Flat’n’Fast 7
The twice yearly Linlithgow Flat‘n’Fast series has become an important opportunity for those chasing a PB over the short 5km distance and it latest staging on Saturday 19 September saw over 350 runners tackle a set of lunchtime seeded races over 5 laps of the West Lothian Cycle Circuit.
It was Alastair Marshall at the front for the club as he carved round the tightly curved course to take fourth place as he set a personal best of 14:30 and scrabbled into the club top 10. Lewis McComb was a bit down on his best but still placed well in 15:33. In Race 2, Euan Docherty set another consistent time on this course of 15:57 with Josh Wood close behind him setting a season’s best of 15:59. A little further back. Sam Burton had his first road race at this distance and clocked 16:34 with Andrew Irvine chasing him home in 17:07. In Race 3, Connor Bell clocked a rapid 16:37 and Findlay Smith set a PB of 16:59. Kenny Hislop was the final club member out and set a mark of 20:02. Full results at https://protay.co.uk/flatnfast7/results.php#0_2F3B1C
Suidhe hill races
On Saturday 19 September, the Suidhe hill races took place at Kincraig near Aviemore. The seniors, Under 18s and Under 16s tackled a 5.6km route with 370m of climb, crossing the A9, fortunately with an underpass, to the top of An Suidhe and back. Ella Hunter won the Under 16 Girls category comfortably in 32:03, and indeed was the first Woman home. Sean Morrison, who in his defence is certainly old enough to be Ella’s dad, finished a bit later in 36:15. The Under 14s and Under 12s ran a shorter 3km route up the first part of the hill and back, with Under 14s Annie Arnott (15:51) and Jack Morrison (18:11) being closely pursued by Under 12 Annabel Morrison (19:22).
Senior race results at https://www.facebook.com/ScottishJuniorHillRunning/posts/pfbid028ZEAFgFqjYm5SoY1kJ4arSZXEX2wQMYt7cDTNquboMi8rY4fepM8oExYqU4nu1eCl
Junior race results at https://www.facebook.com/ScottishJuniorHillRunning/posts/pfbid0BP3VvuFwifXBSEEAxj63T7frzAsQSWdGz9u2hTPHrCqB8Wx9ZLZq8onm9NWPkhn6l
The races were the final round of the Scottish Athletics junior hill running league for this year and Ella’s win on the day underlined her great performances in the league and gave her the crown in the Under 16 Girls competition. In the Under 14 Girls, Annie Arnott was edged out to second.
Maggie’s 10k Chase
The Maggie’s 10k Chase on Sunday 20 September is a fundraising event over the trails near the hospital at Larbert, with a community rather than a racing vibe. Chris Watson took on the (approximate) 10k course as part of his preparations for the Amsterdam marathon next month at a very smooth 4 minutes per km pace.
Edinburgh Women’s 10k
On Sunday 20 September the Edinburgh Women’s 10k followed its scenic route from Princes Street to Murrayfield Stadium and it was Jill Scott, who has seen more of the business end of Murrayfield than most people, who did the club proud in 57:02. Full results at https://www.womens10k.co.uk/results?age_category=any&event=1072&gender=any&rs=452