Harriers good run of form
Notable performances at Dunblane 12k
Fourteen Strathearn Harriers made the short hop down for the Dunblane Runners 12k race, the seventh run in the club championship.
A special mention goes to the quintet of Roger Goddard, Nicola Watson, Lauren Fairweather, Janine Grant and Andrew Brown, back for more racing after their efforts at the Stirling Marathon last week.
Conditions this week were warm, with only a slight breeze on the homeward stretch to cool the runners.
The first Harrier home, in ninth position overall and fourth in the MV40 section in an excellent time of 45.39, was Roger Goddard, followed by Ben Murphy in 46.46, in 12th position.
Extending some way beyond his comfort zone with a race of more than 10k, Wattie Mackay was next, in 14th position overall and as the first MV50, in a time of 48.27.
This gave the Harriers three runners in the top 15, meaning they were the most successful club at the race.
Making a welcome return to racing, Paul Taylor ran well for his 50.43 in 23rd position.
The rest of the Harriers were: Tony Wayte (53.46), Iain Thomson (57.01), Gary Brock (59.15), Al Nicholl (59.33), Nicola Watson ( 59.52), Lauren Fairweather ( 1.02.29), Lynne Aitken (1.04.18), Andrew Brown (1.07.56) and Janine Grant (1.10.33).
The race was won by Alistair Masson of Edinburgh University in a time of 41.41, with the women’s race won by Claire Houston of Central AC in 50.53.
Earlier in the day, younger Harriers put on a good showing in the Junior 2k race.
Levi Sweeney was a very strong winner, with Duthac Mardon in second position, and good performances from James, Jamie, Tristan, Jack, Elspeth, Andrew and Ryan.
Meanwhile, Patrick and Mary O’Kane ran the scenic Laggan 10k in hot, humid conditions, with Patrick finishing second overall and as first MV50 in an excellent time of 38.39, while Mary completed the course in one hour and six minutes.
Elsewhere, the Alexander family had a fine time at the Mull of Kintyre running weekend.
Competing in a challenging field against many much older children in the Junior 2k race, Ian managed to record a personal best time of 8.27.
Elder brother David ran very well in his first 10k race to finish as fourth junior in a good time of 45.14, with Susan finishing in 1.01.12.
Dad Jim took on the half marathon, which included a picturesque but gruelling stretch on the sands of Machrihanish beach.
This was completed in a creditable 1.43.26, good enough for 50th position overall and sixth MV50.
Harrier Emily Greaves is now director of the Jura Hill Race. It is one of the classic Scottish hill races, covering 28k, with 2370m of ascent over the seven Paps of Jura.
It is one of the toughest hill races in the whole of the UK, with steep ascents and descents, and difficult running terrain on scree and boulder fields.
In preparation for her new role, Emily undertook it for the second time – finishing in an impressive 5.31.