Grassroots Athletics
Many happy road runs By Stuart Miller Members of Bellahouston Road Runners swapped their usual routes around Glasgow’s southside for a track session to remember as part of the club’s 20th birthday celebrations. More than 70 members displayed the club’s distinctive purple and white vest at the Emirates Arena on Saturday 25 January to mark the occasion, with a series of 1-mile races over the indoor track. ‘It was a lot of fun, with lots of support around the track as members took part in the various heats,’ said club president Richard Leyton.
‘If we can secure new permanent home in Bellahouston park, it would set us up for the next 20 years’ Richard Leyton President BRR members, or more widely, to encourage more people to give indoor track running a try ‘Perhaps the most fun of the morning session was the impromptu relay race – I think we had eight teams of eight – with each team member running a 200m leg. It was a bit chaotic with everybody wearing the same tops!’
With the racing finished, members gathered ‘The facilities are fantastic and we had so for a series of training talks at the Glasgow much positive feedback from everybody Green football centre, which included who came along that we’re having a think a presentation from Glasgow Triathlon about what we might do in future there with Club’s lead coach Vicky Begg on sport psychology and mental preparation for training and racing. The busy celebrations were fitting for a club that has barely stood still in its short history: membership has grown to more Bella RR trio of Louise Ross, Ann than 200 strong Robin and Jane McNeilly on the from what was just podium at Cumbernauld with Louise a small gathering (No 391) in action (right) of people in the car PB 2020 | ISSUE 1
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park at Bellahouston ski centre in the club’s fledgling months. ‘We are a club of members with a broad level of interests and paces,’ added Richard. ‘We have some members who run up hills, others who do marathon upon marathon and some people who run just to be able to eat cake. The variety keeps things interesting and is a spur to try different events and learn from others’ experiences in training. ‘We have a friendly, welcoming club and people are not intimidated to come down and that is a big thing about our club. We’re building on great work from our membership over the years, with contributions and innovations that developed and grew the club.’ Part of the club’s success can be traced to its close relationship with Glasgow’s parkrun events. Leyton helped
