Dalbeattie Running Club is thriving, gaining new members every week, and runners are enjoying the training, competing, friendships and support that being in the club can bring.
Just before the holiday season the second Winter League race took place just outside Dalbeattie, near Southwick. It was a well attended event which was hosted by Fran and Craig Drummond and all of the runners agreed that testing three or five mile route which runners could choose from was great – once they had finished!
The club held a very successful AGM early in December when a new committee was formed and members are looking forward to an even more successful year ahead.
A number of club members have been attending a strength and conditioning course over several weeks at Irnworx Gym which has just opened in Dalbeattie. The sessions were well attended and runners said that they feel the benefit of the exercise routines already. The club hope to offer another course soon.
Just before Christmas, Simone Conner achieved her 100th parkrun at Troon in Ayrshire – an amazing achievement.
The Christmas special relay on the track in the week before Christmas proved to be a great success and runners were asked to dress up in costume. They duly obliged and there were a wide range of Santas, elves and even a Christmas tree by the name of Nicole Weymouth.
The Christmas parkrun also doubled up as a league event which was quite difficult in the mud after a week of heavy rains. Santa, his elves and many other costumes runners managed to slide round the course in one piece.
Some of the club members participated in a CPR course held in Dalbeattie Craignair Hall presented by Amanda who is a first responder in the town. It was great to have a good number of willing volunteers who now feel confident in helping anyone should they get into difficulties.
With the weather playing tricks, the take over of Carlingwark parkrun didn’t take place as it had to be called off. This will now be rearranged for a later date in the year.
The first event of the year took place on Sunday, with a testing run around the Threave Castle route. The melting ice proved to be an obstacle but it was no match for the 33 runners who braved the elements. The route went down very well with the runners, despite the conditions. One young man cheered on the runners and even made a sign for them en route. Young Max got plenty of cheers as they went by him. Well done Max.
The club looks forward to its presentation evening tomorrow evening (Friday) at the Kings Arms and the following week sees the next Winter League event – the Heartstane run in Dalbeattie forest.
Training continues on Tuesday at 6pm at the Bandstand in Colliston Park, Dalbeattie and on Wednesday 7pm at the track (£2 fee for lighting). All welcome.