell 3.46, F Cushnaghan 3.54, J Hendry 3.55, K Pryde 3.58, S Loehndorf 4.02, D Henderson 4.05, M Dunn 4.30, K Murphy 4.35, Y Prager 4.44, B Murphy 4.45, M Gaffney 4.46, I Rankin 4.55, S Houston 5.12, A Kirsty 5.30.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 05 Jun 09

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