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| 27.10.06
- Runners stuck in the mud |
Perth Road Runners went off road
on Saturday as the Cross Country season got underway
at Livingston. The first of three East District
League meetings attracted 45 teams, with the presence
of Edinburgh clubs dominating the muddy 5-mile event.
Despite the high level of competition, David Knight
finished strongly in a time of 28mins 05secs to
give the club an early top 10 placing. However,
Martin Ryan (31:24), Neil Muir (32:12), and Bill
Lawson (36:44) were unable to maintain this position,
and a gradual slide down the rankings soon materialised.
The women, running a shorter course, also faced
tough opposition as Andrea Cameron led the Perth
charge to finish 20th (23:46), supported by Fiona
Angus (26:00) and Lynn Warden (29:57).
Foraging over the border, Robin Wombill contested
the Croydon 10K road race, achieving a personal
best for the year in 48mins 35secs, while Jean Wainwright
travelled to Portsmouth for the Great South Run,
aquaplaning the rain drenched 10-mile course in
98:32. |
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| 20.10.06
- Mike sparkles in Amsterdam Marathon |
Athletes from Kenya, Tanzania,
and Ethiopia may have dominated last weekend’s
marathon in the diamond capital of Amsterdam, but
Mike Carroll of Scone, who is a member of Perth
Road Runners, produced a personal best performance
that placed him amongst the leading participants
from Europe and Africa. Running in only his second
marathon, Mike entered the 1928 Olympic stadium
in 26th position after covering what is regarded
as the fourth fastest course in the world in a time
of 2hrs 25mins 59secs. The club record for the marathon
will now be updated to accommodate Mike’s
outstanding success after previously being held
by David Knight (2:35:32 - London 2005).
There could be no greater contrast to Amsterdam
than the surrounding landscape of Aviemore, where
800 entrants gathered for the first running of the
Highland Half Marathon, with proceeds going to the
Badaguish Outdoor Centre for children and adults
with special needs. Runners were treated to spectacular
views of Loch Morlich, and trails through Glenmore
Forest Park, and Rothiemurchus Estate, before returning
via Inverdruie to the finish at Aviemore. The first
club member to cross the line was Robin Wombill
in 1hr 49mins 39secs followed by Debbie Jackson
(PB) 1:51:16; Linda O’Neill (PB) 1:52:13;
Elaine Maclennan 1:52:30; Karen Walters 1:54:53;
Fiona Manson 1:57:00; Margaret Irvine 2:01:00; Christine
Chatila 2:07:15; Elaine Hutcheson 2:13:28; Jean
Wainwright 2:19:36 and Isobel Duncan 2:24:00.
Closer to home, Forfar Road Runners entertained
local running clubs as teams from Arbroath, Dundee,
Anstruther, Kinross and Perth descended upon the
Angus town for the annual Hartley Relay race.
Representation from Perth Road Runners, winners
in 2003 and 2004, included Martin Ryan, Dave Norrie,
Kenneth Stewart, Bob Brown, Peter Ritchie and Phil
Turner. The off road course, adjacent to Forfar
Loch, consisted of 2 x 1.5-mile loops contested
by teams of six. Despite a strong start, and holding
third place, Perth very soon slipped down the leader
board as both Dundee RR and eventual winners Forfar
RR began to increase their lead.
The next championship event is the Templeton Woods
10-mile road race organised by Dundee Road Runners
on Sunday 5th November. |
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| 13.10.06
- No win joy as five stride out in Pitlochry 10K
event |
The Atholl Leisure Centre in Pitlochry
played host to 280 runners on Sunday as entrants
travelled from as far afield as Glasgow and Fort
William to participate in this increasingly popular
multi terrain 10K event.
The Victorian charm of the town was not lost on
the runners as they set off down Atholl Road to
the sound of the pipes and drums ringing in their
ears. After a short distance, runners began to follow
in the wake of Paul Arcari of Kilbarchan AAC who
emerged as a clear leader at the half way stage,
before finishing in 31 minutes 47 seconds.
Despite the close proximity, Perth Road Runners
were few in number, with only five members making
the short journey north to support the event. Derek
Philips gained a creditable 13th place to finish
in 36mins 25secs prior to this weekend’s Stirling
Duathlon. Veteran Bob Brown continued to improve
his speed work ahead of the Dublin marathon, with
his best 10K performance of the season (41:39).
Peter Ritchie (44:10) and new member Bill Lawson
(44:12) produced a spirited finish to the cheers
of the crowd, while Andy Wilson (45:30) continued
his return to form.
Earlier this month Dave Sherman, one of the club’s
senior members, contested the Great North Run, and
in the process he helped to raise over £1000
for Cerebral Palsy Sport.
Congratulations also to Anne MacLehose who travelled
to Loch Ness last weekend and successfully completed
her “first and last” marathon in a time
of 4:36:30. |
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| 06.10.06
- Perth runners on the podium |
Perth Road Runners returned to
the podium on Sunday as Tony Jackson recorded his
first major title since joining the club three years
ago, by winning the Oban Half Marathon in 1hr 15mins
47secs. Earlier this year Tony finished 14th in
the Edinburgh Marathon, and is now focusing on a
10-mile road race in Dundee next month. Further
success followed as a strong run from Neil Muir
(4th) contributed to the team prize, presented to
Perth RR after holding off challenges from both
Lochaber AC and Campbeltown Strollers. Erni Hamilton
and Clare Frulloni rounded off the day with a Perth
double, finishing first and second in their age
category.
Results:
Tony Jackson 1:15:47; Neil Muir (2nd MV) 1:21:54;
Erni Hamilton (1st FV) 1:31:13; Dave Norrie 1:38:06;
Peter Ritchie 1:38:32; Clare Frulloni (2nd FV) 1:42:32;
Susan Lennon 1:49:27; Bernt Cederstrom 1:55:47;
Fiona Morrison 2:18:00
Elsewhere, Bob Brown received plaudits for a
second place finish in the O60 category at the
Scottish Marathon Championships being held in
Inverness. The Loch Ness Marathon attracted over
2000 entries from 25 countries with runners making
their way from Whitebridge on the south-eastern
side of the loch, towards Foyers and Dores before
emerging in the highland capital. All eyes normally
reserved for mysterious movements across the loch
were focused on the shoreline road as Scotland’s
Simon Pride and Zakary Kihara from Kenya battled
for the finish at Queens Park Stadium, with the
Kenyan victorious by just 8 seconds in 2hrs 22mins
17secs. Unaware of the winners close finish, Debbie
Jackson was delighted to make her marathon debut
and cross the line 15 minutes ahead of schedule.
Results:
Bob Brown 3:27:56; Kenneth Stewart 3:48:13; Karen
Walters 4:15:27; Anne MacLehose 4:36:30; Debbie
Jackson 4:43:40
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| 29.09.06
- Splashing out in the East Neuk road race |
| Despite a deluge of rain last
Sunday, over 300 drookit runners managed to finish
the East Neuk 10K road race organised by Anster
Haddies. Starting from Wade Academy, competitors
negotiated a mostly off road course, following winding
rural paths before reaching the halfway turning
point at Balcaskie House, renowned for having the
first formally designed 17th century gardens in
Scotland. Gardening was not a top priority for Neil
Murray, as the Dundee Road Runner navigated the
flooded course in 33 minutes and 37 seconds to add
to his recent Aberfeldy half marathon victory. Regrettably,
Perth Road Runners were once again unable to challenge
for the leading positions, and relied upon Martin
Ryan (38:06) to fly the flag as he collected the
1st O50 award. Still recovering from injury, Neil
Muir (39:13) finished a comfortable second for the
club, ahead of Dave Norrie (45:09) Kenneth Stewart
(45:49) Stuart Wyllie (48:14) and Robert Thornton
(51:46). After taking a tumble in the mud, Doug
Hooper made a spirited recovery to finish in 62
minutes and 21 seconds. Fiona Angus (45:16) completed
another successful week, by collecting the 2nd FV
award, while Debbie Jackson (51:38) managed a strong
finish ahead of Karen Walters (52:21) and Anne Wombill
(58:03).
After 7 races the club’s Summer Series
concluded with Martin Ryan and Fiona Angus emerging
as overall winners.
Full results may be viewed at www.perthroadrunners.co.uk
together with further club details.
Elsewhere, Perth runners Hugh Daly and Ian McArthur
had no answer to Haile Gebrselassie on Sunday,
as the Ethiopian runner recorded the fastest marathon
time in the world this year. The 33rd Berlin marathon
was contested in unseasonably high temperatures,
and together with a tough finish over the closing
miles both Hugh (3:56:33) and Ian (4:14:28) recorded
slower than expected times.
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| 22.09.06
- Stirling 10K |
Race organisers of last Sunday’s
Stirling 10K road race promised the 700 entrants
a flat and fast course. However, Commonwealth Games
representative Hayley Hailing of Kilbarchan AAC
proved just how fast, as she recorded one of the
most impressive 10K performances of the year by
finishing third overall in 32 minutes 36 seconds,
behind Alastair Hay (31:24) and first placed Robert
Russell (30:56) both of Central AC.
Taking full advantage of the conditions, despite
losing touch with the leading runners, Martin Ryan
of Perth Road Runners continued his good form this
season to finish 35th (36:53 - 1st O50). Bob Brown
(43:43) worked hard over the latter stages of the
race to close down Dave Norrie (43:55) before making
his decisive move in sight of the finish. Also adapting
well to the course was Fiona Angus who finished
seconds behind Dave to produce a personal best time
of 44m:08s. While Joan Wilson (47:01), fresh from
2 hours hill running the previous day, managed to
produce a strong run ahead of Anne Wombill (61:09)
and Fiona Morrison (61:11).
The final round of the club’s Summer Series
will take place on Sunday as runners travel to Anstruther
for the East Neuk 10K starting at 11am.
Current positions are as follows:
Men - Martin Ryan (145), Kenneth Stewart (126) Dave
Norrie (122)
Women - Fiona Angus (123) Karen Walters (116) Debbie
Jackson (91) |
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| 15.09.06
- Sun shines brightly on Aberfeldy road event |
Aberfeldy maintained its reputation
for providing warm summer sunshine for the town’s
half marathon, as competitors gathered at the recreation
centre before the start of the 21st staging of this
13.1-mile road race.
Martin Ryan led the way for Perth Road Runners as
he kept pace with the leading group, while slower
runners enjoyed the delights of Highland Perthshire,
as the route crossed the River Tay via General Wade’s
18th century bridge, and passed the historic setting
of Castle Menzies at Weem. Following a flat, out
and back course, Neil Murray of Dundee Road Runners
held a comfortable lead at the Fortingall turn,
before finishing 2 minutes clear of the chasing
field in 1 hour 14 minutes 23 seconds, with Martin
(1:23:05) holding 5th position throughout the race
to earn the O50 category award.
Bob Brown (1:37:54), Kenneth Stewart (1:45:15),
and Karen Walters (2:06:24) all treated the event
as a training run after their exertions the previous
week running the Moray marathon. Similarly, Jean
Wainwright, having completed both the Forfar and
Perth 10K races, plus the Moray half marathon, found
her fourth race in as many weeks to be a “bridge
too far” and was forced to retire from the
proceedings, just one mile short of the finish.
Taking part in the Glasgow half marathon the week
before, was Debbie Jackson (1:58:38) who missed
out on a personal best by just 40 seconds.
The next Club Championship race is the Stirling
10K on Sunday, with entries having now closed. |
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| 8.09.06
- Festival of Running |
| Last Sunday, the Moray Festival
of Running was held in Elgin with over 600 entrants
contesting the marathon, half marathon and 10K road
races. Prior to the start of the event, a sombre
mood prevailed as a minute’s silence was observed
for the RAF airmen from nearby Kinloss, who died
the previous day in Afghanistan.
Attention then focused on the marathon where
Perth Road Runners had five entries including
Bob Brown, who made the 130-mile dash to Elgin
after finishing night shift, yet still managed
to run 26.2 miles in 3 hours 33 minutes 27 seconds,
and was presented with the over 60 award for his
efforts. Phil Turner (3:43:21) managed to inflict
the cruellest of blows on Kenneth Stewart (3:47:59),
by passing him with just 3 miles remaining, while
Susan Lennon (3:52:56) celebrated a special day
as she crossed the finish line to a chorus of
happy birthday from the crowd. Karen Walters (4:12:10)
also had reason to celebrate, recording a lifetime
best for the distance.
Neil Muir’s recent injury was reflected
in his slower than usual pace for the half marathon,
but still managed to finish in 12th position (1:26:00),
followed by Bernt Cederstrom (1:54:02) and Jean
Wainwright (2:16:36).
The club was also represented in the 10K race
where Peter Ritchie (45:12) attempted to regain
his early season form over the shorter distance
Over on the west coast the Great Scottish Run
was taking place in Glasgow, with Clare Frulloni
(1:46:08) and Linda O’Neill (1:57:03) joining
7,500 other runners for the half marathon.
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| 1.09.06
- Club double on home turf |
Running on home soil brought its
rewards for 28 Perth Road Runners last Sunday as
the club secured a double victory with David Knight
and Andrea Cameron winning their respective titles
in the Two Inches 10K road race.
Despite buffeting winds, the warm weather made for
ideal conditions as a large crowd gathered along
North Inch to cheer David home in a winning time
of 33 minutes and 57 seconds, just one second slower
than last year, with fellow club mate Tony Jackson
producing a personal best performance to finish
in third place, while Andrea made sure of the Perth
double, crossing the line in 40mins 37secs.
Further back in the field, Doug Hooper, running
his 23rd Perth 10K, and Jean Wainwright were both
intent on breaking the hour barrier that required
a strong finish into a cross wind as they approached
the North Inch. Doug just managed to achieve his
target, recording an impressive time of 59 minutes
and 45 seconds while Jean missed out by an agonising
8 seconds, but still improved on her Forfar 10K
time from the week before. Other fine performances
came from Anne MacLehose, training for the Loch
Ness marathon later this month, and club veteran
Dave Sherman who was involved in a tight finish
with Peter Ritchie and Clare Frulloni.
Results in full:
David Knight 33:57; Tony Jackson (PB) 34:15; Martin
Ryan 37:10; Derek McIntosh 40:31; Bob Brown 41:52;
Adrian Jenkins 42:39; Kenneth Stewart 44:04; Grant
Wooler 45:32; Peter Ritchie 46:00; Dave Sherman
46:06; Stuart Wyllie 46:24; Bernt Cederstrom 48:21;
Robert Thornton 49:07; Doug Hooper 59:45.
Andrea Cameron 40:37; Erni Hamilton (1st FV) 43:15;
Fiona Angus 45:47; Clare Frulloni 46:06; Susan
Lennon 46:09; Karen Walters 50:56; Debbie Jackson
52:42; Lynne Brand 53:49; Anne MacLehose 54:00;
Anne Wombill 54:12; Sally Simpson 57:40; Jackie
Daly 57:55; Christine Chatila 58:24; Jean Wainwright
60:08.
Other Race Results:
Robin Wombill joined other runners for the Graham
Clark Memorial Race, covering 3 laps of the Knockhill
Racing Circuit near Dunfermline. Robin managed
to complete the 3.9-mile course, receiving the
chequered flag in 29 minutes and 47 seconds.
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