The Retired Runner

Cover photo – pirate capers at the final Nightmare race of the current series

Tuesday night training

Jog leader Allen took a group of 50 to the Energy Park in Methil for a set of variable speed drills. For an added bonus Ross organised a highly competitive relay race to end the session.

Nightmare Series Race #7 Shell Bay Skullduggery

The seventh and final Nightmare series race of 2017-18 took place at Shell Bay. There was a pirate theme for the event. The course covered woods, trail, beach and tarmac before finishing at Elie Holiday Park. Proceeds of over £1200 from the series go to Kinghorn RNLI and Fife Society for the Blind.

Race results:

• Chris – 1st 18:10
• Bryan – 5th 20:20
• Matt – 9th 20:49
• John – 13th 22:29
• Terry – 16th 23:20
• Gordon – 17th 23:25
• Dan – 21st 24:50
• Annie – 24th 28:20
• Jeff – 30th 34:41

Chris was the overall winner of the series, Bryan was 4th overall and Annie was 4th female and the leading FV50.

Parkruns

At Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy there were PBs for Matthew Miller, Jemma Guild, Lesley Turnbull and Jenni Johnstone, while at Craigtoun Park St Andrews Dawn Watson and Lynsay Bell improved on their previous best times.

Chilly Willy Trail Race

The latest Chilly Willy trail race organised by PB Timing was held on woodland paths and trails in and around Coul Den and Formonthills Community Woodland, Glenrothes. Chris Russell and Annie Gibson were representing Leven Las Vegas.

Race results:

• Chris – 4th and 1st M45 25:49
• Annie – 43rd and 2nd F55 41:09

Upcoming Events

Next Tuesday is the final week of the current training block so members will get the chance to compete for the coveted Caley Cup in the regular end-of-block pursuit race. Ian has sent the following special message about the evening …

The Caley Cup Pursuit Race, March 27th.
It’s been noted that the standard of dress in previous events has fallen well below what is considered acceptable so, for the run on March 27th, anybody turning up dressed as Elvis, a Pixy, Darth Vader, any super-hero or as an octopus (or equivalent) will be subject to an ON THE SPOT FINE of £2.
And just to balance things up, anybody wearing suitable athletic-type clothing will also be subject to the same £2 fine. It’s only fair.

The Tay Ten road race organised by Perth Road Runners is on Sunday morning. Among the 350 names on the start list are LLV members Jemma Guild, Kevin Hughes, Sara Ives, Susan Kerr, Bryan McLaren, Bex Oakenfull, Karen Britten, Lynne Hughes and Karen Richards.

On Easter weekend between Friday morning and Sunday afternoon Willie Rennie of Carnegie Harriers and MSP for North East Fife is running the whole 117 miles of the Fife Coastal Path to raise money for the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). Willie is hoping that as many local runners as possible can join in on his epic run and run along sections of the route with him.

Willie will be running three sections of the coastal path on Friday and Sunday and two on Saturday. He will be passing through Leven on Saturday morning. His schedule is as follows:

Donations to the charity can be made online at Willie’s page on JustGiving.com.

Further ahead:

• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 6 April
• Round the Houses 10k – Sunday 8 April
• St Andrews 5k (Fife AC Midweek Series) – Wednesday 11 April
• FTR Lost Trails Race – Sunday 15 April
• Angus Half Marathon – Sunday 15 April
• Livingston AC Open Graded Track Meeting – Wednesday 18 April
• Run Balmoral – Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 April
• London Marathon – Sunday 22 April
• Ravenscraig Park mile – Wednesday 25 April
• Highland Fling – Saturday 28 April
• Stirling Scottish Marathon and 5k – Sunday 29 April
• Scottish 5k Championships, Silverknowes – Friday 4 May
• Strathkinness to Blebocraigs (Fife AC Midweek Series) – Wednesday 9 May
• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 11 May
• Loch Leven Half Marathon – Saturday 12 May
• Smokies 10 – Sunday 13 May
• Black Rock 5 – Friday 25 May
• FTR Dirty Weekend – Friday 1 June to Sunday 3 June
• Allow Half Marathon (rescheduled date) – Sunday 3 June
• Chariots of Fire Beach Race – Sunday 3 June
• Errol 10k (rescheduled date) – Sunday 10 June
• Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June
• West Highland Way Race – Saturday 23 June
• Sandy Slither – Wednesday 27 June
• Balbirnie Duathlon – Thursday 28 June
• Trail Busters Series Race 1 – Sunday 1 July
• Donkey Brae Run – Sunday 29 July
• Trail Busters Series Race 2 – Sunday 5 August
• Trail Busters Series Race 3 – Sunday 2 September

Cover photo – the harsh winter weather continues to disrupt running events!

Tuesday night training

Jog leader Bex took the group along to Scoonie Golf Course area in Leven for a pyramids drill. Great to see a large turnout and lots of effort from all involved.

Weekend event roundup

On a bloody freezing Saturday morning amid snow blizzards only a few hardy LLV members attended parkruns. Full marks to Robin Pate who overcame the Arctic conditions and managed to set a new PB at the North Inch in Perth.

The Alloa Half Marathon on Sunday morning was set to be a fantastic LLV day out with 25 members on the start list of over 3000. However the weather intervened and the event was cancelled with a new date hopefully to be announced.

The Errol 10k on Sunday afternoon also fell foul of the weather.

Two LLV members did manage to get a competitive run on Sunday morning, although they had to go abroad to do so.

Ruth Cruickshank travelled to Utrecht in the Netherlands to take part in the city’s half marathon. Ruth posted a time of 2h23m.

And Carole Mowbray jetted off to Tenerife to run in the Fuentealta Vilaflor Trail Marathon on the slopes of Pico del Teide. Carole finished as first vet female and third female overall, a fantastic achievement.

Upcoming Events

This Wednesday evening sees the final event in the 2017-18 Nightmare Series, with overall placings and age category places up for grabs. The venue is Shell Bay near Elie.

On Sunday is the Chilly Willy Trail Race hosted by PB Timing at Pitcairn in Glenrothes.

Further ahead:

• John Muir Ultra – Saturday 31 March
• Tay Ten – Sunday 1 April
• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 6 April
• Round the Houses 10k – Sunday 8 April
• St Andrews 5k (Fife AC Midweek Series) – Wednesday 11 April
• FTR Lost Trails Race – Sunday 15 April
• Angus Half Marathon – Sunday 15 April
• Livingston AC Open Graded Track Meeting – Wednesday 18 April
• Run Balmoral – Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 April
• London Marathon – Sunday 22 April
• Ravenscraig Park 2 mile race – Wednesday 25 April
• Highland Fling – Saturday 28 April
• Stirling Scottish Marathon and 5k – Sunday 29 April
• Scottish 5k Championships, Silverknowes – Friday 4 May
• Strathkinness to Blebocraigs (Fife AC Midweek Series) – Wednesday 9 May
• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 11 May
• Loch Leven Half Marathon – Saturday 12 May
• Smokies 10 – Sunday 13 May
• Black Rock 5 – Friday 25 May
• FTR Dirty Weekend – Friday 1 June to Sunday 3 June
• Chariots of Fire Beach Race – Sunday 3 June
• Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June
• West Highland Way Race – Saturday 23 June
• Balbirnie Duathlon – Thursday 28 June
• Trail Busters Series Race 1 – Sunday 1 July
• Trail Busters Series Race 2 – Sunday 5 August
• Trail Busters Series Race 3 – Sunday 2 September

Cover photo – Ian presents a donation cheque to Angela and Alison of the Bloodwise charity

Tuesday night training

Jog leader this week was Tricia who took the group to Harbour View adjacent to Stuarts bakery for a series of pursuit drills.

Each training block Leven Las Vegas Running Club members donate 50% of their training fees to a selected charity. Last week the club were visited by Angela MacDonald and Alison Hutchison from the charity Bloodwise which helps fund
research into blood cancer treatment. The ladies gave the group an insight into the
work of the charity and were delighted to accept a cheque for £400 from Ian Shield  (see cover photo).

Nightmare Series Race #6 “Motocross Madness”

The latest race in the Nightmare Series organised by Chris “Prince of Darkness” Russell was held on the motocross track at Milton Farm near Leuchars. This is one of the shortest events in the series at around 2.5 miles but also one of the most challenging with steep ascents and descents, hairpin bends and strength-sapping deep mud.

Race results:

• Chris – 1st 18:50
• Terry – 14th and 3rd MV50 24:50
• Annie – 22nd and 1st FV50 32:10
• Claire – 24th 34:18

Chris retains 1st place in the series with one event to come on Wednesday 21 March.

Parkruns

At Craigtoun Park in St Andrews, Bryan McLaren set an excellent new PB of exactly 18 minutes.

At Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy there were PBs for Matthew Miller, Donna Rodger and Gayle Moran.

Inverness Half Marathon

Run on a flat fast course, the half marathon starts on the riverside at Bught Park and follows the River Ness into Inverness before crossing Ness Bridge in the city centre and passing beneath Inverness Castle. The route then continues through more residential and rural areas before turning back towards the city, once more crossing the Ness bridge and running alongside River Ness to the finish on the running track at Inverness Sports Centre.

This year there was a field of just over 2000 participants, including David Reynolds of Leven Las Vegas. David had an excellent run, completing the 13.1 miles in 1:47:56 which was a new personal best for the distance.

Also running was Willie Goodfellow, formerly of LLV and now representing Moray Road Runners. Willie finished the race in a fantastic personal best time of 1:42:13.

Gartmorn 6

There was no-one wearing LLV colours in this race but Chris Russell and Annie Gibson were taking part as members of Falkland Trail Runners in one of the FTR championship events.

Race results:

• Chris – 2nd and 1st MV40 37:12
• Annie – 151st 59:55

Upcoming Events

Alloa Half Marathon – among the 3000+ runners on the start list at this event on Sunday 18 March are the following LLV members

• Robin Pate
• Tracey Millar
• Gillian Easton
• Louise Morris
• Jemma Guild
• Karen Richards
• Douglas Clews
• Lynda English
• Bex Oakenfull
• Matthew Miller
• Iain Wallace
• Teresa Guild
• Stewart English
• Claire Doak
• Terry Cullen
• Bryan McLaren
• Gordon Christie
• Davie Hogg
• Jeff Taylor
• Mark McLean
• Susan Kerr
• Alan Davie
• Kerrie Donald
• Tracey Mayes
• Karen Capewell

If anyone else should be on the list for Alloa please let Allen know.

Chris and Annie are taking part in the Errol 10k.

Further ahead:

• Nightmare Series Race #7 – Wednesday 21 March
• Chilly Willy Trail Race – Sunday 25 March
• John Muir Ultra – Saturday 31 March
• Tay Ten – Sunday 1 April
• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 6 April
• Round the Houses 10k – Sunday 8 April
• FTR Lost Trails Race – Sunday 15 April
• Angus Half Marathon – Sunday 15 April
• St Andrews 5k (Fife AC Midweek Series) – Wednesday 18 April
• Livingston AC Open Graded Track Meeting – Wednesday 18 April
• Run Balmoral – Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 April
• Ravenscraig Park 2 mile race – Wednesday 25 April
• Highland Fling – Saturday 28 April
• Stirling Scottish Marathon and 5k – Sunday 29 April
• Scottish 5k Championships, Silverknowes – Friday 4 May
• Loch Leven Half Marathon – Saturday 12 May
• Smokies 10 – Sunday 13 May
• Black Rock 5 – Friday 25 May
• FTR Dirty Weekend – Friday 1 June to Sunday 3 June
• Chariots of Fire Beach Race – Sunday 3 June
• Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June
• Balbirnie Duathlon – Thursday 28 June
• Trail Busters Series Race 1 – Sunday 1 July
• Trail Busters Series Race 2 – Sunday 5 August
• Trail Busters Series Race 3 – Sunday 2 September

The weather intervened in what was set to be a busy weekend of running for Leven Las Vegas Running Club members. Due to several days of freezing temperatures and heavy snow, Tuesday night training was cancelled, the Friday evening Nightmare race was postponed, the Cupar 5 was cancelled and the Smokies 10 was postponed. All the Fife parkruns at St Andrews, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline were cancelled.

The only LLV member to manage a timed run was Willie Goodfellow who was at Elgin parkrun.

The Nightmare race at the motocross track at Milton Farm near Leuchars will now take place on Friday 9 March.

The ladies-only Smokies 10 has been postponed until Sunday 13 May.

Upcoming Events

As mentioned above, on Friday at 7:30pm the postponed Nightmare Series Race #6 “The Nightmare Madness of ‘king Motocross” will go ahead at Milton Farm near Leuchars.

Sunday is the popular Inverness Half Marathon where David Reynolds will be running.

Further ahead:

• Alloa Half Marathon – Sunday 18 March
• Nightmare Series Race #7 – Wednesday 21 March
• Chilly Willy Trail Race – Sunday 25 March
• Tay Ten – Sunday 1 April
• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 6 April
• Round the Houses 10k – Sunday 8 April
• FTR Lost Trails Race – Sunday 15 April
• St Andrews 5k (Fife AC Midweek Series) – Wednesday 18 April
• Livingston AC Open Graded Track Meeting – Wednesday 18 April
• Run Balmoral – Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 April
• Ravenscraig Park 2 mile race – Wednesday 25 April
• Stirling Scottish Marathon and 5k – Sunday 29 April
• Scottish 5k Championships, Silverknowes – Friday 4 May
• Loch Leven Half Marathon – Saturday 12 May
• Smokies 10 – Sunday 13 May
• Black Rock 5 – Friday 25 May
• FTR Dirty Weekend – Friday 1 June to Sunday 3 June
• Chariots of Fire Beach Race – Sunday 3 June
• Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June
• Balbirnie Duathlon – Thursday 28 June
• Skull Mountain Summer Series Race 1 – Sunday 8 July
• Skull Mountain Summer Series Race 2 – Sunday 5 August
• Skull Mountain Summer Series Race 3 – Sunday 2 September

 

Cover photo – Leven Las Vegas coaches with Couch to 5k joggers from the 2017 course ready for their first ever 5km run at Craigtoun Park in St Andrews

 

Update Saturday 24 March

Leven Las Vegas Running Club (LLV) have had a tremendous response from the Levenmouth community to their upcoming Couch to 5k jogging course for beginners and the course is now full, with a waiting list for any cancellations. 

LLV are sorry if this causes disappointment for anyone who was hoping to join the course. However, there is a similar course starting on Wednesday 11 April in Falkland which may be of interest. The course is organised by Get Fit Falkland – further details are available at www.getfitfalkland.org.uk.

Anster All-sorts who are based at Waid Sports Centre in Anstruther are also starting a Couch to 5k course on Tuesday 17 April. The All-sorts can be contacted for more details via their Facebook page.

 

Leven Las Vegas Running Club are launching a new Couch to 5k jogging course for beginners in the first week of April 2018. This follows on from the club’s very successful course in the autumn of 2017 which saw around 40 previously inactive people take up the healthy pursuit with most going on to accomplish the objective of running 5km at the end of a 10 week training period.

Based on the NHS Couch to 5k plan, the course is used all over the UK to help improve activity levels. All you need to be able to do get started is walk for 5 minutes and jog for one minute. And it’s not just for those who want to take up jogging or running – it’s suitable as a starter for any other physical activity.

This will be an ideal opportunity for those who take little or no exercise at the moment to experience the physical and psychological benefits of jogging, to improve basic fitness and to increase self-confidence.

Organised by and done under the auspices of jogscotland and the Leven Las Vegas group, participants will have the help, support and encouragement of trained Jog Leaders.

Here are some testimonials from previous participants:

“I was blown away with the C25k course”

“I loved the C25k from start to finish”

“The support we got from Leven Las Vegas was brilliant”

“The training and support was amazing”

“The C25k course has certainly built my confidence”

“C25k is great for fitness and the socialising aspect is great too”

“It makes you realise how much you can do and how far you can push yourself”

The course runs for 10 weeks starting on Tuesday 3 April 2018. Total cost of the course is £10 per person and places are limited. Youngsters aged 11-16 can attend the course at no charge providing they are accompanied by an adult who is responsible for them.

For more information contact jogleven@gmail.com or visit Leven Las Vegas Running Club at Leven Leisure Centre on Tuesdays between 6.15 and 6.30 pm.

Some of the Leven Las Vegas Couch to 5k graduates with their certificates and medals

Cover photo – Jim, Wendy, Dawn, Lynsay, Chris, Jenni and Barry at Balbirnie Park

Tuesday Night Training

Jog leader Allen took another large group to the Energy Park in Methil for a set of interval speed drills.

Parkruns

At Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy there were PBs for Donna Rodger, Douglas Clews and Lesley Turnbull.

At the North Inch in Perth, Sarah Ives set a new personal best.

Skull Mountain Winter Challenge Race 3

There were perfect conditions and bright sunshine at Balbirnie Park in Markinch for the third and final race in the series. The organisers PB Timing had nevertheless set out a tough course with a couple of testing uphill sections and the customary stream crossing. Five LLV had attended the first two races in the series – Chris Russell, Jim Dunstan, Lynsay Bell, Dawn Watson and Jenni Johnston – and they were joined for the final race by Barry West.

Chris finished second on the day and that was good enough to claim first place overall in the series.

Race results:

• Chris – 2nd and 1st M45 28:28
• Jim – 32nd and 2nd M50 37:09
• Annie (representing FTR on the day) – 85th and 3rd F55 45:57
• Lynsay – 122nd 53:34
• Dawn – 123rd 53:36
• Jenni – 130th 59:04
• Barry – 131st 59:04

Upcoming Events

There is a busy weekend coming up with events on Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

On Friday at 7:30pm it’s Nightmare Series Race #6 “The Nightmare Madness of ‘king Motocross” at Milton Farm near Leuchars.

On the same evening a couple of miles away at 6:30pm the Tentsmuir Torchlit Trail Run hosted by Run4It Dundee is being held.

On Saturday afternoon at 2pm is the Cupar 5 mile race organised by Fife AC where Kevin Hughes and Iain Wallace will be representing LLV.

And on Sunday at 11am there is the ladies-only Smokies 10 mile event. On the start list for Leven Las Vegas are Tracey Millar, Teresa Guild, Karen Richards, Gillian Easton, Claire Doak, Bex Oakenfull, Jemma Guild, Lynsay Bell, Dawn Watson, Susan Kerr, Lou Brook, Jenni Johnstone, Lorna Hughes and Lorraine Davie.

Further ahead:

• Inverness Half Marathon – Sunday 11 March
• Alloa Half Marathon – Sunday 18 March
• Tay Ten – Sunday 1 April
• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 6 April
• Round the Houses 10k – Sunday 8 April
• FTR Lost Trails Race – Sunday 15 April
• St Andrews 5k (Fife AC Midweek Series) – Wednesday 18 April
• Livingston AC Open Graded Track Meeting – Wednesday 18 April
• Run Balmoral – Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 April
• Ravenscraig Park 2 mile race – Wednesday 25 April
• Stirling Scottish Marathon and 5k – Sunday 29 April
• Scottish 5k Championships, Silverknowes – Friday 4 May
• Loch Leven Half Marathon – Saturday 12 May
• Black Rock 5 – Friday 25 May
• FTR Dirty Weekend – Friday 1 June to Sunday 3 June
• Chariots of Fire Beach Race – Sunday 3 June
• Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June
• Balbirnie Duathlon – Thursday 28 June

Dates for the Skull Mountain Summer Series have been announced and entries will open on EntryCentral.com in the near future.

• Race 1 – Sunday 8th July
• Race 2 – Sunday 5th August
  
• Race 3 – Sunday 2nd September

Cover photo – Team LLV at Devilla Forest

Tuesday Night Training

This week jog leader Ross took the group on a tour of the hills in Lower Methil.

Parkruns

At the Saturday morning parkruns, Kenna Orkney and Lesley Turnbull set new personal bests at Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy.

Matthew Holden was an international parkrun tourist at Claisebrook Cove parkrun which is run along the bank of the Swan River in Perth, Australia.

Devilla 15k

This is a hugely popular annual event hosted by Carnegie Harriers, with well over 500 runners making a circuit of Devilla Forest in west Fife, starting and finishing in the grounds of Tulliallan Police College near Kincardine. The route skirts around three lochs and goes through a variety of sheltered woodland and open ground. Ground conditions vary from hard-packed forest trails to very boggy knee-deep mud.

A team of 10 from Leven Las Vegas Running Club completed the course. First LLV to finish in 13^th position overall was Chris Russell who also picked up an age category prize. Chris was closely followed by Bryan McLaren and Iain Wallace who both finished well within the top 50. The first LLV lady runner to complete the course was the ever-improving Gillian Easton. Also taking part from the Leven club were Robin Pate, Douglas Clews, Jemma Guild, Teresa Guild, Bex Oakenfull and Karen Richards.

Tricia Wallace was unable to finish the 15k due to injury and Allen Marr had to withdraw from the 5k also due to injury.

Some images below of the LLV ladies and gentlemen in action at Devilla Forest (photos by Pete Bracegirdle, Steve Adam and Fiona Rennie)

Race results:

• Chris – 13th and 2nd V40 01:00:30
• Bryan – 33rd 01:04:08
• Iain – 44th 01:05:32
• Robin – 115th 01:12:04
• Gillian – 180th 01:17:14
• Douglas – 287th 01:24:43
• Jemma – 405th 01:34:44
• Teresa – 435th 01:39:15
• Bex – 468th 01:44:12
• Karen – 482nd 01:46:02

Kinloss to Lossiemouth Half Marathon

Willie Goodfellow took part in the Kinloss to Lossiemouth half marathon, which is run along flat country roads near the shores of the Moray Firth. In perfect conditions Willie finished the race in 01:44:00, a new personal best time for the half marathon distance.

Upcoming Events

Next weekend is the final the race in the Skull Mountain Winter Challenge series. Chris is in contention to finish first overall, with Lynsey, Dawn, Jenni and Jim also running.

Further ahead:

• Nightmare Series Race #6 – Friday 2 March
• Tentsmuir Torchlit Trail Run – Friday 2 March
• Cupar 5 – Saturday 3 March
• Smokies 10 mile (Ladies Only) – Sunday 4 March
• Inverness Half Marathon – Sunday 11 March
• Alloa Half Marathon – Sunday 18 March
• Tay Ten – Sunday 1 April
• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 6 April
• Round the Houses 10k – Sunday 8 April
• FTR Lost Trails Race – Sunday 15 April
• St Andrews 5k (Fife AC Midweek Series) – Wednesday 18 April
• Livingston AC Open Graded Track Meeting – Wednesday 18 April
• Run Balmoral – Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 April
• Ravenscraig Park 2 mile race – Wednesday 25 April
• Stirling Scottish Marathon and 5k – Sunday 29 April
• Scottish 5k Championships, Silverknowes – Friday 4 May
• Loch Leven Half Marathon – Saturday 12 May
• Black Rock 5 – Friday 25 May
• FTR Dirty Weekend – Friday 1 June to Sunday 3 June
• Chariots of Fire Beach Race – Sunday 3 June
• Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June
• Balbirnie Duathlon – Thursday 28 June

 

Cover photo – a spectacular image of the runners in the Carnethy 5 hill race (photo by Carnethy Hill Running Club)

Tuesday Night Training

Jog leader Tricia took the group to the Energy Park in Methil for a testing series of paarlauf and fartlek drills.

Nightmare Series Race 5 – Volcano Vengeance

The venue for the latest race in the Nightmare Series was the Volcano of Beath near Kelty.

There was a fiery theme for the event.

Race results:

• Chris Russell – 1st 24:40
• Bryan McLaren – 3rd 26:34
• James Scott – 9th 28:14
• Matthew Miller – 17th 32:39
• Terry Cullen – 18th 32:56
• Douglas Clews – 23rd 34:40
• Tam Cullen – 26th 37:25
• Annie Gibson – 33rd 39:40
• Bex Oakenfull – 34th 39:50
• Claire Doak – 37th 41:52

Chris and Bryan retain 1st and 2nd places in the race series.

Parkruns

This weekend Kirkcaldy parkrun held their 3rd anniversary event. Nearly 250 runners turned out for the occasion, including a large contingent of 24 LLV members. In excellent running conditions there were new personal best times for Mark McLean, Kevin Hughes, Allen Marr, Karen Richards, Jenni Johnstone, Nicole Kelly and Kirsty Barclay. Mark dipped under the 20 minute mark for the first time at Beveridge Park and Kevin knocked more than half a minute off his previous best.

Carnethy 5 Hill Race

The Carnethy 5 Hill Race is steeped in Scottish history. It was inaugurated in the 1970s to commemorate the Battle of Roslin which took place between the Scots and English in February 1302. The ‘5’ in the race title is not the distance but the number of summits climbed during the race – Scald Law (1899′), South Black Hill (1840′), East Kip (1750′), West Kip (1806′), and Carnethy Hill (1890′) – around 2500 feet of ascent in total with the race starting at 900 feet. The race distance is approximately 6 miles.

The lone LLV participant in this year’s race was Iain Wallace who covered the course in 1:19:44.

Upcoming Events

Next Sunday 18 February is the extremely popular Carnegie Harriers Devilla 15k race around the trails of Devilla Forest starting and finishing at the Police College at Tulliallan near Kincardine. This year there is a huge entry list of 680 runners including 10 representing #TeamLLV – Douglas Clews, Gillian Easton, Teresa Guild, Jemma Guild, Bryan McLaren, Bex Oakenfull, Chris Russell, Iain Wallace, Robin Pate and Tricia Wallace.

Allen Marr is taking part in the Devilla 5k race at the same venue and is defending his V60 title from last year’s event.

Further ahead:

• 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
• Tay Ten – Sunday 1 April
• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 6 April
• Round the Houses 10k – Sunday 8 April
• FTR Lost Trails Race – Sunday 15 April
• St Andrews 5k (Fife AC Midweek Series) – Wednesday 18 April
• Ravenscraig Park 2 mile race – Wednesday 25 April
• Stirling Scottish Marathon and 5k – Sunday 29 April
• Scottish 5k Championships, Silverknowes – Friday 4 May
• Loch Leven Half Marathon – Saturday 12 May
• Black Rock 5 – Friday 25 May
• FTR Dirty Weekend – Friday 1 June to Sunday 3 June
• Chariots of Fire Beach Race – Sunday 3 June
• Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June

 

Cover photo – the LLV ladies fill in their registration forms before the Tentsmuir Forest torchlit trail run last Friday evening

Tuesday Night Training

Jog leader Allen took a very large group through a dynamic warmup at the Energy Park in Methil, followed by two sets of pyramid intervals where the members ran for periods of 1m-2m-3m-2m-1m with short recovery between intervals. Finally there was a bonus “lungbuster” set of sprint pursuits.

Parkruns

There was a good turnout of LLV members for Kirkcaldy parkrun this week as it was the first race in the 2018 Morton Running Company Grand Prix.

First LLV to finish was Chris Russell, followed by Robin Pate who took a chunk off his previous PB and is now within striking distance of the 20 minute mark. For the second successive week Susan Kerr improved her PB by a large margin of almost one minute, a tremendous effort. Annie Gibson and Angela Wood were also rewarded for their consistent training with new PBs.

Forfar Multi-Terrain Half Marathon

The Forfar Multi Terrain race is a tough half marathon round the town of Forfar.  The race route contains a varied mixture of running surfaces from country park paths, tarmac, pavement, farm tracks, fields and bogs – and a water section which is knee deep and ice cold!

Taking part for Leven Las Vegas were Alan Davie and Robin Pate.

Race results:

• Alan – 31st 1:35:40
• Robin – 47th 1:41:11

Scottish National Indoor Masters

Allen Marr was representing LLV and PH Racing Club in the V60 age category at the 1500m held on the indoor 200m track at the impressive Emirates Arena in Glasgow. This was set to be a very tough proposition with three other over-60 athletes on the start list, all with better times and rankings than Allen. There was Alastair Dunlop of Kirkintilloch, 2017 European 1500m bronze medallist, Alexander Chisholm of Garscube, 2017 Scottish 1500m gold medallist, and John Hughes of Motherwell with an impressive set of times over a range of distances. Alastair decided not to take part having already won gold in the 800m a couple of hours beforehand so the three Allen, Alex and John would battle it out for the medals.

When the gun went Allen settled in behind the runners in the M50 category who were in the same heat, with Alex tucked in a couple of paces behind and John further back. Positions were maintained for three laps before the pace picked up a little. Allen stuck with the front runners and a gap opened back to Alex and John. With 2 laps to go Allen struck for home completing the final 400m in 76 seconds and beating Alex into 2nd place by 5 seconds with John a further 10 seconds back. Allen’s time for the distance was 5:02.51, a PB by 9 seconds.

The victory made Allen a double gold medallist in the 2018 Masters Indoor season, having won gold in the 3000m in January.

Upcoming Events

The latest in the Nightmare Series – race #5 “Volcano Vengeance” – takes place on Friday 9 February at 7:30pm. The venue is the Volcano of Death Beath outside Kelty.

Kirkcaldy parkrun are having their 3rd birthday celebration on Saturday morning. The rugby clubhouse will be open after the run for tea, coffee and cake,

The popular Carnethy 5 Hill Race is on Saturday afternoon.

Further ahead:

• 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
• Tay Ten – Sunday 1 April
• Beveridge Park 5k – Friday 6 April
• Round the Houses 10k – Sunday 8 April
• FTR Lost Trails Race – Sunday 15 April
• St Andrews 5k (Fife AC Midweek Series) – Wednesday 18 April
• Ravenscraig Park 2 mile race – Wednesday 25 April
• Stirling Scottish Marathon and 5k – Sunday 29 April
• Scottish 5k Championships, Silverknowes – Friday 4 May
• Loch Leven Half Marathon – Saturday 12 May
• Black Rock 5 – Friday 25 May
• FTR Dirty Weekend – Friday 1 June to Sunday 3 June
• Chariots of Fire Beach Race – Sunday 3 June
• Glenrothes 10k – Sunday 17 June