2nd December 2016
At the North Inch park on Saturday 26th November, 31 green vests turned out in a field of 180 runners to celebrate Perth parkrun’s third birthday. Conditions were cold but bright, with hot drinks and cake for all finishers afterwards. The occasion involved a superhero fancy dress theme. Costumes included batman, catwoman, superman, wonder woman and Karen Walters as Anna Mears, cycling hero. David Knight was first across the line in 17:45. Sonjia Crow finished in 21:42 and third female overall. Stewart Reid, as Captain America, and Gillian Smith both chalked up their 50th parkrun.
Elsewhere, Nina Roberts travelled to Newcastle and finished 11th female in 27:21 at Gateshead. Mark Dunn Finished second overall at Springburn, Glasgow in a time of 18:16. Alistair Gudgin travelled to Dunfermline and finished 7th overall in a field of 103 with 19:23.
Caroline Ness was the sole road runner who travelled to Stirling on Sunday 27th November to compete in the inaugural five mile Stirling’s “toughest” race. Caroline finished the two lap course in the shadows of the Castle in 1:10:59.
Tuesday 6th December is the annual Yahoo handicap race in place of the usual club night. Thursday 8th is a track session at the George Duncan arena, starting at 6:30pm sharp.
9th December 2016
The running weekend started on a sombre note due to the sudden passing of regular parkrunner, Neil Paterson. Prior to the start of Saturday’s parkrun, club secretary David Stokoe paid tribute to Neil, a visually impaired runner who was regularly guided round the course by friends from the Perth road runners and fellow park runners. There was applause to celebrate the life of a runner who thrived in adversity. A determined competitor who completed 42 parkruns, Neil recently achieved a strong personal best time of 21:27. He will be sorely missed. Around 30 road runners participated in a field of 163 runners. Several club members also participated at other parkruns, including Kevin Riddell who finished in 5th place at Aberdeen in 18:29.
The main competitive action was the east district cross-country championships at Balgownie, Aberdeen, where once again the road runners were out in force. The women’s team, comprising of Sonjia Crow, Claire Douglas, Fiona Manson and Nina Roberts finished 11th overall. Claire Douglas finished 12th vet overall, it was also Nina’s first cross-country event. Myles Bax, David Knight, Simon Grieshaber and David Sinclair put on a strong showing in the men’s race.
Further afield, Gillian Smith and Margaret McIntosh travelled to Portugal to run the Lisbon Discoveries half-marathon. In torrential rain and wind, Gillian finished the flat course in a new personal best time of 1:54:27 followed by Margaret in 2:09:03.
This year’s Marcothon challenge began on December 1st with many club members aiming to run at least 5 kilometres every day throughout December, more challenging than it sounds, especially with all the festivities.
The regular club run is Tuesday, starting at Bells sports centre 6:30 sharp. New runners always welcome.
16th December 2016
Tuesday December 6th was the annual Road Runners Yahoo event, a challenging 9.5 mile race round the streets of Perth. The staggered start times meant that all club runners had the chance of winning and it was Dean Scott who was first across the line, followed closely by Scott Connor. Michael McConnell ran the quickest overall time.
On Saturday 10th December there was a festive feel in the air with 13 road runners taking part in the annual Perth Santa run, a 5km route which starts in the centre of Perth and finishes on the North Inch. Earlier in the day there was a large turnout of 183 runners, of which 23 were club members, for the weekly parkrun on the North Inch. Stuart Fraser was first home in 18:49 and Dave Sinclair was the tail runner ensuring everyone finished the course.
Jason Blyth travelled to Edinburgh whilst Paul Grace and Daile Sipple travelled to Penrith for some parkrun tourism.
Further afield, Bob Brown and Pete Ritchie travelled to the Canary Islands to race in Lanzarote. Bob Brown competed in the 10K event and finished the race in 49:56, whilst Pete Ritchie finished the half marathon in 1:58:17.
Sunday 11th December was the first race of four in the Strathearn trail race series. Five Road runners took part in the event with Duncan Ryan finishing the 5Km route 4th overall in 19:45 with Kevin Riddell close behind in 5th place in a time of 20:42. Julie Ramsay was first female club member home and 10th overall in 22:09 with Gillian McGuire in 24:38.
Tuesday night is the usual club meet, leaving from Bells sports centre, and Thursday’s session is interval training at George Duncan track both for a 6:30pm start. All new runners welcome.
23rd December 2016
There was less race action this week as the Championship season is over, however there was still plenty of festive running taking place.
On December 14th, Caroline Ness travelled to Callander to compete in the second race of the Trossachs Night trail series, where each race is between 5 and 6 miles in length. Caroline finished in 63:17, despite injuring her ankle just 3 miles into the race.
At the North Inch on Saturday, 24 green vests lined up for Perth Parkrun. Caroline Jones was first female road runner and second overall in 21:05. Stuart Fraser was the first male road runner home, finishing in 15th place with 20:31.
Duncan Ryan went eastwards to Dundee, finishing the hilly Camperdown parkrun first in a time of 18:58. Ronnie Glen travelled west to Glasgow and finished 30th out of 356 runners at Pollock parkrun in 20:26. Debbie Jackson was at Linwood parkrun and was seventh female home in her fastest 5km time of the year, 24:05. Finally, Neil Muir finished in 15th place at Dunfermline parkrun in 20:43.
On Sunday December 18th, the annual club Christmas run took place with an out and back route to Loch Ordie, Dunkeld. Many club members completed the full route around the loch approx. 11miles long whereas other members enjoyed a more relaxing 6 miles in total, followed by some mince pies! Robin Wombill used this as an opportunity to complete his Virtual Elf 10k run in aid of Meningitis research.
Over the festive period the club will continue to meet on Tuesdays at Bells for a 6:30pm start, although the sports centre will be closed. Track sessions at George Duncan arena will recommence in the New Year on 12th January 2017.
30th December 2016
The running weekend started with a busy Christmas Eve. Storm Barbara did not stop 24 club members lining up in a field of 190 runners for a very wet and windy Perth Parkrun. Myles Bax was first across the line with a new parkrun PB of 16:48. Kevin Riddell was fifth overall and second green vest in 18:39. Caroline Jones was second female home in 20:59.
Elsewhere, Alistair Gudgin finished first at Dunfermline parkrun in 18:18, whilst Duncan Ryan finished second overall at Springburn , Glasgow in 18:13. Gillian Smith travelled to Livingston, finishing in 27:28. Garry and Kate Marshall completed Bedgebury Pinetum parkrun, Kent in 31:14 and 33:35 respectively.
The running ontinued on Christmas day, with Kevin Riddell finishing 3rd overall in a new course personal best time of 19:47 at Camperdown parkrun, Dundee. Gillian Edwards achieved a new PB of 25:05. Fiona Morrison also gained a new Camperdown course PB of 37:53. Nina Roberts completed her first attempt at the Dundee route in 28:21.
On Boxing day, three green vests travelled east to Forfar for the 2.75 mile plum pudding plod around the loch. Kevin Rogers was first road runner home, followed by Fiona Morrison and Robin Wombill.
Gillian Smith finished the year with a new personal best time of 49:53 for a 10K race at the Turkey trot road race in Ayr where conditions were very stormy.
Further south, John Rudd and Linda O’Neill raced in the Leyland boxing day 10k, a two lap course of Worden Park.
The road runners meet regularly on a Tuesday night at Bell’s Sports centre for a 6:30pm start and George Duncan arena on Thursdays for track sessions. New runners are always welcome; please contact the club via Facebook or the website for more information.
