Last week there was a big turnout of PH athletes at the Graham Clark Memorial Race, organised by our neighbours Carnegie Harriers at Knockhill Race Track. Once again, this event was included in our Club Championship so there were points up for grabs as well as prizes.
Gayle Lindsay had an excellent run to finish as first female overall in 23:01, and pick up another 50 points in our Club Champs. Kristin Lownie was third female in 24:07, with Julie Menzies coming in as top V50 in 24:51. Clare Graham and Laurent Bennet were the other female members taking part, timing at 30:18 and 31:25 respectively.
In the men’s race there was a close battle between three PH athletes, with Luke McNeil coming out on top in sixth place overall in a time of 20:32 to also win 50 Club Champs points. In-form Peter Gibson ended up hot on his heels, finishing 7th and only three seconds behind, and Andrew Wright collecting the V50 prize for his run of 20:46 in 8th, also beating all V40s.
Mark McLean crossed the line in 24:01 and Andrew McQueen wasn’t too far behind in 24:51. Iain Wallace was racing for the first time in a while and can be pleased with his run of 25 mins dead, ahead of Mark Webster’s 25:19. John Crookston was one of the top V60s, coming in at 25:45. Malcolm Hammond continued his good form, winning the V70 category for the fourth consecutive year with 27:33. Twenty seconds behind him was Mark Mackenzie, and Ross Bennet, who is also on the comeback trail, finished his race in 33:10.
Then on Saturday, Barry Smith took on the Killin 10k and finished 3rd overall in an excellent time of 35:58. He was joined by Gayle Lindsay who managed her second race win of the week in a time of 40:03! On Sunday, Judy Turner won the V50 prize at the Devilla Forest Trail Half Marathon, completing her race in 1:53:13.
There have been lots of other good performances by PH members over the month, starting with Luke McNeil’s runner up spot and retained first local prize, at the Donkey Brae 7 Mile where he finished in 39:02. At the Lomonds of Fife Hill Race Andy Jannetta was 7th overall and 1st V40, in 2:50:34, with Willie Rennie running 3:08:27. The same weekend Paul McNellis debuted his PH vest at the Paisley 10k and had a good run of 37:35 on a hot day.
At the Scottish 10k in East Lothian, new member Martin McKeag put in a good time of 40:04 which we believe is a personal best. Then at the later half marathon, run in calm conditions for a change, Mark McLean was top man for PH in 1:24:38, ahead of Marc Preece (1:26:51) and Jordy Hutt (1:27:56).
Well done to all and apologies to anyone missed. Apologies also for the deterioration in motor racing based puns – we have used all the good ones reporting on the Graham Clark Race over the last 10 years. Thanks to Steve Adam and Fiona Rennie for the Knockhill photos and to Aberdour Festival for the Donkey Brae presentation one.
PH Racing Club 