Cover photo – Bryan, Alan, John and Jeff on top of West Lomond during a Devils Burdens practice run
As December is a fairly quiet month for events and other running activities, this report from Leven Las Vegas Running Club covers what’s been happening over a four week period up to 31 December 2017.
Tuesday Night Training
On 5 December jog leader Ross directed the group through his new super-hills drill. This involved running up and down both of the normal training hills in Lower Methil and the long straight between them without a break. As if that wasn’t exhausting enough, Ross then had the group go up and down each hill twice on each rep!
On 12 December jog leader Allen led a speed session based on time intervals of 4 x 2 minutes, 6 x 1 minute and 6 x 30 seconds.
The evening of 19 December was the “long but not that long” casual run to the Caley in Leven for Xmas drinks.
Killin Santa Dash
Chris Russell and Annie Gibson took part in this fun run.
Chris at Killin in his festive racing outfit
Lanzarote Half Marathon
Lorna Hughes and Josephine Lenachan escaped the Scottish winter and travelled to Lanzarote to take part in the half marathon in the sun.
Josephine and Lorna with their race medals
Nightmare Series Race #3 : Chariots of Ice – Friday 15 December
A race in the dark along icy paths around St Andrews Old Course, returning along the West Sands. The race was won by Chris “Elf of Darkness” Russell, closely followed by Bryan McLaren, with 9 other LLV taking part.
The runners line up for the Chariots of Ice Nightmare race
Race results:
- Chris – 1st 20:40
- Bryan – 2nd 21:25
- Allen – 11th and 2nd MV60 23:48
- Gillian – 22nd 27:05
- Willie – 23rd 27:06
- Jeff – 24th 27:07
- Terry – 25th 29:14
- Dan – 26th 29:15
- Claire – 40th 33:12
- Bex – 41st 33:35
- Karen – 43rd 37:10
Pitreavie Jingle Bell 5k – Sunday 17 December
Iain and Gillian ran in the main race and Ginny made her LLV debut in the kids event.
Iain, Ginny and Gillian at Pitreavie
Results:
- Iain – 13th and 3rd MV40 18:27
- Gillian – 32nd and 1st FS 21:12
Boxing Day Paarlauf
This event is organised by Ian Johnston of PH Racing Club, with proceeds going to charity. Entrants are paired together by a handicapper to make all the pairings as evenly matched as possible. Taking part for LLV were Allen Marr and Mark McLean. Allen was partnered by Steve Adam of Carnegie Harriers and Mark by Keiran Morgan also of Carnegie. One runner takes on a circuit of about 750m while their partner tackles a 450m loop, with each loop being run 8 times. Allen and Mark both opted for the longer of the two loops.
It was success for LLV with overall winners being Allen and Steve who timed their efforts perfectly when Steve took the lead in the last 20 metres and crossed the line in first place, the pair having steadily worked their way through the field as the other runners started to tire. A great effort by Steve in particular who started his last lap several seconds behind the lead runner and then proceeded to fall going round a slippy bend before getting back up and putting in a fantastic finishing burst.
Race winners Allen and Steve, and Allen and Mark in action (photos by Daniel Smith)
Chilly Willy Hogmanay Trail Race
At Pitcairn in Glenrothes it was another first place finish for Chris Russell of LLV on the last day of 2017.
Chris in action (photo by Gordon Donnachie) and with his winner’s medal
Parkruns
During December there were parkrun PBs for Angie Wood, Kirsty Barclay, Kenna Orkney and Jemma Guild and a 1st place finish for Andy Cargill at Carlow Town parkrun in Ireland.
Jemma, Jeff, Teresa and Alison at Kirkcaldy Parkrun
Allen, Chris, Sandra and Ruth at St Andrews Christmas Parkrun
Upcoming Events
Kirkcaldy New Years Day Parkrun 10:30am
Scottish Athletics National 3000m Indoor Masters – Sunday 7 January
Allen Marr is representing LLV and PH Racing Club at the Emirates Indoor Arena in Glasgow. On the starting list in the V60 category are Alex Chisholm of Garscube who is the 2017 V60 1500m outdoor gold medallist (Allen taking silver in the same event), David Dickson also of Garscube and Tony Quinn of Kirkintilloch. All three are ranked ahead of Allen so it’s going to be a tough battle to achieve a medal.
Further ahead:
- Great Edinburgh Winter Run 5k – Saturday 13 January
- Scottish Athletics 1500m Indoor Open – Saturday 13 January
- Devils Burdens – Saturday 27 January
- SVHC Masters Road Relays – Sunday 28 January
- Scottish National Masters Cross Country – Saturday 3 February
- Scottish Athletics National 1500m Indoor Masters – Sunday 4 February
- Devilla Forest 15k and 5k – Sunday 18 February
- Cupar 5 – Saturday 3 March
- Smokies 10 mile (Ladies Only) – Sunday 4 March
- Alloa Half Marathon – Sunday 18 March
- Round the Houses 10k – Sunday 8 April
- Stirling Scottish Marathon and 5k – Sunday 29 April
- Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June
The Retired Runner 