JIMMIE Macgregor’s tribute to Emmet Farrell (Letters, March 8) was a nice reminder of the first time I ran with Maryhill Harriers, in the club’s autumn handicap of 1969.

I was to start with two other runners, one who was about my own age, the other who was a lot older.

I asked why I had been grouped with them. The answer was: “The first one’s nuts and you’re a psychologist.

“He’ll go off too fast and fall in a hedge quite early, so don’t worry.

“The other one’s Emett Farrell. He’s 60 and he’s going to tank you.”

He didn’t but it was a close-run thing.

Gilbert MacKay,

Okeham,

9 Glebe Lane,

Newton Mearns.