Cover photo – Jeff, Iain, Gillian, Matt, John, Davie and Mark in the Lomond Hills as the Devils Burdens recces continue.
Tuesday Night Training
Last Tuesday was the customary end of training block pursuit race organised by Chris Russell where runners attempt to improve on their previous best times over a 1.8 mile course, with the coveted Caley Cup being awarded to the biggest improver.
This was the first chance that many of the recent Couch to 5k graduates from October 2017 had to compete for the Caley Cup. Lynsay Bell, Jenni Johnstone, Lesley Turnbull, Dawn Watson, Kirsty Barclay and Kenna Orkney all made substantial improvements from their first attempts last October. Teresa Guild also continued her recent excellent running performances with a big improvement. However, the cup winner for most improved runner in the training block was Angela Wood who cut more than 4 minutes off her previous best time.
At the award ceremony at the Caledonian Hotel in Leven, Chris Russell, Bryan McLaren and Robin Pate all received commemorative mugs for attending 100 training sessions at Leven Las Vegas.
Congratulations to Angela who is proudly holding the Caley Cup trophy
Nightmare Series Race 4 – The Wicked Witch of West Wemyss
The latest instalment of the Nightmare series was held on an out-and-back 4 mile course along the coastal path between West Wemyss and East Wemyss. The theme was based on the Wicked Witch of the West from Wizard of Oz.
First place was closely fought between Chris Russell and Bryan McLaren until the later stages when Chris broke clear and eventually won by a margin of 52 seconds over his younger rival. Chris and Bryan retain the first two places in the rankings for the series so far.
“I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!“
Race results:
- Chris – 1st 25:03
- Bryan – 2nd 25:55
- Jeff – 18th 31:11
- Gordon – 23rd 33:47
- Allen – 26th 34:25
- Terry – 27th 34:28
- Grant – 29th 35:40
- Tam – 35th 38:11
- Bex – 42nd 40:11
Parkruns
A total of 21 LLV members took part in parkruns this weekend at Perth, St Andrews and Kirkcaldy. Stephanie Barclay and Kenna Orkney both achieved new personal best times at St Andrews.
Great Edinburgh Winter Run 5k
This mass participation annual event takes place on a course around Arthur’s Seat at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. Taking part for Leven Las Vegas were Lynda and Stewart English and Teresa and Jemma Guild.
Jemma, Teresa, Stewart and Lynda at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh
Race results:
- Stewart – 595th 25:56
- Jemma – 682nd 26:40
- Teresa – 725th 26:57
- Linda – 1284th 30:11
Scottish Athletics 1500m Indoor Open
On Saturday afternoon Allen Marr was back on the indoor track at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, scene of his 3000m gold medal winning performance last week, this time for an open graded 1500m race. He was seeded in the same heat as Claire Thompson, a top WV40 athlete and the winner of Allen’s 3000m heat last week. On the tight indoor track the athletes hit the first bend within a few steps of the gun being fired so sharp elbows were needed to get round the bend and into the first straight. Three youngsters sped off and Allen kept pace in sixth place just behind two other young athletes for three laps. When they started to slow down a bit Allen moved past them into fourth where he stayed until the second last lap when Claire overtook and opened up a five metre gap. Allen made sure her lead didn’t increase for the next lap and a half, then sprinted off the final bend to pass Claire and cross the line in a new PB of 5m 11s.
Upcoming Events
Kirkcaldy parkrun on Saturday 20 January is the first race in the inaugural Morton Running Company (MRC) Grand Prix, organised by MRC owner and good friend of Leven Las Vegas Dave Morton. For more details on how to take part in Dave’s exciting new competition click here.
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
The Retired Runner 