Road Runners support county racing events

Perth Road Runners showed their support for local events this week with races in Auchterarder and Pitlochry top of the bill.

Eight green vests ventured to the Lang Toon for the inaugural half marathon, organised by Fiona Watt of Five Star Active.

In what was a close finish, Derek McIntosh was first Perth member across the line in a time of 1:37:35, one second ahead of Gair McRostie at 01:37:36. Scott Connor was third road runner in 1:39:03.

Less than a minute separated Marlena Nowaczyk in 1:40:32 and Stewart Reid in 1:41:28, while Peter Ritchie showed a return to form in 1:56:40 followed by Nina Roberts in 2:02:04. Caroline Ness clocked 2:37:41 a week on from the gruelling Tiree multi-terrain ultramarathon.

In Highland Perthshire, 39 PRRs tackled the Pitlochry 10k as points were chased in the final race of the club’s Summer Series.

Myles Bax won the race in 35:55 with Stuart Robertson third overall and second green vest in a time of 38:50. He picked up his age category first prize. Seconds later, Kevin Riddell completed the Perth top three with 38:52.

Lorraine MacPherson was first female road runner in 46:20 followed closely by Sonjia Crow in 46:38. Arlene McWalter completed the club’s top three females in 48:48.

Also at the event, Duncan Ryan picked up the prize for second overall in the Live Active Pitlochry 5k in a time of 19:24.

Back in the Fair City, 34 Perth members lined up in a field of 291 runners at the North Inch’s Perth Parkrun.

Kevin Rogers was first male road runner in 19:11 and Lisa Aikman was first female green vest in 20:48.

Simon Grieshaber set a new personal best of 19:25 while Stephane Reid smashed her previous best by nearly a minute in 25:04.

Enjoying a spot of parkrun tourism, Harriet Shaw secured a personal best of 25:04 at Alness. Ella Webley clocked 23:51 at Weymouth.

Action continued as six PRRs travelled to Balquidder for the hilly Run Mhor Hidden Glen 10k, where 200m of ascent tested a field of hardy competitors.

Roy Mitchell was first green vest home in 49:07 followed by Daile Sipple in 1:00:12. Kate Marshall and Kirsty Johnston were well matched at 1:16:31 and 1:16:59. Fiona Morrison and Robin Wombill completed the honours for Perth in a time of 1:18:00.

Two Perth Road Runners had started the racing week with the UK’s only Vertical Kilometre at Kinlochleven.

Beginning at sea level and climbing to 1,000 metres in under 5k, Mike Dales and Fiona Manson completed the mountain time trial in competitive times of 70:41 and 78:31 respectively. Finally, across the border, Sue Jones completed her 23rd marathon at Lancaster Castle in a competitive time of 4:00:15.

The next club championship race is the East Neuk 10K on September 24.

Tuesday night is the regular club run, leaving Bell’s Sports Centre at 6.30pm sharp.