The Jimmy 2025

The last time I did a road race was the Bisophbriggs 10k 2020. I remember sitting on the train from Queen Street, listening to a news podcast interviewing an eminent epidemiologist about a new strain of flu doing the rounds in China. When the host asked him if this ought to be cause for concern in Europe he replied, eminently, that no, there was nothing to worry about. Ho-hum.

I moved this summer, so my sofa is now 7 minutes from the start of the Jimmy Irvine 10k in Bellahouston Park. Ideal I thought; a lie in, a chilled morning, an easy jog to arrive at the start line relaxed and ready. Turns out without the outlet of pre-race faff, my nervous energy was higher than usual and I spent quite a bit of time pacing around the house instead, thoroughly failing to achieve Zen.

Everyone one and their dog has carbon-plated super-shoes these days. I hadn’t realised they were quite noisy – for the first km in a big group at a front it sounded like 30-odd club-runners running on wet bin-bags. The heel of my Vapour-Fly ripped clean off my shoe at some point near the end of the race. I apologise for littering and Nike are scum.

There was a strong field and a good course with 2 laps of the park. A bit windy so tough going at times. I wasn’t as fast as I’d hoped and faded a bit in the last couple of km but overall pretty happy with my effort.

Excellent running from Connor and a few other Westies who made an appearance – some top-form supporters from the club too.