Cover photo – Iain, Chris, Gillian and Allen at Gateside Gallop
Tuesday Night Training and Couch to 5k
On Tuesday evening Tricia put the troops through their paces with a pyramid drill around the Links area of Leven. Meanwhile the Couch to 5k group were introduced to the fun of paarlauf by jog leader Allen when they paired up for loops around the Energy Park at Methil Docks.
On Sunday Ian, assisted by Jeff and Allen, took a smaller group of the Couch to 5k members to Silverburn for an informal session.
Couch to 5k members at Lundin Links beach near Silverburn
Ian encouraged the group to do some tree hugging as part of their training
Gateside Gallop
On Wednesday evening was the annual Gateside Gallop, a four mile race from Gateside village uphill to the Bannet Stane and back down to finish in the village. Thomas Knox of Anster Haddies and Chris Russell of LLV battled it out all the way up and down before Chris pulled away towards the finish to seal a hard-fought victory.
Frontrunners Thomas Knox of Anster Haddies and Chris Russell of LLV in the early stages of the race (photo by John Mill)
Also running for LLV were Iain Wallace, Gillian Hewitt and Allen Marr.
Gillian, Allen, Chris and Iain in action at Gateside Gallop (photos by John Mill)
Another race victory for Chris!
Jeff Taylor and Peter Rieu-Clarke also took part, representing Falkland Trail Runners who had included the event in their championship series.
Peter and Jeff running for Falkland Trail Runners (photos by Gorodon Donnachie and John Mill)
Race results:
- Chris – 1st 24:46
- Iain – 14th 27.48
- Jeff – 43rd 31:09
- Gillian – 67th 33:14
- Allen – 68th 33:17
- Peter – 117th 43:07
Parkruns
Congratulations to Claire Doak who bagged at a new PB at Craigtoun Park in St Andrews.
Fife AC Festival of Trail Running & Scottish Mid Trail Championships
This event hosted by Fife AC also included the Scottish Trail Championships with national medals up for grabs. The event was run over a challenging hilly course of 10km in length through Falkland Estate.
Andy Cargill was the sole LLV representative at this event, although he was accompanied by Allen Marr appearing for PH Racing Club and Peter Rieu-Clark for Fife AC.
Andy, Allen and Peter at the Festival of Trail Running (photos by Pete Bracegirdle)
Race results
- Andy – 45th 42:45
- Allen – 69th and 5th MV60 46:56
- Peter – 92nd and 2nd MV70 01:05:30
Highland Perthshire Half Marathon
Taking place in the scenic countryside around Aberfeldy and Kenmore, the Highland Perthshire Half Marathon is held in conjunction with a full marathon and a cycle sportive.
Representing Leven Las Vegas in a field of over 250 runners over the 13.1 mile distance was Bryan McLaren who was hoping to post a fast time under the 90 minute mark. This he duly achieved, clocking 01:26:07 and setting a personal best for a half marathon on the challenging course. Bryan finished 11th overall, 10th male and 4th in the Male Senior category.
Bryan all set for the half marathon
Glenmore 24
The Glenmore 24 is a 24 hour run around a four mile loop in the setting of Glenmore Forest near Aviemore. For those who want to experience the event but perhaps feel that 24 hours of running is a bit too much there is also a 12 hour race on the same course and that is what Tricia Wallace of Leven Las Vegas opted for.
Tricia at Glenmore Forest
Results will be added when available.
Skull Mountain Trail Race
This was the final race of a 4 race series held over the summer months. Representing LLV were Jim Dunstan and Josephine Lenachan.
Jim and Josephine at the Skull Mountain Trail Race (photos by Wullie Law)
Mr Gs MND 5k
This charity event is held to raise funds for research into Motor Neurone Disease. Mr G is Mr Grewar a former school teacher at Madras who suffers from the condition. The 5km course is around the playing fields of St Andrews University. Peter Rieu-Clark ran his second event of the weekend.
Peter at St Andrews
Results will be added when available.
Muckletoon Doctors Run
The Muckletoon Doctors Run is an 8 mile run that starts and finishes in Langholm and takes participants across a variety of terrain following the path of the River Esk. LLV’s Willie Goodfellow took part in this race in his home town.
Willie at the race in Langholm
Results will be added when available.
Special Feature – Tiree Ultramarathon
The highlight of the coming week is undoubtedly the Tiree Ultramarathon which takes place on Sunday 10 September.
Runners on the beautiful island of Tiree
The four intrepid Leven Las Vegas athletes who will be proudly representing our running club and taking on the 35 mile circuit of the beautiful Hebridean island are Bob Wylie, Robin Pate, Davie Hogg and Jim Dunstan.
The ultramarathon men – Bob, Robin, Davie and Jim
The race route runs clockwise around the Tiree coastline. So for Jim, who occasionally has a bit of trouble with navigation, there should be no problem this time as it is simply a case of keeping the sea on his left hand side.
Tiree Ultramarathon route map
Best wishes to all four from everyone at Leven Las Vegas for a fantastic run in hopefully favourable weather.
Upcoming Events
Stuart Duncan Memorial 5k – Tuesday 5 September
John Kay and Allen Marr (PH Racing Club) go in this one
Grangemouth Open Graded Track Meeting – Wednesday 6 September
Allen Marr is on the track at Grangemouth for a 1500m race.
Fife AC Kingsbarns Fun Run – Wednesday 6 September
An informal trail run hosted by Fife AC. Entries on the night. Free to enter.
Murieston Trail Race – Saturday 9 September
A 6km trail race around the Murieston area in Livingston
Stirling 10k – Sunday 10 September
Incorporates the Scottish 10k championships with a large high-quality field
Great North Run – Sunday 10 September
Bex Oakenfull and Lorna Hughes will be appearing live on tv!
Around Cumbrae 10 Mile Road Race – Sunday 10 September
Angela & Ross Johnston and Lynda & Stewart English will be there.
Further ahead:
- Pitlochry 10k – Sunday 17 September
- Gateway to the Glens 10k Sunday 17 September
- East Neuk 10k – Sunday 24 September
- Scottish Half Marathon and 10k – Sunday 24 September
- Loch Ness Marathon – Sunday 24 September
- Scottish Long Coastal Relays – Saturday 30 September
- Giffordtown 5k – Sunday 1 October
- Tufty Trail Race – Sunday 1 October
- Great Scottish Run Half Marathon and 10k – Sunday 1 October
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.
Birthday
Happy birthday wishes this week go to Becky Oakenfull from everyone at Leven Las Vegas!
Runner of the Week
Possibly the most improved LLV runner of 2017 is Bryan McLaren. This weekend Bryan achieved a new half marathon PB of 01:26:07, one of a succession of impressive performances over various distances in the last few months. Some of his highlights include:
- Breaking the 90 minute mark at Alloa half marathon in March 2017 with a time of 01:29:26
- Dipping under 18 minutes for the 5km distance at the Scottish 5k Championships at Silverknowes in May 2017 clocking 17:58
- Going below 5 minutes for one mile with 04:58 at the Tour of Fife 1 Mile Time Trial in July 2017
- Beating 18 minutes again at the 5km distance at the Tour of Fife 5km Road Race with a time of 17:57
Bryan on the way to a sub-5 minute mile at the Tour of Fife
The Retired Runner 