Press Release, Tues 7 Oct 2014

Thousands of runners thronged the streets of Glasgow last weekend, taking part in the Great Scottish Run and associated events.

Callum Hawkins was the star local performer in the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon which also counted as the Scottish Half Marathon Championship.  The 22 year old Commonwealth athlete from Elderslie finished 6^th in 63 minutes 6 seconds, a fantastic effort for his first attempt at the distance and a Kilbarchan club record. Race winner was Stephen Mokoko from South Africa, Callum finishing top Brit, just 12 seconds behind Commonwealth Marathon Champion Michael Shelley from Australia.

For the ladies, Gemma Rankin from Paisley was in fine form, finishing  8^th, 3^rd Scot and Bronze medallist in the Scottish Championship, close to her best in 76.36.

And a special mention for Robin Scott from Bridge of Weir.  Robin won the 70-74 age category in a remarkable 98 minutes 29 seconds

Kilbarchan Athletic Club young athletes were also to the fore in the various 3K races.  Laura Stark won the Girls race in 9.08 with Eilidh Gibson 4th while Sam McNair was 2^nd in the boys event in 8.17 with Conor Thomson 7^th. Alisha Sivell was 2^nd in the girls 12 and under race, her time 10.02 and Kimberley Gilchrist was 6^th.

This coming weekend, the West District Cross Country Relay Championships are at Port Glasgow with events for Senior Men and Senior women, as well as younger age groups, under 13s, under 15s and under 17s.

Arthur Smith