Archives 01

June 9th 2001, Strathaven Gala Day Parade

Strathaven Striders float in the Gala Day Parade - The Pickled Pink Party lived up to their name by having the odd glass or two of wine as they trundled around the town. Is it a plane ? Is it a bird ? Is it Groucho Marx ? Nah.... it's Alan Young ! Pauline does a Lord Charles impression...."I've dropped my gockle of geer"; as Helen gives the crowd the royal wave but upsets them by refusing to give autographs.

April / May 2001 - Fort William Marathon etc

Fort William Marathon
Irene Wilson......4:08:37
Craig Hamilton...4:22:54 pb
Tom Wilson.......4:22:54
Steve Wright......4:49:35

London Marathon:
Striders were represented by Dorothy and Tony......no results yet. Big race!

Strathaven Striders held their Stars in Their Eyes party night at the Rugby Club last month and raised the sum of £450 for the Children’s Hospice Association of Scotland. The Striders are grateful to all who attended and endured the karaoke singing which interrupted the dancing at regular intervals. Many attendees dressed up as their favourite star although why one pillar of Strathaven society chose to turn up dressed as Napoleon puzzled everyone! The prize for best costumes went to Bob the Builders aka John and Helen McGillivray. The fact that the coach won the prize probably will not decrease the pain he inflicts in training but it seemed worth a try.
The first club race of the year saw a good turn out for the Grangemouth 10k. New members Tony Thistlethwaite [who also holds the record for the longest surname - ed] and Rosemary Bell led the men’s and women’s team home and both are now joint leaders in the club championship. Chasing them home on a cold and windy night were Steve Wright, David Mateer, Robert Thomson, Dorothy Lucas, Allan Young and Hiliary Wright. Official team results have not been released so the Striders have assumed that they won and have been celebrating ever since. Fancy some social running with a little light training thrown in for good measure?

Six Striders went west to take part in the Troon Tortoise 10k road race recently.
Despite the late starting time of 7.30pm there was a keen air of anticipation as several hundred lightly dressed runners huddled together seeking protection from a brisk sea breeze.
The first 2 kilometres along the promenade proved adventurous as runners dodged seats, bins and abandoned toddlers on trikes as they bowled along at a faster than judicious pace.
When the 3 kilometre mark approached the over enthusiastic starters were beginning to pay for their folly while those with greater ambitions got down to some hard graft.
The flat course promised every chance for fast times and Frank Murphy clocked a satisfying 36 minutes ("may the G-Force be with you" - ed) with Gordon Robson following him in 37 minutes. Gordon was due in hospital the next day to get his knee fixed. Offers for his old knee have been made by those who followed him over the finish line !
Tom Wilson pipped Ian Kerr recording 41 minutes and John MacGillivray led Alan Young in 44 minutes.

The sun was blasting down, blue sky’s, a dash of frost and the Pentland Hills were both the venue and backdrop for this 6 mile, 2500ft of ascent race. Dave Mateer and Stewart Robertson met up with past Strathaven Strider Gordon Robinson (now living in Perth but running with Westeralnds CCC) for this very scenic event. From 396 runners finishing the race Stewart trudged in, after falling down the last hill, in 209th place, time 74m 10sec and David Mateer speeding in 296th, time 81m 34sec. Gordon was well chuffed with his run (a PB for this race) only managed 64th with a time of 61min 10sec. The post race grub all thrown in as part of the race entry fee was a most excellent reward. Bring on the next race. Unfortunately like most races hill running has been badly hit by foot and mouth.