Cover photo – the Couch to 5k group at St Andrews parkrun

Tuesday Night Training

On Tuesday evening LLV held its regular time trial event organised by Chris Russell, where members compete for the Caley Cup which goes to the runner who has shown the most improvement over the course of the 10-week training block. The cup winner this time was Dawn Watson who joined Leven Las Vegas in 2017 as part of a Couch to 5k jogging course and has continued to show amazing progress.

Parkruns

On Saturday morning, four more of the club’s current Couch to 5k members completed their graduation 5km run at St Andrews parkrun. Susie Hepburn, Nicola McKeen, Jacqueline Kinloch and Lynne Napier completed the course with distinction, supported by several of last week’s graduates, with personal best times being achieved by Luke Whittaker, Christine Kimmel, Julie Nicholson, Yvonne Armour and Moira Robertson.

Tough Mudder

Glenrothes 10k

A huge turnout of 39 Leven Las Vegas Running Club members joined hundreds of serious athletes and fun runners on Sunday morning to take part in the Glenrothes Road Running Festival.

The main event is the 10km road race where LLV’s Chris Russell finished in an excellent 8^th position and was awarded the prize for first local athlete to cross the line. Alan Davie and Iain Wallace also had fine runs, with both finishing in the top 50.

Also representing Leven Las Vegas in the 10km event were Mark Mclean, Bryan McLaren, Gordon Christie, Euan Taylor, Jeff Taylor, Gillian Easton, Barry West, Douglas Clews, Stewart English, Jemma Guild, Donna Rodger, Vhairi Walker, Peter Rieu-Clarke, Sandra Cooper, Karen Richards, Gayle Moran, Annie Gibson, Lynda English, Lorraine Davie, Jim Dunstan, Bex Oakenfull, Lynsay Bell, Tracey Millar, Jayne Littler, Dawn Watson, Tam Cullen, Cheryl McLaren, Tracy Mayes, Kerrie Donald, Stephanie Barclay, Angela Wood, Nicole Kelly and Kirsty Barclay.

Wendy Wylie, Graham Law and Allen Marr took part in the 4km event where Allen finished in 3^rd position.

Race photos from the 10k below by Wullie Law.

Race results:

Chris	Russell	8	36:14
Alan	Davie	34	39:13
Iain	Wallace	40	40:02
Mark	Mclean	65	42:00
Bryan	McLaren	69	42:23
Gordon	Christie	120	46:04
Euan	Taylor	125	46:24
Jeff	Taylor	158	47:57
Gillian	Easton	188	49:49
Barry	West	220	51:25
Douglas	Clews	225	51:42
Stewart	English	252	53:27
Jemma	Guild	273	54:47
Donna	Rodger	274	54:48
Vhairi	Walker	295	56:06
Peter	Rieu-Clarke	303	56:19
Sandra	Cooper	327	57:21
Karen	Richards	329	57:23
Gayle	Moran	337	57:45
Annie	Gibson	341	58:01
Lynda	English	356	58:42
Lorraine	Davie	366	59:37
Jim	Dunstan	380	60:22
Bex	Oakenfull	382	60:36
Lynsay	Bell	384	60:39
Tracey	Millar	407	62:42
Jayne	Littler	422	64:27
Dawn	Watson	423	64:28
Tam	Cullen	425	64:34
Cheryl	McLaren	426	64:34
Tracy	Mayes	441	65:35
Kerrie	Donald	442	65:35
Stephanie	Barclay	455	68:17
Angela	Wood	456	68:17
Nicole	Kelly	484	85:31
Kirsty	Barclay	485	85:32

Upcoming Events

• Chilly Willy Pick ‘n’ Mix Trail Race – Tuesday 19 June
• Ravenscraig Park Mile – Wednesday 20 June
• Midsummer Nightmare – Friday 22 June
• West Highland Way Race – Saturday 23 June
• Benarty Gala – Sunday 24 June

Further ahead:

• Sandy Slither – Wednesday 27 June
• Balbirnie Duathlon – Thursday 28 June
• Chacefield Trail Race – Thursday 28 June
• Trail Busters Series Race 1 – Sunday 1 July
• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 6 July
• Crieff 10k – Sunday 8 July
• Tour of Fife – Wednesday 11 July to Sunday 15 July
• Donkey Brae Run – Sunday 29 July
• Trail Busters Series Race 2 – Sunday 5 August
• New Gilston 5k – Sunday 12 August
• Trail Busters Series Race 3 – Sunday 2 September
• Auchterarder Half Marathon – Sunday 9 September
• Scottish Long Coastal Relays – Saturday 6 October

Cover photo – Couch to 5k graduates after their first parkrun

Hill of Tarvit (Fife AC Midweek Series)

The Fife AC midweek series continued with the Hill of Tarvit race on Wednesday evening. This is a tough 6 mile trail run which starts and finishes in Ceres with participants running from the village to the summit of Hill of Tarvit and back. Representing Leven Las Vegas were Bryan McLaren, Alan Davie, Iain Wallace, Mark McLean and Jeff Taylor.

Race results:

• Bryan McLaren – 23rd 38:57
• Alan Davie – 31st 39:35
• Iain Wallace – 33rd 39:39
• Mark McLean – 55th 42:19
• Jeff Taylor – 116th 50:05

Templeton Trail Race

On Friday evening Chris Russell, Kevin Hughes, Ross Johnston and Annie Gibson travelled over the Tay Bridge to attend the Templeton Trail Race hosted by Dundee Road Runners, with Chris running well to finish in 5^th position.

Race results:

• Chris Russell – 5th and 2nd M40 34:52
• Kevin Hughes – 25th 39:53
• Ross Johnston – 113th 53:30
• Annie Gibson – 128th 56:40

Couch to 5k parkrun

On Saturday morning at St Andrews parkrun at Craigtoun Park, 13 new runners completed their 10 week journey from couch to 5k. Their personal dedication along with the encouragement of the jog leaders and members at Leven Las Vegas Running Club saw them progress from absolute beginners in April to successfully running for 5km in June. Celebrating their tremendous achievement were Krysha Reeves, Lucy Wann, Karen Burt, Christine Kimmel, Julie Nicholson, Yvonne Armour, Luke Whittaker, Susan Smith, Colin Aitken, Moira Robertson and Susan Kirkcaldy and her children Linda and Robert. There are a few more couch to 5k graduates who were unable to attend on Saturday and they will be tackling the St Andrews course in future weeks.

Photos to be added here

 

Lochore Meadows Sprint Triathlon

On Sunday Gordon Christie and Dan Haran took part in the Lochore Meadows sprint triathlon which comprised a 750m swim across the loch followed by a 20km bike ride and finishing with a 5km run.

Abernethy Hill Race

Chris Russell followed up his good run on Friday with a second place finish at the Abernethy Hill Race on Sunday afternoon, where he was once again joined by Annie Gibson.

Race results:

• Chris Russell – 2nd and 1st male 16:28
• Annie Gibson – 35th 28:22

Upcoming Events

• Jog Cowdenbeath Black Rock Charity Run for MND – Monday 11 June 7pm
• Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June

Further ahead:

• Ravenscraig Park Mile – Wednesday 20 June
• Midsummer Nightmare – Friday 22 June
• West Highland Way Race – Saturday 23 June
• Benarty Gala – Sunday 24 June
• Sandy Slither – Wednesday 27 June
• Balbirnie Duathlon – Thursday 28 June
• Chacefield Trail Race – Thursday 28 June
• Trail Busters Series Race 1 – Sunday 1 July
• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 6 July
• Crieff 10k – Sunday 8 July
• Tour of Fife – Wednesday 11 July to Sunday 15 July
• Donkey Brae Run – Sunday 29 July
• Trail Busters Series Race 2 – Sunday 5 August
• New Gilston 5k – Sunday 12 August
• Trail Busters Series Race 3 – Sunday 2 September
• Scottish Long Coastal Relays – Saturday 6 October

Cover photo – Couch to 5k practice at Ravenscraig Park

Beveridge Park 5k

Race results:

• Matthew Miller – 42nd 23:58

Alloa Half Marathon

There was another large turnout of Leven Las Vegas Running Club members on Sunday morning at the Alloa Half Marathon. The race had been postponed from its original date in March due to snow and ice but on this occasion the participants were greeted by warm sunny weather for the event. The race route starts in Alloa and heads out to Tillicoultry for a long straight section along the Hillfoots road in the shadow of the Ochil Hills to Menstrie before turning back to Alloa for the finish.

Among the 1600 runners taking part were 16 from LLV. First of the club to finish was Kevin Hughes who was a few seconds ahead of clubmate Iain Wallace with both runners crossing the line in around 90 minutes. Further finishers were Robin Pate, Bryan McLaren, James Scott, Gordon Christie, Douglas Clews, Stewart English, Grant Stevenson, Karen Richards, Annie Gibson, Lynda English, Davie Hogg, Bex Oakenfull, Tracey Millar and Lorna Hughes,

Special mentions go to Karen Richards who was taking part in her first ever half marathon and Stewart English who also ran the Edinburgh half marathon the previous week and used both events to raise a substantial sum on behalf of Levenmouth Foodbank.

Race results:

• Kevin Hughes – 91st 1:30:13
• Iain Wallace – 97th 1:30:23
• Robin Pate – 149th 1:33:58
• Bryan Mclaren – 212nd 1:37:23
• James Scott – 262nd 1:39:30
• Gordon Christie – 532nd 1:49:36
• Douglas Clews – 954th 2:02:45
• Stewart English – 984th 02:03:45
• Grant Stevenson – 1141st 2:10:09
• Karen Richards – 1263rd 2:15:34
• Annie Gibson – 1294th 2:16:50
• Lynda English – 1388th 2:23:31
• Davie Hogg – 1389th 2:24:02
• Bex Oakenfull – 1498th 2:32:58
• Tracey Millar – 1533rd 2:40:31
• Lorna Hughes – 1624th 3:17:57

Chariots of Fire Beach Race

Another mass participation running event also took place on Sunday when the iconic Chariots of Fire beach race saw around 600 participants racing across the West Sands in St Andrews. Representing Leven Las Vegas were Mark and Paula McLean, Jemma Guild and Colin Aitken. It was a tremendous effort by Colin in particular as he is one of LLV’s current Couch to 5k trainees and he was able to demonstrate what can be achieved by application and determination.

Race results:

• Paula McLean – 256th 19:07
• Mark McLean – 257th 19:07
• Jemma Guild – 346th 20:53
• Colin Aitken – 529th 27:22

 Upcoming Events

• Hill of Tarvit (Fife AC Midweek Series) – Wednesday 6 June
• Couch to 5k parkrun at Craigtoun Park – Saturday 9 June
• Errol 10k (rescheduled date) – Sunday 10 June

Further ahead:

• Jog Cowdenbeath Black Rock Charity Run for MND – Monday 11 June 7pm
• Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June
• Ravenscraig Park Mile – Wednesday 20 June
• Midsummer Nightmare – Friday 22 June
• West Highland Way Race – Saturday 23 June
• Benarty Gala – Sunday 24 June
• Sandy Slither – Wednesday 27 June
• Balbirnie Duathlon – Thursday 28 June
• Chacefield Trail Race – Thursday 28 June
• Trail Busters Series Race 1 – Sunday 1 July
• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 6 July
• Crieff 10k – Sunday 8 July
• Tour of Fife – Wednesday 11 July to Sunday 15 July
• Donkey Brae Run – Sunday 29 July
• Trail Busters Series Race 2 – Sunday 5 August
• New Gilston 5k – Sunday 12 August
• Trail Busters Series Race 3 – Sunday 2 September
• Scottish Long Coastal Relays – Saturday 6 October

Cover photo – LLVs Couch to 5k group on a Sunday morning training run on the coastal path above Earlsferry beach

Tuesday night training and Couch to 5k

Jog leader Bex took the main group to East Links at the golf courses for a pyramid drill where they were joined by jog leader Ross and the Couch to 5k group.

Chacefield Trail Race

In midweek at Chacefield Wood near Denny in Stirlingshire, Chris Russell and Annie Gibson returned for the second event in a three-race series of trail runs. Chris had already been victorious in the first event last month and prevailed again on this occasion to maintain his lead in the series.

Race results:

• Chris Russell – 1st
• Annie Gibson

Black Rock 5

On Friday evening over 1000 runners descended on the town of Kinghorn for one of Fife’s most iconic races, the Black Rock 5. Starting in the middle of the town, the runners head towards Kinghorn harbour where they descend onto the beach at low tide and traverse the sands in the direction of Burntisland, their destination being the Black Rock which lies approximately one mile offshore. Runners circle around the rock through shallow water and return to the finish in Kinghorn for a well deserved prize of a bottle of beer.

This year there was a large turnout of 24 Leven Las Vegas members at the event. First LLV to get back to the finishing line was Bryan McLaren who achieved an excellent position in the top 50 in a highly competitive field. Bryan was followed by clubmates Alan Davie, Iain Wallace, Kevin Hughes, Robin Pate, James Scott, Matthew Miller, Willie Goodfellow, Jim Dunstan, Douglas Clews, Jeff Taylor, Davie Hogg, Karen Richards, Donna Rodger, Gayle Moran, Sarah Ives, Susan Kerr, Bex Oakenfull, Claire Doak, Lynsay Bell, Dawn Watson, Kelly Nicolson, Josephine Lenachan and Lorna Hughes.

Race results:

• Bryan McLaren – 43rd 28:09
• Alan Davie – 61st 28:43
• Iain Wallace – 90th 29:33
• Kevin Hughes – 128th 30:34
• Robin Pate – 136th 30:45
• James Scott – 175th 31:45
• Matthew Miller – 193rd 32:04
• Willie Goodfellow – 278th 33:54
• Jim Dunstan – 443rd 36:51
• Douglas Clews – 513rd 38:05
• Jeff Taylor – 567th 38:55
• Davie Hogg – 688th 41:18
• Karen Richards – 821st 44:39
• Donna Rodger – 823rd 44:43
• Gayle Moran – 835th 45:00
• Sarah Ives – 844th 45:09
• Susan Kerr – 876th 46:01
• Bex Oakenfull – 880th 46:10
• Claire Doak – 924th 47:14
• Lynsay Bell – 1017th 50:55
• Dawn Watson  – 1018th 50:56
• Kelly Nicolson – 1065th 53:20
• Josephine Lenachan – 1086th 56:29
• Lorna Hughes – 1094th 59:55

Edinburgh Marathon Festival

The Edinburgh Marathon Festival took place in glorious weather at the weekend, with thousands of runners taking part in events ranging from 5km to the full marathon distance. Leven Las Vegas Running Club was represented in the marathon by Mark McLean, Alan Davie and Anna-Marie Dalziell, with Mark and Alan both posting personal best times for the distance. Participating in the half-marathon were LLV’s Stewart English, Teresa Guild, Heather Keddie, Lorraine Davie and Tracey Millar, with Teresa also achieving a new PB for the distance.

Race results (Marathon):

• Mark McLean – 532nd 3:16:37 PB
• Alan Davie – 581st 3:18:16 PB
• Anna-Marie Dalziell – 7619 6:31:18

Race results (Half-marathon):

• Stewart English – 4032 1:56:22
• Teresa Guild – 4060 1:56:29
• Heather Keddie – 4172 1:57:07
• Lorraine Davie – 6727 2:10:05
• Tracey Millar – 8660 2:24:04

Dunblane 12k

Race results:

• Vhairi Walker – 329th 1:20:48
• Angela Small – 330th 1:20:48

Upcoming Events

• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 1 June
• Alloa Half Marathon (rescheduled date) – Sunday 3 June
• Chariots of Fire Beach Race – Sunday 3 June

Further ahead:

• Errol 10k (rescheduled date) – Sunday 10 June
• Jog Cowdenbeath Black Rock Charity Run for MND – Monday 11 June 7pm
• Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June
• Midsummer Nightmare – Friday 22 June
• West Highland Way Race – Saturday 23 June
• Benarty Gala – Sunday 24 June
• Sandy Slither – Wednesday 27 June
• Balbirnie Duathlon – Thursday 28 June
• Chacefield Trail Race – Thursday 28 June
• Trail Busters Series Race 1 – Sunday 1 July
• Crieff 10k – Sunday 8 July
• Tour of Fife – Wednesday 11 July to Sunday 15 July
• Donkey Brae Run – Sunday 29 July
• Trail Busters Series Race 2 – Sunday 5 August
• New Gilston 5k – Sunday 12 August
• Trail Busters Series Race 3 – Sunday 2 September
• Scottish Long Coastal Relays – Saturday 6 October

Cover photo – club members training on Leven beach

Tuesday night training and Couch to 5k

Jog leader Ross took the main group onto Leven beach for a session on the sand while jog leader Allen led the Couch to 5k group on a 25 minute continuous jog.

Chilly Willy Trail Race

Race results:

• Chris Russell – 1st 24:03
• Annie Gibson – 45th 38:42
• Vhairi Walker – 53rd 42:17
• Angela Small – 54th 42:18
• Josephine Lenachan – 58th and 1st F55 51:07
• Lorna Hughes – 59th 52:41

Kinnoull Hill Race

Race results:

• Chris Russell – 7th and 2nd MV 27:24
• Annie Gibson –

Parkruns

Robin Pate PB at Edinburgh

Angela Wood and Annie Gibson PBs at Kirkcaldy

Upcoming Events

• West Lothian College 5k Road Race – Wednesday 23 May
• Livingston AC Open Graded Track Meeting – Wednesday 23 May
• Ravenscraig Park Mile – Wednesday 23 May
• Chacefield Trail Race – Thursday 24 May
• Black Rock 5 – Friday 25 May
• Edinburgh Marathon Festival – Saturday 26 May and Sunday 27 May

Further ahead:

• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 1 June
• Alloa Half Marathon (rescheduled date) – Sunday 3 June
• Chariots of Fire Beach Race – Sunday 3 June
• Errol 10k (rescheduled date) – Sunday 10 June
• Jog Cowdenbeath Black Rock Charity Run for MND – Monday 11 June 7pm
• Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June
• West Highland Way Race – Saturday 23 June
• Benarty Gala – Sunday 24 June
• Sandy Slither – Wednesday 27 June
• Balbirnie Duathlon – Thursday 28 June
• Chacefield Trail Race – Thursday 28 June
• Trail Busters Series Race 1 – Sunday 1 July
• Crieff 10k – Sunday 8 July
• Tour of Fife – Wednesday 11 July to Sunday 15 July
• Donkey Brae Run – Sunday 29 July
• Trail Busters Series Race 2 – Sunday 5 August
• New Gilston 5k – Sunday 12 August
• Trail Busters Series Race 3 – Sunday 2 September
• Scottish Long Coastal Relays – Saturday 6 October