On Sunday, a dozen PH athletes took on the penultimate race of our Club Championships, the Giffordtown 5k, organised by Fife AC, which takes place on quiet country roads near Ladybank.
First home for PH, in 15:47, was Luke McNeil, in 6th place overall. This secured him another 50 championship points to give him an unassailable perfect score of 400 for eight counting races. Though a few seconds slower than last month’s time at the Fast ‘n’ Flat 5k, it was the second fastest 5k ever by a PH member. Well done to Luke on winning the title.
Defending champion of the last two years, Aaron Bennet was next to finish in 16:23, followed by Peter Gibson in 16:54. Paul Kieran took the V50 prize with a run of 16:58, ahead of Stuart Meiklejohn with 17:32. Kristin Lownie came close to her personal best with an excellent time of 18:25 to collect the 2nd female prize. Kristin had already finished as the leading PH female in eight counting races to win another Club Championship title, also with a perfect score of 400.
Scott Love timed at 19:19, ahead of Michael Lindsay’s 19:34. John Crookston was 2nd V60 in 20:02 and Ed Norton took home the V70 prize for his performance of 21:06. Ivor McIvor was 2nd V70 in 23:56 and Ross Bennet completed his race in 26:35.
Elsewhere, at the Braveheart 10k, part of the new William Wallace Running Festival in Stirling, PH’s own Braveheart Andrew Wright took first place in 32:55, though he said the course unfortunately seemed to be a little short. Hopefully this can be measured properly and made official before next year’s event. Mark Ryan also made a 10k podium at the Strathcarron 10k, run in aid of Strathcarron Hospice, where he came 3rd in 35:41.
At the undulating Loch Rannoch Half Marathon, Iain and Gillian Wallace both won their age categories. Iain was 1st V50 in 1:32:48, while Gillian was 1st V40 in 1:49:33. The Dalmeny Trail Half Marathon also took place, with Derek Cosgrove the top performer for PH in 1:42:22. Dave Morton finished in 1:54:32 over a difficult course which included climbing some stairs as he continues with his aim of completing all the Blast Running events this year.
Well done to all and thanks to the various race organisers. Thank you also to Pete Bracegirdle for the excellent race photos from Giffordtown and Greggtakesphotos for those from the Braveheart 10k.
PH Racing Club 