Glasgow Uni Road Race

Results

My pre-race target had been 27 minutes something. But in the end nobody ran 27 minutes anything.

After an impeccably observed minute’s silence to remember the awful events of last night at the Clutha Bar, the race was underway.

A front pack split off straight away, with Gregor tagging onto the back of this group.

I tried to settle into a sensible pace around about Mike McQuaid, and with the Crispin Walsh, Marco Consani, Chris Devine soon all passing me.

I knew from the shouts that Lesley Chisholm was right on my shoulder from about 2 miles, but tried to save something for the 2nd lap.

On the 2nd Switchback descent to car wash corner, Michael Diver galloped past with words of encouragement. Michael went by at such a rate of knots, I didn’t expect to catch him again. 

Heading past Dawholm Tip for the 2nd time, Lesley drew alongside and then passed me just before the bridge across the Kelvin.  I didn’t make any ground on the short slog up to Maryhill Road, but then tried to focus for the final kilometre.  Suddenly with about 800 metres to go, I realised I had sprinted past Lesley and was closing down the next group with Mike McQuaid, Michael Diver and Euan Geddes, and Gregor coming back rapidly was also starting to look catchable.  I waited until we were through the gates to the Garscube Sports Complex before going again, and then jumped the 3 runners in one move, and was just about to pass Gregor when I got a shout which alerted him, so he did just enough to hold me off.  As soon as I realised I wouldn’t catch Gregor, I eased up a fraction, which then let Mike McQuaid back in to pip me on the line for first M40 & M50.

Summary of Westie and part-time Westie performances:
18. Gregor Stewart, 28:41
20. Chris Upson, 28:44
47. David Dickson, 31:23
59. Steffen Gorgas, 32:32
69. Jamie Provan, 33:40
70. John Quinn, 33:46
82. Duncan Riddell, 34:53
125. Ian Struthers, 39:59