Dunbartonshire/Renfrewshire Open Graded 1500 Metres

Mild conditions, with a bit of a headwind down the final straight, greeted Tom, Sean & Dave at the opening event of the DAAA/RAAA Relays and Open Graded Meeting at Linwood. The crowd waited expectantly in hushed tones as the 1500 line-up was announced. First to be called up was a young, pre-pubescent whippersnapper from Clydesdale called Lee Cassidy, who looked no more than about 15. Second up was the 3-foot-something Jenn from Kirkie, tiny-but-perfectly-formed, who looked even younger than Lee. Having whetted the crowd’s appetite, the announcer proceeded to let the crowd down gently by announcing the 3 Westies old-crocks as the remaining competitors. Cap’n Charlie, still scarred from last year’s mile event, had wisely decided to give the 1500 ba miss, but decided to come and witness the fun.

Before the gun, Westies were almost disqualified for standing too close to the line and not doing what we were told. As the gun cracked, Lee and Jenn sprinted off, leaving the 3 W’s standing in their tracks. It quickly became apparent that attempting to keep up with the dynamic Lee was a lost cause, but the humiliation of being cuffed by Jenn set Tom, Sean and Dave into panic mode. On lap two, Sean was first to have a try and catch her, managing to get up next to Jenn before his lungs packed in. Tom boldly went next, arms and legs flailing, but again he recoiled pathetically with lungs a-wheezing. It was left to Dave to salvage Westies pride, catching Jenn on the 3rd lap. Jenn stayed at Dave’s shoulders for a while……correction, Jenn stayed at Dave’s hips, which was about where she reached up to. As the whole crowd (including the treacherous Cap’n Charlie) egged on Jenn, Dave showed his maturity and composure down the home straight as he stretched his lead to 3 seconds. Sean and Tom’s humiliation was complete; they crept away from the track, tears running down their cheeks, vowing to come back again for revenge. Next year, Jenn might be an inch or two taller. It’s likely also that she’ll be even faster; probably too fast to consider running against the likes of Westies!

Results

1 Lee Cassidy Clydedale 4:20.0

2 Dave 5:09.1

3 Jenn Kirkie 5:12.6

4 Sean 5:23.9

5 Tom 5:26.1