Cover photo – And they’re off! The gun is fired at the start of the first 3000m heat at the Emirates Arena with Annabel Simpson of Fife AC as the pacer in the inside lane and Allen in the middle of the line up (Photo by Bobby Gavin)

Tuesday Night Training

Jog leader Tricia took the group through a paarlauf drill at the Energy Park in Lower Methil.

Parkruns

There were two parkrun opportunities in the first week of the new year. On Monday 1st January at Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy Kevin Hughes and Teresa Guild both achieved new personal best times and Kevin followed this up at the regular Saturday morning event in Kirkcaldy when he further improved his time. Meanwhile at St Andrews weekend parkrun Caroline Robertson also set a PB.

Skull Mountain Winter Challenge Race 1

This wintry trail race was held at Balbirnie Park in Markinch. It marked a first official appearance in LLV colours for recent Couch to 5k graduates Lynsay Bell, Dawn Watson and Jenni Johnstone. Despite freezing conditions and icy stream crossings, all three ladies did brilliantly and are eagerly looking forward to next race in the series on 28 January.

Also running for LLV were Jim Dunstan and Chris Russell with Chris finishing third on the day.

Race results:

• Chris – 3rd and 1st M45 24:02
• Jim – 40th 31:30
• Lynsay – 150th 47:41
• Dawn – 151st 47:42
• Jenni – 154th 49:54

Scottish National 3000m Indoor Masters

Leven Las Vegas Running Club veteran Allen Marr scored a major championship success at the weekend. Allen, representing his Scottish Athletics club PH Racing Club, was competing at the Scottish National Indoor Masters 3000m held at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow where he won a gold medal in the over-60 age category and set a new personal best. Having only taken up running less than 3 years ago, it was his first-ever appearance on an indoor track and his first national championship victory.

After the event he said “it was an amazing experience to run in such a fantastic arena alongside some of the best athletes in the country. I was pretty nervous while I warmed up and made my way to the start but once the gun went I felt great and was able to settle in at a good pace among the front runners. I ran my fastest time so far over the 3000m distance and was overjoyed to achieve my dream of being a Scottish national champion.”

Allen is back on the same track next Saturday 13 January for an open graded 1500m as a time trial and practice run for his attempt at the National Masters 1500m Championships on Sunday 4 February.

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

Karen Britten escaped the winter weather by jetting off to Florida to take part in the Walt Disney World half marathon an Saturday 6 January and then the full marathon the following day Sunday 7 January. The routes for both events incorporated the popular Disney theme parks and the participants were cheered on by well known characters from all the Disney classics.

Upcoming Events

Nightmare Series Race 4 – Wicked Witch of West Wemyss – Friday 12 January 7:30pm

Great Edinburgh Winter Run 5k – Saturday 13 January

Scottish Athletics 1500m Indoor Open – Saturday 13 January

Further ahead:

• Devils Burdens – Saturday 27 January
• SVHC Masters Road Relays – Sunday 28 January
• Skull Mountain Winter Challenge Race 2 – Sunday 28 January
• Scottish National Masters Cross Country – Saturday 3 February
• Scottish Athletics National 1500m Indoor Masters – Sunday 4 February
• Carnethy 5 Hill Race – Saturday 10 February
• Devilla Forest 15k and 5k – Sunday 18 February
• Skull Mountain Winter Challenge Race 3 – Sunday 25 February
• Cupar 5 – Saturday 3 March
• Smokies 10 mile (Ladies Only) – Sunday 4 March
• Alloa Half Marathon – Sunday 18 March
• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 6 April
• Round the Houses 10k – Sunday 8 April
• St Andrews 5k (Fife AC Midweek Series) – Wednesday 18 April
• Stirling Scottish Marathon and 5k – Sunday 29 April
• Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June