Allan Scally Road Relays, 2004

Westies Fail to Take Prize in Scally Shocker as B*********** Take Revenge

Despite high expectations following on from their triumphant Round Arran Relay bronze medal, Westies failed to maintain this form, fizzling out in 30th place. To make matters worse, the club was beaten by new arch-rivals B*********** (real name omitted to protect the innocent, humourless and almost-celebrities)

In what was recently voted the most scenic road relay in Cranhill (4.7 to 4.9 mile category), Don took off for the men’s A team, avoiding the mad rush at the start to finish in a respectable position. Chris took over and ran fastest Westies stage of the day before handing over on the 3rd stage to Dave. Battling hard to keep ahead of the first women’s team, Dave demonstrated that Liz’s 25-mile con-trick at Loch Ossian the week before had not blunted his speed, finishing only 2 seconds slower than Don.During all 3 stages a tremendous battle ensued between the gold vests of Westies and the purple perils of B***********, with the latter just edging ahead at the start of the final stage. However, the latter team had rather cunningly shifted their fastest runner to the last leg, who proceeded to build a commanding lead over Hamilton, still recovering well after his Goatfell drama during the summer. Clearly, B*********** had planned this humiliating gubbing of Westies meticulously to ensure maximum effect in front of the creme of Scottish athletics!

Despite the disappointment of failing to place in the top 3 by a mere 18 minutes, the A team did only just miss out on a vet’s prize.

The women’s team were given a great start by Jane, who came home in 5th place. Liz also had a brilliant run, considering that she developed a stitch in the first mile and was groped along the Edinburgh Road, whilst Elsie worked hard on the 3rd stage to bring the team through to 8th place overall.

The Women finished ahead of the men’s B team. Grimorr, on his first outing of the year on leg 1, did his usual by complaining of a cold (when was the last time he didn’t moan about having a cold). Ian took over on the second stage, also on his first winter outing, before handing over to John D. John had already run a stage for S**********, but not content with that, ran another stage for Westies . It’s not absolutely clear whether John’s motivation to run a second stage was the prospect of league points or the possibility of a grope . He was certainly disappointed not to be groped, blaming the lack of the trademark tartan shorts. Certainly all of the men were disappointed in this respect ( at the lack of groping, not the tartan shorts); none more so than Drew on the last leg, who deliberately slowed down at every bus stop along the route, on the off-chance that it would be his lucky day.

Overall, it was a good Westies turnout (11 runners), ensuring at least 2 bonus points for everyone along with the 2 race points going.

Results

Winners HBT

Westies A

Don 28:51

Chris 27:42

Dave 28:53

Hamilton 30:32

30th

Westies B

Graeme 33:52

Ian 36:26

John 32:31

Drew 36:56

46th

Westies Women

Jane 32:00

Liz 34:46

Elspeth 33:48

8th