There will be a brief break from training at Balerno High School during the Easter Holidays.

Normal Training will continue up to Wed 4th April
No training Mon 9th or Wed 11th (first week of holiday)
There will be training on Mon 16th and Wed 18th (second week of holiday) Come prepared to be outdoors.
Full summer term training starts on Monday 23 April - mainly outdoors.

The fixture list for the summer is now more or less ready. The first fixture – for everyone – will be an Open Meeting on Sunday 1st April at Meadowbank for the clubs joining together under the "Lothians" banner for the Railtrack Women's League. This meeting is open to all age groups from U11 – Senior, male and female. As it's an Open meeting all competitors can choose which events they want to compete in! This is being designated as an unofficial Edinburgh & District Championship, and it will help selection for the Women's League combined team.

The first competitive meeting takes place on Sunday 22nd April, and for the first few weeks it's pretty hectic before things calm down a bit. We'll send out a bit more information for everyone (especially parents) before the first meeting.

We're gradually spending the Lottery Award the club received last year on various bits 'n' pieces of equipment. One of the more bizarre, but very needed pieces of "equipment" we have purchased, are a couple of "fishermans rain shelters". Those of you who have experienced the worst of the Scottish summer weather at Livingston or Coatbridge will know exactly why we bought these! (It's time to look out those Disney rain paunchos....)

Everyone should be aware that all Hill running and most road races are being cancelled to prevent the spread of this disease. It looks as if it could be several weeks at best before things will return to normal. The most up-to-date information of which races have been cancelled is likely to be on fixtures section of the SAF web-site (www.saf.org.uk). Anyone intending to compete in a forthcoming race should check whether it is still on.

We have received no information on any limitations for Track and Field competitions, but we'll get any update out as quickly as possible as we move towards the season.

The races were held at their usual venue in Lochore Park on Sunday 7th January. Colette Shiell was 10^th out of 19 in the U13 race and older sisters Marbeth and Amy-Jo 1^st and 5^th in the U15 race.

Following their performances in the races at Lasswade, Meadowmill and Alloa, Stephanie Lyall, Marbeth Shiell, Amy-Jo Shiell and Paul McDougall were selected to represent the East District at the Scottish Inter District races at Cumbernauld on Saturday 16th December.

The final league meeting of the season was held at Gorebridge on Saturday 13th January. We had no male runners but the Shiell family was out in force. In the U13s over a 2400m course, Colette was 5th in 12m 19s. In the U15s, Marbeth won in 15m 35s and Amy-Jo was 3^rd in 18m 10s over 3200m.

The above championships were held at Corstorphine Hill on Saturday 20th January. The ground was hard with ice in places though the surface softened during the races resulting in a few fallers. Paul McDougall ran an excellent race to become East U15 Champion winning in 15m 04s with Scott Nicholson 24th in 18m 08s. The course was 4400m and there were 32 runners. In the U13 race over 3200m, Colette Shiell was 19^th out of 26 in 14m 28s. Marbeth Shiell was 5th in the U15 race in 18m 00s over 4400m course with 23 runners. Both Marbeth and Paul have been selected to represent the East at the British Inter Counties to be held at Nottingham on Saturday 10th February.

Male champions are as below.

Male Under 15 1. Paul McDougall 2. Scott Nicholson

Marbeth was 2nd finisher for the East team crossing the line in 87th position in a time of 17m 18s for the 4000m course with 286 runners. Paul’s race was over 4500m and he finished 83^rd out of 296 in 16m 42s.

With memories of the Olympics beginning to fade we're looking ahead to the coming track season, which for some of our younger members started in January. In the East District Indoor Championships Ian Jackson won a silver medal in the Men's Long Jump (6m22). There were Gold medals for Stephanie Lyall in the U13 girls 800m (2min 29), whilst George McCorkell, fresh from winning the Youths sprint at the New Year meeting, won the U13 boys 60m title (8.4s) ahead of Dale Clancy in third place (8.91s). Stacey Downie was third in the U15 girls 60m (8.33s) just ahead of Amy Clancy, fourth in 8.5s, but Amy got into the medals with third place in the 200m (27.12s). Scott Nicholson ran out of gas in the later stages of his 800m after a very fast first 400.

Stephanie Lyall (800), Marbeth Shiell (1500) and Paul McDougall (1500) all won silver at the Scottish Schools Championships in the U16 age group held at the Kelvin Hall on the 25th Jan. Stephanie set a new club record of 2.29.7 in the heats and then set a new Scottish U13 record of 2.28.5 in the final. With Stephanie still only 11 years old she has another 4 years in the same school age group.

In the National age group Championships Stephanie Lyall won the 800m in a new Scottish & UK Indoor U13 girls record of 2:28.09, running solo for most of the race for a winning margin of over 100metres. George McCorkell won gold in the 200m and silver in the 60m. Amy Clancy improved on her East District position with silver in 200m.

The National Championships were held at the Magnum Centre, Irvine on Saturday 24th February.

Paul McDougall was 3^rd in the U15 race over 4000m in 14m 02s with Scott Nicholson 63rd in 17m 13s. In the U17 race over 6400m, Philip Purves was 44th in 27m 04s with 52 runners. Brother Ian was in the U20 race and finished 23^rd in 36m 05s over a 8000m course.

U13 Colette Shiell was 29^th out of 69 in 15m 42s over a 3200m course. Marbeth Shiell was 9th in the U15 race in 17m 09s over a 4000m course with 52 runners Amy-Jo Shiell was 28^th in the same race in 18m 45s.

The annual Water of Leith race (for Balerno Children only) will take place on Monday 28th May (6.30pm) whilst the Rigg Race, which is open to all, takes place immediately afterwards (7.30pm). We'd like to see as many of the older contingent, seniors, vets plus mums+dads as possible running the Rigg. It's time to do more than simply think about getting into shape for either of these! Any joggers who need the incentive of a group to run with could join the regular Sunday morning crew who meet at 10.00am at Balerno HS car park.

On Gala Day itself (Saturday 2 June) there will be the usual sprint races, and following these, the races for "mums" and "dads" will be divided into age groups. There was an observation from one of the dads last year that the chap running beside him didn't have grey hair (but the chap on the other side of him didn't have any hair...). We would advise potential sprinters that you need plenty of time to warm up beforehand – you've got two months and thirty minutes to prepare!

There will be a couple of changes to the leagues we compete in for the coming summer:

Railtrack Scottish Women's League: We are joining up with most of the other clubs in the "Lothians", plus a squad of runners from Inverness, as part of one of the eight "superteams" competing in the Railtrack Scottish Women's league. This league covers U13, U15, U17 and Senior age groups. This approach ensures a higher level of competition, and we will be part of a team that should be filling all events. It will mean that all the participating clubs will need to help in selection and in organisation at meetings. Although the team is called "Lothians", this refers only to where the club is officially based. All the clubs involved have members throughout the country, so there is no residential qualification implied. As mentioned earlier, there will be an Open Meeting for members of all the clubs involved on Sunday 1st April at Meadowbank.

A "Lothians" team bus will be organised for the first two league meetings (29 April, Scotstoun and 27th May, Aberdeen), with the pickup point at PC World.

The Scottish and North-West League has changed it's name to the Central and South of Scotland League following the withdrawal of the English clubs who used to compete in this league. To control costs, the number of meetings has been reduced to three (from four).

The third of the three McDonald Young Athletes League meetings will take place on Saturday 30th June. This is the weekend most Scottish schools break up for the summer. Aaaaaaargh!

Dates and venues currently known.

Notes:

(C) Meetings that Harmeny is convening.
* Railtrack Scottish Women's League: We are one of several clubs competing as a "Lothians" superteam

In addition to the club based leagues there are various Open Graded meetings These are track and field meetings where any number of individuals can enter the event(s) they chose - ie there is no restriction to two club members per event, and there are no points at stake. For track races entrants are usually seeded to run against competitors expected to do similar times, irrespective of age or gender. The nearest meetings will held at Grangemouth and Pitreavie. Anyone intending to compete should check the event timetable. Details will be published on our web site (www.harmenyac.org.uk) and in the Herald when they are received

May 2nd Wed Grangemouth
June 6th Wed Grangemouth
July         4th Wed Grangemouth
Aug 1st Wed Grangemouth
Sep        2nd Sun Pitreavie Young Athletes Trophy
Sep        5th Wed Grangemouth

Notes:

* Sri Chimnoy "Runners are Smilers" races. Entry on the night.
** Races in Dunfermline at Pittencrieff Park. Entry on the night
*** Entry forms will be available from Bob Douglas, or Run & Become, Dalry Rd

We've finally got down to providing directions to the main venues we compete at during the summer. Please keep in a safe place. All directions are given as if travelling from Currie / Balerno. At some venues without proper cover or seating parents are advised to bring camping chairs (and warm clothing)!

Livingston - Craigswood Sports Centre: Head on the dual carriageway through Livingston. Take the Craigshill North exit at the Cousland Interchange. The slip road turns sharp left and you go underneath the dual carriageway, joining Cousland Rd. Follow this road for a couple of hundred yards. As it begins to swing round to the left, the entrance to Craigswood Sports Centre is on the left hand side.

No cover – grassy surrounds. Small clubhouse, more facilities in the Sports Centre. Usually ample car parking.
Special feature: None. But don't take a wrong turning or you'll spend half an hour exploring Livingston.

Pitreavie (Dunfermline/Rosyth): Cross the Forth Bridge. Leave the motorway at Junction 2, Pitreavie. (Junction 2 is the third exit, since the first exit for Deep Sea World doesn't count). Follow the slip road / motorway spur until the large roundabout. Head right (Dunfermline) onto a dual carriageway. Go straight on at a second smaller roundabout (beside the Bank of Scotland Visa Centre) and follow the dual carriageway up to the edge of Dunfermline where you come to another large roundabout. Go all the way round so that you are coming back down the dual carriageway. The entrance to Pitreavie playing fields is on the left hand side just after the golf course car park. Follow the playing field road past the pavilion on to the running stadium.

The stadium has a south facing stand. Café facilities are usually available in the Pitreavie AC clubrooms. Plenty of car parking.
Special feature: When driving through the playing field keep your eyes open for cricket balls and golf balls.

Grangemouth: Take the M9 towards Falkirk (Stirling). Leave the motorway at Junction 5, Grangemouth (also sign-posted Football Traffic). Head right (Grangemouth) at the large roundabout that runs underneath the motorway. (There is also a sign for the Sports Centre at the roundabout exit.) Go straight on at a mini roundabout. Take the next left (sign-posted) and the stadium occupies the right hand side of the road.

The stadium has a north facing stand. There is a tarmac surround for sunbathing on. The stadium has a small cafeteria.
Special feature: A wonderful view of the petro-chemical works.

Meadowbank: Most folk know where this is, but due to the (over-)charging policy of Edinburgh Council we hardly ever compete there.

The stadium has a large north facing stand, plus open seating on other sides. Facilities: Café, Limited car parking
Special feature: The bitterly cold east wind.

Coatbridge: If you know where the Time Capsule is, then take the first road on the left, about two/three hundred yards past it. If you don't know where the Time Capsule is.... take the M8 / A8 westbound. At the junction for the A725 (Bellshill / Coatbridge) there are two slip roads within a hundred yards of each other. Take the second one (immediately after passing underneath the flyover). This swings up round to the left and you will be joining (at a Give Way) the road into Coatbridge. Follow this road through a mini roundabout and some traffic lights downhill through the town. You will come to a large roundabout set at a jaunty angle. Go straight over. At the next roundabout (where there's a large McDonalds on the right) follow signs for the Time Capsule (left). Follow this road / Time Capsule signs. There is another roundabout beside the town Centre – go straight on (underneath the railway bridge) following signs for the Time Capsule which will soon appear on your left hand side.... (now see first sentence)

No cover – grassy surrounds. Facilities: Limited café in Sports Centre. Limited (& grotty) car parking – worth arriving early.
Special feature: On a warm sunny day this is the most pleasant venue we visit. On a wet windy day it is probably the most unpleasant.

Scotsoun – Glasgow: Take the M8 through Glasgow. Leave at Junction 19, (Clydeside Expressway / Clydebank / SECC). Proceed to the end of the slip road - you will be turning right, but it's probably better to get into the centre lane (the sign post is rather misleading as it has two arrows heading right – there's only one road). On turning right keep to the left / middle to head straight along the Clydeside Expressway toward Clydebank. After about 2.5 - 3 miles you'll see a pretty little park on the right. Turn right at the next junction – signposted for the sports centre. After about 80 yards you'll come to a strange junction – turn left, up the hill and you'll come to the Sports Centre and running track.

The Stadium has a north-east facing stand. Café facilities are in the Sports Centre. Usually ample parking
Special feature: The blue track.

Ayr – Dam Park: Follow the M8 into Glasgow and join the M77 for Kilmarnock / Ayr. At the first big roundabout on the edge of Ayr turn right, into Ayr. Go straight on (the Race Course will be on your left hand side). Turn left at the lights past the race coarse. Dam Park is sharp left at the roundabout at the foot of the hill.

The stadium has a south-facing stand. Usually sufficient parking – but we'll run a bus.
Special feature: The Stand is ideally positioned to catch the sun. Suntan Factor 10 if it's sunny.

Galashiels –Tweedbank (No fixtures in 2001): Take the A7 to Galashiels. Follow the Hawick signs on the one-way system that skirts round the town centre, and out to the far end of Gala. At the first large roundabout on the edge of Gala go straight on (don't take the Tweedbank exit - it goes the long way round). At the next big roundabout turn left – Tweedbank Industrial estate. After about 2-300 metres there will be an opening to the left signposted for the Sports Centre, which is now visible.

There is limited cover, but no seating. There is very little parking directly beside the Sports Centre, but there is usually space alongside some of the industrial units. Café facilites are sometimes provided by the Bowling club.
Special Feature: The seating which isn't there because it was condemned a few years ago (unless it's been replaced).

Dumfries (No fixtures in 2001) – David Keswick Sports Centre: Go down the A74/M74, and take the exit for the A701 (after Beattock) for Dumfries. On entering Dumfries follow the main road for about a mile or so until arriving at a point where it forks. The main road veers to the right – take the side road on to the left that goes straight on. At the end of this road turn left, and there will be another left turn which takes you to the stadium (and school) car park.

Open seated area - no cover, but the Sports Centre overlooks part of the home straight.  Limited Café Facilities in the sports centre, limited parking.
Special feature: Notoriously fast track for 200m races.

Directions for Greenock, Inverness, Wishaw and East Kilbride will be added when available.

For Senior Men contemplating Inverness, Bobby Robertson has a contact who runs a B&B – we'll investigate a special deal.

 Club Kit