Jan / Feb 2000 Vol 16 Issue 3
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Jan / Feb 2000 Vol 16 Issue 3 |
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Friday Feb 25th: Awards Night and Disco Party
On Friday February 25th we are organising a disco / party at Currie Rugby club for members and parents. This will start at 8.00, and during the evening, ie when the DJ has a break, we will be presenting the club champion trophies for performances during the 1999 track & field season and the 1999/2000 cross-country season. Included in the price of the ticket is a Buffet and Disco. I do hope as many of you as possible will be able to attend. It gives the coaches, committee and regulars a chance to meet new parents and explain a bit more about the activities of the club. Tickets are priced at £5.00 for adults and £2.00 for children (under 17). Tickets are limited, but younger members (and parents) can bring along a friend. An order form is included with this Herald. Tell your parents, organise a friend and book your tickets now!
Saturday Feb 19th: Inter-Primary Sportshall Challenge
Arrangements are also well underway for a Sportshall fun challenge at Balerno High School involving the local primary schools. Younger members who would like to take part should keep an eye out for the notices that are going out to the schools. Offers of help from parents, or older members who could spare a few hours on a Saturday morning will be most welcome (guaranteed be much more fun than shopping!!!). Phone Bobby Robertson 442-1374 or Willie Lyall 336-2715.
Track and Field competitions, Summer 2000
Most of our older members will be aware that there have been proposals for changing the competition structure for Track and Field meetings. These discussions seem to have been going on behind the scene for ages, but the latest position is as follows:
Scottish Athletics League (Senior Men): This will continue as at present. The proposal to create a single division "Super-League" was rejected. However a sub-group of clubs will look at the future structure of the League, and Bob Douglas will participate on this. To accommodate some move towards broader groupings this year clubs will be allowed up to twelve secondary first claim athletes (no-one has been anywhere near the current limit of eight). Several of the smaller clubs have resigned from the league. Harmeny will be in Division 3 (of 4).
Scottish and North-West League (All age groups): The proposal to break this league into East and West sections was unanimously rejected by the clubs, so the existing structure continues. Harmeny will again be in Division 2 (of four). The bad news - we will have the pleasure of a trip to Dumfries during the season; the good news – the track there is notoriously fast for sprinters and many of have recorded their best times there!
Edinburgh & District League: We have resigned from this League as the programme was not popular with members, and there have been problems with unsuitable dates in the last few years.
McDonald's Young Athletes' League (U13, U15, U17): We have rejoined this league after several years absence. This has a much better programme for athletes in these age groups than the other leagues. Boys and girls compete as separate teams, with the chance of winning through to Scottish and UK finals. Harmeny will be in the East of Scotland section.
Monklands Cup (Girls / Women: U13, U15, U17, seniors): We will be competing in the national cup competition for girls and women. Each age group competes as a separate team.
Forth Valley League (U11, U13, U15): We have not had any details of this league which runs on Thursday evenings. We do not anticipate any changes. Harmeny is in Division 1 (of 2).
Prize Draw
The recent winners in the Prize Draw are: January - Hugh Lind; December - Willie Erskine. Forms for joining our monthly draw are being handed out at training, and will be attached to future editions of the Herald.
Membership for the season 1999 – 2000
Another gentle reminder that several memberships are now due. If you haven't joined / rejoined please do so now!! Membership forms are attached for subscriptions we are still waiting for. Younger members are reminded to remind your parents or guardians about the club membership fees.
Lasswade Open CC Races
Conditions were good for our annual visit to Bonnyrigg for the Lasswade Open CC Races on Sunday 7th November. Colette Shiell was 12th in 6m 54s in the U11 race over 1600m with 48 finishers. In the U13 race over 3200m with 57 runners, Amy-Jo Shiell was 9th in 13m 39s. U15s Marbeth Shiell and Christine Lyall were 3rd and 20th in 12m 14s and 14m 49s from a field of 29. On the male side, U13s Tommy Ashby and Gary Alexander were 5th and 9th in 12m 32s and 12m 50s over a 3200m course with 32 finishers. The U15 race over 4800m with 30 runners had Paul McDougall and Philip Purves 15th and 21st in 21m 59s and 22m 36s. In the senior race over 5.75 miles, Ian Purves was 31st in 45m 40s and newcomer Stuart Jackson was 35th in 47m 59s.
East District League
The second league meeting of the season was held at Hawick on Saturday 27th November. Teviotdale Harriers had set their usual tough courses with the older age groups having to negotiate a steep hill. In the U13 race over 2400m, Tommy Ashby was 4th in 9m 09s, Gary Alexander 12th 9m 42s and brother Greg 18th 10m 42s. The boys were 3rd team. There were 40 finishers. In the U15s over a 3200m course with 33 runners, Paul McDougall was 8th in 13m 22s and Philip Purves 20th in 15m 35s. Ian Purves was 88th in the senior race over 9600m. His time was 38m 59s and there were 158 finishers.
U13 Boys Win 2nd Team Prize at Kirkcaldy
The Lita Allan cross-country races were held at Kirkcaldy on Sunday 5th December with reasonable conditions - that means dry and not too cold. In the U11 race over 1600m, Colette Shiell was 11th in 7m 36s out of a field of 43. U13 Amy-Jo Shiell was 13th out of 64 runners in 9m 08s over a short 3000m course and U15 Marbeth Shiell was 4th in 13m 41s over 3600m with 38 runners. In the U11 boys over a 1600m course with 34 runners, Alister McIntosh was 18th in 7m 44s. The U13 race was over the short 3000m course with 46 finishers. Tommy Ashby was 7th in 8m 15s, Gary Alexander 19th 8m 42s and brother Greg 22nd 8m 49s. The boys won 2nd team prize. The U15 race over 3600m with 45 runners had Paul McDougall and Philip Purves 21st and 25th in 13m 22s and 13m 44s. Ian Purves ran in the 6 mile senior race but no time or position available.
Cross-Country Representative Matches
Following their performances at Hawick and Kirkcaldy, Marbeth Shiell, Amy-Jo Shiell, Tommy Ashby and Paul McDougall were selected to represent the East District at the Scottish Inter District races at Cumbernauld on Saturday 18th December.
In the U13 race Amy-Jo was 16th (7th East) in 14m 57s for a 3200m course with 44 finishers, just missing out on being part of the winning team. Marbeth was in the winning team when 7th (4th East) in 13m 36s over the same course with 38 finishers. Tommy was 32nd (7th East) in 14m 02s with 45 runners over 3200m. The East team finished 2nd. In the U15s, Paul was 46th (11th East) in 13m 01s with 58 competitors over the same course.
City Of Edinburgh Christmas Races
The races were held on Sunday 19th December. All races were mixed - male and female though individual prizes. In the U11 race over 1600m, Alister McIntosh was 9th in 10m 38s just behind Colette Shiell who was 8th in 9m 33s out of a field of 13. U15 Philip Purves was 5th in 18m 30s with 14 runners. Ian Purves running with the seniors over a 3.3 mile lap of the park was 24th in 19m 18s.
Portobello Promethon
It was dry with a cool easterly breeze for the yearly visit to Portobello on Saturday 1st January. Ultra-man Dave Wallace was 45th in 25m 06s and multi-man Bill Stobie 111th in 30m 43s. There were 149 finishers.
New Year Sprints: A Day at the Races
The traditional New Year sprint meeting was held on the racecourse at Musselburgh this year and for a few of us it was quite a novel experience galloping down a grassy home straight. Best performances of the day went to Paul McDougall and Gary Alexander who were 4th and 5th in the Youth handicap mile – a race that also featured Gary's brother Greg plus Colette, Amy-Jo and Marbeth Shiell. In the Youth's sprints Tommy Ashby reached the final but had too much to do to make an impression on the more experienced runners. Dave Hutchison was edged into second place in both the 110m and the 90m heats – he was particulary unfortunate in the 90m as his race was one of the few that had a full turnout of all the entrants. Veterans Bob Douglas and Willie Lyall probably bore a closer similarity to the galloping horses normally associated with the racecouse. At least Bob, wearing a winter version of his inimitable track gear, could lay claim to being the warmest person in his race....
This event is great fun, and with all competitors being given a handicap of a few metres according to their past performance, it means that everyone, young or old, male or female is in with a chance in their event(s). Let's see a few more folk having a go next year – and remember there is prize money available.
Cross Country Champions for 1999-2000
| Female Under 11 | Colette Shiell | Male Under 11 | Alister McIntosh | |
| Female Under 13 | Amy-Jo Shiell | Male Under 13 | Tommy Ashby | |
| Female Under 15 | Marbeth Shiell | Male Under 15 | Paul McDougall | |
| Senior Men | Ian Purves |
Trophies will be awarded at the Disco / Party on 25th Feb.
In the Rankings..
Congratulations to Stephanie Lyall who was listed in the UK U11 rankings with times of 9.2 for 60m, 15.0 for 100m, 30.9 for 200m, 1.51 for 600m and 2.37.4 in the 800. Stephanie will be a wee bit lighter when she returns to training after having her appendix out and then her arm in plaster! Congratulations also to the U11 4x100 girls relay squad who were ranked 4th in the UK!
East District Indoor Championships: Kelvin Hall 15/16 Jan
There was a healthy turnout (apart from those still suffering from the recent flu epidemic!) at the East of Scotland Championships in mid January. Pride of place goes to Tommy Ashby who won two gold medals in the U13 boys 60m and 800m (2m28.3s – a new club record). Amy Clancy won gold in the U13 girls 60m, and for once Marbeth Shiell, with bronze in the U15 girls 800m, was upstaged by younger sister Colette who took silver in the U13 girls 800m. Scott McCormick, competing in the U15 boys was fourth in both the 60m and 200m sprints. Seniors Dave Hutchison and Mark Wilson both made the final of the men's 60m sprints, whilst Iain Jackson, in his first outing against seniors had a good run in his heat, defeating a former New Year sprint champion. Catherine Graham set a pb in the U15 girls 60m, just getting the better of Carol-Anne Brash who was still suffering from flu.
We look forward to the nationals, when hopefully everyone will be fully recovered from various ailments, breakages and operations!
Cross-Country Fixture List
| Feb | 13th Sun | Round the Houses Road Races | M/F | Grangemouth |
| 26th Sat | National CC Championships | M/F | Irvine | |
| Mar | 11th Sat | Scottish Secondary Schools Champs | M/F | Irvine |
| 19th Sun | Angus Open CC Races | M/F | Brechin |
Summer Outdoor Fixtures - Track and Field Leagues
Dates and venues currently known
| Apr | 16th Sun | Scottish & North West League | All | Grangemouth |
| 27th Thu | JSB Plumbing Forth Valley League | U11,13,15 | Pitreavie | |
| 30th Sun | Scottish Athletics League | Sen M | tba | |
| May | 7th Sun | McDonald's YAL | U13,15,17 | Pitreavie |
| 18th Thu | JSB Plumbing Forth Valley League | U11,13,15 | tba | |
| 21st Sun | Monklands Cup Semi-Final (females only) | tba | Coatbridge | |
| 28th Sun | Scottish & North West League | All | Coatbridge | |
| June | 4th Sun | McDonald's YAL | U13,15,17 | Coatbridge |
| 11th Sun | Scottish Athletics League | Sen M | tba | |
| 15th Thu | JSB Plumbing Forth Valley League | U11,13,15 | Pitreavie | |
| July | 16th Sun | Scottish Athletics League | Sen M | tba |
| 23rd Sun | McDonald's YAL | U13,15,17 | Grangemouth | |
| 30th Sun | Scottish & North West League | All | Dumfries | |
| Aug | 27th Sun | Monklands Cup Final (females only) (for age groups that qualify) |
tba | Coatbridge |
| 27th Sun | Scottish Athletics League | Sen M | tba | |
| Sep | 9th Sat | JSB Plumbing Forth Valley League | U11,13,15 | Pitreavie |
| 10th Sun | Scottish & North West League | All | Scotstoun |
Local Road Races
| May | 29th Mon | Water of Leith: Children - Balerno Only | Under 15 | Balerno, Malleny Park |
| Rigg Race: Open, 6miles approx | !5 - Sen - Vet | Balerno. Malleny Park | ||
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