Published: Wednesday, 10th June, 2009 12:00pm

Nyett hurries home

Print | Email

GRAEME Hyett made a winning return to competitive action to take Inverclyde AC"s Frank Sinclair Memorial 10K Road Race on Saturday in windy and showery conditions.

Hyett who is a very talented athlete, just like his father Ray, did not have it all his own way in his comeback race. Hyett had to battle it out throughout with Stephen McLoone of Greenock Glenpark Harriers and long time leader Jeff Farquar of Pitreavie.

In a close run race at the sharp end of the field between these three athletes, Hyett broke away from McLoone coming out of the Loch Thom Road. He went on from this to catch and pass Farquar in the last couple of miles to take the win and the Frank Sinclair Silver Salver.

Farquar, who has just turned 50, was pleased with his second place. Stephen McLoone, who gave Hyett a tough race, also must be pleased with his run and time in third place. Inverclyde"s Thomas Jamieson also ran well to take fourth just ahead of team-mate and first veteran prize winner David McElhinney, also making a welcome return to action.

In the ladies" event Marina McCallum of Clydesdale Harriers was the victor ahead of last weekend"s Edinburgh Marathon lady Fiona Cushnaghan from Glenpark Harriers. Cushnaghan"s team-mate, Dorothy McCormick, finished in third place.

It was also a double celebration day for their Glenpark team-mate Tommy Knight who took the first over-60 male award ahead of a very determined George Newman of Inverclyde.

Knight also had to dash off after the event to help his granddaughter celebrate her 18th birthday.

Other good runs came from James McFadden of Inverclyde AC, running a season"s best time. Four hundred metre specialist Peter Clare of Glenpark Harriers also ran very well over this longer distance, and Kilbarchan AAC duo Steven Hards and Robert Allison should be pleased with their runs. Hards is taking part in the Skye Half-Marathon next weekend. George Hegarty of Inverclyde should also be pleased with his run.

It was also good to see other well kent faces, such as John Smillie, Michael Mooney and Tommy Taylor making comebacks.

Thanks go to the two Hughs and Ian for the timekeeping, and to the starter Cameron. Thanks also to the many stewards from Glenpark Harriers and Inverclyde AC, and to Terry and Sean at the water station.

Another big help came from Helen and Hazel at the tea bar and thanks go to everyone who helped with donations to the catering and raffle; to Gerry for the presentation and Hugh Docherty for his brief history of Frank Sinclair who, according to Hugh, was a very unassuming athlete at Wellpark Harriers.

He was also a chief draughtsman at Scotts and a former Scottish one-mile champion, who ran against some of the top British and European athletes of the day.

Billy Docherty of Inverclyde and Jim Sheridan of Glenpark Harriers also mentioned that they also had the honour of working with Frank.

Finally thanks go to Julie Simpson for helping with the event.

The race this year was kindly sponsored by the Taj Mahal Restaurant in Gourock.

Results: 1, G Hyett (Inver) 34.23; 2, J Farquar (Pit) 34.35, 3, S McLoone (Glen) 35.08; 4, T Jamieson (Inver) 35.42; 5, D McElhinney (Inver) 35.55; 6, A Torrance (Unatt) 36.57; 7, G Reid (Camb) 37.24; 8, J McFadden (Inver) 37.57; 9, G Forbes (Unatt) 38.29; 10, S Hards (Kilb) 38.36; 11, P Clare (Glen) 39.45;, 12, J Boulton (Inver) 40.14; 13, R Allison (Kilb) 40.35; 14, A McCormick (Unatt) 41.28; 15, R Shaw (Inver) 41.51; 16, A Clugston (Kilb) 41.58; 17, D Mallet (Inver) 42.15; 18, M McCallum (lady Clydes) 42.19; 19, A McCall (Glen) 42.21; 20, M Harrington (Glen) 43.05; 21, G Hegarty (Inver) 43.38; 22, J Smillie (Inver) 47.23; 23, D McNab (Unatt) 47.30; 24, R McAusun (Unatt) 47.33; 25, F Cushnaghan (lady) (Glen) 47.42; 26, M Mooney (Unatt) 47.45; 27, T Taylor (Unatt) 48.15; 28, D McCormick (lady Glen) 49.42; 29, L McCadsun (lady) 52.18; 30, T Knight (Glen) 54.48; 31 G Newman (Inver) 63.41.

For more stories and your full round up of what's happening in Greenock you can purchase the e-edition of the Greenock Telegraph click here.