Although BMAF events are always well supported locally when held north of the border there is always the fear when organising an event that competitors from outwith Scotland will be reluctant to travel. However there should have been no such concerns surrounding the 10K Championships held on August 18th at the impressive venue of Pollok Park Glasgow. The event was embraced by competitors from near and far with almost half of the 241 entries being non Scots. But it wasn’t just the numbers which were impressive as there was quality on show right through the age groups.
Overall winner of the race was Ben Hukins, just four weeks beyond his 35th birthday, in a fast 31.22. Kerry-Liam Wilson, winner of the M40 age group at the BMAF Cross Country Championships in March this year, had another excellent run in 2nd place and with Scottish Veteran Harriers Marathon Champion Robert Gilroy running 33.46 in 12th place, the M35-44 age group was comfortably won by Ronhill Cambuslang. The M45-54 age group was won by the same club who are in the process of establishing a formidable record in Masters events with Dave Thom, Colin Feechan and Ian Williamson finishing with 5 seconds. And North Belfast Harriers made their trip worthwhile by easily taking the M55-64 group.
The Women’s race was no less classy with SVHC Marathon Champion Joasia Zakrzewski, recovered from her excellent run in the Comrades Marathon winning from the ever remarkable 52 year old Fiona Matheson with great running also from Lisa Finlay and Lesley Chisholm to dip under 37 minutes.
There were many others worthy of mention; it was great for example to see Paul Thompson recovered from his health problems and winning the M55 age group, and at M60 David Oxland produced an outstanding 35.42, while although he was 5 days past his 70th birthday, Martin Ford’s excellent time of 38.46 would have won the M65 age group.
Scottish Veteran Harriers who organised the event would like to record their thanks to LSK Supplies, Sweatshop and the many volunteers who turned out to ensure that event was a success.
Alastair Macfarlane