Westerlands Track Championships

Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena, Glasgow, UK.

3rd February 1999

Billed as the highlight of this prestigious open-graded meeting, the Westies track champs. took place over 800m with Brian, Charlie, Archie and Dave battling it out for the honour of being Westies Speed King. With no Westies women taking part, the position of Queen was naturally assumed by Dave. Archie, trying to defend his month long, 3-race unbeaten record (OK in two races he was the sole club representative), attempted to wimp out at the last moment with a "twinge somewhere". However, after realising the disappointment of his colleagues, he was shamed into competing. It also transpired that Brian and Charlie had been taking the event a little bit too seriously. Both admittted to taking part in a tailored interval session the previous evening. Only Dave showed the true Westies Corinthian ideal by being totally ill-prepared.

Being a graded meeting, the Westies men were drawn in Heat 5, ahead of the Primary 3 boys but before the Primary 4 girls sack race. A couple of token adolescents were added to our heat to add some credibility to the event ( punishment for bad deeds in a previous incarnation?) . The look of disdain on their faces said it all; how could they face their pals afterwards!

The race itself was close and full of tension. Prior to the gun there was a hush of expectancy...or was that a rush of expectorant.... as Archie tried to boost his chances with a quick gulp of dubious Benylin. One of the young non-Westy whippersnappers charged into the lead at the first bend after deftly avoiding Dave's 18mm spikes which had been carefully aimed at his calves. He remained in the lead until well into the second lap. At this point the cacophony of wheezes, gasps and splutters from the rest of us patently became too much and he dropped back quivering with fear. Dave then took command of the race , building up the pace and scenting the smell of victory. Unfortunately he was mistaken; it was only the smell of Archie's Benylin mingling with the rank odour of sweat-sodden Westies vest. The other young Turk in the pack, a Garscube Harrierorian, blasted past with a lap to go and maintained his blistering canter right to the line. Westies did however take places 2,3,4 and 5, thus taking the team prize!

Results

1 John Macrae (Garscube) 2:23:07

2 Dave Calder 2:23:70

3 Brian Bonnyman 2:24:87

4 Charlie Campbell 2:25:96

5 Archie Campbell 2:29:63

6 A N Otherplookyadolescent 2:33:00

(Sorry Charlie)

(Note times are in minutes, seconds and hundredths, not hours, minutes, seconds!)

Details of split times, sponsors, agents, Benylin stockists and fees are available upon request.

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

Category races