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Harris Half Marathon, 8/7/06
The "Harris Half" coincided with the start of my Outer Hebridean holidays, and I decided to see if I could still manage the distance. In addition, the Harris race is a tough one: five miles or so of fairly flat road winding past superb unspoilt beaches, then a cruel 3.5 mile steady climb of some 400 ft before the undulating descent to Tarbert.
The race is a popular part of the "Hebridean 5" series and coincides with the Hebridean Challenge multi-terrain race. It's well attended by Boggies, and Edinburgh's Portobello Harriers also sent a team. I was goaded into entering by Boggies' Debbie MacDonald, who said I couldn't drop out as Dick Wall would be running (and would finish!). Luckily it was a mild day, with a cooling tail wind, and I started slowly, chatting with Dick and Westies' founder member Dougie Strachan, who with Al Wilson now runs for Skye & Lochalsh. The strategy paid off, and I was able to catch a number of runners in the last 5 miles' descent. A good run for my first half marathon of this millennium! and possibly faster than when I last ran it in '97 or so.
Results: 1. Don Naylor (HBT) 1hr 13m 10s
20. Al Wilson (Skye & Lochalsh) 1:33:22
48. GrimOrr (Westies) 1:48:16
57. Dick Wall (HBT) 1:51:56
65. Dougie Strachan (Skye & Lochalsh) 1:59:24
101 finished
Posted by Graeme Orr on Wed 19 Jul 2006 | 3 comments
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Comments
Dave said...
Must have been a hard race and a long recovery...11 days to submit a race report!
So, the long, lost Dougie Strachan has been rediscovered. He used to make occasional forays down to Glasgow in the '80's , but hasn't been spotted for quite a time. Did you not ask him for his subs for the last 20 years? More importantly, Dougie probably has an original "Black's of Greenock" Westies vest; one size fits all, faded yellow, and the all-important black piping round the neck and sleeves. You've been looking for one of these for a while now, Grim. You should have bought it from him!
Wednesday 19th July 2006 4.27pm
GrimOrr said...
Aye Dave, but have you ever tried to get the passwords for race reports? also, as I stated, the H-H race was at the START of my holiday - so 11 days' delay ain't bad!Dougie Strachan and I indeed discussed the qualities of the original Westy vesty: however, you'll have a chance at the Arran relays to admire my new cotton Westy-style vest, courtesy of DM Hoey's in Victoria Road, southside. The matching Reebok zippers will also make a sortie, fresh from their Hebridean outing.
Thursday 20th July 2006 12.58pm
Doug Strachan said...
Will search the tee-shirt drawer to see if the vest is still there. Swanson sports shop Victoria Road (and another shop in Giffnock) is where the originals came from. Good deal also for the starting 12 vests. Shop in Viccy Rd no longer there. Bill Sherrybum used to slag the quality as his faded away to nothing but I reckoned he wore it out by racing and training in it!Still do the Glasgow 0.5M each year. Subs? oh no!
Thursday 20th July 2006 5.45pm