Ronhill Cambuslang Harriers ::Road Racing and Cross Country::

The usual disclaimer- slanted towards my own experience.
I had mixed feelings ahead of this race. Since a couple of huge personal triumphs at the end of February in the National Cross Country then the Armagh 5k, I worried that my next outing would be an anti-climax (I didn't race at all in March). This race and the venue also holds poor memories. My previous attempts at the short leg are inglorious. In 2003, I was diagnosed with asthma after a below par showing. 2006 and 2007 were equally unspectacular. I was down for a 3.15 mile stage in 2010. Last September, I drove through to Almondvale to see a 2-1 defeat for Queen's Park. This year, I made the same journey on a beautiful crisp winter day to find on arrival the game was postponed. Livingston isn't my favourite place.
The day before, Good Friday, prohibited the consumption of meat, ruling out my pre-race meal of steak, beef sausage, chips and veg. I substituted it with a pre-race breakfast at 10am on Saturday morning of cereal, sirloin steak, beef sausage, beans and brown sauce. David Cooney, sorry I was late. This explains it.
Mercifully, the forecast of rain did not come to pass. The first stage saw the anticipated order overturned with Central, Aberdeen and Dundee Hawkhill pushing Shettleston into 4th, 10 seconds off the lead. Sadly for Aberdeen, Mark Haskett was their only runner present. John MacNamara brought our first team through in 7th with 16:29, 4 seconds clear of Charlie Thomson competing in the veteran line-up.
Cometh the hour, cometh Robert Gilroy whose 30:06 clocking took us to 5th where we stayed for the remainder. Robert handed over to me. I set off with Kevin Kane to pursue and thought I had caught him only to find it was an Inverclyde runner still negotiating leg 2! Kevin ran 15:52 to my 16:02, 1:40 quicker than my last short stage appearance 3 years ago. I managed to hold off the pursuing Martin Graham of Shettleston's B team.  Ahead of me meanwhile, Amanuel Hagos took the lead for Shettleston A. Chris Wilson took off hot on Mark Pollard's heels. He didn't catch up but had the consolation of bettering Mark's time. With a deep tan and flowing black hair, Ian Rawlinson looked the part on 5th leg. He also was the part, his 15:25 time being the quickest on the short stage overall. Terrific showing. Jamie Reid rounded off the first team in 31:28, a little disconsolate but with a good base to build on.
The veterans team maintained the lofty position established by Charlie Thomson, Alan Ramage, David Thom, Greg Hastie, Francis Hurley and Colin Feechan finishing 12th. They were also veteran silver medallists behind Carnegie Harriers, keeping the bronze winners Calderglen Harriers at bay.
Our third team claimed 33rd overall. Andy Steven demonstrated the pace seen at training runs on Tuesday nights, being timed at 17:21 for 21st on 1st leg. He was supported by David Munro, Scott Hunter, Michael O'Hagan and Team McPake, Thomas and John. Not quite John and Edward but close.
The verdict- an enjoyable day's racing, good to be a part of it and a good turnout on a holiday weekend. We should be back in the hunt at the sharp end before too long. I thoroughly recommend a steak breakfast.