1st July 2016
Saturday 25th June saw five hardy Perth Road runners head to Fife to compete in the Falkland Hill Race, part of the clubs ‘the hills are alive’ series. The three-mile route sees runners climbing 1200ft to the top of East Lomond, then facing a steep descent back to the village. Stewart Reid, eighth overall, was the first Road Runner to finish in 26:20, followed by Sonjia Crow, third overall female, in 29:11. David Sinclair 29:30, Richard Ward 30:44, and Kevin Rogers 34:08 completed the road runner line up.
On the same day, four green vests travelled west to Balquhidder to race in the Run Mhor 10K trail run. After recently returning to the club, Mark Crawford was first in 38:57, followed by Paul Grace 44:57 in seventh and Richard Hughes 46:47 in eighth. Daile Sipple finished the tough, undulating course in 53:45.
At the weekly parkrun on the North Inch, 19 green vests participated, with the first two places occupied by club members. Michael Carroll was first home with a superb personal best time of 15:40. Stuart Robertson was next in 17:33, also a new personal best.
For the second Saturday in a row, Kevin Riddell continued his parkrun tourism in South Africa, this time visiting Greenpoint, where he was first home in 17:09.
Gillian Smith and Kevin Rogers continued the off-road theme with the Benarty Gala trail race, a five mile run within the surroundings of Lochore Meadows Country Park on Sunday 26th June. Kevin, who also raced on Saturday, was 40th overall in 34:16, with Gillian finishing in 46:19.
Elsewhere, Barry Campbell, Brian Galletly and Julie Ramsay travelled to Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries and Galloway to brave the Tough Mudder 12 mile obstacle course.
Last Thursday night the club hosted a relay race, with teams of three completing one lap of the North Inch. Over 80 Children participated in the event along with club members, each completing 800m at breakneck pace. The winning team, Michael McConnell, Stuart Robertson and Duncan Ryan, finished the lap in 7:05, just four seconds behind the one-lap record.
Tuesday night is the regular club run, leaving Bells at 6:30pm sharp. All new members are welcome but please arrive early to be placed in a group of similar paced runners.
8th July 2016
The Scottish islands featured in a busy PRRs racing calendar this week.
On Sunday 3rd July veteran club member David Wood organised a trip to the Isle of Arran Half Marathon, including mini bus courtesy of A&B taxis. Thirteen PRRs contested the scenic route with demon hills on Arran’s west coast. Stuart Robertson was first PRR home in a blistering 01:18:11, taking 2nd place overall and first in his age category. Kevin Rogers was 2nd PRR in 01:25:08 and 7th overall. The Perth men’s top three was completed by James Fotheringham in 01:26:21, 8th overall and first in his age category. Seconds later, David MacFadyen in 01.26.33 and Kevin Kelly in 01:26:35 earned 9th and 10th places. Stewart Reid and Simon Grieshaber were neck and neck in 01:33:05 and 01.33.37 respectively. A minute later Sonjia Crowe crossed the line in a superb 01.34.44 as 3rd female overall and first in her age category. Fiona Angus and Ronnie Glen battled it out in 01:38:30 and 01:38:43 respectively. Heleed Rheinallt (01.45.56), David Wood (01:55:34) and Maureen Summers (02:25:40) completed the honours for Perth. With five finishers in the Top Ten, PRRs picked up the team prize as the icing on the cake.
The previous day Margaret McIntosh ventured to the 27th Isle of Harris Half Marathon contesting the rugged terrain in hot conditions in 02:13:42, achieving second in her age category, in a field of 161 runners.
The coastal theme continued with the Sandy Slither in Fife, a 6.1 mile route crossing beaches and burns from Lower Largo to Elie. Stewart Reid and Gillian Smith got wet feet in commendable times of 47:35 and 61:58 respectively. At the 31st Stonehaven Half Marathon on 3rd July, Peter Ritchie and Bob Brown completed the race in 02:01:30 in warm sunny weather.
Earlier in the week 23 green vests travelled to the Milnathort Dash (5.2miles) for the 3rd race in the Summer Series. In excellent form, Stuart Robertson was first PRR over the line in 30:55, 6th overall and first in his age category. Kevin Riddell (32:28) and Stuart Fraser (32:55) were 2nd and 3rd PRRs closely followed by James Fotheringham (33:08). Sonjia Crow led the Perth women home in 36.22 followed seconds later by Julie Ramsay in 36:40. Fiona Manson was 3rd Perth female in 41:42. At the halfway point in the Summer Series, Stuart Robertson currently tops the men’s table, closely followed by Stuart Fraser and James Fotheringham. Julie Ramsay currently leads the way for the women’s trophy with Marianne McLevy second and Gillian Smith third. The next race in the Summer Series is Crieff 10K on 10th July.
21 PRRs completed the 137th Perth parkrun with Michael Carroll achieving another PB of 15:38.
Tuesday night is the regular club run, leaving Bells at 6:30pm sharp. All new members are welcome; please arrive early to be placed in a group of similar paced runners.
15th July 2016
On 6th July Perth Road Runners organized and hosted the 20th edition of the annual Brig Bash 5, the fast 5-mile road race in Bridge of Earn. The race attracted over 200 runners from 22 athletics clubs and a number of independents from across central Scotland.
Currently based in Dundee, Kristian Jones of Swansea Harriers posted a record 04:47 for leading runner at the one-mile mark and finished first overall in 24:27. Behind Jones a close battle for runner-up saw Edinburgh AC’s Iain Macdonald (26:42) win out ahead of Ruairidh Campbell of Arbroath Footers (26:48).
Women’s winner Jennifer Wetton of Central AC was also first to the one mile mark equalling her own 2013 record of 05:29. Wetton finished in 28:29 followed by second place Michelle McKay 30:24 (Dundee Road Runners) who drew clear of third-placed Lana Turnbull of Lothian RC (30:48).
Local athletes were well represented in the age group winners with Andy Laycock of Kinross RR first over 50 and George Black (Fife AC) first over 70. Zoe Johnston (Falkland TR) took the female over 40 award, Mary Western (PH Racing) first over 50 and Sue Whisler (Fife AC) first over 60. For the home Club, Stuart Robertson led the men home in 28:28, placing 3rd in his age category. Mark Dunn (29:59) and Stuart Fraser (30:30) were 2nd and 3rd for the fair city men with James Fotheringham (30:43) placing 3rd in his age category. The Perth women picked up the prize for 3rd team with Sonjia Crow (33:28), Nicola Crowe (36:42) and Marianne McLevy (38:04). Thanks to the many members and sponsors who worked behind the scenes to make the event a success.
On Sunday 10th July, 27 green vests travelled to the Crieff 10km trail race, the 4th race in the Summer Series. Conditions underfoot were testing after heavy overnight rain. Michael McConnell was 4th overall and first PRR in 38:15, closely followed by Stuart Robertson in 38:55, picking up first male over 40 prize. James Fotheringham, 41:48 was 3rd for Perth in 41:48 and first in his age category. A few seconds separated the trio of Kevin Kelly (41:33), Kevin Riddell (41:41) and Stuart Fraser (41:47). Kevin Rogers showed a return to form in 43:17 while Ronnie Glen, within days of his first marathon distance, posted 44:12. Sonjia Crow was first Perth female in 46:42, soon followed by Julie Ramsay in 47:23, also first in her age category. Gair McRostie and Heleed Rheinallt were neck and neck at 48:41 and 48:44. Marianne McLevy was 3rd Perth female at 52:55. In a field of 230 runners the fair city athletes took home both the women’s and men’s team prizes.
The final wave of green vests were Kenneth Stewart 51:36, John Rudd 53:23, Nina Roberts 54:15, Bob Brown 56:32 (first MV70), Gillian Smith 60.08, Linda O’Neill 61:52, Julie Reid 61:53, Maria Dale 62:05, Sally Newton 65:14, Fiona Muir 70:59, Neil Muir 71:00, Kirsty Johnston 77:12, Fiona Morrison 78:03 and Jean McCullough 78:09.
On the same day, south of the border, Sue Jones picked the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike, for her Mountain Marathon debut. Sue completed the trail marathon distance in an impressive 07:45 in misty, windy conditions.
22nd July 2016
The main outing for the road runners this week was the Alexis Rose 10k hill race at Moncrieffe Hill, near Perth. The event is organised by Alan Glynn, a local charity fundraiser who sadly lost his daughter to meningitis in 2011. There was a strong turnout of green vests with 21 from the 126 runners being club members, helping raise funds and awareness for meningitis research. Club members comprised 7 of the top 10 places. First across the line was Michael McConnell in 41:08, an excellent time considering the course involved over 1000 feet of climbing on very mixed terrain. Jimmy Fotheringham was third overall in 44:06, securing the veteran’s trophy in the process. Sonjia Crow was first female home in 49:09, with Julie Ramsay taking the female veteran’s prize in 51:33. Club members agreed that this is one of the toughest 10k races in Scotland.
The result means Sonjia takes first place in the clubs hill series for 2016, as she now cannot be caught in the final event. Stewart ‘Elvis’ Reid currently leads the men’s hills series, with only the Gateside Gallop at the end of August still to come.
Elsewhere, four club members participated in the Half DRAM race, starting in Camperdown park, Dundee. The 13.1 mile route involved trail and road running, with veteran club member Bob Brown first green vest home in 1:53:28. Peter Ritchie 1:57:35, Susan Smith 1:59:32 and Linda O’Neill 2:09:49 followed soon after.
At parkrun on Saturday morning, nineteen club members began the weekend in the best possible fashion by completing the weekly 5k run at the North Inch Park. Michael Carroll 16:02 then Stuart Robertson 17:29 were the first runners home. Elsewhere, enjoying some parkrun tourism were Fiona Manson and Mike Dales at St Andrews, Gillian Smith in Ayr and Kevin Riddell who travelled to Elgin, finishing third.
If you would like to come along and join a friendly road running club, please be at Bells sports centre for 6:25 every Tuesday night for a 6:30 start.
29th July 2016
The Perth road runners were in action again this week at both the Hill of Hope Trail race on Tuesday 19th July and Newburgh 4.23 race on 20th July. The five-mile route at the Hill of Hope around Strathmiglo, took in some great scenery while raising money for Maggie’s Fife charity. 22 green vests lined up on the hottest evening of the year with Stuart Robertson finishing 3rd overall in a time of 30:32. Jimmy Fotheringham was second club member and 5th overall in 31:44 followed closely by Kevin Kelly 32:28.
Eight green vests braved the thunder and lightning to line up in a 94 strong field to race the tough Newburgh 4.23 mile multi-terrain route. After finishing third the previous night, Stuart Robertson finished a respectable 4th in 25.21. Again, Jimmy Fotheringham was at his heals finishing in 27:26, with Matt Cawood the third road runner home in 29:03. Angela Irving was the first female club member home in 29:09 after a lengthy time out through injury. It was good to see her sister Vicky Pollack back racing as well.
On Saturday 20th July, Daile Sipple and Paul Grace headed to Whitelees Windfarm, Eaglesham to take part in the Run the Blades festival. Daile finished the 50K ultramarathon in a very respectable time of 6:11:26. Due to injury concerns, Paul Grace competed in the 10K instead, finishing 6th overall and 1st in his age category in 46:34.
Also on Saturday, Dave Sinclair competed in the 10K Ben Ledi Hill race. Battling over 2500ft of tough ascent, he finished 15th overall in 1:16:56. Elsewhere, Fiona Manson and Mike Dales travelled to Yorkshire to race in the challenging Yorkshire Wolds Half Marathon. In muggy conditions, Mike finished 72nd overall in 1:59:20. Fiona finished shortly after in 2:01:15, 82nd position and 11th female home.
34 road runners lined up on the North Inch to take part in Parkrun and also to celebrate Karen Walters and Ronnie McNeil reaching their 100th runs. Michael McConnell was first home with a new PB of 16:39. Stuart Robertson was second in 17:24, only one second ahead of Duncan Ryan who equalled his PB 17:25.
Usual club night is Tuesday meeting at Bells for a 6:30pm start. All welcome.
