weekend round-up

Cat Macdonald at the end of the Snowdon International Race

Snowdon Ras yr Wydffa Race

Cat Macdonald represented Scotland at the Snowdon International Race which incorporated the British Home Internationals. Competitors had to battle not just with the opposition but also against some truly appalling conditions in the 46th International Snowdon Ras yr Wyddfa Race.
 
Although the race was shortened to 6.4 miles – and looked at one point as if it might be cancelled completely - competitors still had to contend with gusts of over 90 mph at the summit, hail and minus one degree wind chill - as well, of course, as the hugely challenging terrain. Not for the faint-hearted.
 
Cat was second counter for Scotland behind teammate Holly Page, who was first female finisher, with Scotland’s men’s and women’s teams both picking up Silver medals. Cat was 9th woman in 50.23, with Megan Crawford Scotland’s third counter.
 
The Men’s race was won by Italian Isacco Costa in 38.59, who overhauled Chris Richards on the final tarmac section.
 
Braving the conditions were three other Harriers, with Cat's parents Al and Margaret also battling through the race, along with Gary Mason. Margaret finished in 1:37 and was 5th O/55. Alistair was 2nd O/60 on chip time, but organisers gave results on gun time, unfortunately moving him down to 4th by one and two second margins!
 
Morton Games, Dublin 

Morpeth Harrier Scott Beattie made it a swift return to competition following his seventh place in the UK Championships with a storming win on a wet and windy night in Ireland on Friday, recording an excellent time of 13:25.53 in the Morton Games, Dublin.
 
Now back in the UK after time spent studying at the Tulsa Universtiy, Scott’s time, a new personal best, saw him finish comfortably ahead of Loughborough student Tom Mortimer of Stroud AC (13:30.12) and Aldershot Farnham and District’s Stephen Scullion in third ((13.48.14).
 
Fell Em Doon 5 

A sudden downpour couldn’t dampen the spirits of those taking part in the Fell Em Doon 5 miler at Ashington on Friday night, organised by Ashington Hirst Running Club.
 
Won by Blyth Running Club’s Michael Stott in a time of 29:07, Morpeth’s James Dixon (30:46) and Colin Archer (31:20) were 2nd and 3rd. Richard Glennie was 16th in 34:48.
 
Claremont Road Runner Sarah Kerr was 1st woman back, 7th overall in 32:32.
 
Coincidentally, this Saturday sees the inaugural Ashington 5k parkrun which covers much of the same course, and which promises to be a popular one for the region. Good luck to our own Andrew Dippie, who’s put his hand up to look after much of the work, and to all supporters. We can say with all certainty that it’ll be a lot less hilly than Carlisle Park.
 
Ilkley Half Marathon 

​Lawrence Mccourt was a winner of the Ilkley Half Marathon on Sunday. Finishing in a time of 1 hour 7 minutes and 6 seconds, Lawrence was nearly two full minutes ahead of 2nd place finisher Jack Cummings of local club Ilkley AC with Airecentre Pacer Andrew Humphries 3rd in 1:09:29. Sally Armitage, also of Ilkley AC, was 1st woman home in 1:22:19 with Pudsey Pacer Faye Birkby 2nd (1:21:04) and Bingley Harrier Sarah Flaherty 3rd (1:23:31).
 
Organised by the local Round Table, the course must be amongst the most challenging to take in, with a profile that looks more like a mountain stage from the Tour de France, although there were over 600 finishers.
 
(How times change…the race offers you a chance to buy a ‘personalised’ race mug with your name and time. Only £15 plus after delivery costs included. Once upon a time these things, while not personalised of course, were free!)