On Sunday a strong contingent of Dumfries Harriers travelled to Carlisle to take part in the first race of the season, the Carlisle 5K and 10K.
The weather conditions were near perfect for running, with the cold and mild air providing an optimal environment for the participants.
The 5K race took place entirely on the racecourse, with runners completing two laps of the racetrack on pristine tarmac. The 10K race offered a diverse route, incorporating a mixture of quiet country roads that were generally flat or gently undulating. While the road surfaces were mostly in good condition, the runs concluded spectacularly in front of the racecourse grandstand, providing an exciting finish for both the runners and spectators.
The Harriers had some impressive performances in the 10K. The first Harrier home was Lee Austin finishing with a time of 48.51, followed closely by Carol Elliot at 50.02 who was also first place in her respective age category. Olga McCready was next in with a time of 53.09, Jennifer McKinney completed the course in 54.07, Willie Martin in 56.37, Aaron Stewart in 56.44, Tina Roscoe in 57.26 and Bill McKinney in 59.46.
In the 5K race, Lynn Goodwin clocked in at 29.15, Karrie Milroy at 31.12 and Jane Lenza at 36.50.
These races served as an excellent warm-up for the upcoming X Border 10K on February 2, giving the Harriers a boost of confidence and a taste of the season to come.
The Harriers train every Tuesday and Thursday at the David Keswick Centre at 6pm and runners of all abilities welcome to join them.