PH Racing Club ladies picked up the team prize at two local races over the last week, firstly at Kinross Road Runners’ Milnathort Dash and then at the Perth Road Runners-organised Brig Bash. There were also a number of other prizes collected and excellent performances by PH athletes.

At last Thursday’s hilly Milnathort Dash, a race of just over 5 miles, Gayle Lindsay defended her title with a superb run of 31:48 in 10th position overall. She was backed up by V40 winner Kristin Lownie (34:02) and Sarah Paterson (37:12) to win the women’s team prize. Clare Graham completed her run in 44:32.

Winning ladies team – Gayle Lindsay, Kristin Lownie and Sarah Paterson

In the men’s race, Aaron Bennet led the way for PH, finishing 7th in 31:15, just ahead of first V50 Roger Clark in 31:43. Martin Butcher ran a 34:07 ahead of Mark Mackenzie in 37:36 and Robert Milton (46:29).

This week’s Brig Bash 5 mile race in Bridge of Earn was also the 9th counter in the PH Racing Club Championship and there was excellent turn out of members for the event which started in torrential rain. Once again, Gayle Lindsay was in fine form, though missed out on a third straight win in the race, finishing 2nd to Central’s Grace Whelan in 29:26. Kristin Lownie finished 2nd V40 in 31:58 and Julie Menzies took the V50 crown in 32:43 to complete the winning PH trio. Katrina Lindsay (34:20), Sarah Paterson (35:00), Clare Graham (41:12) and Ruth Harvey (42:36) also all picked up Club Championship points for their efforts.

In the men’s race, Daniel Monaghan was first home from the club in 27:15, picking up a maximum 50 points and first dibs at the buffet. Aaron Bennet (28:09) and Peter Gibson (29:12) completed the men’s team who finished 3rd behind the two Dundee clubs. Stuart Meiklejohn finished just off the V40 podium in 30:34, while fast improving Nathan Duncan (31:20) produced a great finish to overtake Mark McLean (31:23) and Scott Love (31:50) in the last half mile. McLean did have the consolation of finishing 3rd V50. Mark Mackenzie was racing again and finished in 34:40, ahead of Derek Cosgrove (36:13), Ed Norton (36:35) and Robert Milton (41:47).

Well done to all and thanks to race organisers Kinross Road Runners and Perth Road Runners who both did a superb job as always of putting on these local races. Thanks also to Gordon Donnachie for the race photos.