25/02/11
Perth road runners presentation dinner was a fine testament to another fantastic year of personal endeavours and achievements.
Judy Hume proudly awarded trophies, which recognised all the different categories and merits, to the deserving club’s athletes.
The club championship was won by Greg Simpson and Fiona Angus, in their respective male and female categories, with second place going to Kevin Judge and Rhona McBean, and third to Colin McCreath and Tania Greenhorn. Helen MacLeod and Kevin Judge lifted the Summer Series trophies, whilst Rhona McBean and Simon Grieshaber achieved second place (both also won Vet champion), and third place was awarded to Claire Douglas and Grant Wooler. Kevin Judge’s merits consolidated a terrific year, accepting his third trophy of the night, as the ‘most improved’ male runner.
Triumph continued for Claire Douglas, picking up the ‘Kinnoull Hill’ race, Vet half marathon, 10km and ‘most improved’ female runner prizes. Equally Mike Carroll lifted accolades in the Kinnoull Hill race, half marathon, marathon and 10km events. Target Zero was won by David McRae, while another club organised event, the Duathlon, saw Ewan Taylor break the course record in the male category and Keri Weatherhogg succeed in this event and also half marathon to her list of honours.
Congratulations to Mark Cooper in achieving the ‘double’ in the ‘Vet 10km’ and ‘Vet half marathon’ races. Kenneth Stewart and Fiona Hair continued the trend winning both the ‘Super Vet marathon’ and ‘Super Vet champion’. Steve Bonthrone accomplished the ‘Vet marathon’ category, as did former chairperson, Fiona Angus, who also earned the ‘Vet 10km’ title.
Erni Hamilton secured ‘Super Vet 10km’ and ‘Super Vet half marathon’ female awards while the male categories were won by Derek Phillips and Neil Muir respectively. Erni completed a hat-trick of honours, with the female marathon trophy. The ‘personality of the year award’ went to Stephen Ferguson, in appreciation of his commitment, endeavour, participation and involvement to the club. Races to note this weekend are Cupar 5 mile on Saturday, commencing at 3 pm, and old trainers or trail shoes are advised for the ‘Fetch and Retrieve’ Run on Sunday which has a 11 am prompt start, meeting at top Quarry Mill car park.
17/02/11
It was with profound sadness that the club received the news of Jean Wainwright’s death last week. As club members try to come to terms with the tragic news, tributes have poured in from her many friends in the club and in the wider running community.
Jean was a big part of Perth Road Runners for many years and contributed a great deal to the club as a runner, organiser and committee member, including 4 years as club secretary. Her zest to find new challenges and adventures at a time in life when most of us would be thinking of quietly retiring inspired us all. Her warm and friendly personality and the keen interest and encouragement she gave us with our own goals, are amongst her many attributes. She will be greatly missed.
A fuller appreciation of Jean will be posted on the Club website in due course. In the meantime the club committee would welcome suggestions from members on what might be an appropriate tribute to Jean’s memory.
The club committee, on behalf of the members, extend their sincere condolences to Jim and the rest of the family. A memorial service for Jean will be held at Glenalmond College on Friday 25th February at 2.45pm. Please note; at the family’s request, bright colours are to be worn, no black.
With this tragic loss in mind, a reflective silence was observed before last Sunday’s Wee Winter Run, as a heartfelt mark of respect for the inspirational friend and ambassador of the club.
A hearty crowd attended the race, in which an element beaten course ensured that resilient and spirited performances were required and fitting to the circumstance. Many thanks go to Robin Wombill and marshals for organising this event, and the Cherrybank Inn for their hospitality in regards to parking facilities and refreshments.
11/02/11
A senior contingent from Perth Road Runners represented and impressed on Saturday afternoon in Kirkcaldy, as it hosted the Scottish National Masters Cross Country championships. Joan Wilson completed the 6 km course in 29 minutes 34 seconds, before the route was increased to 8 km for the male event. A sublime display by Dave Knight ensured a 16th place finish in a time of 34 minutes 7 seconds, followed by Steve Ferguson in 40 minutes 21 seconds and Simon Grieshaber in 42 minutes 38 seconds. The Club’s presentation dinner lived up to expectation, and a full report will be published next week of this well attended and well deserved celebration, with details of magnificent and awe-inspiring champions from all categories and events.
Some runners proved to be fresh and clear-headed from the previous night’s celebrations, with John Rudd, Bob Brown and Linda O’Neil all participating in Forfar’s tough multi terrain half marathon. In an excellent time of 1:43:35 John finished in 46th, followed by Bob Brown and Linda O’Neil in respective times of 1:56:46 and 2:10:41.
Dropping a short distance to the South to Monikie, where the winter duathlon series was contested, the considerably sobering and chilly 5km run/20km cycle/5km run event was won by Ewan Taylor in 1:10:42. A phenomenal performance from Ewan saw him only falter in the cycling section, dropping to second place momentarily, but a determined second run enabled him to regain the lead and secure the win.
Tonight an EGM will be held at Bell’s Sports Centre, starting promptly at 7:30 pm. All members are encouraged to attend, as their votes and opinions are vital to the ‘running’ club’s future and success.
Sunday morning should boast the ‘Wee Winter Run’, weather permitting, meeting behind the Cherrybank Inn for 10:30 am with a prompt 11 am start. Please check the Perth road runner’s website for full details of this event or any other running information or training schedules.
04/02/11
Marathon training is already on the minds of many Perth runners and thankfully for a suitable shift in the weather, they are finally getting out and about for training runs on Tuesday night meetings at Bell’s Sports Centre, at 6:30 pm. Training sessions have also resumed on Thursday nights, with alternative sessions between ‘hill reps’ at Hatton Road and the George Duncan track at Perth Grammar School, times can be found on the Perth Road Runners Website.
Anyone interested in joining the club is encouraged to come along and experience the good natured and sociable atmosphere at this ‘friendly running club’. Support and advice is always readily available, as are inspiring figures and a camaraderie you would expect from a successful club.
An apology is due to Ewan Taylor, his Boxing Day efforts in the Cruim Leacainn hill race near Fort William slipped past the running radar. Admiration in achieving a 4th place finish in a time of 49 minutes 38 seconds is fully deserved as plummeting temperatures contradicted the 250 metre climb along this rough snow covered 10 km course.
A couple February favourites worth mentioning are the ‘Wee Winter Run’ on the 13th and ‘Fetch and Retrieve’ on the 27th. ‘Wee Winter’ runners should gather behind the Cherrybank Inn for this 4.75 mile race, whilst the ‘Fetch and Retrieve’ event is held at the Quarry Mill (top) car park, both races have a meeting time of 10:30 am for a prompt 11 am start. Just outside of Perth is the Cupar 5 mile race, another popular little event being held on the 26th February at 3pm.
As it is the eve of the Annual Presentation dinner, best wishes go to those attending, here’s hoping a well deserved and fantastic night is had by all.
21/01/11
Last Saturday saw a handful of brave Perth athletes tackle tricky icy tracks, problematic slush pockets and mud glorious mud, as Livingston hosted the Scottish Athletics East district cross country championships.
On a remarkably fresh day, this tough little course boasted woodland hills’ and an exposed summit with a winter bite. The Women’s race consisted of 2 laps accumulating to 6.4 Km, great efforts were shown by Joan Wilson and Rhona Mc Bean, completing the race in times of 32 minute 46 seconds and 35 minutes 59 seconds respectively. With the Men’s race increased to 3 laps and totalling 9.6 Km, a fantastic run by Dave Knight saw him finish 43rd out of 240 competitors, in a time of 38 minutes 16 seconds. Derek McIntosh enjoyed a very successful return in 44:56, followed by Stephen Ferguson, Colin Wilson and Kevin Judge. Injury had hindered young David Hunters’ running last year, so this is a positive start, crossing the line with Simon Grieshaber and Derek Phillips.
Glentress Duathlon was at risk of cancellation last week, thankfully for a big thaw this event went ahead. Congratulations to Ewan Taylor, who tied first place in an awesome time of 46 minutes 54 seconds. Representing Perth’s ladies was Erni Hamilton, completing the 5 Km run and 6 Km cycle with a 370 metre ascent in 1:10:57.
Normality has almost returned as the snow around Perth is finally shifting, allowing training to be scheduled for Tuesday night 6:30pm at Bells. It’s recommended to check the clubs website and facebook page for training and future event information. Tickets are still available for the Club’s annual presentation dinner from Stephen Ferguson or any committee member. It boasts an inspirational guest speaker and will be held at the Lovat hotel in Perth.
14/01/11
The continuation of dreadful weather conditions may have restricted air travel and reduced vehicles to a snail’s pace, but Edinburgh showcased an exceptionally fast and fluid International cross country event, last Saturday. Some of the world’s top athletes took to a snowy track around Holyrood Park, set within a picturesque wintry capital. For as Mo Farah, double European gold medallist and captain for Great Britain, streaked to individual and team victory, BBC commentators, including Steve Cram MBE, commended and praised the “great job” Perth Road Runner marshals had provided.
Staying with cross country, good luck to Perth’s athletes in tomorrows’ East District Championship race being held in Livingston.
A slightly belated good luck goes to the fortunate winners of the Kilomathon ballot. Linda O’Neil, Anne Wombill, Bob Brown, Peter Ritchie and Kevin Judge will be representing Perth, with the option of running in Scotland, Wales or England.
The club’s prize giving dinner is being held on Friday the 5th of February, highlighting some incredible achievements over 2010. It is being hosted at the Lovatt hotel, and tickets are still available from committee members, but like most of the trophy bound champions, they are going fast!
Unfortunately the weather has blighted training sessions and New Year resolutions throughout the big county. For continued, and especially, the several new members it is advisable to observe the Club’s website or facebook page for up-to-date information on training, races, events and regrettably cancellations. Those struggling with the current cool climate may be interested in the Club’s running jackets or hooded tops available from Allison McArthur.
Online entries for Perth’s infamous Heaven and Hell half marathon is now open; a terrific but undeniably challenging course. Taking place in less than 3 months, there is an emphasis on training for this memorable event, thank goodness for gyms!
07/01/11
There was a fantastic turn out by Perth Road Runners club at Blairgowrie on the 1st of January, and remarkably, road conditions allowed for a terrific New Years day fun run. The 3.7 mile course began at the Town hall and looped round to finish at the Wellmeadow area, back near the centre. Tony Jackson, Mark Cooper, Neil Muir, Stephen Ferguson and Brian Cooper lead the green pack of Perth, followed by Nicola Crowe who was second female finished.
A grand attendance also saw Fiona Manson, Angela and Vicky Park, Rhona McBean, Anne and Robin Wombill, Bob Brown and a kilted Kenneth Stewart complete the course. The event also boasted a walk on the same course, starting half an hour before the actual race began, an option which Pete Ritchie and Dave Norrie participated in.
Congratulations are deserved to the lucky winners drawn from the Edinburgh marathon ballot. Allison McArthur, Rhona McBean, Karen Walters, Steve Bonthrone and Kenneth Stewart will be lining up on the 22nd of May in the nations capital. Further afield and a considerably higher in altitude, Ewan Taylor ran in the Aonach Mor Uphill race, finishing in the very respectable position of 3rd place for the second consecutive year with a time of 24 minutes and 24 seconds.
Many clubs runners have kindly offered to help marshal this Saturday’s Great Winter run events, at Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park. The annual event should see much better conditions than last year and the use of the entire proper course. Unfortunately, cancellations to running training schedules have been blighted by the icy conditions once again, as the George Duncan track is closed until further notice and pavements used in the ‘hill reps’ training are still treacherous. It’s advisable to keep up-to-date with the Club’s website, Facebook page or emails.