Seniors Braving the Battery Park .
Some of us have seen this race in brilliant sunshine and relatively wind free . But Sunday the 12th March it was sadly back to the wild, wet and windy best. A good day out across the Seniors and the AGE Groups. Well done all the bravehearts.
U11 BOYS
As usual it was a windy, dreich morning at Battery Park in Greenock for this year’s Renfrewshire Road Race but it didn’t deter an intrepid band of u11 boys from participating in the final event of the winter.
The group has worked hard over the past few months, particularly on the hills at Linn Park, and they have performed admirably in the inaugural West District League growing in confidence with each race. And Sunday was no different.
The start line was a sea of Giffnock yellow and blue with no fewer than 14 athletes representing the team making it almost seem like a club championship event.
The race itself was a 1 mile, one and a half loop of the park and it’s fair to say that the outward run into the blustery gale was a fair bit more challenging than the inward part!
Sam led the way, running strongly from gun to tape to take the victory, followed closely by Finlay with Evan coming in third. Full podium for Giffnock secured was the team gold too! However, they were more than ably backed up by Andrew, Christopher and Cian all with top 10 places.
Big congratulations to all the u11s, who all ran superbly and showed that whilst this was a final u11 outing for some of the athletes, there is good strength in depth and commitment in the cohort for next season. We can look forward with excitement to next season.
As for now, it’s raining and sleeting so it can only mean it’s summer track season!
Paul Tyler
U11 GIRLS
Next up were the U11 Girls in a welcome break from the rain. A strong run from Eilidh saw her just pipped to the post, with Morven following in 3rd and Chloe in 4th giving a Team Gold for Giffnock. The rules for the Renfrewshire AAA Road Race Championships mean only Renfrewshire Clubs can medal. Willow from Springburn Harriers got the win in the closes of finishes.
So in the RAA Champs ,Eilidh took the Gold with Silver for Morven and Chloe with the Bronze on the podium.
Fantastic runs from Ruby 5th, Lotty 6th and Poppy 9th, meant Giffnock took 6 of the top 10 places. The 1st year girls didn’t disappoint with a great turnout and strong performances by Abbie in 13th, Aurora 14th, Iris 18th, Robyn 21st, Emma 24th, Orla 25th and Isla 26th.
Darcey 17th, & Isla 26th meant we had a stunning 15 U11s on the day. Well done all the girls !
Jenny Simpson
U13 GIRLS & BOYS
Well done to the under thirteen squad braving rain and wind to secure brilliant results at Battery Park. With a combined race there was extra incentive for our girls to show what they could do. The boys led off with Louie, Max, Cameron N and Cameron M setting the pace and maintaining those positions for the whole 3k.
Hot on their heels and leading all boys from other teams were Eilidh, Holly and Anna also running home for a 1,2,3. Adam in 7th and Matthew in 13th finished well for the boys. Great running from all the girls as Giffnock dominated the first eight places. Eve C 4th, Isabella 5th, Erika 6th, Eve W 7th and Megan 8th with Erin not far behind in 14th. A clean sweep of medals and gold team medals topped off the day. Off we go to North Berwick on Saturday for the next challenge and final event of the season.
Denny Whiteford
U15s BOYS
Anji Carson Coach was competing herself on the day in the Senior event but was quick to congratulate the U 15 Boys in her Training squad for their performances while getting on a podium herself . First medal in a Giffnock Vest !
Another Podium for GNAC U15 BOYS Squad
– Thomas took the Gold Individual, Matthew with the Bronze and Team Gold for them with Aaron Well done all the U15 Boys !
U15 GIRLS
We will post the Full results of the Scrutinised Age Groups when published
Senior & U20 Results were Chip Timed and available at this link
https://protay.co.uk/raaa-5mile/
Seniors 5 Mile Race
Big smiles from the Seniors despite the Weather! Maybe they were especially happy to be the first Race of the day although they did not escape the wind and the rain . Kiara Meiklejohn for U20, Jacqui Campbell and Anji Carson for Senior Women.
Our competing Coaches , Anji Carson & David Shaw ,[On Tent Duties again, thanks David ! ] both bagged the Veteran 50 Silver Medals and there was a Bronze too for the Senior Mens Team.
Andrew Mostyn U11 Coach & athlete got good cheers from the U11s before Warm up duties with U11s.
In the School Races we also had Elsie & Cameron sister to Evan and Brother to Eilish U11s taking Gold in their P4 and P3 races battling round the 1k loop in the wind. Destined for U11s membership soon!
Well done all those at the Battery Park ! A special thanks to 2 of our Officials Catriona Gourley and Jim Galbraith who braved the elements and were there from Start to Finish [ literally on the Start & Finish lines ]along with all the other officials, Race organisers and Stewards from Inverclyde AC et al with Jon Hammerman and Gerry Gaffney to the fore .