Boston challenge for Fair City runners
Perth athletes take part in city’s 121st marathon
Perth Road Runners were well represented at the Boston Marathon this week.
It was the 121st time the event had been held and the Fair City’s Stuart Robertson, Kevin Rogers, Kevin Riddell and Richard Ward proudly donned their green vests for the test.
Robertson completed the course, which started in Hopkinton and finished in the centre of downtown Boston - after the tough Heartbreak Hill at mile 20 - in a time of 2:50:32.
Next up for Perth, in the 23 degree heat, was Kevin Rogers in 3:20:01, followed by Kevin Riddell 3:24:38 and Richard Ward in 3:41:01. The quartet had a well-earned celebration at the historic Fenway baseball park after the race.
Back on home soil and in slightly cooler climes, seven green vests travelled to Dunkeld for the Newtyle Hill Race.
Starting in the centre of Dunkeld, the 7.3km route takes in over 300m of climbing. Mark Dunn was 11th overall and first road runner home in 36:40, followed by Stewart Reid in a time of 38:00.
Dave Sinclair crossed the line as third road runner in 39:33 with Mike Dales in 44:32. Helledd Rheinallt was first female road runner in 43:45 while Fiona Manson clocked 45:13 and Ella Webley 46:38.
Meanwhile, at Perth Parkrun, Ronnie Glen paced Marlena Nowaczyk to a new personal best time of 20:53 and club member Alan Bothwell also gained a new PB of 24:02.
Enjoying some parkrun tourism, Alistair Gudgin finished second overall in 18:02 at Dunfermline.
Maria Dale represented the road runners at Harrogate Parkrun where she finished in a time of 27:22, while Mike Dales and Fiona Manson ran at Vogrie Parkrun in Midlothian, finishing in 23:53 and 23:54 respectively.
Gillian Smith ran 29:27 at Ayr and at Tilgate Parkrun Andy Muir and Christian Muir finished in 28:50 and 30:34. Debbie Jackson finished Linwood in 25:03 with Paul Grace finishing Kirkcaldy in 21:37.
Rounding off the action, six road runners travelled to Fife for the Hill of Hope multi-terrain race. The five-mile route took in the woodland trails and countryside of Strathmiglo raising funds for Maggie’s centre in Fife.
Neil Muir was first road runner home in 34:21 and eighth overall. Stewart Reid finished close behind in 34:54 with Paul Grace in 37:55.
Sonjia Crow was first female road runner and third female overall in 37:47 with Nicola Crowe 45:49 and Daile Sipple in 47:17.
The Perth Road Runners meet on a Tuesday night at Bells Sports Centre and on a Thursday night, which alternate between interval track sessions and hills at Deuchny Woods.
Both sessions are a 6.30pm start and more information can be found on the club website. Fair City members at the Newtyle Hill Race
Perth runners after completing the Boston Marathon