Perth Road Runners

As 350 runners put in their final training sessions before bracing themselves for the gun-shot which will signal the start of the 2006 Two Inches 10k road race,they could do with stealing moment to talk over race tactics with runner no. 270.
Doug Hooper is a veteran of the Perth race, having competed in every contest since its conception in 1983.
He has seen every up and down of its glorious history, sweated every mile along the way.
At 78-years-of-age, so would think Dundee College of Education's former head of physical education was due a break, but don't suggest that to a keen skier - who spends a month on the slopes of Italy teaching.
Doug still runs around 20 miles a week round the paths of Deuchny Woods with Border colies Whim and Tulloch and has not plans to reduce his training schedule yet.
"I've just ordered a new pair of running shoesso hopefully they'll last me a while," he joked.
"At my peak I used to run 4 or 5 marathons a year and could easily clock up 2000 miles in 12 months.
"Doing those sort of distances could easily wear out a pair of trainersbut I've scaled down the distances I cover now so I think these new ones should keep me a while."
The Manchester born runner has lived in Perth since the 1960s and has competed acress Scotland in various long-distance events - completing dozens of marathons in Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh and elsewhere.
But while the mean streets of the big cities have plenty of hard-surfaces and loose paving stones to trip up competitors, the Hamilton Place resident almost came a cropper on the banks of Loch Rannoch.
"I was competing in a marathon round the loch some years ago," he explained.
"I was handed a glass of water by one of the young lads by the side of the road - but after I drank it I noticed the cup was filthy.
"They had just been dunking this big barrel into the loach and filling it with water - but there must have been all sorts of moss and stuff in there too!
"I was sick all the way round and ended up in bed for four days with salmonella!
"You really do have to look after yourself up there because most of the time your out on your own."
While Doug has no hopes of beating his 2 Inches personal best of 44 minutes, set way back in the first ever race, he is hoping to finish in around one hour five minutes.
But in saying that, he has other targets to think about.
"I've got two good pals Bill Robertson and Ken Stewart, who both compete in this race and I've only beat either one of them once.
"When I beat Bill he had run the Two Bridges race between the Forth Bridge and the one at Kincardine the day before and only came out to loosen his legs.
"And when I beat Ken, he'd run non-stop for 24 hours to raise money for charity the day before too!
"I think I'll keep going until I start coming in last every week - then I'll just stick to running with the dogs!"
Doug is a member of Perth Road Runners and says the special bond he enjoys with other compeditors - regardless of their club - is what keeps him jogging along.
He will join 30 other club members on Sunday at 1pm at the North Inch for the race - but isn't sure he'll be setting the same lap-times as some of his clubmates.
He said:"The camaraderie between runners is terrificbecause they understand what it's all about and they know the hard work that goes in.
"Mind you, I'm getting so old now that I dont train with Perth Road Runners anymore because I can't keep up!
"It's a great club and people should come along and see what it's about because they will help you out, no matter what level you are at."
Report by Andy Newport - Perthshire Advertiser