1st April 2016
Three Perth Road Runners successfully completed their first foray into ultra-marathoning at the weekend. On Sunday 27th March, Kevin Rogers completed the 50 kilometre Anglo-Celtic plate race at the North Inch Park in Perth, the first British Athletics road race meeting of 2016. Kevin completed over 20 laps of the park in just 3:39:14, an incredible pace for that distance. He finished 11th overall and 3rd in his age category. Elsewhere, two road runners ran the 50kilometre “Canalathon”, a race starting in Manchester and finishing in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire. Paul Grace completed the course in 5:09:12, with Daile Sipple finishing in 5:41:52.
On Saturday 26th, David Stokoe represented the club at the Newburgh “Beach Bash” 10k near Aberdeen, completing the sandy and undulating course in an impressive 49:33.
The weekend had started with the Parkrun at the North Inch on Saturday morning. Stuart Robertson was first green vest home and third overall with a new PB of 17:48, followed by another 18 Road Runners in a healthy field of 213. Mike Dales and Fiona Manson visited St Andrews and completed the Parkrun course at Craigtoun Park.
Sunday 3rd April is the Tay Ten race. Organised by the club, it starts at George Duncan Athletics track at 11am. There is also a children’s race at 11:05, covering 1.25 miles at the North Inch. Although the main race is now full, children (13 and under) can be registered for the shorter race until 10:40 on the day. All runners receive a medal.
Tuesday night is the regular club run, leaving Bells Sport centre at 6:30pm sharp. For the lighter nights, the Thursday session will be trails and hills at Deuchny woods, meeting in Jubilee car park for a 6:30 start.
8th April 2016
Sunday 3rd April saw 270 runners complete the Tay Ten, an annual 10 mile race organised by the Perth Road Runners. Despite damp conditions, the course records were broken by the male and female race winners: David Cole (55:09) and Jo Williams (1:03:19). Kevin Rogers was the first green vest home in a time of 1:02:14, finishing 9th overall and first in his age category. Sarah Douglas (1:04:33) was first female club member home and second overall. James Fotheringham (1:02:45) and Martin McEwen (1:02:46) had a close fought sprint to the finish, securing the team prize for the home club in the process. Along with a strong turnout in the race, over 40 marshals and helpers ensured the day ran smoothly. There was also a good turnout in the children’s race with 36 completing the 1.25 mile course.
Gillian Smith competed in her first marathon at Crossmichael on Sunday 3rd April, a 26.2 mile road race around Loch Ken, near Castle Douglas. Gillian was the third female home in a time of 4:31:25. David MacFadyen 3:21:32 ran strongly, finishing third overall.
Two Road Runners also made the trip to compete in the Paris Marathon with Brian Galletly finishing in 3:50:35 and Barry Campbell in 4:19:34.
The previous day, Simon Grieshaber represented the club at the Dunbar 10K race, completing the course in 43:20.
Saturday saw a good turnout at Perth Parkrun. Stuart Robertson was first PRR home and second overall with a new PB of 17:36. In total, twenty-one road runners took part, with nine runners pacing various times from 20 to 30 minutes, helping others achieve new personal best times.
Tuesday night is the regular club run, leaving Bells Sport centre at 6:30pm sharp. For the lighter nights, the Thursday session will be trails and hills at Deuchny woods, meeting in Jubilee car park for a 6:30 start.
15th April 2016
The Road Runners travelled south to Grangemouth on Sunday 10th April to compete in the second club championship race of the season. The 50th “Round the Houses” 10K road race saw 40 green vests take part in a competitive field of over 900 runners on the flat and fast route, resulting in some quick times and several new PB’s for club members.
In a closely fought battle for first road runner across the line, Michael McConnell (35:03) pipped Stuart Robertson (35:08). Kevin Rogers followed shortly afterwards in a time of 37:22. Sonjia Crow was first club female home with a new best time of 42:16, achieving third in her age category. Nicola Crowe (44:00) came second and Fiona Angus (45:05) was third female club member to finish.
Earlier that day, Kevin Riddell completed the Manchester Marathon in 3:04:32, taking over 30 minutes off his previous best time, also achieving the qualifying time for the Boston marathon in the process.
Peter Ritchie travelled to Strathclyde Park on Sunday to take part in the 54th Tom Scott Memorial 10 mile race. He was the sole green vest in a field of 298, completing the race in 1:29:09.
In a large turnout of 164, eighteen Road Runners participated in Parkrun on Saturday 9th April, with David Knight finishing second overall in a time of 18:13. Sunday April 24th sees the launch of the new junior Parkrun at Perth’s South Inch park. Aimed at 4-14 year olds, this free weekly 2k event is the ideal opportunity for children to start running. Parents should register their child on the Parkrun website before the day and remember to bring their printed barcode with them for a 9:30 start.
Tuesday night is the regular club run, leaving Bells Sport centre at 6:30pm sharp. New members are always welcome and there will be a member of the club on meet and greet each week. The Thursday session will be at Deuchny woods throughout April.
22nd April 2016
Saturday 17th of April was the first race in the Perth Road Runners “Hills are alive” series. The location was Norman’s law hill near Cupar in Fife, involving an 835ft climb during the 4.5 mile course. Twelve club members participated, with Kevin Rogers 38:42 first road runner across the line, followed closely by Stewart Reid 39:05. Sonjia Crow 40:53 was first female member home and second overall. Claire Douglas 41:09 arrived soon after, coming second in her age category.
Two runners represented the club at the Boston marathon on Monday 18th April. In warm conditions, Martin McEwan finished in an impressive 3:19:37, followed by Peter Ritchie in 4:58:06. Peter also completed his long-term goal of having run in the “Big Six” world marathons comprising Tokyo, Chicago, New York, London, Berlin and Boston. An excellent achievement obtained by very few runners.
The previous day, the Great Edinburgh 10 mile run took place. Six green vests participated among over 5000 other runners round the streets of the capital, with three club members achieving their best time at this distance. Ronnie Glen was first road runner with a time of 1:08:34 and 114th overall.
In a busy weekend for the PRR, other performances included: Bob Brown 1:55:16 and Shuna Reid 2:14:06 in the Angus “Ham” half-marathon; Simon Grieshaber 20:21 in the Kirkcaldy 5k; and John Rudd 1:40:44 in the 17 kilometre trail race at Hawkshead in the Lake District.
Perth parkrun on Saturday morning saw 16 club members participate. Michael McConnell crossed the line first in a new personal best time of 17:24. Four other club members helped volunteer in this free weekly event at North Inch Park.
Good luck to all the club members and other local runners at the London marathon this weekend. Tuesday night is the usual club run, meeting at Bells Sports Centre for a 6:30pm start. The Thursday session will be hills and trails, meeting at Jubilee car park in Deuchny Woods.
29th April 2016
The forecast of snow on the start line did not deter nine PRRs from making the trip to the capital for the London Marathon on 24 April. Under cool cloudy skies, the green vests winter training miles were rewarded with PBs and strong performances.
First to cross the line for Perth was Stuart Robertson in fantastic sub 3-hour PB time of 02:50:13. Duncan Ryan was second PRR in a superb 02:56:20, just a few seconds outside his PB. Third and fourth green vest honours went to Jimmy Fotheringham and Richard Ward in PB times of 03:13:41 and 03:19:10 respectively. Kevin Rogers put in a very competitive 03:25:30 despite having a viral illness. Fundraising for Poppy Scotland, Stewart Reid in his first marathon completed the 26.2 miles in a remarkable 03:43:32. Following a photograph with Olympian Colin Jackson, Grant Strachan completed in 04:33.10. Caroline Ness finished in style with a PB of 05:02:44 and Alan Paterson completed the honours for Perth in a PB 05.48.57.
On the same day three PRRs travelled to Stirlingshire for the hilly Balfron 10k in its 10th year. Simon Grieshaber put in a competitive 42:59 followed by Roy Mitchell in 46:38 and veteran Bob Brown in 51:34.
The previous day East Lothian’s new John Muir Way 50km race saw Daile Sipple compete in her second ultra marathon. Taking in coastal scenery and woodland trails Daile ran strongly completing the event in a very creditable 06:14:03. Pete Ritchie ran at Balmoral 10k also on Saturday with a time of 62:57.
Perth parkrun at the North Inch on Saturday morning attracted 18 PRRs in a healthy field of nearly 200. Kevin Riddell was third overall crossing the line in a new PB time of 17:39, while Fiona Morrison celebrated completing her 50th parkrun. On the South Inch, PRR Stuart Fraser and his team hosted the inaugural Junior parkrun on Sunday morning. 116 children completed the 2 kilometre course at this free weekly running event for 4-14 year olds.
If you are interested in trying out Perth Road Runners, Tuesday night is the regular club run leaving Bells Sports Centre at 6.30pm. The Thursday night session on 5 May will take place in the grounds of Rodney Fitness Centre at 6.30pm.
