Dunbartonshire Cross Country Relays, 2006

“It’s My Party & I’ll Cry Off If I Want To”

Despite pleas from none other than Aunty Pat, Birthday Girl Chris Menhennet failed to celebrate the significant occasion with a run at the Dunbartonshire Relays at Garscube. Ms Nifty Fifty cited trivial excuses such as decorating her party venue and preparing the (admittedly brilliant) buffet for her non-appearance. Despite this ( or perhaps in preparation for the party), there was a fantastic turnout of 19, enough to have 4 complete men’s teams and a woman’s team also.This must be the best Westies turnout at a cross country event for some time.

The teams acquitted themselves well. Our women were led off on the first stage by Jane, then Pauline, with the final leg run by Captain Cat, showing no adverse effect from her recent injury.

There was no mix-up with team numbers this week, with Cap’n Chris taking command of the critical task of dishing out numbers and pins. The A team were led off by Nigel, followed by Chris, Al Brunton and David R. The B team were Don, Scott, Fraser & Dave. C team was Bill, Archie ( yes that’s right, Archie), Alan and Hamilton. D team was Rob, Jason, Ian and Drew. There was a great tussle in the first leg involving Don, Rob and Bill, with only seconds separating them at the changeover.

No medals unfortunately, but it was a great day. The excellent trail around Garscube was soft and muddy, and the trip wire 50 metres from the finish was a fiendish innovation!

No results yet….but we’ll keep you posted.

And, what about the party? Christine was looking great ( relaxed after taking the afernoon “off” running?) and was in fine form all night, as you’d expect. Drew allegedly managed to hurl Christine’s sister over the buffet table, tragically toppling almost the entire Westies drinks collection into the bargain.Margaret was there too, fresh from her hip op, though not quite up to the Dashing White Sergeant yet. Dave & Cat’s song-and-dance routine of “Moon River” was as fab as you would imagine and was only matched by the rendition of “The Lady is a Tramp” belted out in Cap’n Chris’s car on the way home. A fitting end to a fine day!