5th August 2016
The weekend started with 18 road runners taking part at Perth parkrun on Saturday morning amongst a field of 180. Club member Mark Dunn was first across the line 18:23, closely followed by Kevin Rogers in 18:28. Brian Galletly achieved a new personal best in 20:13.
Road runners also enjoyed some parkrun tourism this week. At Banstead, Robin Wombill finished in 33:05, while Stuart Fraser (7th overall) 19:18 and Stewart Reid 20:35 ran in Banbury. St Andrews was the venue for Neil Muir (6th overall) 19:44 and his grandson Cristian Muir 23:56. Gillian Smith ran 31:57 in Ayr, with Roberta Hewitt 33:04 rounding off the tourism in Portobello.
At the junior parkrun on Sunday morning there was a strong turnout of 90 runners aged 4-14. In his first parkrun, Alexander Douglas set a new course record for the two-kilometre course, finishing swiftly in 7:15. Since its inception, over 400 different runners have now taken part in junior parkrun.
July 26th was the final race of the challenging Skull Mountain trail series in Falkland with Paul Grace finishing in 34:37 and Daile Sipple 41:43.
Duncan Ryan competed at the Scottish Masters 5000m race on Friday 29th July in Glasgow. Despite turning his ankle after tangling with another runner, Duncan still finished in a strong time of 17:45.
Brian Galletly competed in his second run of the weekend, winning the Balgowan 5k race on Sunday 31st July in 20:45, claiming a prize box of eggs in the process!
Sue Jones completed the Fort William marathon in a time of 4hrs 30. Set in the Scottish Highlands, the tough route takes in the stunning scenery of the Nevis Range.
This Tuesday is the penultimate race in club summer series at Knockhill race circuit. A big turnout is anticipated, although some club members will still be at the usual club run, leaving from Bells at 6:30 sharp.
12th August 2016
The road runners were competing throughout Scotland and beyond this week. On Friday 5th August, Kevin Riddell travelled west to race in the Bella belter 10K. He finished in a new personal best time of 37:54 on a fast course in Bellahouston park, Glasgow. The following day, the Cowal peninsula was the race venue with three club members completing the Dunoon “Toward for a Tenner” half-marathon. Leonard Burnett was first club member across the finish line in 1:33:06, closely followed by Simon Grieshaber 1:34:56 then David Michael Wood in 1:54:02. Hugh Daly ran the 10 kilometre race, finishing in 51:29.
At the Dublin Rock ‘n’ Roll weekend on August 5th/6th, Kevin Rogers completed the 5k and half-marathon races in 19:18 and 1:29:32 respectively. Martin McEwen 1:29:53 and Barry Campbell 2:02:56 ran the half-marathon, starting in the Docklands and finishing 13.1 miles later at Phoenix park.
At the Mull half-marathon on Sunday, Caroline Mary-Jones was the sole representative of the club, finishing in an impressive time of 1:42:43.
There was large turnout of 219 runners at Parkrun on Saturday morning, 23 of which were club members. Duncan Ryan was first green vest and second overall in 17:32. There were also impressive new personal bests for Brian Galletly 19:43, Marlena Nowaczyk 22:33 and Karen Walters 27:28. Jean McCullough notched up her 50th parkrun, finishing in 31:40. Elsewhere, Ronnie Glen 19:33 enjoyed some parkrun tourism in Greenock. Stuart Robertson 17:33 finished second in St Andrews and Amy Greig 25:19 competed in Lancaster.
Tuesday night is the usual club meet, leaving from Bells sports centre at 6:30 sharp. Thursday’s session is interval training at Deuchny Woods, meeting in the Jubilee car park for 6:30.
19th August 2016
On Tuesday 9th August, there was a strong turnout of road runners for the penultimate race in the summer series at the Carnegie Harriers Memorial race. The 3.9 mile race involved three laps of the undulating Knockhill Race circuit near Dunfermline, resulting in prizes for Stuart Robertson 21:29 and Julie Ramsay 25:30. Stuart was first in the over-40 category and seventh overall, while Julie was first female in the over 40’s.
Sunday 14th was the sixth race in the clubs championship series at Sherriffmuir near Dunblane. The tough 11 mile out-and-back course started with a long descent, with the later stages a steady climb back to the finish at the Sherriffmuir Inn where there was a well-earned drink awaiting the runners. Stuart Robertson picked up the over-40’s prize for the second time in a week, finishing in 1:07:38. Sonjia Crow was first female over-35 in 1:20:08. With four championship races left, Stuart currently leads the men’s table, with Catriona Liddell ahead for the women.
Thursday 11th August saw four green vests competing in the Balmullo trail race. The 4.9mile route covered various terrains climbing Luck Law hill and running round the aerial mast on the summit before descending over the same route. Neil Muir 36.15 was first club member home followed closely by Angela Irving (1st lady) 36.50 with Vicky Pollack 48.11 and Peter Ritchie 52.20 completing the line-up.
At the Perth Kilt run on Saturday 13th, club members took part in the 5k and half-marathon. Duncan Ryan was first in the 5k event, finishing in 17:55. Claire Douglas 21:11 was first female in the over-40 category, with Gillian Douglas 24:15 first in the over-50’s. In the half-marathon, Sarah Douglas 1:29:56 was first female, while Kevin Kelly 1:28:58 was first green vest across the line and fifth overall. Kenneth Stewart took the over-60’s title for the second year running. Meanwhile, Lorraine MacPherson completed the Tarbert 5k in 23:08 finishing 1st female vet and 2nd overall.
Four club members raced the Forth Road Bridge 10k on Sunday. Duncan Ryan put in another strong performance, first green vest in a time of 37:20 and second in the over-40 category. Ella Webley was the next road runner in 49:01, and in his first race back from injury, club secretary David Stokoe finished in 49:14, closely followed by Scott Connor in 49:22.
At parkrun on Saturday morning, Michael Carroll was first home in 16:05. There were also impressive personal bests for Caroline Mary-Jones 20:04 and Bob Brown 22:58, while Mike Dales chalked up his 50th parkrun. Elsewhere, Richard Ward 21:29 and Kirsty Bogle 32:46 enjoyed some parkrun tourism at Penrhyn and Walthamstow respectively.
Tuesday at 6:30 is the usual club meet at Bells sports centre. The Thursday session on the 25th will be the annual club duathlon near Pitcairngreen.
26th August 2016
On Saturday 20th August, 39 green vests lined up at Perth parkrun to decide the final placings in the road runners summer series. Michael Carroll was first across the line in 16:03 followed closely by Stuart Robertson 17:35. Several personal best times were achieved with Ronnie Glen clocking an impressive 18:46 and Julie Reid 26:16.
After the six series races, the final club standings: Julie Ramsay tops the table with 297 points, followed by Gillian Smith on 278 and Julie Reid in third with 268 points. Fiona Muir, Jean McCullough and Fiona Morrison completed the top six. In the men’s final standings, the three members who completed all six races were Stuart Robertson, topping the table with 298 points, closely followed by Stuart Fraser with 280 and Ronnie Glen on 273. The road runners now turn their attention back to the club championship in the Braemar half-marathon on September 11th.
Enjoying some parkrun tourism in Wetherby that morning, Neil Muir finished 24th out of 98 runners in a time of 23:22.
On Sunday, several road runners travelled to Angus to run in the Forfar 10k. In a fast and slightly undulating road race, Michael Carroll was first overall in 33:26. Kevin Rogers finished in 42:32, whilst Bob Brown was first male vet over 70, finishing the race in 48:17. Kenneth G Stewart completed the club line-up in 56:55.
Travelling west on the Saturday, Peter Ritchie was the sole club representative at the scenic Coll Half Marathon finishing in 2:07:20.
This week also saw club members also venturing into the world of triathlon. As part of a team, Michael McConnell completed the half-marathon running section at the Aberfeldy middle distance triathlon in 1:19:18. Closer to home, Stuart Fraser, Claire Douglas, Gillian McGuire and Richard Ward competed in the Kilgraston relay wild triathlon. Participating for the first time in the mixed team event, each individual completed a swim, cycle and run. The team achieved an impressive first place in the mixed category and fourth overall in a field of 44 teams.
