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

Ronhill Cambuslang Harriers triumphed at the UK vets road relay championships when winning the over 35 and over 50 team titles.  The Cambuslang athletes were continuing the proud record which the club has in this prestigious event. 

The over 40 men had previously won gold in 1999, 2003 and 2004 as well as silver in 2001 and 2002 and bronze in 2000.  The over 50 squad had also achieved bronze medals in 2002 and 2003.
This year the over 35, 40 and 50 athletes competed together; with the younger age group doing 4 legs, the middle group 8 and the older group 6 legs. 

It was touch and go whether the club would be able to field an over 35 team as Alan Ramage had suffered a calf injury while training in Tenerife only 4 days before race day.  However, Kerry Wilson kindly agreed to step in at the last minute to support Greg Hastie, Charlie Thomson and Jamie Reid.  Greg and Charlie who are both over 40 vets were up against some younger rivals.  Greg (15.58) ran a well measured opening leg over the tough 3 miles and 8 yards trail to finish 10th in the over 35 age group.  Charlie (15.43) provided his usual gutsy performance to advance the team 3 places.  It was great to see Charlie back in serious competition after a lengthy spell of injuries over the last 4 years.  Kerry, the Scottish vets cross country champion, proceeded to run a stormer (15.08) and catapulted Cambuslang into the lead ahead of Liverpool Harriers.  His time was the 2nd fastest on the day by an over 35 and confirmed that he is running better than ever.   The experienced Jamie (15.21) who had major Achilles surgery last winter ran strongly from the front to anchor the team to a 27 seconds victory over Trafford with Preston a further 7 seconds adrift.  This was an impressive performance by the quartet who were only 10 seconds outside Salford’s course record.

Colin Feechan had the difficult task of launching Cambuslang’s over 50 challenge against the two younger age groups.  Colin (17.20) paced himself well to finish 17th in his age category.  Our rivals were lined up nicely ahead for Frankie Barton to majestically slice through the field to prise open a lead for Cambuslang.  His time of 15.49 was the 2nd fastest of the day in his age category.  Archie Jenkins (18.17) was now the target man for the opposition and although he lost some ground the club was still in close contention.  Dave Thom who only turned 50 prior to the race restored RHC’s lead with a strong 16.26 stint which was the 2nd fastest for this leg and Iain Campbell with an impressive 15.59, the fastest on leg 5 and 5th fastest time overall, consolidated the club’s position at the head of the field.  This allowed Frank Hurley (17.05) to run a hard but relaxed final leg which gave Cambuslang a decisive 86 seconds victory over Clayton Le Moor with South London Harriers 18 seconds further behind.  Like the over 35 squad this was a well balanced team effort and the second best club performance ever behind Oxford City.  Interestingly Frankie, Archie, Frank and Dave had previously won gold in the over 40 race and Frankie had previously competed in all of the 6 medal winning teams while Archie had been in the two over 50 bronze medal teams and Frank in one of them.   These statistics speak well of the longevity of the athletes concerned and of their commitment to the club and the sport.

Cambuslang also fielded an over 60 team for the first time.  This race took place before the main event and was combined with the men over 70 and all the female age categories.  The club finished 24th team through Davie Fairweather (21.15) who had recently returned from an extended holiday in Australia and New Zealand, David Cooney (20.16) and Robert Anderson (21.39).  However, the Cambuslang trio were overshadowed by former title holders Clydesdale who were 12th team thanks to Peter Cartwright (19.16), Brian Campbell (20.09) and Bobby Young (19.06).

Davie Fairweather M60s

Frankie Barton M50s

Robert Anderson M60s

This UK event is unique in terms of atmosphere, excitement and quality of athletes taking part and it is surprising that so few Scottish teams have participated in the past.  Certainly Cambuslang hope to return again next year and contest all male age groups from over 35 to over 60.

David Cooney