Balloch to Clydebank

12/3/2000

The Balloch to Clydebank Half Marathon may have been the last race in the Westies Winter League, however it proved to be one of the most exciting. Only four hardy souls turned up with Messrs Bonnyman, Campbell (C), Ritchie and Calder out to prove their real manlihood. The seriousness of the event was evident from the start; witness the Campbell entourage ( Mum and a few heavies) providing support along the route.

So to the start. Conditions were pretty good with a nice temperature, moderate head wind and slight drizzle which faded awaya few minutes after the gun. Messrs Ritchie, Bonnyman and Calder wisely decided on a sensible start and plodded off, sticking together and completing the first mile in a shade under 7 minutes. However Charlie decided to go for a 6 minute first mile, maintaining a similar pace over the first third of the race. Meanwhile Dave and Brian stayed neck and neck some way behind, allowing Charlie to build up a quarter mile lead before hauling him in at 10 miles. Thereafter incidents abounded; Charlie seemed to lose heart and died over the last 3 miles; Dave and Brian were greeted by some spotty boys who remarked 'Look, that guy's got tits!' (provoking an argument afterwards as to whom the boy was referring; conclusion Brian if he meant cup size or Dave if he meant nipple protrusion); finally Brian tried to end Dave's challenge by tripping him up. The race climaxed with both Brian and Dave moving into the lead briefly on several occasions during the last mile before Dave was burned off in the last 50 metres. Charlie meanwhile managed to hang on for the last few miles to record a pb, whilst Tony wasn't too far behind, blaming his mid-race Helly removal for at least a two minute deficit.

All of this means that Brian finally has overtaken Dave to take the runner up slot in the League, behind Damon. Dave finished ahead of Gibson who is first vet. Charlie's performance added to his points tally but not his position, but Tony moved up a few places from his position near the bottom. No Westies Women means no change in that league, so Pat takes first place, followed by Elsie and Chris Menhennet.

Race Results

01 Davie Donnett Springburn 68:03

36 Brian Bonnyman 81:52

38 Dave Calder 81:55

49 Charlie Campbell 84:47

83 Tony Ritchie 91:17

240 finished

Posted by Dave Calder on Wed 30 Nov -0001 | comments are closed

Category winter league