Greenock Glenpark Runners struck the trail in Cornalees Hill Race

Greenock Glenpark Harriers runners organized a series of solid performance in one of the strengths of the local athletics calendar – the hill cornale race.

Junior and senior races attracted 74 runners of the day with young runners from all over Scotland as far as borders and highlands for an event that was incorporated into the Scottish Junior Hill Running League.

The first race, for those under 11 and novices, was undoubtedly the most competitive – a climb of 500 meters from Woodstock Road until the Pont on the Greenock Cup.

(Image: GGH) Elijah Taylor de Glenpark was the out -of -competition runner, completing the rise in pulmonary bursting in an incredible period, a few seconds during the three -minute brand.

Behind him, the runners came quickly, Annabel Morrison de Central AC holding a second of Shettleston Harriers.

Glenpark’s first daughter, finishing in fourth place in the general classification, was Lauryn McLaughlin, just ahead of club companion James Mooney – while Sam Fulton took over his twin Jamie by a few meters, and Leia Killeen was the first finisher in nine.

(Image: GGH) In the race for under 13, over 2 km, the impressive Shettleston Harriers Rio Biddlecoma burst on the hill, well away from the central ACS Annie Arnott, with Isaac Robin de Greenock very close to the third, but showing a massive improvement of two minutes compared to last year.

Harry Mooney also ran well, finishing the fifth boy.

Glenpark’s best girls were Cadhlea hair in front of Isabel Lafferty, another established a bp, more than a minute faster than her best previous.

(Image: GGH) In the under 15s, Francis Ovani-Finnegan of Lasswade led the field, away from Sam Robertson and Andrew Watson of AC of Guysube in the 4 km race.

Inverness’s long journey was to prove to be fruitful for Niamh Doorley in the girls’ race as she won a Vocinner Harriers Florence Skinner victory.

Stella McCabe was better of the girls of the original club in front of Iona Quigley and Orla Trainer, with Iona delighted to beat her sister’s time from 2024.

(Image: GGH) There were smaller figures in the race under the age of 17 while the Scottish Hill race team was in competition at the International Youth Cup in Slovakia, but the four athletes who traveled Peebles impressed and were well in the running among the main seniors who were argued on the slightly longer 8 km. Thea Harris and Rory Pretswell finished the top slips of the day.

The senior championship was a spectacular battle in male and female competitions; With only three races to play in the 2024/25 season, each point was crucial.

(Image: GGH) The women’s race was wide open after the double club champion, Jill Cox, was sidelined by injury, offering others the opportunity to make their mark. The student of 1,000 feet of elevation often dissuades a lot, but for the five determined competitors, the big points were to be won.

The winner of last year, Jill Aikman, and the club captain, Lynne Harrison, both ran impressive races during their feedback, presenting their resilience; Heather had vocal support from Neil and Isabel, with the Lafferty family putting solid performance in all races.

(Image: GGH) The battle for the trophy came down to the runners of the first hill Jennifer Rooney and Melissa Wilson; Melissa reached the summit in just over 26 minutes, with Jennifer only 10 seconds behind – but as each experienced hill runner knows this, this race is a story of two halves.

Melissa took advantage of the exhilarating descent to win the victory in 44 minutes and 18 seconds – his first club victory, an appropriate step for the sprinter who became a distance runner, who joined the Harriers a year ago.

Jennifer, adopting a cautious approach to the descent to protect her knees, ended as a finalist, an impressive achievement that keeps her on the right track to finish the 11 club races, with only two others to go and Jill, Melissa, Jennifer and Evie always in the running for the title of club champion.

(Image: GGH) On the male side, the title champions of clubs Dylan Crawford and Neil Lafferty faced Andy McCall, whose prowess on this ground made him one to look at; The trio had exchanged positions throughout the season, which makes it impossible to predict that would win the honors.

Dylan attacked the aggressive climb, but Neil responded well, remaining at a striking distance on the first steep ascent.

(Image: GGH)While Dylan moved to the last punishing climb on Hillside Hill, Neil and Andy were locked up in their own duel; Feeling lead starting to shrink, Neil jumped towards the summit, a few seconds ahead of Andy, with Dylan 35 seconds in front.

Andy pushed the pace on the descent sections, gradually fill the gap, with Neil not far behind, but the strength and determination of Dylan saw him retain the late load, crossing the line as a clear winner, obtaining everything in the classification of the championship.

More news from Glenpark athletics …

Andy recorded his second fastest time on this course, beaten only by his race in 2007, while Neil, champion from last year, took third place, shortly missing his victory time in 2024.

Further by the order, Lewis Khan and John Logan delivered an epic competition; Lewis led to the top of Hillside Hill, but the training of John’s Hill paid spectacular when he storm the descent to finish fourth, leaving Khan in fifth.

Michael Mcloone Junior, Paul Monaghan, Stevie Campbell, William Taylor and Colin Knight completed the top 10 in an impressive field.

Two races remain in the championship: the Singlehurst Trail race on the island of Bute on Saturday July 5 and the Bill Elder 10 km on Sunday August 10.

The club extends the whole world thanks to Clydeeview Motors for their continuous sponsorship. It was great to see Micky Dunn running strong again on the hills – another big moment for the sponsors of the race.