It has been race, race and more racing this month.

First up it was the Troon 10k which saw a sea of the yellow and blue army head for the coast. One of the reasons for the huge number was because it is a club championship race for both men and women. It also helped that it was a nice and flat course! The first in for the men was George Taylor coming in 10th overall in a time of 35 minutes on the button, bettering his last years time for the course by 17 seconds. While Neil Deery was 15th in 36.13 and Derek Breen 48th in 39.06 . Yvonne Hamilton was first lady for the club in a time of 40.35 and 7th women overall. Hilary Milar was 16th in 42.18 and Shelia Lewis was 18th women in 42.26.

Next up was the Women's 10k where out of over 10,000 runners, Giffnock North managed to get 6 ladies in the top 100. This meant they stormed away from the rest of the clubs in the team competition coming in 1st place. Yvonne Hamilton (32nd), once again coming in first for the club, followed by Jill Smylie (33rd), Hilary Milar (49th), Jacqui Cowan (66th). Li Wang (76th) and Joanne Leslie(89th).

Other 10ks this month include the first 2 races in the Poloroid series in Helensburgh then Clydebank. Luke Traynor is on fire once again in this series coming in 1st junior male in both races and came in 3rd place overall at Helensburgh. The Clydebank 10k saw 2 new Giffnock North members make their debuts for the club; Michael Cross and Gary Barnett. These guys are definitely ones to look out for in future as they both posted the same time of time of 37 minutes and 24 seconds. Mary McCutcheon was first female for the club coming in under 40 minutes.

Mary also was first women overall in the Monklands half marathon in a time of 1.30.53. Mary won the women's race convincingly finishing over 7 minutes ahead of the second place female.

On the hill running front, Jim Galbraith ran in the Goatfell hill race in a time of 1 hour 39 minutes which was good enough to secure 3rd place in his age category. Mark Roper went a wee bit higher in terms of height, completing the Ben Lomond hill race in under an hour and a half.

Now on to the marathons. Jill Smylie crossed the Irish Sea to take part in the Belfast marathon right at the beginning of the month. Not only did she post a superb time of 3 hours 16 minutes, smashing her PB; but also came 6th women overall.

Anne Lee headed south to the scenic Brathay Windermere marathon. Anne exceeded all her expectations and got a PB of 3.26.40. This placed her in 6th female overall and 2nd in her age category.

Finally to the Edinburgh marathon where anyone who was out running that day would remember the heat and thinking 'I'm glad I'm not running a marathon today!'. 4 Giffnock Northers impressively did complete the race: Jim Robertson, Gordon Muir, Colin Kirk and George Taylor who finished in a blistering time of 2 hours 43 minutes.

Overall a very successful month for the club and congratulations to everyone involved.

Photos (courtesy of Gerry MacNamee) of the Giffnock Hillbashers first outing of 2010. Two teams were entered,with new recruits in Jill,Yvonne and Kevin out in the first leg along with old warhorse Marc.

Conditions underfoot were tricky in places,with some snow and ice,which Yvonne thought was great fun.

Jill and Yvonne went with the early start,which started 30 mins before the main race. They had a great run and caught Mary on the hop,so much so that she needed help off with her garments. Thanks Steven, but the bad news is Jim McC knows where you live.

David Phee again demonstrated his prowess at off road running with an excellent time of 29min 19 seconds on the second leg,bringing the A squad up several places.

This allowed Derren and Jim to narrowly overtake David L and Steven on leg 3,but the latter pair probably had the best run of the day compared to previous times in this event.
Rodger glided in on Leg 4,with fast-finishing(and allegedly non-training Gerry) almost catching him on the line.

It worked out well that both teams finished together and this allowed a serious de-brief afterwards,where we could reflect on a creditable 24th place by the A squad and the achievement of the early start team of finishing first of the teams who had registered to start early.
A successful day and another squad to get some greenery,sunshine and some birdsong on the next outing at the Kintyre Way Relay in May.

More photographs

More photographs

The annual Drumchapel 5k Fun Run will be taking place on the morning of the 13th June 2010, setting out from and finishing back in Hecla Park . We are looking for volunteers aged 16 or over, to help out at the event - giving out water, marshalling the route, helping out at the park. The event will be well-supported by the police. We would really appreciate any time you were able to give, so if you or anyone you know would be interested in volunteering, please could you register your interest with Hayley McCrorie (hayley.mccrorie@csglasgow.org) by 20th May 2010.

Gillian Bland
Area Services
Sport & Physical Activity Development Officer
West Area (1)

Saturday 1st May 2010 - 7.30 - Late

ISIS, Rock 'N' Soul + Disco

Click here for full details (pdf)

THE SCOTTISH National Junior Road Race Championships added a dash of early spring colour to Rouken Glen Park, and local club Giffnock North AAC made the most of home advantage. Five team medals - two of them gold - and four individual medals were won by southside athletes in almost perfect, sunny conditions.

Grant Muir won the U17 5k race in a blistering 15 minutes 25 seconds, in a race that started fast and simply got quicker, with the 50 starters swiftly strung out along the two-lap course. Muir's team mates Martin Fishwick and Euan Murray came home 4th and 8th respectively to clinch the team title ahead of Cambuslang.

Giffnock's other national team title of the day went to Under 15s Neil Gourley (3rd), Johnnie Tweedie (4th) and Andrew Clark (7th) over 4k. Silver was claimed by Under 15 girls Linzi Cowan, Selena Jackson and Stephanie Fairfield behind a strong Edinburgh trio, while bronze team medals were landed by both the U13 girls and boys squads. Leading the U13 girls home over 2.5k was Chloe Cowan - second only to Central AC's national cross country champion Kath Gillespie - ably supported by fine runs from Lucy Davidson and Helena Davison.

Max Lancaster was first of Giffnock's U13 boys in fifth, with Dewi Gould and Jamie Cook helping edge out Cambuslang on countback for the bronze. Both teams finished with an identical points total, but Cook made the difference by coming in ahead of Cambuslang's third counter.

Final medal on a glittering day for Giffnock came from Catriona Lockie, third finisher in the U20 5k.

Giffnock North Athletics President Billy Glasgow said afterwards, "It was a pleasure to welcome this prestigious event back to Rouken Glen. Special thanks go to Dudley Walker & East Renfrewshire's Parks & Recreation Department for helping the club and the Scottish Athletics Federation make this a successful, enjoyable and safe occasion for so many young athletes from all over Scotland.

We would also like to acknowledge the support of Lloyds Development Capital (LDC)"

Photographs

A great day was had by all at the 29th Alloa Half Marathon on the 20th March 2010. It was perfect conditions for running today and the notorious wind in the exposed parts of the course in previous years was just a gentle breeze this year.

Graeme Croll led the Giffnock charge coming in 1:15:15, which meant he placed 2nd in the M40 category and just outside the top 10 overall in 11th position. George Taylor was not too far behind Graeme and finished in 01:15:51 finishing 14th overall. Third male home for the club was Brendan O'Hagan in 1.31.15.

This race was the second race in the senior women club championships. Like the first race in the championship, the National Cross country, Jill Smylie was first Giffnock lady home in an impressive 1.29.37. Anne Lee and Shelia Lewis were both ecstatic to post PBs and finish 2nd and 3rd for the club in times of 1.33.44 and 1.34.04 respectively.

Although there was no rain in Alloa it was certainly raining PBs! Nicholas Farrell, previously mentioned Anne and Sheila, also Li Wang, Stuart McBeath and Stephen Watters to name a few. Well done to everyone who took part, it really was a great effort all round.

Well done also to Bill Stein and Hilary Millar, who were first male and female home for the club in the Inverness Half Marathon the previous week. Hillary finished 3rd for her age group while Bill finished 4th in his age group.

Finally congratulations to Derek Breen, who was first Giffnock male home in 1.21.43 and Colin Kirk who recorded a PB in the Balloch to Clydebank half marathon.

Now that all the half marathons are in the bag, many of the senior members are now turning their attention to a spring marathon. The club will have representation at the Paris, Lochaber and London marathons in April and also the Windermere and Edinburgh marathons in May. So happy tapering and good luck to everyone involved.

ANOTHER WORLD EXCLUSIVE FOR GIFFNOCK NORTH NEWSDESK! INTERVIEW WITH FREYA MURRAY, GB INTERNATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER, UK TRACK CHAMPION, TOP TEN EUROPEAN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS RACER AND FOUR TIMES SCOTTISH NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPION ... AND NIECE OF OUR VERY OWN CLARE AND RONNIE STEVENSON.

GN: What age were you when you started running competitively? And who got you started?

FM: I started training at Lasswade AC when I was about 8, my older brother and sister were members so I just tagged along with them.

GN: Did you try lots of other sports and pastimes when you were younger, such as gymnastics, swimming, music or dancing, or have you always focussed totally on running?

FM: I didn't really start focusing on running until I was about 16. When I was younger I did lots of different sports (none of them particularly well) like gymnastics, dancing, swimming, badminton and skiing. I was also quite into music and played the piano, flute and clarsach, the clarsach is the only one I've kept up though.

GN: At what point did you decide, "I want to be a distance runner?" Was there a moment while watching sport on tv, or at a race, or did someone point you towards the nearest ploughed field and say, "Freya, this is your destiny?"

FM: I did try different events when I started competing for Lasswade, but I was pretty useless at most of them. I realised pretty early on that I was not cut out to be a thrower!

GN: What are your major achievements as a junior and senior athlete (so far)?

FM: I think my biggest achievement as a junior was finishing 6th in the European cross country championships in Medulin (I think that was in 2001) we won the team event and it felt great to be part of the winning team. As a senior, I think my main achievements so far have been winning the UK 5000m championships on the track, winning the Scottish Cross Country Championships, and the Great Yorkshire and Great Capital Road races.

GN: What was the first prize you ever won as a runner?

FM: I can't remember, but I do remember getting a cash prize for winning the junior girls race at the round the houses in Falkirk, I've still got the number and I wrote on the back of it 'best prize so far'

GN: You've raced over track, road and country. Do you have a preference and if so, what is it and why?

FM: I enjoy all three, I like being able to mix it up. By the end of the track season I usually can't wait for the cross country and by the end of the cross country I can't wait to get back on the track. I hadn't done a lot of road racing until last summer, and I really enjoyed that too.

GN: What do you like most about training and racing? And what do you dislike most about training/racing?

FM: I love it when I feel really fit and I can go into races feeling really positive. Like everyone, I love the feeling when I win a race or run a PB. I also enjoy races and training because a lot of my friends and family are involved in the sport so it's a great way of catching up with people and doing something we enjoy together.

When things are going well it's hard to think of things I dislike! Thankfully I haven't had too many injuries but finding out you're injured and have to stop training and racing for a while is so disappointing, and I'm not a massive fan of the gym so that makes being injured even worse.

GN: Do you have a training session or particular route that you love ... and one you loathe?

FM: I have a few routes round where my parents live in Midlothian that are probably my favourite runs, or some of the places I've trained when I've been in Boulder, in Colorado, USA.

I don't think I have any particular runs I loathe, but it does annoy me in the winter when you have to stick to lit roads in the winter.

GN: Do you have a favourite/least favourite training session?

FM: Not really, I think it depends more on how I feel that day!

GN: Do you listen to music before racing and if you do, what sort of stuff is it? Paolo Nutini or Luciano Pavarotti? Coldplay or Snow Patrol? In other words, what's on your i-pod?

FM: I don't listen to my i-pod before I race, and I don't like to listen to music when I run. I do like to have music on when I'm doing my strength and conditioning though. My favourite bands at the moment are Kings of Leon, Biffy Clyro, the Pigeon Detectives and the Editors but I like loads of different things, just as long as it's not hardcore dance stuff!

GN: Do you have a regular pre-race meal? What do you usually eat afterwards?

FM: It depends on the time of the race, but if I'm racing in the afternoon like for most cross country races I usually have a fairly big breakfast about five hours before (usually cereal, banana, toast and green tea) then a lucozade hydroactive and a bagel with banana about two and a half to three hours before.

After I race, I usually have a chocolate milkshake as soon as I can (I read somewhere that it's a good recovery drink and I'll accept any excuse to have something chocolatey) and then a proper meal after I've cooled down and got changed etc.

GN: And given half a chance would you rather have a chicken korma, a pie supper, a deep-fried Mars Bar or ... what?

FM: Tough question, I love my food! My mum is a really good cook so I've tried to learn from her. My favourite things to cook myself are curries and fajitas, followed by a big chocolate pudding.

GN: How long do you spend warming up before a race?

FM: My warmup routine lasts 50mins altogether, but that includes time for a couple of toilet stops, putting on my spikes and stripping off all my layers of clothes. I have it planned out so that I can adjust it round call room times and stuff, I didn't use to be as organised as that but I'd inevitably end up in a flap because I wasn't sure what I should be doing when.

GN: Do you prefer training in a group or solo ... or a bit of both?

FM: A bit of both.

GN: You have travelled a fair bit in sport. Where have you been and which places most caught your imagination?

FM: I have been really lucky to get to go lots of exciting places for training and races. I work for an engineering consultancy called Cundall and they have been really supportive in letting me take time off for training camps and races.

Boulder is definitely one of my favourite places that I've been, I'm really fortunate that the Scottish women's road running and cross country commission have supported me in my trips over there. I've raced in Japan a few times, and it is the most different from Britain, everything is unusual, the culture, the food the shops, it's amazing.

GN: Do you have a favourite sports quotation? Or any kind of inspirational quotation? (Mention more than one if you like)

FM: Steve (Jones, my coach) always tells me to 'push the envelope' and 'live the dream' and they always stick in my mind.

My other favourite quote isn't a sports one but my dad says it a lot, 'the only thing I can't resist is temptation'

GN: How far in advance do you plan your training/racing schedules? Are you like Chris Hoy, who mapped out a ten year plan in his school jotter, to take him to the Olympics?

FM: I have a race plan for the next season and goals for the future.

GN: Who are your sporting heroes? Or inspirational heroes of any kind?

FM: In athletics, Haile Gebsrelassie, he makes running fast for long distances look so easy, and he always looks like he's enjoying himself. Otherwise, Lance Armstrong, I think his autobiographies are the most inspirational books I've ever read.

GN: If you could give a single piece of advice to a young athlete starting out, what would it be?

FM: Enjoy yourself and make the most of every opportunity to learn and have fun in sport, you'll have plenty time to sit indoors watching tv when you're in an old people's home.

GN: If you could give up all your medals, honours and trophies for a single prize, what would it be?

FM: An Olympic gold medal.

GN: Would you contemplate running marathons at some point in your career?

FM: Definitely.

GN: Nearly finished. You recently travelled round the world to Japan to compete in the prestigious Fukuoka Cross Country International. Despite leading for much of the race, you were finally pipped by one second. You delivered a brilliant performance, one of your finest, but what do you say to yourself after a moment like that?

FM: I was really frustrated after the race, but I just wasn't good enough to win on the day. I've told myself to take the frustration to my next race and try to use it positively, hopefully if someone goes past me 500m from the finish this weekend I'll be able to dig a bit deeper and find some hidden strength in time to overtake them back!

GN: More to the point, what did you say to the girl who beat you?

FM: "Good race." I probably could've said anything I liked though: she was Japanese and she didn't look like she understood me.

GN: By coincidence, your US-based coach, Steve Jones, once missed the world marathon best time by one second. Does he give you advice on mental preparation for such occasions? Does he spend much time on mental preparation for competition, defeat and/or victory?

FM: We haven't spent much time talking about mental preparation, but he is very good at making me think positively before a race. He really seems to believe in my ability to do well and that makes me believe in myself. I'm really lucky to have such a great coach.

GN: Last question: What are your ambitions for the future?

FM: I want to continue to improve, compete at the highest level I can, and enjoy my running.

GN: Freya, thank you. On behalf of Giffnock North AAC, all the best for your future racing and training, and good luck to you and all the UK athletes at the imminent World Cross Country Championships in Poland - everyone at Giffnock will give you an extra cheer.

Giffnock North has teams in every age group at the SAIL finals. Well done to all our athletes at the 2nd Match.The under 11s have 2 boys teams and one girls team who are hoping to perform well and have been doing some extra training for this and also providing some input to the news page

My first 600m race.
It was a very exciting day for everyone at the Kelvin Hall. I was so nervous about the 600m as were all of the girls. First we all had to do a 2 lap warm up and then we had to do drills. It was the 600m race in no time. I was in the third heat. Giffnock came third in the first heat with Annie. In the second heat Giffnock came first with Erin. In the third heat Giffnock came first and second with Danielle and Fern. It was all so exciting and everyone loved it.

Danielle Kelly u11

It seemed ages since the December meeting so we were all itching to compete again at the Kelvin Hall. We all wanted to make the final. It was great to see some new team mates including Greg Findlay, Niall Brown and Mathew Lonnergan.

First off were the girls in the 600m. Everyone ran as hard as they could with really great performances by Dainelle Kelly (2:06.3) and Erin Wallace (2:07.3). The boys also had top runs especially by Michael Lowrie (2:04.1) and Christopher Beattie (2:05.8).

There were some fast athletes in the 60m races but some amazing performances by Ryan 'Usain' McGuire (9.92), Ewan Lewis (9.99) and Keavy Johnston (10.09) kept us in the running.

Finally it was the turn of Ethan 'Powell' Dear to spring into action with a season's best standing long jump of 1.97m. Topping off a really awesome display by the Giffnock North u11s.

Bring on finals day!

Ethan Dear u11

We would like to acknowledge the support of Lloyds Development Capital (LDC)"

Forthcoming Social Events at the Main Club -

NPL Theatre Company presents -

Singin' I'm no Billy ... He's a Tim - Saturday 27th March

Click here for full details (pdf)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Motown Magic + Disco - Friday 2nd April

click here for full details (pdf)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a cold but dry day by the sea at the Renfrewshire Road Race Championships at Battery Park in Greenock.

The U11 boys were first off and did great with Fraser Gray (4th), Patrick Devenney (9th) and Greg Findlay (13th) getting a Bronze place medal for the team. Niall Brown, Fraser Doig, Keir McPhail and Lewis McPhail also pulled out great performances on the day. Christopher Beattie was doing great also but hurt his ankle really badly so was not able to finish.

Next up was U11 girls with Holly Still getting an individual gold medal and the team of Holly Still (1st), Danielle Kelly (6th) and Erin Wallace (7th) receiving a Silver medal for the team.

The rest of the girls Lina Guarin, Margery Justice and Shannon O'Donnell ran a brilliant race also.

We were all happy at the end of the day and proud of the Giffnock under 11's team. Thanks again to Clare & Ronnie for all their support and encouragement on the day.

When I first arrived at Battery park it was quite cold and wind was blowing everywhere. Clare introduded me to all the other girls in the team Holly, Lina,Danielle, Shannon and Margery. After that and getting my number pinned on, Ronnie walked us round the park showing us where to run the race .We did our warm up by doing drills. By that time it was time to start the race. Unfortunately
I was at the edge of the first line and there was a cone in front of me so I set off after everyone. I was felt tired during the race and didn't think I was going to make it but so many people where cheering for Giffnock North that I knew that I couldn't let them down.When I turned the last corner I started going faster so that no one could over take me. I came seventh overall out of the girls and Holly Still, Danielle Kelly and me Erin Wallace earned a sliver medal. Holly came 1st, Danielle came 6th and I came 7th.

Erin Wallace (u11)

We would like to acknowledge the support of Lloyds Development Capital (LDC)"

Giffnock North picked up two medals at the Senior Indoor Championships on the 5th of February.

Fresh from her success in the Schools competition two days earlier Katie McKnight raced round the track to claim third in the 200m in a time of 27.28s.

Also on the podium was Daniel Carlin with a massive putt of 15.60m for a new club record.

The same day saw the ever popular relays and again Giffnock proved why they are the best in the business with some fantastic medal winning performances.

The U13 boys got the finals off to a winning start with a cracking gold, David Lambie, Lewis Grant, Gregor Munro and Andrew Dallas who held off a fast closing Pitreavie runner with a time of 1.57.81 for victory.

The U15B team of Robert Moses, Calum Firth, Calum McWilliam and Stuart Woodhouse spurred on by the younger squad's performance blasted round the track in 1.38.70 with a new Championship best performance and club record.

The U17W Lauren Lambie, Emma Brown, Paula Houston & Stephanie Fairfield secured silver in a great race and special mention must go to Stephanie who dropped down from her normal middle distance at short notice to anchor the team home in a time of 1.47.26

Unfortunately the U13 Girls finished 1st but were disqualified for stepping out their lane, but can be proud of the effort they all put in and will return stronger for it in the outdoor relays.

Giffnock North pupils sailed through their exams with straight A's at the Scottish School Championships earlier this month. Eight club records were broken as they racked up eleven medals, including four gold winning performances. In the biggest indoor meeting on the calendar, the Southside finest again proved why they are amongst the best in the business.

First up on a very busy day in the O16B High Jump was Andrew Russell whose 1.93 was enough to secure silver. Nikki Manson still fresh from her victory at the multi events last month sailed over the bar in the U16G High Jump with a fantastic 1.68m to set a new club record and go third in the UK rankings.

Other field events success for the club came from Fraser O'Rouke in the U15 pole vault with another record clearance of 2.80m Mathew Kerr then lengthened his own O16 long jump best to 6.10m.

The spotlight then shifted to the track, where Max Lott ran an impressive 4.14.5 in the O16B 1500m for bronze. Grant Muir went one better in the 800m with 1.58.15 grabbing silver and club record. Not to be outdone in the O16B 60m Craig Walker 7.36 was enough to take bronze. Marc Russell followed and produced another gold for the club when he raced to victory in the U16 boys 60m hurdles smashing the clock with a breathtaking time of 8.62s.

The girls were not to be outdone and next up was Emma Brown in the 60m hurdles. The runner up in the Daily record's Young Scottish Athlete of the Year produced another personal best in the final with a time of 8.87s which also secured her 3rd place in the UK rankings and lowering her own club record.

But the best race of the day was battled by two Giffnock athletes, in the O16 300m when Roisin Howart and Katie McKnight tore round the track and only the eye in the sky could separate the pair who both clocked 42.5. After what seemed an age Katie was given the victory.

But again it's not all about the winners, as there were many other young Giffnock stars whose performance bode well for the long season ahead.

Well done to one and all.

It was sunny like Miami and cold like Murmansk, which explains why the officials were having to batter the course marker pegs into the ground with plenty of effort. Thankfully your humble scribe arrived just in time to avoid helping with the pegging, as the 2k loop was laid out in Bellahouston Park.

Conditions were dry and windless, so everyone could warm up, warm down and generally wander around as they pleased, which always makes for a relaxed and enjoyable day's sport, without the paperwork blowing away, the safety pins sinking in the mud and people keeling over with frostbite. Even better, Ronnie G arrived with the club tent, which gives us a meeting point, a safe hidey hole for bags and an ideal place to flake out after a run.

Giffnock North juniors did well last year at this same event, despite some confusion over how many runners constituted a team, and expectations were high for another scintillating performance. The youngsters rose to the challenge with four individual medals and as many team gongs.

First out of the trap were the redoubtable Under 13 Girls, nine strong and determined to do well … which they did, despite Caitlin Faulkner's clear-headed observation that the initial 600 metres on the Boulevard side was dead straight and, quote, "never-ending". (I know, Caitlin, I've run it and it's one of the longest, flattest and never-endingest straights in cross country anywhere. By the time I used to get to it, the right-angle turn at the far end always came as a bit of a surprise.)

Chloe Cowan led the way pretty much from gun to tape, completing the 2k in a determined six minutes 58 seconds that brooked no meddling from anyone else. Chloe was more than ably backed by Nikki Hutcheson in fifth, Alex Pope continuing a fine season's running by finishing bang on eight minutes for ninth place and Izzie Murray, final counter with a resolute run throughout in 12th. The foursome lifted the team gold, but not far behind them in a great team effort were Eilidh Cook, Monica Lowrie, Caitlin, Sian Taylor and Megan Adams.

Fifteen minutes later Max Lancaster won the U13 Boys event, showing a cool nerve to wait, wait and wait some more before unleashing a 150 metre sprint finish that Glasgow VP's Liam Turner bravely tried to match but couldn't. Jamie Cook, in sixth, Johnny McLaughlin 10th and Rob Gourley 13th wrapped up the team silver, edged out by Inverclyde. Spirited running also came from Lewis Grant and Stephen Fleming, which can only bode well for the squad's prospects at the National.

Next up were the U15 Girls, who promptly delivered the second team gold of the day. Linzi Cowan held off Shettleston's ever-consistent Stella Winters, who must be weary of the sight of Giffnock vests at this event, having finished second to Maddy Murray here a year ago. Right behind them, also grittily resisting a late challenge, was Selena Jackson in third, and piling in behind her were Holly Miller in sixth, Frances Lowrie eighth and Paige McConville tenth.

Call me a conniving, contriving, contrary coincidentalist, but the Cowan sisters both ran exactly the same time over the same 2k. Woo, spooky or what? What, probably.

The U15 Boys put in the juniors' final shift of the afternoon (there were no U17 races on the card), earning another team silver courtesy of sterling performances from Neil Gourley, Andrew Clark, Dougie Britton and Scott Young, with Anthony Deveney giving solid support. An impressive Glasgow VP squad took gold, headed by our regular nemesis, the very excellent Max Aitchison in first. Full results are on the Scottish athletics website, under 'Calendar' and then 'Fixtures'.

All the junior races were run over a fast, furious and fairly flat 2k one lap circuit, but the seniors were treated to two laps, and amongst the ladies were a brace of graduates of Le Giffnock Ecole du Cross, with Jennifer Conway and Ruth Joss gracing the racing in the ebony and old gold of Glasgow University. Good to see you out there, girls, we'll catch you again at Falkirk and give you a cheer.

Celebrity spotters amongst you would have been well impressed by the appearance of broadcaster and author Muriel Gray in the teeming crowd (well, there must have been a good couple of dozen of us). See, cross country is glamorous, I told you so. She even had the trademark Arctic-blonde jaggy hair-do.

Thanks to the organisers for an impeccably laid out and punctually run event, with the individual medals smartly presented after each race. Gratitude to Kate Jackson for the photography. Much applause to Ronnie G for his tentmanship, pre-race administration and warm-up cajolery, and to everyone who turned out to support the kids - as the juniors themselves might say, it like well makes like a difference, like, yeh. Like.

Especial gratitude to Max's mum for the splendiferous and munchificacious cupcake which came to me via Johnny's mum. Cheers to Johnny and Nikki's dads for their assistance in the tent dismantology, particularly since I can't reach as high as they can.

Falkirk ho! Onwards!

Photographs

We would like to acknowledge the support of Lloyds Development Capital (LDC)"

Giffnock North AAC recently achieved Clubmark accreditation. Billy Glasgow, the club President was presented with the certificate by Geoff Whightman , the outgoing CEO of Scottish Athletics, at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow.

Victoria Park City of Glasgow also received their award which was accepted by Ros Halliday on behalf of the club.

Clubmark stands for higher standards of safety, fairness, coaching and management. That way the nation's sports club infrastructure will be safer, stronger and more successful.

This means that a club that has been awarded Clubmark has achieved minimum operating standards in safeguarding and protecting children, quality coaching, equal opportunities and good management.

In essence, a club that qualifies for Clubmark is a well run club which is ACTIVE and ACCESSIBLE. This means that getting the best out of young people and giving everyone a sporting chance.

CROSS-COUNTRY athletes race whatever the weather and Giffnock North's young runners were true to the ancient tradition, rising to the challenge of the prestigious Inter District Championships at a sunny but snow-plastered Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.

We had 16 athletes running for West District junior teams against East and North District rivals, and two in the senior events. All raced well, with ten winning either gold or silver team medals, but arguably the performance of the day came from Chloe Cowan. After a tentative start amidst flying elbows, Cowan determinedly ploughed over the snow and hills of a twisting 2.6k to claim an excellent individual silver behind runaway winner Kath Gillespie of Central AC. Cowan led her West team to gold, but not content with two medals the Busby youngster later also ran the 4k Fun Run on the park roads and claimed second in that too.

Under 13 Max Lancaster headed his race as it went through the bell, but despite surging into a decent lead, three rivals doggedly reeled him in. Ultimately edged into fourth by a mere second, Lancaster had the consolation of a team gold medal for West. Dewi Gould, 18th, and Johnny Maclaughlin, 21st, also represented Giffnock with hard-working efforts in the sky blue of West District.

Also blowing hot in the sub-zero conditions were Neil Gourley, with a close-run fourth in the U15 race, while Linzi Cowan was ninth and Selena Jackson 12th in the U15 girls. Madeleine Murray claimed another 12th for the U17 girls over 3.9k, with Rebecca Patrick 21st. Grant Muir was fifth in a hard-fought U17 boys race that saw Giffnock runners fill four of the six counting West places for gold: Luke Traynor, Max Lott and Euan Murray were the other southside counters, not too far ahead of clubmates Jack Walker and Martin Fishwick.

Senior representatives lining up against some of Africa and Britain's finest cross country exponents were Megan Crawford, in the navy blue of the Scottish Universities squad, and Ruth Joss, who put in another stalwart shift for West's ladies over a demanding 6k that included the dreaded Haggis Knowe (well, not a full portion, just a side serving this year). The senior men's race was another mesmerising exhibition of powerhouse African running, the snow and ice being made to look irrelevant as some of the continent's ace performers raced away from a high quality field including eight times European Champion Sergei Lebid. If you ever want to see world-class cross country running, come to this event, it's sensational to see.

Well done to Ronnie Gourley, West District U15 Boys Squad Manager on the day, stepping in at late notice to help a great event happen.

Commiserations to Nikki Hutcheson, who more than earned her place in the West squad with some scintillating runs early in the season, but missed her Under 13 Girls event when the satnav led her chauffeur astray. Never worry, Nikki, you'll find your way to the finish faster than most in plenty more races.

Then, with the bright sun setting over the castle, Dudley and Croy packed up the tea and what remained of the biscuits, dusted the snow off our bunnets … or maybe that was dusted the biscuits off the bunnets and packed up what remained of the snow, I don't know, I was tired, after all I put in a good few miles myself, running back and forward on the tundra, shouting at people. I'll be rested in time to do it all again at Falkirk, though!

GIFFNOCK NORTH AAC took on the best of the west at the annual District Cross Country Championships last weekend over a rollercoaster, muddy course beside Irvine Royal Academy.

In blessedly mild conditions, every Giffnock junior squad won a team medal, with most impressive performance arguably the Under 17 Boys, who packed seven finishers into the first 16 for the District crown. Grant Muir (3rd), Luke Traynor (4th) and Jack Walker (6th) were the counters over 6.4k ahead of Shettleston Harriers and Law AC.

Giffnock's U15 Boys delivered the club's other gold of the day, with Neil Gourley ( 5th), Andrew Clark (14th) and Dougie Britton (15th) claiming the title over 4.4k. Team silvers were won by the Girls U17 and U13 teams, led home by Madeleine Murray (5th) and Chloe Cowan (4th) respectively. Bronze medals were earned by the U15 Girls and U13 Boys, with Linzi Cowan (7th) and Max Lancaster (5th) first home for their teams.

Ruth Joss in eleventh was fastest of Giffnock's senior women, in front of Mary McCutcheon, Claire McAuley and Maureen McVey, who took seventh team place, and while the men didn't finish a complete team, Derren Thomson, James O'Hagan, Gerry McNamee and David Logan flew the flag for the southsiders over a demanding 10k. Shettleston's Eritrean international runners Tewelde and Mengistea were given the same time on the line, 30 minutes and 24 seconds, with the U20 Tewelde given the nod for gold.

We would like to acknowledge the support of Lloyds Development Capital (LDC)"

The first ever Glasgow Indoor Athletics Championships will take place on Monday 28th December and Wednesday the 30th December. The Glasgow Athletics Association has tried to arrange an Indoor Championship that retains the feeling of a top quality Open Graded Meeting.

Selection for Glasgow Team competing in the Inter Regional Championships will take place on the 2nd of January and selection will make use of the results from these Championships amongst other information available information. Athletes wishing to be considered for selection should make themselves known to Brian Donaldson by contacting him on brian.donaldson@csglasgow.org

Click here for full details and pre-entry form.

Pre-entries close on Wednesday 22nd of December

This year's Christmas handicap will be held on Sunday 20th December

Registration from 9.00am Race start 11.00am
Course 4.8 miles, athletes will be handicapped by ability.

All bribes to be sealed in unmarked envelopes to Bernie Campbell !!

Course records

Course route

We would like to acknowledge the support of Lloyds Development Capital (LDC)"

This years Junior Awards Disco takes place at the club on -

Friday 4th December - 7.00pm - 10.00pm

Tickets - £3.00

What a (perfect) day!

The heavy rain and high winds during last week meant that the conditions at Bellahouston Park were perfect for a wet and muddy Cross Country run. It was great fun.

We all arrived early to walk the course and warm up with Ronnie and Clare before the 12 noon start. This gave us a chance to see the bits to avoid and get some advice on how and where we should run - it also gave all those parents who were wearing raincoats and wellies and carrying umbrellas the chance to see how brave their poor children were going to be!!!

The U11 Girls and Boys got us off to a winning start. The Girls team of Holly Still (individual Silver), Jessica Boyle and Jude Graham coming 2nd, 4th and 6th and claiming team Gold and the Boys team of Michael Lowrie (individual Bronze), Laurence Forsyth and Joseph Lowrie (3rd, 4th and 8th) claiming the team Silver.

The Girls U13 team then made it a golden double with Chloe Cowan winning the individual gold and Nikki Hutcheson (4th) and Alex Pope (7th) getting us the top team prize as well.

The U13 Boys also claimed a team Bronze with Johnnie McLaughlin (6th), Dewi Gould (7th) and Jamie Cook (8th).

The U15 Boys got an individual Gold for Jonathan Tweedie and with Andrew Clark (5th) and Scott Smith (12th) we were in Silver position.

Not to be outdone the U15 Girls got a Gold for Linzi Cowan, a Bronze for Selena Jackson and with Frances Lowrie coming in 7th we won another team Gold!!!

By now the course was getting into a nice porridge for the older runners (he he!!).

And then we had a 1,2,3 for Grant Muir, Luke Traynor and Martin Fishwick in the U17 Boys - so 2 Golds, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze in one race - way to go Boys.

The U17 Girls team of Madeleine Murray (Silver), Olivia Keenan and April Miller landed us a final Junior team Gold.

A fantastic performance and a perfect lead for the Seniors - I can't tell you much about that as I had to go inside and get a hot drink, sandwich and a medal! - but I'm sure someone will!

Well done to all the Giffnock North athletes who took part and made this a memorable day….

Jessica Boyle (u11)


Giffnock's Senior Ladies team of Mary McCutcheon, Hilary Millar and Jill Smylie romped to the county crown with a fine 4th, 5th, 6th finish over four miles, with McCutcheon claiming the veteran's gold for good measure. Giffnock's men took 6th over six miles, led home by Marc Roper, Gerry McNamee and Brendan O'Hagan in a race emphatically won by Kilbarchan Harrier's former national champion, the evergreen Bobby Quinn.

The Ladies' result meant a clean sweep of all the female team prizes - so let's see more porridge on the menu!

All in all it was a grand day's sport. Thanks to John Roger of Kilbarchan and Colin Shields for awarding the prizes back at Bellahouston Bowling Club, and much applause to Bellahouston Road Runners for hosting a well-run event over an immaculately marked out course. The home-baking was world-class too.

Click here for more photographs courtesy of Alan Stewart.

We would like to acknowledge the support of Lloyds Development Capital (LDC)"

Giffnock North's distance runners brought home two hard-won medals from the national cross country relay championship in Cumbernauld.

The club's girls raced to a fine bronze medal over the 3 by 2,500.00 metres course. Under 13 girl Chloe Cowan completed the first lap in third place, handing over to her sister Linzi for the under 15 leg. The third and final lap saw Joanna Muir take off in fifth place and with one of the fastest girls' -10 minutes, 19 seconds - she caught her rival on the last bend and claimed third place with an emphatic final 100meters.

Another classic finish electrified the crowd in the boys' race. After a strong run from Dewi Gould, Jonnie Tweedie reeled in two places leaving U-17 anchor man Grant Muir also in fifth. Muir's lap was joint fastest of the day and moved him onto the shoulder of Shettleston's Andrew Dearie on the last bend. The effort took its toll though, and Dearie held into silver.

Giffnock's men finished 35th overall and the ladies were 24th

We would like to thank the support of Lloyds Development Capital (LDC)


Croy Thomson

Many congratulations to both Head Coach Bernie Campbell and Club President and Coach Billy Glasgow who both won awards at the recent Scottish Athletics Dinner.

Bernie for his Services to Coaching Development and Billy for Services to Club Development.

Note hooded tops,small sizes in the waterproof jackets and crop tops are now in stock

Contact - Jill Hollinshead

GIFFNOCK NORTH launched their cross-country season with fine performances - and an excellent turn-out of over 50 athletes - at the West District Relays at Strathclyde University Sports Fields in Stepps last Saturday.

Setting the gold standard in perfect, sunny conditions on a fast, flat(ish) course was the southsiders' Junior Girls squad, with a well-won victory over three 2,500 metre legs. On the first stage, Under 13 Chloe Cowan wisely held back during the frantic mass start, danced through the pond in the middle of the first bend and after nine minutes and four seconds returned in the lead, handing over to her sister Linzi for the U15 leg. Another outstanding effort saw Giffnock hold onto second spot, teeing up a blistering last lap from U17 Joanna Muir. The current Scottish Schools biathlon champion steadily overhauled her Shettleston rival to come home nine seconds clear for the title. Racing in Giffnock colours as her second-claim club (she is first-claim with Stewartry AC) Muir's time of eight minutes and 49 seconds was second fastest Under 17 of the day, just two seconds shy of VP Glasgow's Hollie Young. Giffnock's B and C Girls teams posted impressive 5th and 7th placings with strong running from Helena Davison, Selena Jackson and Olivia Keenan (Bs) and Nikki Hutcheson, Aliyah Zuberi and Rebecca Patrick for the Cs.

Again over three 2.5k laps, Giffnock's boys A team of Dewi Gould, Johnnie Tweedie and Grant Muir delivered another fine run. Muir delivered the fastest U17 lap of the day in 7 minutes 26 seconds, although he ultimately had to settle for fourth, just ten seconds behind the winners. The Boys B (Max Lancaster, Neil Gourley, Jack Walker) and C (Jamie Cook, Scott Young and Max Lott) squads also packed into the top eight in a solid show of strength in depth.

Giffnock Ladies A team of Yvonne Hamilton, Hilary Millar and Jill Smylie was 9th and the Mens A's David Phee, Derren Thomson, Gerry MacNamee and David Logan were 32nd.

NAME GAME: Between them, the juniors' two A teams had six runners and only four surnames. If Grant's brother Peter turns out next year, we might have just three surnames, which is obviously more efficient. If we could have April Miller, Holly Miller and Cody Miller running in one team, plus Rob Gourley, Neil Gourley and Ronnie Gourley running in the other team, that would be just two surnames (and fourteen legs) but something tells me that won't happen. We did at one time have runners called Sara, Kara and Lara, which was almost too good to be true, because it's never easy to create an entire cross country team from only five letters of the alphabet. Mind you, right now we have Selena, Helena and Petrena, which is excellent. For anyone who's wondering, the two Muirs, Grant and Joanna, are not related. Well, only through membership of the Giffnock North Flying Squad. Onwards!

We lined up at the starting line for a 3 x 1 mile relay race we were very excited and nervous. It was Danielle's first cross country race.

"17 under 11 girls turned up and ran a great race. It stayed dry during the race. Everybody was very happy about how they ran."

A team made up of under 11 girls called Holly Still, Iona Menzies, Rebecca Conroy came 1st and another team made up of Danielle Kelly, Mariha Zuberi and Lina Maria Guarin came third. It was a great day overall.

Thank You for reading about our day.
Danielle Kelly, Holly Still, Mariha Zuberi and Iona Menzies


On Sunday 18 October Fraser Gray, Dario Ewing and Michael Lowrie (Team 1) represented Giffnock North AAC in the first cross country race of the season at the Renfrewshire Cross Country Championships at Lochinch.

The first runner was Fraser Gray who came second in his heat, only 4 secs. behind Kilbarchan 1.
Dario Ewing ran the second heat and finished in third place, just 3 seconds behind Kilbarchan 1. Dario handed over to Michael Lowrie who ran the final heat in 05.06 to finish in overall 2nd place behind Inverclyde 1.

It was a great race and we really enjoyed it. We are already looking forward to the next race and hopefully can make it into 1st place.

Dario Ewing

This years AGM is on Wednesday 28th October 2009, 7.15 pm at the Maccabi Club, May Terrace, Giffnock.

Any motions for consideration or nominations for the committee should be forwarded to the club secretary, David Phee as soon as possible.

Congratulations to Giffnock's growing band of hill runners who contested the Comrie Hill Relays.

Race Legs:
1) 11km, 530m - solo
2) 7km, 480m - pairs
3) 12.6km, 710m - solo
4) 11km, 390m - solo

Full results            Photographs

This year's Club Track & Field Championships, took place at the John Wright Track, East Kilbride and was contested by 114 athletes across all age groups. A big thank you to everyone who helped out on the day and made the event a great success. Thank you also to the weather God who gave us a dry day (a rare thing in EK !)

Age group winners below -

Full Results              Photographs (courtesy of Kate Jackson)

Giffnock North had numerous runners in this year's Great Scottish run half marathon, partly owing to the fact it was part of the senior distance championship for the men and the women. In addition the club had David Phee and Graeme Croll invited into the elite men's field this year.

The conditions were cool and damp though there were a couple of downpours during the race.

First home for the club was David Phee who finished in 1:10:25, just ten seconds off his pb set last year. Second was Graeme Croll in 1:14:16 with a negative split (second half faster than first half) of an estimated ninety seconds which is impressive running. Also running a negative split was George Taylor who scythed over a minute off his personal best to dip under seventy-five minutes for the first time.

First of the women to finish for the club - and fifth for the club overall - was Mary McCutcheon with a personal best for the course of 1:28:33. Second was Hilary Millar in 1:31:55. Third was Jill Smylie in 1:32:30.

Other new personal bests included Anne Lee with about four minutes off in a time off 1:33:24. David Logan also set a new pb with the same 1:33:24 but lost the place to Anne Lee on the dip finish!

The race was won by previous winner Jason Mbote of Kenya in 1:01:19 and the first woman overall was Caroline Cheptonui Kilel of Kenya in 1:09:03.

As a footnote, George Taylor went on to run the Berlin marathon two weeks after the Glasgow half and lowered his marathon pb by over four minutes to 2:36:32, under six minutes per mile on average. What a performance!

Congratulations to everyone above.

An Afternoon of Classical Delights
In Aid of Cancer Research UK

Club memeber Naomi Boole-Masterton (Cellist, Scottish Ensemble)
and her husband Fali Pavri (Piano)


Sunday 4th October, Netherlee Church (Ormonde Avenue) 3 pm


Tickets £6.50 (to include afternoon tea) Pay at the door

Three of Giffnock's top pupils' scored top marks in a very special exam at the UK School Games in Cardiff.

Matthew Kerr, Katie McKnight and Emma Brown headed south to the land of the dragon with the Scottish School squad for the four day competition which is the premier multi-sport event for the UK's elite young athletes of school age.

The team with Denise Lewis

Sports including Athletics, Badminton, Fencing, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis and Volleyball attracted over 2000 youngsters to Wales. The Games are set up to mirror the Olympics with mock dope testing, media interviews and SKY coverage of the events, including the all important posse at the start line, with some of the youngsters giving Usian Bolt a run for his money with their antics. Even Welsh First Minister Rt.Hon Rhodri Morgan got in on the act by opening the festival amidst fireworks and water walls.

Matthew was first up and clocked Scotland's first points in a very tough Triple Jump against some very strong competition. Emma followed his lead in the 80m hurdle heats as she continued her fine form to secure her place in Sunday's final. Katie also got her weekend off to a flier in the 4x300 helping her team storm through to the final with a clock busting time 2.43.82 as the quickest qualifiers. Emma brought the curtain down on a great day for Scotland when she joined her fellow 4x100 sprinters crossing the line with a blistering time of 47.98s.

Sunday saw a day of high drama and plenty of success for Giffnock and Scotland.

Emma raced to bronze in the hurdles final in a time of 11.81 to bring down the curtain on a fantastic season that saw her enter into the all-time Scottish records alongside Eilidh Child.

Emma Brown - Bronze medalist

With no time to rest Emma joined the 4x100 squad for the final and the girls stormed round the track to clinch another bronze for Scotland, cheered on by their very own Hampden roar from tartan army team-mates, in a time of 47.97s. Not to be outdone Katie and her crew blasted from the blocks minutes later and in a race that ebbed and flowed through each change, the Scotland squad eventually finished second silver and just missing the gold by the width of a baton in an fantastic 2.42.38s.

When the points were tallied it turned out that this was Scotland finest hour at the Games with the Girls team finishing second overall and the boys sixth.

With medals aplenty and memories you can't buy the Scotland squad headed north with their heads held high and their necks gleaming from some very rare and precious metals.

Photographs courtesy of Gwen Harris Photography             For more images and to buy prints click here

IF IT'S EARLY SEPTEMBER it must be Young Athletes UK Final time for Giffnock North. Once again the bold youngsters were boarding the buses for the trip to Birmingham, the boxes of bananas were being loaded into the hold (thank you Lord Sainsbury) and the preposterously large suitcases full of haircare products and straighteners were being lugged across the car park by long-suffering parents.

A tearful crowd gathered at the clubhouse to wave them all away, the mums, dads and coaches' hearts brimming with hope and trepidation or maybe it was just disbelieving anticipation of a couple of days' peace and quiet.
The bus drivers finally fired up the mighty engines, probably to drown out the endless stream of jokes coming from Robert Fairfield, and Joe Dowd's vehement denials that the hair straighteners were actually his.
As the buses head away towards Braidholm Road, the brass band plays "Keep Right On To The End Of The M6" and we look ahead to heroic endeavours yet to come.

THE AUXILIARY FINAL of the UK Young Athletes League is a prestigious event, demanding total effort from every competitor. Giffnock North AAC, representing Scotland, stepped up to the mark in style at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham.

Under 13 sprinter Robert Moses, having already re-written the club and league record books in the Scottish qualifying matches, went even faster in England, producing dazzling wins in the 100m (12.31 seconds) and 200m (24.95 seconds). The times fired the youngster to third in the UK rankings and earned him the title (and the t-shirt) of U13 Male Track Athlete of the Match. He also helped his team mates to bronze in the 4X100 relay. It should be noted that this 200m race was only Robert's third competitive race over the distance; his 100m race was his second over that distance.

Many other individual performances had the very vocal, saltire-waving Scots support on its feet: Craig Walker's gold in the U17 400m; Alistair MacCallum's U17 steeplechase victory; Grant Muir's U17 1500m win; Jack Walker's claiming of the U17 800 gold.

Never ones to be outshone, Giffnock's girls piled on the points and the excitement. Nikki Manson won the U15 high jump and took javelin bronze; Helena Davison won a never-say-die U13 800m; Chloe Cowan claimed the U13 1200m with a photo-finish dip, winning by four 100ths of a second.

The relays provided a thrilling climax to the day with seven Giffnock teams winning medals. The boys' squads landed double gold in the 4X400: Neil Gourley, Lewis Coultas, Johnnie Tweedie and Scott Young won the U15 crown; Chris Russell, Fraser Walker, Max Lott and Grant Muir the U17 race.

Giffnock Athletics President Billy Glasgow said, "Every athlete did themselves, the club and Scotland proud on the day. Thanks go to coaches, parents, officials, sponsors and the Scottish Athletics Federation, all of whose support is much appreciated. Now I'm away for a lie down."

A quick look through the results reveals PB's by: Helena Davison u13 800m, Chloe Cowan u13 1200, Mhairi Agnew in the u13 75mh. U15 girls, Lauren Lambie 100 and 200m, Aliyah Zuberi 800m, M Howat in the 75mh. U17W Rebecca Hart PB 300mh. U13B PB's Tristan Cumming 100m, Dewi Gould 1500m, Johnny McLaughlin 800m albeit a DQ never mind Johnny we know you ran the distance, Gregor Munro and Rob Gourley 75mh. U15's Calum Firth and Chris Ashton 100m, Adrian Cumming 200m, Scott Young 400m, Lewis Coultas 800m. Blair McCate new club hammer record 24.04m.
Deep breath here's more: U17M A Lauder 100m, Luke Traynor and Sandy Nimmo 3000m, Alistair McCallum 1500m s/c, Taylor Spiers and Drew Hollinshead 100mh, Taylor Spiers and Max Lott triple jump and new club record 4 x 100m (A Lauder, M Cumming, C Walker and G Woodhouse) 45.46 seconds. Phew.

In eventually finishing seventh in the eight club meet, no less than 77 medals were carried home by Giffnock athletes from a full day's sport. It should be noted that fourth to seventh was covered by just 20 points: very little after 81 events. With fuller representation in the field contest and the throwing events in particular, Giffnock would have been competing with the top three.

Photographs courtesy Whiteflyer Photography        For more images and to buy prints click here

THERE'S MORE! THE CLUB HAD NO LESS THAN AN ENTIRE UNDER 13 GIRLS PRESS CORPS AT THE YAL FINAL. WE ARE PROUD TO BRING YOU OUR FOUR STAR REPORTERS' ON-THE-SPOT, EYE-WITNESS, ALL ACTION ACCOUNTS. THANKS CLARE FOR ORGANISING THIS. NOW STRIKE UP "CHARIOTS OF FIRE" …

REPORT 1
"I was running in the 'A' string of the 1200 metres race in Birmingham YAL UK Final. I was coming third the whole way round and it came to the last 200 metres - a 200 metres sprint. I gave it my all and overtook the 2nd place runner! I made sure I cut in front of her so she wouldn't be able to get in front again! My next aim was to overtake the 1st runner. I sprinted so so so much like I've never done before and I was like 10 metres away from the finish line. As I got over the line I had to bend over to get my place.

We were sitting afterwards to see who came first because it was a photo finish. The official came over and announced that I was the winner - I went on the podium with the Scotland flag. I was so happy and I got a PB. Ronnie also got a copy of the photo finish from the officials. My PB was 4.04!!! I had a great time!!!"
- Chloe Cowan U13 girls

REPORT 2
"It was the UK Final of the YAL!! I was so excited and proud thinking that with all the club's hard work and good effort we had made it to Birmingham. I was doing the 800m at 12.35. With only one hour to go I was extremely nervous. My mum and dad came down to support me. I was standing waiting to get my lane number. Once I got it we were taken to our lanes. Then the gun went and we were all off. I came 2nd. I was so happy.I have finally realised that I shouldn't get as worried anymore. I just have to go out and do my best!!"
- Nikki Hutcheson U13 girls

REPORT 3
My First YAL Final [Surely a statement of intent for the future!!??? - Ed]

"On the 4th of September 2009 at 10 am 90 athletes [actually 76, but they don't half move around a lot - Ed] from GNAAC boarded two buses that would take us to Birmingham. I was one of those athletes and for me this was my first time going with Giffnock. I was so excited. This was the biggest thing I had ever been to. I was ecstatic that I was chosen to represent my club, Scotland and the Under 13 Girls in this prestigious event.

At about 5pm we arrived at the Village Hotel just outside Birmingham. Firstly we got settled in our rooms then we went to dinner. We had a Giffnock's Got Talent Competition which was very entertaining. Then it was off to bed. ZZZZZZZ.

At 9am the next morning we set off for the Alexander Stadium. I was so excited/nervous/ happy. There were so many good athletes all competing for the one thing - the honour of receiving a medal. To me just being here in Birmingham is a privilege and an honour.

My main highlights of the day were when I came 4th in the hurdles with a PB of 12.90. The GNAAC U13 Girls Relay Team -Rachel Alexander, Heather Scott, Megan Adams and me came 3rd.

Robert Moses flying to an easy victory in the 100m and 200 metres. (He makes it look so effortless.) I really enjoyed the day and the whole atmosphere of the day was brilliant. I loved watching the other athletes that I aspire to be like. They were all really good. Overall Giffnock came 6th (Whoo!!!*) and we received plenty of well deserved medals.

I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend but all could not be possible without the fantastic, brilliant and amazing coaches Billy, Ronnie, Clare, Sheila, Carolyn, Robert, Joe, John, Gordon, Dudley and Jill.

Thanks for a great weekend. I hope to represent the Club next year."
- Mhairi Agnew [age 12 U13 Girls Team]

*NOTE. Eventually we were 7th on final scrutinised results. Even so, according to the European Results Kalibration Association (EUREKA), that remains officially a "Whoo!!!" - Croy.

REPORT 4

"I was very nervous. My body was tingling with excitement. As the gun echoed through the arena, adrenaline pumped through my veins. This was it, there was no going back. I led the race for the first lap, a bit faster than I normally would, hoping to tire out my opponents. The final lap I gave it my all because there was no way I was going to let anyone else get that gleaming gold medal. Coming up for the last 100m I could hear the pounding footsteps of the girl behind me. That's when I knew it was time to crank it up a notch! Running as fast as my tired legs would go I passed through the finish line first. What a relief!

While standing on the podium I felt on top of the world. I received my gold medal from the Olympic athlete Jo Fenn."
- Helena Davidson U13 Girls

Grateful thanks goes to all the coaches, parents, friends, sponsors (East Renfrewshire Council, Sainsbury's, Craig Cowles from Barrs) and Mrs Clark and Mrs Nimmo for the biscuits - we'll use the biscuits at the club championships, honest. Big respect to Catriona Lockie and Carolyn Hutcheson for coming along to support the team and special mention to those athletes who performed so well for the club in the qualifying matches but did not go to Birmingham. Torn between two great competitions, Emma Brown, Matthew Kerr and Katie McKnight opted for the UK Schools Games where they all performed with great distinction.

If we've missed anyone else who merits a mention, humble apologies.

EPILOGUE

And so it came to pass that the athletes made their weary way home, slipping quietly back over the border as midnight loomed. In the darkness of the buses, children still whispered to one another of their adventures, their voices just audible above the distant thunder of Robert's final salvo of jokes and the grumbling snores of the snoozing coaches.

Under the twilight, close-clutched to the athletes' hearts were their hard-won stashes of gold, silver and bronze, and the everlasting hoard of memories that will forever warm the long, cold winter months.

Onwards, onwards they traveled together, towards that distant light on the horizon: no it's not Hamilton Service Station, look beyond … it's the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow that beckons.

   Full results

IMMENSE EFFORTS saw off all but a relentlessly focussed Edinburgh AC. Every point had to count on a hotly contested day for the southsiders, but individual mention has to go to Under 13 Robert Moses for an outstanding new league record of 12.56 seconds in the 100 metres and another maximum point score with 26.07 seconds 200 metres. Moses also helped his team mates to silver in the 4X100 relay, all helping him earn a coveted Track Athlete of the Match Award.

Nikki Manson won both U15 javelin and high jump contests, the latter including a close attempt at a new league record of 1.69 m in difficult, windy conditions. The sprint hurdles proved rewarding for Giffnock: U17 Emma Brown won her 80m race in a new club record 11.95 seconds; Marc Russell and Jamie Lewis took full points in the U15 80 m hurdles. In the U17 1500 m steeplechase Alistair MacCallum and Ewan Murray delivered another max with strong sub-five minute performances.

Further new club records were set with U15 Fraser O'Rourke raising the U15 pole vault bar to 2.70m after just a few weeks' training and Emma Brown, Katie McKnight, Paula Houston and Roisin Howat lowering the U17 girls 4X100 mark to 50.97 seconds.

And so, with the vanquishing of some of Scotland's finest composite squads (including a fine Highlands and Islands team that come ever closer, year on year) the scene was set for Glaswegian glory in a foreign field, where the locals speak with an accent even stranger and more exotic than our own.

This year's Club Track & Field Championship will take place at the John Wright Sports Centre, East Kilbride on Sunday 20th September

Download the entry form here (Word Doc.)

Comgraultions to the following medal winners at the recent National Age Group Championships.

3x800m Relays

Glasgow Athletics Association is looking for an Administrator/Financial Assistant who will be able to assist in the Developemnt of the Glasgow Athletics Association. This will be an interesting and challenging position for any person as the Glasgow Athletics Assocition continues to face the challenges and expectations created by Glasgow 2014 and beyond.

Applicants should be aware there will be a requirement to attend evening meetings and to assist at events such as Open Graded Meetings and League Fixtures.

Click here to download full job description. (Word file)

Congatulations to David Phee on breaking the course record in the park run on 1st August. The park run is held in Pollok Park at 9:30 on almost every Saturday (not 8th August) and is becoming increasingly popular, now boasting over two hundred finishers per race.

Click here for further information

GIFFNOCK NORTH AAC'S junior athletes comfortably reached the Scottish Young Athletes League Final 2009, with a solid third place in the last qualifying match. Hosted at Grangemouth, the match saw excellent performances across the board, throughout the day-long contest of sprints, hurdles, throws and middle distances.

Individual athletes catching the eye included Giffnock's latest sprint recruit, Robert Moses, with a new club record in the Under 13 Boys 200 metres, in a swift 25.85 seconds - fast enough to rate a Scottish Athletics Grade 1 ranking.

Emma Brown, just returned from the International Children's Games in Greece, posted an excellent 12.31 seconds for the U17 80m hurdles and Matthew Kerr continued a fine season with a 6.17m effort in the U17 long jump. Marc Russell raced his 80m hurdles in 12.30 seconds and fellow Under 15 Johnnie Tweedie covered 1500m in 4 minutes 24.48 seconds. Nikki Manson, one of the country's top U15 multi-eventers, fired the javelin 26.13m and landed more points in the high jump with a 1.55m clearance. All of the above, plus Lewis Coultas for a superb 800m race in a previous match, earned Athlete of the Match t-shirts.

The ever consistent Edinburgh AC, who won all three qualifying matches, look hot favourites to retain their Scottish champions crown, but Giffnock and Shettleston will push the east coasters hard in the Final at Grangemouth next month, with places at stake in the UK Final in Birmingham.

This years Club Tarck & Field Championship will take place at East Kilbride John Wright Track on

Sunday 20th September aprox 11am to 4 pm

Events and format the same as last year. More details and Entry forms soon.

After being the first team home last year a team of 3 hardy souls headed west to defend our title over one of Scotland's newest long-distance footpaths, the 66 mile Kintyre Way.

With 6 legs to cover the event can be undertaken by teams of up to 6 and there were 3 other teams who had 5 or 6 runners doing separate legs. There was also an event for walkers doing part of the course.

First off for Giffnock at 6 in the morning was new recruit Philip Coupar who ran a fine first leg - in fact he led the field, catching out our second runner David Logan who was just swanning into the car park at Claonaig as Philip arrived! Also posted missing was Philip's wife Fiona who had gone off "sightseeing" down the east side of Kintyre. Would have said this confirms that the fairer sex have a poorer sense of direction, but then we mustn't forget Fireman Roger at Comrie last year.

David maintained the lead on the 16k leg over the hill to Clachan, where Jim Galbraith again had the pleasure of running the shingle beach on the way to Tayinloan. But we were still in the lead at the half way point!

However an impressive run from Alan Tait of Motherwell AC gave their team a substantial lead by the end of stage 4, with Philip finding this hilly 26k section tough after his efforts on the first leg. David Logan took up the baton on Leg 5 with one supporter expressing doubts that we might fall further down the field. Knowing this was also a tough hilly leg there were genuine concerns that even the Campbeltown Cleaning Ladies team might overtake us. But David ran a superb leg (OK he walked some of it) and that allowed Jim to amble in over the last 22k to Campbeltown bringing the team home in second place in a time of 10 hours 55 minutes.

But hero of the day was solo runner George Reid from Stonehaven who ran the full 66 miles in a time of 13 ½ hours.

The day finished off with a ceilidh in Tayinloan village hall with runners, walkers and local people enjoying some fine music and an excellent buffet. As well as having savoured fantastic scenery with views to Arran, Gigha and Jura the hospitality of organiser Rob Reid and all the stewards, home baking ladies etc made this a truly memorable weekend.

Thanks also to Hazel and Fiona for support along the way.
Highly recommended for 2010 - if you're tough enough !

More pictures

In horrendous conditions Giffnock's runners paraded the vest in this race which forms part of the Club's Road Championships.

Chasing the Eritreans David Phee finished the Race in 3rd place (32.04) after battling along the seafront in high winds & a torrential downpour.

Graeme Croll, putting the finishing touches to his Marathon training, came home in 7th place (1st Vet) followed by George Taylor & Derren Thomson bringing the Men's Team home in 2nd place.

Not to be outdone Mary McCutcheon, Yvonne Hamilton & Jacqui Cowan led the Ladies Team home in 1st place with 3 of the Ladies, including Li Wang, picking up age group prizes.

Congratulations to Jacqui Cowan & David Logan who, somehow in atrocious conditions, managed PB's.

Also nice to see one of our previous 'stars' make his Road Race debut and win his side bet comfortably - take a bow John Walker - I hope this is the start of a new career. Good to watch all of you acquit yourselves so well even if I ended up frozen & wet through.

Full results

Giffnock's Ladies turned out, in force, for the Annual procession of more than 10,000 runners through the streets of Glasgow's Southside. First home was Yvonne Hamilton in 27th place which is all the more surprising given that she has only returned to the sport less than a year ago after having taken some years out for her studies. She was ably backed up by Ruth Joss(34th) , Hilary Millar (44th) & Jacqui Cowan (49th) giving the Club 4 placings in the top 50 finishers.

Sheila Lewis (68th) & Li Wang (82nd) led the remainder of the Giffnock pack home on what was to be a good day for the Club. It was heartening to see so many of the 'amber & blue' turn out and worth mentioning that Clare Stevenson even managed a wave /riposte as she battled down the home straight. Well Done everyone!

Full results