There was another excellent turnout of PH Racing Club athletes in Kinghorn for last Friday’s Black Rock ‘5’, despite the fact all 1200 places for this iconic race sold out in minutes! Actually about 4.3 miles, the race takes competitors along Harbour Road, Pettycur Road and onto the beach. Runners then head out to, and round, the Black Rock before heading back past the start and up the last killer hill, South Overgate.

Ben Hukins in the mix

First finisher for the club, and collecting 50 points in our own Club Championship, was Ben Hukins. Ben’s time of 24:45 placed him 18th overall and 1st V40. Aaron Bennet was next home in 25:54, just ahead of Phil Waring, who was racing for the first time since Málaga Marathon in December, and finished in 26:11.

Phil Waring right at home on a hill

Stuart Green put in another good run of 27:08, ahead of Craig Paterson, 28:43. Scott Love and Ethan McLeod enjoyed a good race, the final hill catching McLeod out and allowing Love to finish a second ahead in 29:37.

Julie Menzies near finish
Stuart Green near finish

In the women’s race, Kristin Lownie was the top performer for PH, finishing 2nd V40 in 29:44, but ultimately being awarded the 1st prize as the leading V40 placed in the top overall three. Julie Menzies picked up another 1st V50 prize for her time of 30:38, and kept herself ahead in the Club Championship.

Dave Morton (33:49), Ivor McIvor (35:45), Murray Thomson (38:22), Clare Graham (38:51), Lauren Bennet (41:56) and Ross Bennet (41:57) also enjoyed their runs on what was a beautiful night on the Fife coast.

Having not raced for almost five months, it wasn’t long before Phil Waring was back in action again, at Sunday morning’s Loch Leven Half Marathon, organised by Kinross Road Runners. Phil was fastest of the PH contingent, finishing 9th overall in 1:19:25. Wright Beveridge followed up last week’s 20 mile race with another race here, timing at 1:26:13. Willie Rennie was next to finish, in 1:29:50, ahead of Mark McLean who posted 1:31:36, just a fortnight after the London Marathon.

Wright Beveridge
Willie Rennie
Mark McLean

Scott McDonald finished in 1:39:41, just ahead of Sarah Paterson who saw the benefits of entering a new age category, winning the 3rd V40 prize, as well as a bronze East District medal. Derek Cosgrove was the final PH finisher and completed his run in 1:42:53 on his return from injury.

Sarah Paterson – East District bronze medal winner

Aaron Bennet also had a quick turnaround as he was back racing on Sunday morning at the first race of this year’s Babcock 10k series, the Shettleston 10k at Glasgow Green. Aaron finished in 56th place in a time of 35:54.

Well done to all and thanks to the various race organisers and photographers. Photos by JJM Photography, Alan Ruiz Photography, Susan Allan and Wright Beveridge.