The young Athletes in the club had their Xmas Disco and Awards night on Friday 7th December in GHA.
This was a great event, well enjoyed by all the athletes and also by the coaches, helpers and parents who came along to see the fun.
The Awards presented at this event were 1) Certificates for all the U11s who have competed for the club on the Track at the SAIL [Scottish Athletics Indoor League ] last winter , the CSSL in the summer, 2) the Star Track event we held in the Emirates and, of course 3) for those who like the mud ,who turned out to compete for the Club at XC at the Renfrewshire Cross Country Relays and XC Championships as well as some other schools XC events.
We also recognised all the medalists Gold,Silver & Bronze in all 4 events contested at the Club Championships in September.
4) Finally, Awards were also presented to the U11 Athletes of the Year Male and Female.

We were honoured to have Nikki Manson, our superb High Jumper, present the Awards to the athletes on the night. Dudley Walker our great MC , explained in his introduction of Nikki her early start in the club, the range of events she competed in as an athlete from Middle Distance to Thows to Sprints to Jumps before finally settling on the High Jump as her preferred event. He suggested the young athletes should check out the huge array of Club Records which Nikki holds, at all Age Groups, in all these events, before outlining her National and International career as a High Jumper reaching the position of becoming the Scottish HJ Record Holder with her 1.90 Metre Jump. Nikki came along in her GB kit which she earned representing GB at the European indoor Championships when she and David Smith the club’s other prestigious High Jumper were both in the British Team. Both have also represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.
Dudley had brought along a measuring tape and with the help of one of the youngsters displayed what an achievement Nikki’s soaring 1.90 was. It was great to have Nikki there. She spoke to the athletes, shook all the hands , handed out the medals and certificates and patiently dealt with the queue of requests for signatures and selfies. Thankyou Nikki from all at the Young Athletes Disco & Awards Night and also from all at the Club for the experience of seeing your continuing development in your GB Scottish & Giffnock Vest.

Dudley had a very busy weekend : MC for this event, taking his squads to the West District XC Championships on Saturday, followed by another gig at the Main Awards Night on Saturday evening. Grateful thanks to him for generously giving his time.

Well done to all our athletes , those who have moved on to U13s, those still with the U11s and those who have recently joined us .
All the coaches and helpers think we have a great bunch of keen and enthusiastic Athletes to celebrate and the dance floor antics certainly underlined that. We had several athletes who were late due to being at their dance exams but who gave an impromptu display and then had everyone join in including coaches and helpers. Craig Armstrong led the Arm Wrestling competition in between dances . We don’t think he let anyone beat him.

Medal winnners below

ATHLETES OF THE YEAR 2018
Joint Winners
Emily Williams & Freya Campbell
Oliver Bryers & Lewis Davidson

CLUB T&F CHAMPIONS
GIRLS
1)Madeleine Mackenzie
2)Emily Williams
3)Leilani Spelman Ikedashi
BOYS
1)Lewis Davidson
2)Alfie Bradley
3) Logan Johnston

A great event for the youngest of the future Club athletes.
We have to thank properly the following members of the Junior Committee who organised the night and did a great job especially ensuring the DJ and the always welcome Pizza delivery.
Lynda Scott, Tracey Davie & Alison Watson
Additional thanks to Emily and Eilidh for the service at the Juice Bar
A special thanks to James Turnbull , dad to Hannah who came and took all the photos on the night.
In conclusion the U11 Coach Team on the night of Craig Armstrong, John O’Donnell, Steve Taylor, Clare Stevenson and Andy Munro would like to thank our band of parent helpers ( soon to be coaches we hope) for their input on the night and at sessions.
Patricia Gallagher, Gillian Pollock, Gillian Gallagher &a Jennifer Jackson

Lachie Stewart , Erin Wallace and Luke Traynor

Giffnock North AC Annual Awards Night , Saturday 8th Dec
Report from Gerry Duggan.

It was the athletic version of A Christmas Carol at our Annual Awards Dinner on Saturday night, but instead of ghosts, we had heroes past, present and future in attendance.
Our Hero of the Past, and joint guest of honour, was Lachie Stewart, Scotland’s 10,000m gold medallist from the 1970 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. We were treated to video footage of Lachie charging down the back-straight to win his medal as he was being introduced to the attendees. A recent inductee into Scottish Athletics Hall of Fame, Lachie complemented the club for all its recent achievements and for developing such a strong young athlete section.
The other guest of honour and Hero of the Present, was our very own Luke Traynor. Luke has been tearing up the road racing circuit across Europe, winning the Ceske Budejovice Half Marathon, finishing second in the Manchester Half Marathon & third in the Great Scottish Run.
And why have one Hero of the Present when you can have two? We were delighted that Erin Wallace, World Junior Triathlon silver medallist and 1500m CYG Winner  was able to join us too.
Luke and Lachie  raced through the presentation of 30 plus Club awards, ranging from Under 11 to V55 Masters, [including all the National Title winners certificates which required a production line effort from Graham Dunn ] before finishing the awards section of the evening by presenting Erin with her Scottish Athletics Under 20 Athlete of the Year Award which she had missed out on receiving earlier due to training commitments.
While we congratulate all our award winners, listed below, we also salute everyone at the club who has trained and competed over the past year.
Medals and certificates awarded, the starter’s gun was fired for the fun part of the evening. Pausing only briefly to fuel up from the buffet and bar we swapped our spikes for dance shoes and took to the floor for some serious ceilidh dancing. The band was fantastic and the dance floor was full all night long.
Now you may be wondering about the Heroes of the Future? We were delighted that so many of our Junior Section were able to join us at the Awards Night. They burned off more energy on the Dance Floor than they do at a training session and a few may even have set a personal best or two in the process! This group of young men and women will be our Heroes of the Future, whether winning National or International medals, competing and coaching for Giffnock North or simply maintaining an enthusiasm for the sport we all love.

We hope everyone enjoyed the evening and hope the coming year brings more success for Giffnock North that we can celebrate next year. A huge vote of thanks to all those who organised and helped make the night such a great success.

Thanks Gerry.

Special thanks also to Dawn Armitt for her role in organising, and Dudley Walker, our ace MC and Coach to the XC Squads as ever, here sharing memories of athletics with Lachie, his former clubmate at Shettleston Harriers. David Chong for taking all the photos and to all the others who helped to ensure we had a great night recognising the efforts and achievements of all the athletes. But special thanks reserved for Lachie Stewart who at 75 looks as fit as a fiddle and who regaled Dudley and Billy with his amazing tales of competing abroad and finding the prizes were such items as a fridge! From Spain to Glasgow not really possible !!

VIEW ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHS HERE

Download (DOC, 23KB)

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ol4qqwzkzesa5l1/AAC2OnnCWew3Qyb2JPNEaAl9a?dl=0

Report from Allie Chong

After most of the juniors had finished, just as the weather was closing in, the seniors took to the muddy course in Kilmarnock yesterday.
Churned to a quagmire in places, it was a challenging run, and slightly longer than advertised!
Mary McCutcheon had a strong run from the gun and was the first Giffnock female across the line, with Allie Chong one place behind her. Mary’s run made her the clear winner in the FV50 category – another medal for her trophy collection.
Frances Lowrie and Kathleen McLachlan made up the ladies team, finishing in 5th spot, with Mary, Allie and Kathleen claiming silver in the Masters team category.
Chris Greenhalgh led the Giffnock men round the hilly 8.5k in the men’s race, finishing in 46th place. Jordan Orr had a strong run as Giffnock’s second counter and Luke Chamberlain, Ted Gourley, John O’Donnell and Jason Steele made up the rest of the team, who finished in 7th spot. The men’s Masters Team were just punched out of the medals by one point, finishing just behind rivals Garscube.
All in all 20 seniors competed boding well for the Nationals in February, where even greater numbers are hoped for.

Thanks to Allie Chong for reporting for the Club Seniors and Masters .We can only echo her sentiments for an enhanced turn out for the Nationals .
Well done all the club athletes but especially Mary and the masters silver team medallists Allie & Kathleen adding to the weekend haul of medals.
Provisional results :

Lindsays District XC Champs will be centre stage

Harris Paterson to the fore!

Helen Chong & Clare Wallace for the U17 Women’s Team.

Report from Croy Thomson.

SIX TEAM GOLDS and a team bronze were on the scoreboard for Giffnock North AC’s juniors and Under 20s, and that was before the Seniors and Masters results were in at the West District Cross Country Champs

A most unfortunate stewarding error saw the U13 Girls run a (very) short race but Amber Wade, Katy Donnelly and Kirsty Wylie still claimed the team crown amid a crowded finish that needed video reviews to settle the result. Giffnock ultimately edged Ayr Seaforth by one point. The U13 Boys ran the full distance of 3.2k to deliver the same title-winning result, with Craig Shennan, Matthew Murphy and Alex Robin doing the damage.

U15 titles over four testing, muddy kilometers went to Valencia Wright, Zoe Flower and Julia Cash (first, third and fourth) and to Harris Paterson, Jacob Luc and Ross O’Brien. Under 17 Girls Heather Barnes, Helen Chong and Clare Wallace brought home the fourth crown of the day after 5.5k, before, and with the weather worsening amid gathering gloom, the U20 Girls lit up the day yet again, this time over 6.5k. Erin Wallace, Charlotte McKenna and Rhona Mowat earning the applause.

Under 17 Gents Ethan Carolan, Jack Bell and Blayne Wright – closely pursued by Andrew Robertson – produced a hard-earned bronze medal performance over 5.5k.

Great to see successful returns to action from Zoe Flower, Heather Barnes, Erin Wallace and Lynn McKenna among others. Commiserations and Get Well Soon to Hamish Armitt, Calum Young and Kate Richardson. Splendid to see Emily Crusher turning out for Glasgow Yooni – and making it onto the podium with her team. We applaud bigly the efforts of the coaches, officials, timekeepers, starters, families, fans, startled onlookers, dogs, tent wranglers et al.

Senior and Masters results weren’t available at time of scribbling, sorry. If I have any names wrong, I’m sorry about that too.

Well done to all our hard-working athletes who have gained automatic selection for West District squads. To those on the cusp, keep the faith, keep believing and above all .. keep training. Onwards!

Photos courtesy of Bobby Gavin & Scottish Athletics

Full results including Senior club athletes and more photos soon.Well done to all. We know you will have got the mud off before enjoying the Ceilidh and the Awards Night!

Report from Croy Thomson

GIFFNOCK NORTH AC’s Hamish Armitt stormed to a convincing victory at the prestigious UK Cross Country Challenge event in Liverpool last weekend. Over a twisting, tricky and fast 5.5k parkland course, the southsider bided his time in the leading pack until after half way, before steadily turning the screw on most of Britain and Ireland’s best Under 17s, to come home comfortably clear after 17 minutes and 20 seconds.

The increasingly popular race series, a form of Cross Country Grand Prix incorporating GB selection races, has two races to go, in Belfast and Loughborough early next year. Hamish currently is well placed in the standings for an overall podium place at season’s end.

Other Giffnock athletes catching the eye included Valencia Wright, fifth U15 girl, and Craig Shennan, seventh U13 boy. Harris Paterson, Jacob Luc and Ross O’Brien packed well in the top twenty in an Under 15 boys’ race renowned for its ferociously quick start followed by three kilometres of tortuous switchback turns.

We had athletes in almost every race and we contributed well to what is a highly successful event in the UK racing calendar.Our international on the day, senior gent Luke Traynor, started well, but a recurrence of a foot injury forced him to put discretion before valour, and he wisely dropped out.

Many thanks to the coaches, mums, dads and support crew who traveled on the day – what a journey, the somewhat chilly bus departing at 4:45 am from GHA – and on the day before, to help make this a successful experience for the athletes, who will always benefit from competing in races that are demanding from gun to tape, with every last gap filled by quality athletes from all over the UK.

HAVING READ THE RENFREWSHIRE Cross Country Championships report on this site, and from a personal point of view, I’d like to say how great it is to see Frances Lowrie in action and among the medals (third counter for the Senior Ladies behind the irrepressible duo of Jill Smyllie and Allie Chong). As a junior with Giffnock, Frances was always an ace in the club pack, with achievements including a Scottish National XC team gold. No pressure, Frances! Well done.

ALL IN ALL an enjoyable and rewarding weekend, so big applause to every last racer (EVERY athlete is important). Keep up the good work, and here’s to another fun, fast, fruitful and generally fantabulistical winter’s racing.

A great day in the sunshine at Shanks Park in Johnstone today across the age groups at the Renfrewshire XC Championships.
The haul includes 6 Gold sets of Team medals and 2 Team Silvers.
Some of the athletes had even made the trip to Liverpool the previous day for the British Cross Challenge.
U11 Boys were up first with a gun to tape individual Gold for Oliver Bryers , 4th place for Mathew Snowden and a 5th place for Tristan Robin to win Team Gold.
Not to be outdone, Freya Campbell in another impressive and nearly gun to tape victory led her Team to the Gold prize too with Lauren McPherson coming through to take the Bronze and 4th place for Edie Simmers Clark. The successes continued throughout the Age groups with Gold for U13 Boys and Girls, Gold for U15 Boys and Silver for U15 Girls.
As reported by Denny Whiteford “We were Delighted to say all age groups stepped up to the challenge” In U13s Amber Wade took individual Gold , Katy Donnelly took the Silver and Ruby White was 3rd counter for team gold. Individual Silver for Alex Robin, Bronze for Calan Chong and Adam Chamberlain completing that result for Team Gold.
In U15 Girls Julia Cash took a commanding individual Gold with Eva Chong for individual Bronze and with Kirsten O’Donoghue won the Team Silver.U15 Boys delivered Gold Team with Hugh Shiels taking the individual gold, Aaron McGillivray with the Silver and Michael Nolan coming through to clinch that one.
In the U17 Women’s Race we had Helen Chong in 1st place and Jill Carswell with Silver and Donald McLean took the Bronze in the U17 Men’s Race.
Great efforts from all our athletes today as Denny also commented ‘whether you went home with a medal or not. Super support for your teammates right through the day’
In the Senior Races Giffnock’s Women’s team took a fantastic 2nd Team Place with Jill Smylie, Allie Chong and Frances Lowrie while the Senior Men were 5th placed.

All in all a great outing for the club.The coaches were delighted with all the performances and especially pleased to see those competing for the first time for the club over the mud .
Well done all.

Results now online on Kilbarchan website at the following link

https://kilbarchanaac.org.uk/2018/11/25/renfrewshire-xc-champs-provsional-results/
Photos courtesy of David Chong, Allan Barr & several parents ! Thanks to Kilbarchan for hosting , much appreciated and to all the organisers for a good day at the races .

Giffnock North AC’s Jacob Luc, Chris Perkins & Harris Paterson.

Giffnock North AC’s senior ladies squad at the Scottish Short Course Champs 2018.

Report by Croy Thomson

THREE National team titles, two individual crowns and a breathtaking clean sweep made it a day to remember for Giffnock North AC’s stable of junior athletes at the former horse racing course in Lanark last weekend, in the Scottish Short Course Cross Country Championships.

Taking pride of place was the Under 15 Boys quartet of Chris Perkins, Harris Paterson, Jacob Luc and Ross O’Brien who stormed to the first four places in their 2k event. Just seven seconds separated all four at the sharp end of a blisteringly fast race over the ultra-flat, super-fast circuit, with Paterson and Perkins swapping the lead more than once before the latter claimed victory with a five minutes 57 seconds effort.

Also over 2k, Under 15 Girls Valencia Wright and Zoe Flower conjured up a powerhouse one-two, just four seconds apart, ably backed by Julia Cash in seventh to clinch the team gold. Over 3k, U17s Helen Chong, Clare Wallace and Jill Carswell ran home eighth, ninth and eleventh to deliver Giffnock’s third team crown of the day, ahead of their Renfrewshire rivals Kilbarchan Harriers.

Giffnock’s U17 Men Jack Bell, Andrew Robertson and Blayne Wright took eighth in a 3k race won by Edinburgh AC. In the Senior Ladies’ 4k, Erin Wallace, Charlotte McKenna, Rhona Mowat and Jill Smylie also finished eighth, the individual title going to Kilbarchan’s GB international Jemma Reekie. Senior Men Andrew Love, Keiran Killin, Sandy Nimmo and Chris Greenhalgh finished 14th of 42 teams over 4k in an event that year on year attracts more and more of the country’s top racing talent.

Photos courtesy of Bobby Gavin.

Meanwhile on Sunday 11th November several U11 Athletes made the journey to compete in the Springburn Harriers Schools XC series and performed really well.
We had 2nd & 3rd place in the P5 Girls =race with Aneesha King Oubacha and Beatrice Nairne and Mathew Snowden in 3rd Place in the P6 boys Race while Oliver Bryers took 2nd Place in the P7 Boys race. It was great to have all these athletes getting another XC run before the Renfrewshire Champs on the 25th November and some are planning to do the Livingston Open or Garscube Harriers School races on the 18th.

Giffnock had two athletes gaining Scottish Schools vests at the SIAB International Pentathlon Championships at the Emirates arena this weekend – namely 15 Year olds Max McHarg and Murray Fotheringham.
Max led the Under 16 Boys team in grand fashion with 4 PB’s in Hurdles, Long Jump, Shot Put and 200 Metres to leave him in 5th place after 4 events. As a sprinter by trade, the 800 Metres is a foreign language to Max , but he attacked the final event with gusto , chasing a place on the podium. He was looking good after 400 Metres but as the bell approached he was visibly struggling as the lactic kicked in. The last lap must have felt like a marathon to poor Max but somehow he dragged himself round the track for one last time – every step hurting just a little more . Rather unbelievably, he was only just outside his PB but the toll on his body required a lengthy stay with The First Aiders after the race. Max finished as the best Scot in a very creditable 6th Place but his team were just outside the medals.
Murray was stepping up a level this year to compete for the Under 18 Team. Scottish Gold medals at this event are as rare as hens teeth but the Scottish Boys were focussed and started the fireworks early !! Murray commenced with a PB in hurdles but was slightly below par in Shot Put to lie down in 13th place after two events. A PB in the 200 Metres clawed back a little leaving the Scottish team just behind England. The Long Jump was the critical event with the other Scottish boys putting in PB’s to close in on England but Murray fouled his first two jumps. With the pressure on, a huge 6.93 Meters leap catapulted the Scots into the lead by a meagre 3 points. The result was never in doubt thereafter as the Scots outclassed their English rivals in the 800 Metres to score a massive 10,546 points – the best ever score by a Scottish Team and win by over 260 points. Murray finished in 5th place overall with his teammates Scott Brindley winning the individual Gold and Calum Newby in joint 3rd.
Link to full results:

http://www.ssaa.co.uk/results/2018results/Schools%20International%20Pent_results_%202018.pdf

Also of note that Murray’s score was 3rd best of all time U17 and his LJ was also
3rd best of all time U17.

“>https://www.scotstats.net/results-1/”>

Report and Photos from on the spot, Craig Fotheringham.Thanks Craig

Sadly, Erin not able to be present at the Awards Night and so it was delighted parents Allison and Gordon who stepped up to do the Honours.

GIFFNOCK NORTH AC’s Erin Wallace lifted the Scottish Athletics Under 20 Athlete of the Year Award at the sport’s glittering annual ceremony in Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel. We were delighted to see that and it is important to note that Erin also took the U17 Athlete of the Year Award last year.

Southsider Erin earned her accolade with a stellar year that included topping the UK rankings for 1500 metres and a fine seventh place having made the 1500 final in the World Youth Championships in Finland. She was also second in the England Athletics U20 Championships. All consolidating a 2017 that saw her win the Commonwealth Youth Games 1500 metre crown and emerge as an international triathlete.

Giffnock North AC were nominees for the 2018 Off Track Club of the Year prize, which on the night went to up-and-coming Garscube Harriers.

Track star Laura Muir claimed overall Athlete of the Year Award. Dame Kelly Holmes presented the prizes.

Several of the Club Coaches and Board members were also delighted to attend the night and Symon Lipp added a few more to his collection of Celebrity Athlete Photos.

Gordon, Erin’s dad was rewarded with a photo with one of his athletics heroes from the past High Jumper Geoff Parsons who was being inducted with other very notable athletes, including Lee McConnell, into the Scottish Athletics Hall of Fame
Photos from Bobby Gavin , Scottish Athletics and Club members Reporting from Croy Thomson and others

LAST CHANCE TO RECLAIM LOST PROPERTY
Alison Watson is kindly holding some of the items of lost property
This is your opportunity to claim these items before they go to Charity shop
Can Parents please label training kit as otherwise its an impossible task for us to re -unite lost kit with owners. Biro pen mark on label is fine .
Contact Alison to make arrangements to collect by email on :aliwatson999@gmail.com
by 7th November or say Bye Bye to your items