30-07-2025
Greenock Glenpark Harrier scoops up national long distance treble
A GREENOCK Glenpark Harriers runner sealed a hat-trick of national titles by showing his prowess on the big stage following a strong showing on the west coast.
Greenock Glenpark Harrier Neil Lafferty made the trip to Ayr to race in the Scottish Athletics National Masters 5000m Championships, which was held at the state-of-the-art Riverside Sports Arena.
Breezy conditions meant that Lafferty felt right at home as he went off hard from the gun.
Race leader and eventual winner Dermot Cummins (Corstorphine ASC), however, was pushing very strongly ahead of the field, opening a commanding lead and winning the race and over-40s gold medal in a time of 15.22.
That left Lafferty out in a solo effort for the majority of the race.
And having run in the Singlehurst trail race the previous day, his legs were feeling that effort in the last couple of kilometres.
Scott Macleod steadily gained ground and made a move with three laps to go as Lafferty couldn't quite hang on to his coat tails – however, he finished strongly on the final lap to secure the v45 gold medal in an excellent time of 16.06.
Lafferty's performance completed a treble of National titles, winning gold in the 3,000m, 5,000m and now the 10,000m in the his category over the course of 2025.
He also secured national silver in the 1500m and bronze in the recent national 10k road race championships.
