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| 24.02.06
PA Report |
Members of Perth Road Runners
travelled to Falkirk on Saturday for the Scottish
National Cross Country Championships. Requiring
six runners to count for the Elkington Shield prize,
and being one man short, the Perth squad had to
settle for personal performances, rather than team
glory.
Regarded as the flagship event of the Cross Country
circuit, the meeting attracted over 1700 competitors,
the highest entry for more than a decade.
The final event of the day was the senior men’s
1200 metre race, and with club colours compulsory,
all eyes were on the green vests of Perth as David
Knight (35th) 42:34; Mike Carroll 44:07; Martin
Ryan 48:29; Derek Phillips 49:59; Neil Muir 52:11,
all negotiated the slippery slopes around Callendar
Park in the wake of the eventual winner, Simon Plummer
of Southampton RC (39:10).
Entries have now closed for the National Masters
Cross Country Championships being held at Grant
Park, Forres on Saturday, 4th March. Last staged
at Forres in 2003, this event is multi terrain over
grass, woodland path, and a short stretch of tarmac,
suitable for studs or short spikes.
During recent months Andy Wilson, Derek Phillips
and Erni Hamilton participated in the Monikie Winter
Duathlon series, enhancing their fitness levels
with some cross training in the form of pedal power.
Erni completed all 4 rounds, finishing high up the
leader board and secured second place in the women’s
category (1st FV).
Perth Road Runners continue to meet at Bells Sports
Centre on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm and alternate
Thursdays at the George Duncan Athletics Track.
Full details of Championship races, and other activities
are available from the Club notice board or by visiting:
www.perthroadrunners.co.uk |
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| 10.02.06
20 Years on the Road |
Members of Perth Road Runners
gathered at the Lovat Hotel on Saturday evening
to celebrate the Club’s 20th anniversary.
Launched during the running boom of the 1980’s,
the Perth club has maintained a strong following
over the years and currently boasts a membership
of 80 runners.
To mark this occasion, former Scotland rugby captain,
Robert Wainwright, accepted an invitation to attend
the presentation dinner, and during the course of
the evening entertained members and their guests
with tales of his years playing for both Scotland
and the British Lions.
Prior to his informal talk, Robert presented trophies
to various members including David Knight, winner
of the Men’s Championship, and Erni Hamilton,
who received the Woman’s award for the third
consecutive year.
Full results of the annual awards may be found at
the PRR website: www.perthroadrunners.co.uk
The third and final round of the East District
Cross Country was held at Livingston on Saturday,
over a 2 x 2.5 mile course. Perth Road Runners
were able to field their strongest team, and were
rewarded with an outstanding performance from
David Knight (12th) 27:19. Other times included;
Jamie Gartside 29:18, Martin Ryan 30:58, Neil
Muir 31:40, Derek Phillips 32:11, David Norrie
36:45, and Peter Ritchie 37:45.
The next Cross Country outing is the National
Championships at Falkirk on Saturday, 18th February.
The departure point is Perth Leisure Pool car
park at 12:15pm.
Advertised by Forfar Road Runners as “multi
terrain”, their inaugural 13.1mile off road
event is destined to become a popular fixture
with local clubs, given the post race reaction
last Sunday. The route utilises the Forfar Path
Network, developed by Angus Council, and takes
in many of the burgh’s landmarks including
Forfar Loch, Restenneth Priory, Balmashanner Hill,
before returning to the start at Strathmore rugby
ground, where hot soup was offered to all competitors
at the clubhouse.
Hamish MacKinnon showed his fitness level by staying
in touch with the leading runners, and finished
a creditable 10th in a time of 1:26:36. Other
finishers included Bob Brown 1:36:37, Kenneth
Stewart 1:40:18, Ian MacArthur 1:41:31, Hugh Daily
1:42:22, Robert Thornton 1:42:17, Peter Ritchie
1:44:48, Phil Turner 2:12:00, Margaret Irvine
2:12:30, Karen Walters 2:12:30
Members are reminded
that subscriptions are now due, and should be
forwarded to a committee member before the end
of February.
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| 03.02.06
Runners on Track |
| On Saturday, fifteen miles to
the west of Stirling, 300 runners gathered for the
inaugural Buchlyvie 10K road race, along the now
disused local railway track. Once a rail junction
for passengers commuting to Aberfoyle and Stirling,
prior to closure in the 1950’s, the track
has now been adopted by both runners and walkers
in pursuit of a slower means of travel.
Representing Perth Road Runners, was Jamie Gartside
who kept to his own timetable, in preparation
for the London Marathon, and used the event for
some early season speed work, finishing seventh
overall (35:24). Next home was Peter Ritchie (43:52),
followed by George Laing 53:59.
Earlier in January the Jack Crawford Cup, hosted
by the Springburn Harriers, was contested along
a 10K section of the Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath.
Despite muddy conditions, Malcolm Saynor (44:29),
and Debbie Jackson (57:16) relished the warmth
of the mild winter sunshine, and vowed to return.
The full fixture list for the 2006 Club Championship
has been delayed until dates are finalised by
Scottish Athletics. However, the season will commence
on the 19th March with the Alloa Half Marathon,
followed by the Kinross 10K.
The Summer Series will begin earlier than usual,
with the Cupar 5 mile event, 11th March, followed
in May by the Kinnoull Hill race, organised by
Strathtay Harriers.
Runners are reminded of the Forfar Half Marathon
taking place this Sunday, 5th February at 11:00am.
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| 13.01.06
Winter Training Nights |
As Glasgow’s bid to host
the 2014 Commonwealth Games was officially launched
earlier this week, Perth Road Runners showed their
support in the best possible way by attending the
George Duncan Athletics Track for another lung bursting
training session under the watchful eye of Club
coach Colin Keough.
Despite falling winter temperatures, numbers on
training nights has increased, with 25 hardy souls
gathered under the floodlights for more gruelling
speed work as Colin worked the runners through a
10 x 400m session with 90 seconds recovery between
each lap. While the enthusiasm was certainly evident,
it is generally accepted that the Perth Club will
not be represented, should Glasgow host the Games
in 2014.
Club members wishing to attend the next track evening
on Thursday, 19th January should obtain tickets
from Bells Sports Centre, at the reduced rate of
£1 per visit during January and February.
Members are reminded of the Presentation evening
on the 4th February, and to return all trophies
to Karen Walters by 16th January. |
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| 6.01.06
"Shortie" or "Dooker" |
| The choice was a simple one
for Ne’er Day celebrations, either the “Shorties”
fun run at Blairgowrie, or a “Dook”
at Broughty Ferry harbour.
Judging by the numbers, most participants preferred
keeping their feet dry, as Blairgowrie attracted
a record entry of 209, compared with 150 bathers
taking to the icy waters of the Tay estuary.
Councillor Bob Ellis, presiding
over the 23rd New Year’s Day fun run, handed
over the starting honours to Bob Scott, Provost
of Perth and Kinross to set the runners off on
a flat 3.8 mile route, preceded by 60 walkers
some thirty minutes earlier.
Over a course requiring a short
sharp burst of speed, the leading runners covered
the distance in just over 5 minutes per mile,
with John Hargraves, Carnegie, winning by 10 seconds
ahead of Perth’s Mike Carroll, in a time
of 19:55.
Equally, the women’s race proved to be a
closely contested affair with Strathtay’s
Carol Cadger passing Susan Lennon, Perth, within
250 yards of the finish, to win by three seconds
in a time of 26:15.
Other results included Neil Muir
22:30; Kenneth Stewart 25:10; Bob Brown 25:25;
Stuart Wyllie 26:10; Ian McArthur 27:00; Andy
Wilson 27:30; Alastair Bulcraig 28:08; Arabella
Woodrow 29:30; Robin Wombill 31:16; Margaret Irvine
and Karen Walters 33:43, followed by Joe Gala,
Peter Ritchie and Veronica Muir.
Following the event, runners
returned to the Town Hall for hot soup and presentation
of prizes, plus the traditional London Marathon
draw, when members of the Perth club have a chance
to secure one of two Club entries. The names pulled
out of the hat for 2006 were Jean Wainwright and
Hugh Daly, both very excited by their good fortune.
While Auld Reekie was still waking
up after the bells, Erni Hamilton and Ken Laidlaw
had already completed eight lengths of the Commonwealth
pool, jumped on their bikes for 11 miles, and
run round Arthur’s seat as they participated
in the Edinburgh triathlon. The reward for Erni
was 7th woman (1st vet) in 77:31, while Ken completed
the course in 84:17.
Earlier in the festive Season,
another record entry was achieved as 195 runners
gathered for the annual Forfar Plum Pudding Plod,
held over a three-mile course around the loch.
In attendance, and trying to stay ahead of Santa
Claus, were Hugh Daly, Andy Wilson and Robin Wombill.
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