The fifth running of the PH Racing Club Tilli 10k took place yesterday on the fifth anniversary of 2018’s inaugural race with an excellent line up once again, and also good weather, unlike last year’s blizzard conditions.
With none of the previous male winners entered, there was certain to be a different name on the new trophy. Two previous winners of the female race were running and Morag Millar of Central AC in particular may have been looking to add a second title.
The race is largely flat, along the Devon Way from Tillicoultry to Dollar and back, with a 1km loop at the Dollar end to avoid a dead turn. Once again there was excellent depth to the race with 39 runners under 35 minutes and 138 breaking the 40 minute barrier, of whom 23 were female. We also had our largest number of finishers yet, with 593 runners completing the race.
The eventual winner of the men’s race was Robbie Ferguson of Kilbarchan AAC in a swift 30:36, though someway outside Jamie Crowe’s course record from 2019. Not far behind in 30:45 was Loch Ness Marathon champion, Moray Pryde of Lothian Running Club, who had held the halfway lead. The top three was completed by Central AC’s Calum Phillip, who ran 30:55 to get on the podium for the first time at this race.
In the women’s race, Ginie Barrand of Metro Aberdeen took the win in 33:27, almost two minutes clear of 2021 champion, and previous course record holder, Millar, who ran 35:14. Barrand’s chip time of 33:24 will stand as the new women’s course record. In third place was last year’s runner up, Jennifer Wetton, also of Central AC, in a much faster time this year of 35:36.
Fastest of the PH contingent was Paul Kieran who timed at 34:55 and picked up 3rd prize in a highly competitive M45 category. Close behind was club champion Aaron Bennet, who ran 35:13. Next home for the host club was Gayle Lindsay in a fantastic 37:31 to finish 6th female overall in the race. Her chip time of 37:27 also knocked a couple of seconds off the club’s female 10k record. Twin sister Katrina Lindsay also had an excellent run of 39:15 to finish inside the top 20. Other prize winners for the club were Ian Stewart (M65) and Ed Norton (M70) who picked up 2nd prizes in their age categories, running 39:43 and 43:05 respectively.
In the junior race the winners were Sam Rice (Kilmarnock) in 33:26 and Isla Paterson (Gala Harriers) in 37:32. In the V40s, the men’s winner was Martyn Glancy (Cumbernauld AAC) in 35:02 while Nicola Gauld (Metro Aberdeen) took the ladies title in 40:09. The top three in the M45 category were all faster than all the M40s with Iain Reid (Cambuslang) coming out on top in 33:29. Katrine Kelly (Troon Tortoises) also beat all the F40s to win the F45 category in 38:55.
Michael Fullarton (Edinburgh AC) was our M50 champion, with a run of 35:42 and HBT’s Megan Wright won the F50 category in 42:43. Again, the older category was even faster, with Steve Cairns, also of HBT, winning the M55 prize in 34:43. Claire Gilchrist (Ferranti AAC) took the F55 title in 42:43. 2018 female race winner Fiona Matheson (Falkirk Victoria) beat everyone in two categories below her, winning the F60 prize in 38:59, though couldn’t quite catch husband and clubmate Grant who took 3rd M60 behind Cambuslang pair Dave Thom and winner Chris Upson, who timed at 36:21.
Colin Feechan (Cambuslang) took home the top prize in the M65s after a run of 37:45 and Margaret Martin (Fife AC) lifted the F65 one with 50:27. Her husband Tony was not to be outdone, winning the M70s for (at least) the second year in a row in 42:39. Jane Binnie (Wee County Harriers) took the F70 title in 1:01:37 and well done to our oldest two competitors, Ian Cuthbert who won the M75 prize in 57:06 and Robert Young, who once again took the M80 title in a very impressive 46:12.
The team prize went to the Corstorphine AAC team of Donald Macauley (31:43 and 7th overall), Dermot Cummins (32:12) and Julian Barrable (32:25). Fife AC and Central AC were 2nd and 3rd teams respectively. Gerard Taylor and Millie O’Neill, both of Central AC, scooped the 1st Local prizes.
In total, there was over £2000 in prize money awarded so it’s certainly a race worth doing for those at the sharp end, either overall, or within their age category. Full age category results can be found here:
http://results.perfecttimingscotland.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=20065&RId=1097&EId=1&dt=1
Thank you to all the volunteers from the club and their families, and in particular to race director Andrew Wright, without whom the event could not take place. Thanks also to Anne and Elaine from the Devonvale Hall for providing such an excellent venue and for mucking in to help us on the day. Once again we were provided with excellent service by Chris and his staff from Perfect Timing Scotland and our announcer Graham from You Can Sport. Thanks also to Active First Aid Scotland, who supported us for the first time and hopefully put everyone at ease with their presence at each end of the course. Thanks to Williams Bros Brewery for providing the beer for goody bags. Finally, thanks to Gordon Donnachie and Ben Montgomery for coming to take photos and allowing us to reproduce them.
Full race results can be found here:
http://results.perfecttimingscotland.co.uk/Results.aspx?CId=20065&RId=1097
Photos from Gordon Donnachie:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=100063483309588&set=a.863398372452932
Photos from Ben Montgomery:
https://phracingclub.co.uk/2023/12/29/tilli-10k-photos-by-ben-montgomery-2/
PH Racing Club 