Senior/U20 race report 23rd June 2026

Time has most definitely been running away again, somehow we’re more than two weeks beyond Roon the Toon and the results just keep coming as the summer progresses!  Hopefully we’ve caught everything, but as usual flag up any errors or omissions (big apologies to Mike Corson for completely missing his age group victory at Land O’Burns 10k in the last report!).

It is only right that we start this week with the absolute smash hit that was the aforementioned Roon the Toon on the 7th of June.  Whilst the weather was not quite as kind as it could have been, it was still a brilliant day and a huge success – massive thanks to the organising committee and everyone who gave up their time in one way or another to help.  With 104 registered Harriers completing the race, it’s impossible to mention everyone so full results can be found HERE.  First home in blue and white in 4th overall was Jonathon Downey (31:34) followed by Martin Brown (great to see you back racing Martin!) in 12th (33:50) and Matthew Monachello making the most of his last race before his big adventure to Canada finishing in 13th overall and 2nd U20 (33:57).  For the ladies, Lorna Baird was 5th lady overall (2nd senior) in 39:02, followed by Kirsty Girvan securing another PB (39:41) in 6th overall and 3rd senior lady.  Rounding up our top 3 ladies was Lynsey O’Connor who was 11th lady overall and 3rd V40.  Other age group top 3 places went to Jamie Work (3rd U20 in 35:20), Laura Mitchell (3rd U20 lady 54:18) and Richard Beattie who was 2nd V70 (54:18). 

On the weekend of the 13th and 14th of June, Cara Monachello had the opportunity to represent Scotland at the Bauhaus Junior Gala at Mannheim, competing as an U20 at this top level event.  She certainly made this U20 international debut a great one, delivering a PB in H3 of the 400m hurdles (60.97) and then following this up with a win in the 4×100 for Team Scotland, breaking the national record in the process (44.36s).  Brilliant to see one of our young athletes shining on the international stage!

Sunday the 14th also saw the start of the Montane Spine race, a gruelling 268 mile race covering the entirety of the Pennine Way from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders.  Those of you who follow club socials will have seen that one of our athletes David McLure was taking part in this event and may have been ‘dot watching’ on the tracker.  Sadly David had to retire for medical conditions at around the 200 mile mark whilst in contention for a top 3 finish but he lives to fight another day – XC will seem easy after that one David!

Tuesday the 16th saw masters athletes Rob McHarg and Graeme Gemmell (2nd claim) invited to compete at the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike meeting in the Czech Republic in the masters 800m race.  Rob ran 2:09.97 for 6th and Graeme ran 2:20.45 for 15th, but the coveted ‘golden spike trophy is presented to the best ‘age graded’ time rather than the overall winner as all age groups run together, and Rob emerged triumphant for the second year in a row with an age graded mark equating to a 1:44.14 – outstanding effort.

On Friday the 19th, our U20 athletes Jamie Work and Gregor Samson were through in Livingston where they both competed in the A race of the 800m.  In the end up Jamie just got the better of Gregor on the line with a new PB of 1:57.43, with Gregor recording 1:57.48 – great racing from two young men making big gains this season!

A little closer to home on the 19th, a squad of our road runners were at Pollok Park for the ever-popular Brian Goodwin 10k (known better to many as the burger and beer race!).  A total of 16 Harriers put a toe on the line in this competitive race Results HERE , with Jonathon Downey first home in 5th overall (31:01), followed by Craig Ferguson in 22nd (34:11) and Scott Masterton in 52nd (36:03).  For the ladies, Hannah O’Shea was first home in 47:37, followed by Viv Lambert (47:41) and Michelle Goldie (51:01).  Viv was also 2nd V50 – well done Viv!  Mike Corson continued his good run of form taking 1st V65 in 44:19.  Well done to everyone who raced, hope you enjoyed your burger and beer!

On Saturday the 20th, Natalie Sharp was our sole representative at the Loch Lomond 10k where she finished 44th lady overall in 52:44 – well done Natalie.

Also on Saturday, the Scottish Athletics Throws Grand Prix (3) was held at the AAA.  Our younger athletes put on some excellent performances across the events, putting the pressure on Logan Mitchell to deliver the goods.  And deliver he did, with a PB in the hammer of 48.74m – superb effort!

On Sunday the 21st, Richard Beattie faced up to temperatures of 28 degrees to take part in the Cote d’Azur 5k where he was 6th V70 in 27:02 – well done Richard, tough work in that heat.

With Roon The Toon now taken into consideration, the summer league tables are now starting to look much bigger!  For the men, Graeme Quinn still retains the lead at the top with 51 points, with Jonathon Downey in second with 45 and Owen Walpole in third with 37.  In the ladies league, Kirsty Girvan retains her lead with 58, with Sasha I’Anson in second with 40 and Jennifer Beattie currently holding onto third with 24. You can see the full table here – Summer 26

There is still a lot to play for, with Dundonald 10k and Kilmaurs 5k the next two races on the schedule.  We are currently looking for names for SNAL on the 5th of July and CSSAL at Grangemouth on the 12th of July also – get in touch if you want to compete!