ATHLETICS
LOTHIAN RUNNING CLUB
A fortnight after having achieved the N.A.I.A. ‘A’ standard over 5000 metres, Max McNeil has now acquired a similar standard over 3000 metres with a personal best run.
Competing in the Pittsburg State Indoor Gorilla Classic, McNeil, who was running for Oklahoma City University, finished in eighth place in a time of 8:29.95, fully 11 seconds inside the ‘A’ standard time.
That time was also his fastest over the distance, bettering his previous figure of 8:35.83 set in Glasgow in August 2014.
A big field of almost 500 runners contested the Carnethy Five Hill Race.
Conditions were far from ideal with a strong wind buffeting the runners as they navigated the six-mile course with total climbs of the five summits amounting to 2500 feet.
The club had four runners in the race and they were led home by Christine MacVarish who finished in 1: 17.53 to place 25th female and seventh in F40 category.
Following Christine home were: 244th and 44th M50 Paul Young (1:20.13), 378th and 69th M50 Sandy Mudie (1:32.25), 400th and 75th M50 Kevin Godfrey (1:35.20).
The respective male and female race winners were Alexander Chepelin ( Edinburgh University) and Sarah McCormack (Ambleside AC).
LIVINGSTON PARKRUN
Lothian Running Club claimed seven of the top- 10 places at the Livingston Parkrun as well as the top male and female finishers.
Josh Dack took his tally of wins at his local parkrun event to 29 as he crossed the finish line ahead of the rest of the field in 17.14. He was followed home by Sam McIntosh (17.40), Craig Pirie (17.56) and Ryan Kirkland (18.15) as the club picked up the top four places with the latter being first in the 15-17 age category.
Jo Williams was sixth overall and top female, winning that category for the 33rd time – just four behind leading female runner and team-mate Lana Turnbull who was third female and 22nd overall on Saturday.
Alan Knowles and Louis MacDonald (both 19.17) and William Moffat (19.18) finished ninth, 10th and 11th respectively.
Sandwiched in between Jo and Lana in the female category was Livingston Athletic Club’s Katie Craig, whose time of 20.27 saw her finish second female and 18th overall.
LIVINGSTON ATHLETIC CLUB
Three of the club’s under- 12 athletes were in action at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow in the FPSG Superteams competition.
Alannah Snowden, Natalie McAdam and Anna Boyle competed in the 60m, long jump, shot putt and relay, and all set new personal bests.
It was also a tremendous opportunity for the girls to be able to compete at the same venue that will welcome Europe’s best athletes in the coming weeks when Glasgow hosts the European Indoor Athletics Championships.