Cover photo – Robin, Bob, Davie and Jim at Tiree Ultramarathon

Stuart Duncan Memorial 5k

John Kay was running for Leven Las Vegas and Allen Marr was representing PH Racing Club at this event, a memorial race organised by Fife AC on behalf of the family of the late local runner Stuart Duncan with race proceeds going to charity. The race runs from the Lomond Centre in Woodside, Glenrothes, along Boblingen Way to a turning point then retracing the outward route back to the Centre. John and Allen stuck close together in a small group including occasional wearer of LLV colours Dave Morton to the mid-race turning point which John passed in 10:00 and Allen about 5 seconds behind. The run home was a little quicker due to the gradual downhill gradient. Allen edged past John in the closing stages to finish in a new 5k PB of 19:30, with John finishing next in 19:35, also a PB. Dave dropped back a little towards the finish but this may have been due to him running in his working clothes and a pair of trail shoes, not having had time to change before the race!

Race results:

• Allen – 15th and 1st MV60 19:30 PB
• John – 16th and 1st MV50 19:35 PB
• Dave – 19th 20:00 PB

Grangemouth Open Graded 1500m

Allen Marr lined up at this 1500m race on a cool breezy evening under the floodlights at Grangemouth Athletics Stadium aiming to beat his PB of 5:16 which he set on his way to a silver medal at the Scottish Athletics National Masters 1500m in July 2017. His target schedule this time was 60 seconds for the first 300m then 80 seconds for each of the next 3 full laps. It didn’t quite work out that way due to a drop in pace to 90 seconds on lap 2 as he settled in behind other runners, but in the second half of the race Allen started to pick off those ahead of him, speeding up to 85 seconds on lap 3 then 77 seconds on the final lap to finish on 5:12, a new PB and plenty of scope for further improvement next time.

Kingsbarns Fun Run

Peter Rieu-Clarke ran for Fife AC in this charity event run over 4 miles of trails around the Cambo Estate area. Peter finished 2nd MV70 in 37:16.

Tiree Ultramarathon

At the weekend Robin Pate, Davie Hogg, Bob Wylie and Jim Dunstan of Leven Las Vegas Running Club set off for the Hebridean island of Tiree. The intrepid four runners had completed many months of preparations and were travelling to take part in the Tiree Ultramarathon, a 35 mile circuit of the island coastline along roads, beaches and trails.

Tiree is known for its above average hours of sunshine and clear weather. However the day of the race was the exact opposite with rain, hail, powerful winds and low visibility, although that didn’t stop the hardy four from successfully completing their mission. Robin was first to finish, battling through the testing conditions to improve by more than 20 minutes on his time at the same event last year.  Bob, Jim and Davie, who was running his first ever ultramarathon, all crossed the finish line together.

Race results:

• Robin – 85th 7:10:42 PB
• Davie – 157th 8:55:45
• Jim – 158th 8:55:46
• Bob – 159th 8:55:46

Around Cumbrae 10 Mile Road Race

It was another LLV island adventure for Ross Johnston and Lynda and Stewart English who travelled to Millport on the isle of Cumbrae for this event. Apparently ice cream and fish suppers were a major attraction of the trip!

Race results:

• Stewart – 225th 1:29:12 PB
• Ross – 258th 1:32:42
• Lynda – 283rd 1:36:56

Great North Run

The Great North Run with over 50,000 participants annually is the largest half marathon in the world. It is run over a fast course between Newcastle and South Shields in the North East of England. This year’s event saw Bex Oakenfull and Lorna Hughes lining up in the same race as multiple gold medallist Mo Farah. It takes so long for all the participants to cross the start line that by the time the final runners were on their way, Mo was almost finished!

Race results

• Bex – position 21123 time 2:14:35
• Lorna – position 40406 time 3:11:34

Upcoming Events

Self Transcendence 2 mile race – Wednesday 13 September

Allen will be taking part in the last Self Transcendence race of the summer at Edinburgh Meadows

Pitlochry 10k – Sunday 17 September

Bryan, Bex, Peter, Bob, Wendy, Robin and Jeff are representing team LLV at this popular event

Gateway to the Glens 10k – Sunday 17 September

Anyone running in this one?

Further ahead

• 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
• Linlithgow 10k – Sunday 8 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.

Birthdays

Happy birthday wishes go to Angela and Jim this week

Runner(s) of the Week

The ultramarathon men from Tiree are the runners of the week for their fortitude in battling through 35 miles of storms, wind and mud and still managing to smile under those buffs. Well done guys!