David gets his first club victory
Published 3 Nov 2010 14:00
0 Comments
DAVID Henderson finally claimed his first club victory with a tremendous run at the Greenock Glenpark Harriers Colin Shields four-mile time trial.
After taking the runner-up spot in four of last season’s races, he finally made the breakthrough his hard work deserved by running half a minute clear of Shaun Lyon for the trophy.
Bute man Lyon can be please with a noticeable leap forward after beating Alan Henderson and Andy McCall for the runners-up spot.
There was a tremendous turnout for the first of the Greenock club’s junior and senior championship races, with 62 enthusiastic runners, young and old, competing.
The seniors were set off in pairs at 30-second intervals on the route, which took them from Dunlop Street out to Branchton then past the IRH before returning via Larkfield.
With all the runners strung out, it was ideal for the fast men at the back, especially guest athlete Graeme Hyett, who made short work of the course.
Starting as back marker, he picked off all 37 runners in front, helping him to an impressive 20.41 minutes, and the quickest time of the day.
Alison King was winner of the new women’s trophy in a perfect start to a season in which she is determined to regain her club title.
It was tough competition in the womens’ race, with a record turnout of 11 taking part. Guest runner Daniella Hughes was fastest round the course, but behind the pair, just 23 seconds separated Terry Wall, Lorna Coyle, Anne Hay, Suzanne Coyle and Lynne Rogers.
Alan O’Rourke, in his first year as a veteran, leads the over-40s championship after beating Peter Clare by a minute.
Likewise, Graham McGrattan was another veteran to impress, leading the over-50s after a long time away from the sport, seemingly improving by the week. Tommy Knight, holder of the over-60s title, started where he left off, taking maximum points.
Others to show up well were new men Frank McKnight and David Carruthers with a couple of promising performances,
Senior results - 4 miles: G Hyett 20.41, D Henderson 21.57, S Lyon 22.32, A Henderson 22.42, A McCall 23.15, K Gill 23.47, A O’Rourke 24.05, F McKnight 24.43, P Clare 25.01, G McGrattan 25.07, S Watson 25.18, D McCorkindale 25.27, M Harrington 26.02, K Pryde 26.39, R Docherty 26.40, K McCartney 26.41, R Mitchell 26.42, D Hughes 26.44, A King 26.55, R Dolan 28.00, S McDade 28.07, K Scott 28.16, B McCluskey 28.51, T Wall 29.10, L Coyle 29.14, D Carruthers 29.18, A Hay 29.30, S Coyle 29.30, L Rogers 29.33, A McCall sen 29.54, L Mitchell 30.06, K Gill sen 30.53, F Cushnaghan 31.15, S Clark 31.49, Y Prager 33.42, I Rankin 34.00, T Knight 34.44, I Smith 37.49.
Gerard Smith was top boy in the 3.2km race, holding off a very strong challenge from Sean McCallion. It was only on the final of the three tough loops around Dunlop Street and Murdieston Park that he broke clear to take victory in the first race of this season’s club championship.
Andy Fisher almost paid the price for a poor middle lap, but recovered well on the third to hold off Adam McCormick. It was another exciting contest between Ross Forbes and Evan Warwick.
The pair were locked together for most of the race, with only Ross’s extra strength giving him the edge in the final run up Murdieston Street.
Eillidh Hamill is looking stronger in each race and gave another improved display with an even-paced run.
In the two-lap race, the on-form Lauren Mulaghton came up trumps with a convincing win. Meighan McDade started very quickly, but by the half-way point Lauren pulled level then passed Meighan. In third was Luisa Davies, who ran a very strong first lap before tiring in the later stages.
In the 1.1km race, competition was fierce, with a few photo finishes as the youngsters lunged towards the line.
First home was sprinter Lucy Compston, who had to use all her speed at the end to hang on from the fast-finishing Nichola Doohan, who came storming through from fourth place at the bottom of the final 300m hill.
Both were given the same time, with Danielle Hunter taking third place. Clara Pollock and Meighan Rogers couldn’t be separated as the pair sprinted over the line for joint fifth just behind Rachael Mulaghton.
Junior Race - 3.2km: G Smith 11.11, S McCallion 11.37, A Fisher 11.43, A McCormick 11.48, R Forbes 12.08, E Warwick 12.21, K Munro 12.27, J Harrington 12.34, E Hamill 15.21.
2.1km: L Mulaghton 8.44, M McDade 9.11, L Davies 9.37.
1.1km: L Compston 4.15, N Doohan 4.15, D Hunter 4.22, R Mulaghton 4.25, C Pollock 4.29, M Rogers 4.29, R McDiarmid 4.45, C Mulaghton 4.45, A McCluskey 4.45, L McFarlane 5.10, S McLoone 5.20, A Tolan 5.35
l Greenock Glenpark Harriers are sponsored by Wilsons Coaches.
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 03 Nov 10
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
