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| 23.11.05 -
Club Runners at Clova and Carlisle |
| No
one can safely predict the November weather conditions
in Glen Clova, but three Perth Road Runners who
took part in the Half Marathon this year were
lucky, as the roads were clear of ice and the
cold rain stopped just before the start. The only
problem was a stiff headwind over the last few
miles.
Experienced
supervet Bob Brown made light work of the testing
switchback early miles and maintained his pace
into the cold wind for a 95m 49s finish while
fellow Blairgowrie man Peter Ritchie also showed
his sharp end of season form with a 95.54.
Jean Wainwright maintained her busy racing programme
by covering the 13.1 miles in a steady 137.14.
Tuesday
evening saw a good turn out of members for a highly
successful Club training session at the George
Duncan Track. The current plan is for this to
become a regular once a month event.
On
Sunday Jean Wainwright once again hit the road
racing scene at the historic Brampton to Carlisle
10 miler. Here, in spite of icy roads, the frosty
conditions and calm sunny day helped her to produce
her best 10 mile time of the year of 94m 31s.
Peter
Ritchie chose to head north on the same day for
the Fraserburgh Half Marathon.
Although somewhat tired from an extremely busy
racing season and heavy marathon training he overcame
the cold North Sea wind to cross the line only
one minute outside his Clova time.
The
PRR Championship Race Series is now completed
but the competition is not quite over yet as several
of the real diehard men take the morning plane
to Luton on December 4th for the final marathon
of the year. There may still be dramatic changes
at the top of the points table !
With
quite a few PRR entered for the 2006 London Marathon,
it should be noted that the Club again has an
allocation of two places. Anyone with an entry
rejection should immediately contact the Club
secretary to take part in the mid-December draw.
Members
are also reminded of the Club's Annual General
Meeting which is at 7.00pm on Tuesday 6th December
at Bells Sports Centre.
In
the meantime..........Keep on Running.
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| 8.11.05
- Twenty First Templeton Ten. |
As
the rain cleared on Sunday morning, the dripping
beech trees of Templeton Woods were the backdrop
for the multicoloured club vests of 300 runners
lining up for the twenty first running of the classic
ten miler sponsored by Dundee RR. Among the crowd
were twenty three Perth Road Runners battling for
valuable points in the ninth and final race of their
Club Championship.
On a route reknowned for a series of leg sapping
hill climbs it was David Knight who once again led
the green vests home with a fine run of 56m 59s
for fifth place overall in the race.
Other significant results came from Neil Muir (63.17)
who took fifth male vet and Bob Brown (71.25) in
the second O60 position only a week after his Dublin
Marathon.
There was a serious points battle among the next
five Perth men across the line, but it was the much
improved Peter Ritchie who carried the day with
his 74.37. Kenneth Stewart, also with Dublin fatigue
in his legs, was a mere fifteen seconds behind while
David Norrie swung steadily round the course in
76.04 to just pip Stuart Wyllie by 12 seconds. Hugh
Daly was also safely under the eighty minute barrier
with a 78.31.
No quarter was given either in the women's race
where Susan Lennon's early lead was steadily whittled
away by Clare Frulloni and Joan Wilson who both
started very conservatively. In the end it was Joan
who came through to take the 100 points with a 78m
07s. Clare was one minute behind her and Susan another
minute back. These three together took the second
womens team prize.
Sheila Bauchop (82.20) was well out of the battle
on this occasion as she struggled much of the way
with a painful ankle which was later diagnosed as
severe tendonitis.
Fiona Hair was four minutes off Sheila while Susan
Smith and Anne Wombill clocked 90.15 and 91.32 respectively.
David Bauchop (81.38) after a promising start slowed
drastically on the final killer hill to be overtaken
by Robin Wombill whose 80.43 is a new PB for him
and also by Phil Turner who finished only four seconds
behind Robin.
Veronica Muir led in the final bunch of PRR in 100.25.
Jean Wainwright was three seconds ahead of Jackie
Daly with a 101.16. Doug Hooper was well pleased
with 102.37 and Fiona Morrison recorded 111.47.
This Tuesday (15th Nov) there is a Club training
session (£1 to members) from 6.30pm till 7.30pm
at the new George Duncan Track.
Next Saturday (19th) the Gauldry Gallup XC races
in Fife start at 1pm.
A form is now in place at Bells Sports Centre for
any member wishing to sign on for PRR committee
service. Duties are light but necessary and members
are urged to give it their consideration. In the
meantime ...... Keep on Running. |
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| 2.11.05
- Downpour for Dublin Four. |
There
were four Perth Road Runners among almost 10000
others who lined up in a heavy rain storm on Halloween
Monday for the start of the twenty sixth Dublin
Marathon.
At the halfway point the experienced duo of Bob
Brown and Kenneth Stewart looked nicely set for
a 3h 30m finish with ultra man Phil Turner only
five minutes off the pace.
In the second half of the race, Bob held up well
for an impressive 3.28.23 on the line and 2nd place
out of 123 in the M60 category. Phil came steadily
through the field for a 3.34.28 while Kenneth, wearing
the kilt, slipped off the pace in the wet weather
to come home in 3.44.49.
Further back the field, Karen Walters, having lost
much training due to a knee problem, used her marathon
experience to run a well judged race for a 5.08.31.
Susan Lennon's recent fine run of 3.40.13 in the
Amsterdam Marathon was a new personal best time
for her by 47 seconds.
Meanwhile, in warm sunny conditions for his third
attempt at the Croydon 10k, Robin Wombill just missed
a PB by 13 seconds, clocking his best time for the
course so far of 48.36.
In the recent Scottish National Cross Country Relay
Championships at Cumbernauld, PRR fielded a strong
four man team.
With the going soft and muddy in places, the four
veterans each ran a 4 km leg and succeeded in finishing
8th veteran team out of 19, recording the following
times :-
Derek Phillips 16m23s, Martin Ryan (SV) 16.17, Stephen
Ferguson 16.43, Neil Muir 16.35.
Up in Aberfeldy, in spite of atrocious weather conditions,
all rounder Arabella Woodrow did well to cover the
Duathlon course (5k run/20k bike/3.5k run) in 1h
35m 34s to take home the 2nd Female prize.
A good turn out of Club members is expected on Sunday
(6th Nov) for the final showdown in the Championship
Series which is the twenty first running of the
classic Templeton Woods 10 promoted by Dundee RR.
Assembly and signing on is at Dundee University
Sports Centre from where the last bus will leave
at 10am sharp to take runners to the race start.
Another PRR training session has been arranged at
the all new George Duncan Stadium on Tues.15th Nov
from 6.30pm to 7.30pm where Colin Keough will be
on hand to advise members on their speedwork sessions.
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| 19.10.05
- Marathon PBs for Susan and Peter. |
A
warm still Sunday morning on the canal banks of
Amsterdam was the picturesque setting for two of
Perth Road Runners experienced marathoners once
again to tackle the classic 26.2 miles.
The much improved Peter Ritchie had no time to admire
the tulip fields as he cut another 45 seconds from
his PB set at Moray only a month ago to cover the
crowd lined course in 3h 29m15s.
Susan Lennon was also well pleased with her trip
to the Dutch capital city where her fine run of
3.40.13 knocked a clear 47 seconds off her PB set
at the London Marathon last year.
In Oxfordshire on the same day Stuart Wyllie lined
up in the early morning mist for the start of the
Abingdon Marathon.
After his recent sub-ninety minute half marathon
at Oban, a 3.5 hour finish was certainly on the
cards for him.
Things did indeed go very well up to the 18 mile
mark, reached in 2.17.00, at which point a bad knee
problem and warming sun gave Stuart a tough eight
mile fight to reach the line in 3.39.11. This nets
him a valuable three points in the Championship
contest.
Back home in Perth, there was a fine turn out of
runners and spectators for the open day at the new
George Duncan Athletics Stadium.
In a 1500m test run of the new running track PRR
members recorded these times :-
Jamie Gartside 4m 42s, Neil Muir 5.15, Martin Ryan
5.22, Derek McIntosh 5.29, David Norrie 5.39, Kenneth
Stewart 5.45, Malcolm Saynor 5.59, Jenny McCulloch
6.48, Anne Wombill 6.53, Fiona Hair 7.11, Maureen
Summers 7.52.
A 4x 400m relay race produced the following results:-
Team 1 (5.18) Jamie 1.04, Fiona Gartside 1.42, Malcolm
1.20, Kenneth 1.12.
Team 2 (5.34) Fiona Hair 1.34, Anne 1.34, Martin
1.13, Derek 1.13.
Team 3 (5.35) Maureen 1.38, David 1.14, Jenny 1.30,
Neil 1.13.
In a 4x100m challenge the PRRs finest were somewhat
dismayed to be severely trounced by, it has to be
said, a relatively youthful Harriers squad of Shoni
Tavendale, Cara Tavendale, Caleb Wolfe Murray and
Donald Tor.
In the first Scottish East District Cross Country
League race this season which had good firm underfoot
going on a mild overcast day at Stirling the Perth
men clocked the following times over 9 km :-
Neil Muir 33.10, Derek Phillips 33.35, Martin Ryan
34.07, Stephen Ferguson 34.18, David Norrie 39.03.
In the 6 km women's race Andrea Cameron's 21.09
gave her 3rd Vet and 18th place in a field of 93.
With several members in final countdown for next
week's Dublin Marathon (31st Oct) and our final
Championship race ( Dundee Roadrunners Templeton
Woods10) only a fortnight off, there is still much
life in the 2005 roadrunning season.
Log on to www.geocities.com/perthroadrunners for
more road running information. |
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| 11.10.05
- Successful Start to Pitlochry 10k.
|
Last
Sunday the cold and wet could not dampen the enthusiasm
of a large crowd which gathered in Pitlochry main
street to cheer on the 246 athletes who set off,
to the skirl of pipes and drums, for the town's
highly successful inaugural 10K Road Race.
Seven Perth Road Runners took part over the scenic
but testing route which was largely on tarmac but
with some difficult off road sections and a severe
hill climb from 7k to 9k before a final steep plummet
to the finish line near the town centre.
In spite of a fall, David Norrie coped well with
the stoney and root rutted forest paths to come
home in 45m 35s and collect a maximum 25 points
in this last race of the Summer Series.
After starting cautiously Malcolm Saynor turned
on the power and worked his way impressively through
the field over the mixed terrain to finish only
40 seconds behind Dave.
Sheila and David Bauchop once again fought it out
and, after passing and repassing, this time it was
Sheila who finished 9 seconds ahead, in a time of
50.33.
Arabella Woodrow also held on to the pace well into
the race but eventually drifted back for a 52.17
while Anne Wombill found the Pitlochry course just
too severe for yet another in her recent string
of PBs and settled for a creditable 55.26.
In the anchor position Fiona Morrison was also tested
by the steep hill climb section but overcame it
well and enjoyed the fast downhill charge in for
a 64.55.
At the end of the Summer Series Seven the final
top men's places are Tony Jackson (149 points),
David Norrie (147), Martin Ryan (119).
The leading women are Susan Lennon (149), Sheila
Bauchop (120), Debbie Naylor (92).
Congratulations also go to PRR member Andrea Cameron
who has been selected to run for the Scottish team
at the British/Irish Masters International x-country
in Dublin on 12th November.
This Sunday (16th Oct.) a good turnout of members
is hoped for to take part in an informal race at
the Perth Athletic Track Open Day. Meet at Perth
Grammar at 11am.
Finally, this weekend the thoughts of all members
will be with Stuart Wyllie at Abingdon and Susan
Lennon and Peter Ritchie in Amsterdam as once again
they tackle the legendary 26.2 marathon miles. Good
luck to all of them.
The Club Championship table may look very different
on Sunday night ! |
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| 4.10.05
- Erni Takes First at Oban HM
|
On
the same latitude as Perth, the Island of Kerrera
in the Firth of Lorne was the stunningly scenic
backdrop enjoyed by nine Perth Road Runners who
took part in Sunday's Oban Half Marathon.
In damp weather with only a little wind the group
met with much success over the undulating 13.1 mile
course.
Club Champion Erni Hamilton (14th overall) was only
51 seconds outside her own PRR all time record when
she negotiated the final steep climb to reach the
finish in 86m 51s giving her the top female spot
in the race.
Derek Phillips, in his fastest time over the distance
this year, recorded an 82m10s to finish in 8th place
overall and take the second vets. prize while three
places behind Stephen Ferguson stormed home with
a strong 85.18 to capture MV3.
After his recent indifferent result in the heat
of Aberfeldy, a delighted Stuart Wyllie definitely
came of age as a road runner in the highland drizzle
by chopping almost five minutes off his PB and placing
an impressive 89m 58s on his record sheet.
David Norrie, presently lying second to Stuart in
the Championship table, was awarded first supervet
for a clippy run of 95m 46s while Sheila Bauchop's
101.58 was good enough for her to collect the women's
supervet award and leave husband David two minutes
adrift.
Robin and Anne Wombill were both delighted to produce
significant new PBs. Robin's increased training
mileage gave him a 105.28 while Anne's 113.56 is
her fourth half marathon PB cut this year.
On the same day 1200 runners in the Loch Ness Marathon
enjoyed good dry weather with a steady tailwind
along 26.2 miles of the monster loch from near Fort
Augustus to Inverness.
The Club's representative here was the experienced
supervet Kenneth Stewart who dealt successfully
with the very undulating initial part of the race
before slipping smoothly along the scenic banks
to enter the highland capital city and cross the
line in 3h 42m 30s.
This Sunday (9th Oct.) sees the final race of the
Club's Summer Series when the brand new Pitlochry
10K starts at 1pm from the Atholl Leisure Centre.
The following Sunday (16th) is an open day at the
new Perth Athletic Track. PRR members wishing to
try out the new track by taking part in an informal
Club run round should meet at Perth Grammar at 11am.
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| 2.12.05
- Perth Runners Off Road |
| Perth Road Runners confirmed their
versatility with a strong challenge at the East
District Cross Country meeting held at Beveridge
Park, Kirkcaldy on Sunday. In ideal conditions,
Club Champion, David Knight completed the 6-mile
course in 33:09 (8th), while Jamie Gartside held
off fierce competition to finish in 35:51. Other
finishers included Neil Muir (37:55), Derek Phillips
(38:30), Martin Ryan (38:40), and Dave Norrie (44:50).
Competing in his first cross-country event, Robin
Wombill negotiated the circuit in a moderate time
of 51:33.
Scottish internationalist Andrea Cameron was
the sole representative from Perth in the Women’s
4.5 mile course, producing an exciting finish
to gain 4th vet position (28:42).
The final positions in the Club Championship
will be determined on Sunday when Perth is represented
by a team of five heading south for the Luton
Marathon with Martin Ryan expected to finish in
the top ten from a field of 600.
On Tuesday, 6th December,
members are reminded of the Annual General Meeting
to be held at Bells Sports Centre at 7pm. Runners
of all abilities wishing to join the club are
also invited to attend the meeting.
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| 16.12.05
- Dramatic end to Club Championship |
With a lifetime best of 2:35,
Martin Ryan was a strong favourite as 600 runners
gathered for the start of the Luton Marathon earlier
this month. Despite holding fifth position after
20 miles, and within striking distance of the leading
group, Martin was forced to retire from the race
with an ankle injury, thus ending any chance of
a top three finish.
It was left to Bob Brown (3:27) to produce his best
marathon time of the season, receiving the first
O60 prize in the process. Peter Ritchie (3:29),
having battled to maintain the relentless pace set
by his training partner, was content to record his
third sub 3:30 of the year.
Further back in the field, David Norrie required
a strong performance to secure second spot in the
Club Championship, behind David Knight, and with
a disappointing Moray Marathon during the summer
the omens were not looking good. However, with very
little marathon training in his legs, David was
able to traverse the 3-lap course in 3:38, with
Kenneth Stewart a distant finisher in 4:04.
Congratulations therefore go to David, establishing
his highest position in the Championship since joining
the Club, ahead of Peter Ritchie with Stuart Wyllie
relegated to fourth place.
At the end of November, George Laing was amongst
3000 runners for the start of the Leeds 10K, producing
a 50:45 finish, and a 25th placing in the O60
category.
Following the Club’s AGM on Tuesday, elected
office bearers for 2006, include: George Laing
(Chairperson); Fiona Angus (Vice Chairperson);
Jean Wainwright (Secretary); Susan Lennon (Treasurer);
Stuart Wyllie (Website); Karen Walters (Race Convenor);
Robin Wombill (Championship) Kenneth Stewart (Correspondent).
During the course of the evening, presentations
were awarded to Jamie Gartside, Club Personality,
with Anne Wombill and Peter Ritchie receiving
the Most Improved accolade for 2005.
The Strathtay Harriers
“Yahoo” Handicap will be run on Thursday
22nd December, with further details available
from the Club’s notice board at Bells Sports
Centre, together with information concerning training
sessions at the George Duncan athletics track.
It is anticipated that our next fixture will be
Thursday, 5 January 2006.
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| 23.12.05
- The Ultimate Challenge |
As runners of all abilities commence
their training for the London Marathon in April
2006, spare a thought for Erni Hamilton as she prepares
for the Ironman European Championship being held
in Frankfurt on 23 July 2006. Competitors can expect
to be on the course for a minimum of 9 hours, starting
with the swimming leg over 2.5 miles, then cycling
110 miles, before finally commencing a full marathon
of 26 miles.
Motivated by events earlier in the year, when a
close friend died from cancer, Erni has now taken
on this incredible challenge to raise funds for
Macmillan Cancer Relief. Anyone wishing to make
a donation should contact Sylvia Jeffrey, Fund Raising
Manager with Macmillan Cancer Relief (01382 226150).
For Club members wishing shorter distances, Auchtermuchty
proved a good venue, as 200 gathered for the Pitmedden
Forest 5.5 mile cross-country meeting. Martin
Ryan (40:58), battled to stay with the leading
group, before the relentless undulations left
him detached at 3 miles. David Norrie (47:37),
was unable to replicate his championship form,
but still found enough strength to hold off Kenneth
Stewart (48:20), while Hugh Daily (49:15), maintained
a 20 second lead over Joan Wilson (49:35), representing
her second club, Carnethy Hill Runners.
Local runners wishing
to maintain a fitness level after the festive
period are invited to join Perth Road Runners
at Bells Sports Centre on Tuesday evenings at
18:30.
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