Dumfries Running Club
Tinto hill race
Seven Dumfries Running Club members were among the 191 finishers who took part in this popular hill race on Saturday.
The weather was dreich but not too cold which made it a bit of a struggle for many on the way up, especially near the top when visibility was poor and the strong wind made it feel like competitors were going backwards. The route involved a steady climb from the start, with initial muddy underfoot conditions replaced with slippery rocks higher up. The summit is at 720m and after a quick run around the cairn, it was a speedy descent back to the finish line. It was a short, sharp race that was over quickly.
This was the designated club hill race championships and the fastest DRC runner and 2024 male title winner was Adam Dickie in 44th place in 40.55. He was made to work all of the way by Terry McCloskey who was three places and 30 seconds behind and Kevin Plummer had a strong run in 50th place in 43.24.
Stuart Black and Robert Gordon took the hill race very seriously as both did a test run the week before and were glad they had the feel of the terrain. Stuart did very well in 50.08 and Robert, in only his second ever hill race, really enjoyed it. He found the descent was tricky but managed a good pace and would have been happy with anything under the hour, so was delighted to do it in 52 minutes.
Seb Pflanz made a welcome return to club races and was delighted to finish in 53.34. Vicky Hart was determined to make sure that DRC women were represented in the club championship. She found the race extremely tough as she had not done any hill running for at least 18 months and her only goal was to get up and down again in one piece. She was happy enough with her time of 72.52 given current fitness levels and ongoing foot problems.
Lancaster half marathon
Seven club members travelled down to Lancaster half marathon on Sunday with each looking for good times near end of year. However, due to overnight flooding, the route was changed and although still a flat course it measured approx 13.4 miles opposed to the usual 13.1.
First home together were Lisa Finlay and Jamie Ovens on 84:53. Next home, running very comfortably was Alan Baxter on 89:20 followed closely by Kevin McCaig sprinting to the line on 89:22. Kevin McQueen, who had not run this distance in some time, clocked 89:53.
Les Hill was chasing Silver Age Grade Standard and was pleased to record his fastest time for four years in 108 minutes. This meant he had to run for just over eight minutes for each mile which he managed but the extra third of a mile resulted in him missing the silver standard.
There was disappointment at the end that the route was long, but over coffee and cake contentment set in between runners and support group Ian Liffen, Danielle Steele and Callie the Dog.
Amsterdam Marathon 2024:
Fiona and Kerry Jardine took part in this race, which started and finished in the historical Olympic stadium on October 20.
There were 22,500 participants from across the globe taking part in the race which followed part of the course of the Olympic Games in 1928. The reasonably flat route first took the pair across the city and through the striking Rijksmuseum arches before travelling on a rural trail along the Amstel River to reach the halfway mark. The bright, overcast weather made running easier, as the duo began to head back into the city, along canals and through Vondelpark, where cheering crowds had gathered to encourage the participants as they completed the last three miles of the race.
The Olympic stadium was a welcome sight, and the pair made their way around the running track to cross the finishing line together at 4hrs 50 mins. Fiona and Kerry look forward to booking a different marathon for 2025.
Derwentwater 10 mile race
This race also held on Sunday attracted three DRC members to join the field of 500 for the sold out race that is celebrating its 65th anniversary.
Beginning in the centre of Keswick itself, the midday start had been delayed due to a traffic hold up following a fuel spillage the night before. The very hilly route goes round Derwentwater itself on the busy road towards Grange before climbing towards the new finish in Portinscale. The runners had several magnificent views over Keswick itself but overall was a very challenging and testing course.
Each of the trio had done the race before but this was their first participation in over a decade. Stephen Mohan was first back in 83 minutes but felt that he could have put in a better performance. Dawn McDonald was delighted to finish in 96 minutes and will hopefully be encouraged to enter more races in the future and Richard McDougal was pleased to finish in 102 minutes.
Monday night group
The Monday night beginners and improvers group meets at Dumfries Sports Club on Nunholm Road at 6.30pm where organised groups are led over distances from 2km at a suitable pace up to five miles. Prospective newcomers are reminded that high visibility clothing is required for safety as nights have become a bit darker. Further details can be found on www.dumfriesrunningclub.org.uk.