2000
Lady Runners Radiant
After ten weeks of training at the Helensburgh AAC, the GABBs
2000 group (Gorgeous Athletic Burgh Babes) took part in the Britannic
Women’s 10K on Sunday (14th) in Glasgow. The day dawned with
cloud cover, much to the relief of the runners, but by the mid morning
start the sun had burned through for a very warm, calm day –
good for the spectators but not for the runners!
After negotiating the traffic and long queues for the ‘facilities’, over 5,000 ladies were ready for the off. With only one water station on the route the heat took its toll on some runners, but the Burgh ladies shone through and looked radiant on completion of the West End course.
Kitted out in club t-shirts kindly funded by Gareloch Support Services, Claire Bell and Jane Dunlop crossed the line in just over an hour, followed by Linda Harrington, Maureen Air and Bernadette McGregor a couple of minutes later. Liz Underwood completed in 70 minutes and Polly Martin and Michelle Smith finished some five minutes later. Congratulations Ladies!! Several of the group were unable to take part in this event, but intend to take part in the Helensburgh race on the 25th of May.
Several of the GABBs who completed the Women’s event last year had maintained their fitness and once again participated in the run. Liz McCargo, Trish White, Marie Nicholson, Margaret Thompson, Sandra Juster, Catherine Duda and Lesley Forrest.
Established Helensburgh club runners were also well represented and were led home by Janet McColl in 42 minutes, Catherine Leckie in 43 minutes and Ruth Thomas in 46 minutes. Then Linda McShane in 58 minutes, closely followed by Liz Rutherford and Lesley Mooney finishing on the hour. Sally McCartney finished five minutes later followed by Norma Johnstone and Sandra Wilkinson . Kathleen Grieve and Liz Doig completed the Helensburgh complement. After the race the ladies basked in Kelvingrove Park and in their achievement!
The event utilised the Champion Chip system whereby all runners have a ‘chip’ attached to their shoe which records their time from the moment they cross the start line to the moment they finish, this ensures that each runners receives their actual time for the route. The official timings will be sent directly to the participants on a commemorative certificate.
Two runners with Helensburgh connections finished in top positions. Scotland representatives Hayley Haining, who is aiming for Olympic 5K selection, finished 4th and first Briton in 33.44 and Gillian Palmer on her debut at the distance was 5th in 34.20. The winner was Kenyan internationalist Lornah Kiplagat who set a new course record in 31.46.