Couch to 5k

Several new Couch to 5k beginners joined the programme this week, bringing the total to over 30 participants enthusiastically aiming to improve their fitness and achieve the challenging objective of running a 5k distance.

There was an informal group “homework” session on Sunday morning in bright sunshine at Leven promenade. The homework sessions will continue next week.

Training

Tuesday night training this week took place at the path skirting Scoonie Golf Course. The session comprised the popular hill sprints up and down the gravel path. Birthday-boy Robin Pate stepped in as jog leader to supervise the session.

Carnegie Harriers Memorial Race

The Carnegie Harriers Memorial Race is held annually in memory of Graham Clark who was a Scottish international athlete and a coach and club president at Carnegie Harriers.

The race comprises 3 laps of Knockhill motor racing circuit north of Dunfermline in Fife. Total race distance is 3.9 miles.  Taking part for Leven Las Vegas were Lorna Hughes, Claire Doak, Sandra Cooper, Tracey Millar, Iain Wallace and Chris Russell.

Chris finished an excellent 10th in 21:34.  Iain was 33rd in a time of 23:57 and the LLV ladies all ran well in a large field of very experienced club runners.

Allen Marr’s Scottish Athletics affiliated club, PH Racing Club, had included this event in their championship series so Allen swapped his LLV colours for a PH vest on the night. He finished 2nd MV60 behind PH club-mate Ed Norton.

Social run

This week’s ever-popular Thursday night social run was from Lower Largo to Shell Bay on a beautiful late summer evening.

Beveridge Park 5k team event

There was a great turnout by club members at Beveridge Park for the final 5k race of the summer. This one was a team event, with each team comprising three male and three female runners.  The LLV team of Gillian Hewitt, Jemma Guild, Sandra Cooper, Iain Wallace, John Kay and Mark McLean put in a fantastic performance and there was great excitement when they were awarded third place.

Unfortunately it later transpired that the results had been calculated incorrectly and our team had in fact finished in fourth place, still a brilliant achievement but a rather disappointing outcome.

Awards were also made to individual age category winners for the overall race series. Allen Marr won the over-60 male award, recording 5k times of 20:18, 19:43 and 21:04 to clinch the title.

Parkruns

16 LLV took part in parkruns at St Andrews and Kirkcaldy. There were no PBs this week – more effort required at club training!!

Fife AC Midweek Series overall results

The final results for the Fife AC Midweek Series have been published.

Bryan McLaren was 2nd in the Male Senior category and was 3rd highest points scorer in the series, just missing out on 2nd place by one point.

Iain Wallace was 4th in the MV40 category, and depending on how Fife AC allocate podium positions he may get an award for 3rd place in that category because the leading MV40 was 2nd highest points scorer in the series.

Allen Marr won the MV60 category.

Coming back from injury, Jeff Taylor did all 5 races in the series and would undoubtedly have been in competition for a podium place in the MV50 category if fully fit.

Medals will be presented at a special awards night still to be arranged by Fife AC.

Upcoming events

Ravenscraig 2*1 Mile Relay – Tuesday 22 August

No training on this evening so club members can turn out in large numbers to take part in the relay fun.

Livingston Open Graded Track Meeting – Wednesday 23 August

Allen will be on the track at Craigswood Sports Centre in Livingston for the 3000m.

Perth 10k – Sunday 27 August

Karen, Gillian, Jemma, Sandra and Allen are running at Perth.

Forth Road Bridge 10k – Sunday 27 August

Claire, Jim, Ross, Susan, Tracey, Peter, Iain, Angela, Robin, Jeff, Bob and Wendy are taking part.

Great Aberdeen Run Half Marathon and 10k – Sunday 27 August

Davie, Bex, Mark and John are doing the half marathon.

If any events or participants have been missed out, please let the editor know. 

Whoever is at any events, please remember to take lots of photographs and post them on the club Facebook page.

Runner of the week

This week the praise goes not to an individual but to the team of 6 athletes who put in a fantastic performance at the Beveridge Park 5k team event. Well done Sandra, Iain, Gillian, John, Jemma and Mark!