News
Congratulations to Isobel Burnett who followed up her recent Festive Forest Run victory by placing 1st lady in 49.56 at the Law Breaker Hill Race from Tillicoultry. Nine Harriers took part in the race which is organised by Carnegie's Andrew Wright with a further six members assisting at the event.
Due to the snow and cold weather a decision was made to operate the low level route which featured a 3.3 mile course with 565m of climbing which was ran over three laps.
Richie Cunningham was the leading Carnegie athlete placing 13th overall in a strong field of runners. Richie timed at 38.36 and was followed in 19th position by Sandy Bennet who timed at 40.40. Alan Manson had a strong run finishing 27th in 42.09 while Steven King was 34th in 43.56. Paul Hutton covered the icy course in 47.47 (39th). Tom Bowie was 43rd in 39.30 and Stephen Greer was 55th in 53.32. There were 68 finishers.
A race report from Andrew Wright can be found below;
68 runners braved the snowy journey to Tillicoultry unsure if they were going to be ascending The Law or if a low level alternative was going to be utilised. As it was the latter option was exercised on safety grounds due to high winds and freezing blizzard conditions further up the hill. However, that didn’t prevent a tough and challenging course of approximately 2km and 185m ascent per lap, utilising the climb running right parallel to the Tillicoultry Mill Glen to the base of The Law proper, before descending the many icy steps and paths of the Glen itself. Three laps were the order of the day.
As with last year the race at the front featured several key names with 2008 winner Robbie Simpson (Deeside) determined to retain his crown. It was not to be. A resurgent Prasad Prasad (Clydesdale Harriers), after a year plagued with injury, looked stronger on each circuit, eventually crossing the line in 32.18. Next in was Robbie, 59 seconds down in 33.17, just ahead of the typically fast descending Brian Marshall (HELP) in 33.22.
The females race proved to be a closer affair this year with top finisher being Isobel Burnett (Carnegie Harriers) in 49.56, holding off Beryl Junnier (Wee County Harriers) who descended with trepidation each lap crossing the line in 51.08. Third spot was taken shortly afterwards in 51.17 by Sandy Brindley (Bellahouston Road Runners) who just pipped Maggie Spalding (Hunters Bog Trotters) in a sprint for the finish.
In the other categories Munro bagging legend Steve Fallon (Carnethy Hill Runners) took the 1st Male Vet honours and 10th overall in 38.15, while Bob Johnson (Carnethy Hill Runners) ran 39.13 to take top Male Super Vet and 15th overall. The 1st Female Vet was visiting American Patricia Pahlman (Unattached) in 71.50.
The team prize went to Carnethy Hill Runners (Jon Ashcroft, Steve Fallon & Bruce Smith) with 20 points.
A big thanks again to race sponsors Sweatshop Edinburgh, the Tryst Brewery in Larbert, and also Tommy Lawrence Fitness, as well as the assistance provided by Carnegie Harriers and others who helped with the kitchen, timekeeping and marshalling duties. Normal service next year weather permitting!
The Boxing Day Edinburgh parkrun 5k proved quite a challenge for the 77 festive runners with the entire course covered in snow and ice. Despite the challenging and rather slippy underfoot conditions, six Harriers took part with club members Mark Johnstone and Malcolm Smith assisting with the race organisation.
Iain Taylor was the leading Harrier covering the 3.1 mile course in 18.33, placing 3rd overall and 1st M40. New member Andrew Smith made his club debut finishing 4th in 19.01 and Alan Cockburn timed at 20.18 placing 13th.
Robert Milton completed his 8th parkrun in 21.17 (19th), Paul Arnott clocked 22.19 (26th) and Alison West reached the finish in 31.59 (68th).
A selection of photo's from the event can be found HERE.
Well done to all sixty two club members who completed a very challenging race on Saturday morning around an icy and snow covered Festive Forest Run course at Blairadam near Kelty.
The cold weather didn't appear to affect the runners with a steady tempo being set from the gun. As the race progressed, Andy Symonds and Andrew Wright broke away from the chasing pack followed up the relentless climbs by former Forest Run winners Tommy Lawrence and Ian Stewart. In the ladies race, Isobel Burnett was forcing the pace with 2008 race winner Gail Murdoch and ultra running specialist Pauline Walker close behind.
Andy Symonds upped the tempo over the last few miles reaching the finish in an impressive 40 mins 40 secs to win his first Festive Forest Run title. 2008 race winner Andrew Wright put in a strong performance placing 2nd overall in 40.58 while Tommy Lawrence finished a stride ahead of Ian Stewart to claim 3rd place in 43.20 with Ian clocking 43.21 (4th and 1st M50).
Lewis Lawson was the leading M40 finishing 5th overall in 43.53 with Iain Taylor placing 6th (2nd M40) in 45.22 and Mike Harvey, 7th (3rd M40) in 46.09. Peter Simpson enjoyed a strong run placing 8th and 2nd M50 in 46.25, Steven King was 9th in 47.04 and Roger Clark completed the top ten finishers timing at 47.28. Bill Duff had a superb run winning the M60 award and placing 24th overall in 55.06.
Congratulations to Isobel Burnett who on her Forest Run debut won the ladies race in 54.17. Gail Murdoch ran well finishing 2nd lady in 56.02 and Pauline Walker covered the seven mile route in 56.54 placing 3rd lady. Helena Sim in 4th position (57.06) won the F40 award, Linda James was 5th lady in 58.50 and Grace McKenzie in her forst Forest Run was the 6th lady (59.13). Race organiser Morna Fleming finished 7th lady (1.03.48) and 1st F50 while Annette Bunyan placed 8th lady in 1.04.44.
Many thanks to everyone who assisted with the race organisation and to Sue Walker for providing the hot punch which was much appreciated after the race especially on such a cold morning.
There was an excellent turnout of Carnegie members at the 9th edition of the Edinburgh parkrun 5k which took place on a cold morning from Cramond. Other than the cold weather, the conditions were near perfect with no wind or ice for the field of 144 runners to contend with.
Iain Taylor contesting his 8th parkrun was the leading Harrier setting a parkrun PB of 16.53 placing 11th overall. Mike Harvey on his second visit to the popular event ran 17.05 (13th) while Dennis Howett on his parkrun debut finished strongly in 17.26 in 14th position.
Ian Johnston improved his parkrun best to 18.04 placing 18th and Willie Hargreaves removed ten seconds from his previous outing clocking 18.10 (20th) while Alan Cockburn nipped under the 19 minute barrier timing at 18.51 (28th). Alan Manson improved his parkun time to 19.09 finishing 32nd, Robert Milton recorded 19.58 (41st) while Paul Arnott ran strongly covering the 3.1 mile course in a personal best of 20.29 (44th).
Ian McKinnell contested his first parkrun finishing 45th overall in 20.31 and Tom Spry was 47th in 20.38. Tommy Lawlor clocked 20.49 (52nd) on his 1st run at this event and Catriona McCracken was one of the leading ladies timing at 21.12 (57th).
Mick Cowie lowered his parkrun time to 21.51, Ken Daniels was the leading M70 in a new event best of 22.44 (72nd), Alison West lowered her parkun time to 22.47 (73rd) and John Milton clocked 24.40 (86th). Mhairi MacKechnie timed at 25.13 (89th) and John McArthur crossed the finishing line in 25.33 placing 94th.
Well done to all 19 Harriers who took part this morning and to Kieran Morgan and Malcolm Smith who assisted with the evnt organisation.
There was a superb turnout of club members at our annual Awards Evening which were held at the King Malcolm Hotel on Sunday evening. The awards for our Road and Hill Running Grand Prix were presented to the respective winners along with the presentation of the club's Special Awards.
The Marathon Award was presented to Scott Bradley who has enjoyed a tremendous year of marathon and ultra running including winning the 95 mile West Highland Way Race. Congratulations to Allan Brannigan who received the Best Newcomer Award. Allan joined the club earlier this year and as well as maintaining a steady improvement throughout he has represented our club over 20 times in a variety of events. The Most Improved Male award was presented to John Fulham who has recorded personal bests at distances from one mile through to the marathon this season.
Well done to Lynne Bennet who receives the Most Improved Female runner award in recognition to her overall improvement on the road and hills where she has set many new bests throughout the year. The Most Improved Hill Runner award was presented to Peter Simpson who has been outstanding on the Scottish Hills in 2009.
Congratulations to all our award winners and thanks to everyone who came along to the Awards Evening.
Congratulations to our men's team who won Gold medals by placing 1st Masters (aged 35 and over) team at Saturday's East District Cross Country Championships in Livingston. Carnegie's winning team featured Andrew Wright who finished 29th overall and 2nd M35 in 35.08, Tommy Lawrence who was 42nd overall and 5th M35 in 35.56 and Ian Stewart who was 43rd and leading M50 in 35.59. This superb result completes an excellent year for our men who also won the Scottish Veteran Harriers Road Relay and Scottish National Cross Country Relay Masters titles earlier this year.
Carnegie fielded 25 men and 11 ladies in the senior events at the East District Championships which were held in Livingston and Sandy MacDonald represented our club in the Under 13 boys race where he placed 38th in 15.44.
The senior men's race involves three laps of a soft underfoot course over grassland and woodland trails. Andy Symonds enjoyed a very strong run placing 9th overall in the field of 231 athletes covering the six mile course in 33.36. Andy was then followed home by Andrew Wright (29th in 35.08), Tommy Lawrence (42nd in 35.56), Ian Stewart (43rd in 35.59), Lewis Lawson (57th in 37.10) and Allan Fotheringham (61st in 37.15) and our men's senior team with six to count finished 5th overall with 241 points.
Fabienne Thompson was our leading lady covering her two laps (4 miles) in 28.16 placing 32nd overall. Isobel Burnett's excellent form continued as she finished 28th and 2nd F50 in 28.30. Kirsty Baird clocked 29.21 (51st) and Gail Murdoch was 59th in 30.12 and our Carnegie ladies placed 7th team overall.
Well done to everyone who took part and all the results have now been posted along with the Cross Country Grand Prix being updated.
The 8th Edinburgh parkrun 5k was contested on Saturday morning with five Carnegie runners taking part. Bill Duff was the leading Harrier covering the out and back course in 20.54 placing 21st overall and 1st M60. This was Bill's fastest parkrun to date and his first sub 21 minute clocking.
Mick Cowie on his parkrun debut timed at 21.57 (29th) and Alison West finished 5th lady in 22.53. Ken Daniels was the leading M70 in 23.14 (46th overall) and John McArthur was 76th in 26.12.
The 9th Edinburgh parkrun takes place at 9.30am on Saturday 12th December. Full event information can be found HERE.
Carnegie's Scott Bradley rounded of his excellent year of racing by placing 5th at last Sunday's Lanzarote Marathon in an impressive 2.42.00. In 2009, Scott has produced two sub 2.40.00 marathon times in Paris (2.38.00) and Edinburgh (2.36.55) along with placing 9th (2.44.08) at the Sydney Marathon in Australia. In his two ultra marathons in 2009, Scott was the winner of the 95 mile West Highland Way in 16.11.56 and finished 2nd at the 53 mile Highland Fling Race in 7.33.42.
Our club's Annual Awards Evening takes place at 7.30pm this Sunday evening (6th December 2009) within the Dunkeld Suite at the King Malcolm Hotel, Dunfermline. The presentation of prizes for our Road Running Grand Prix and Hill Running Grand Prix will be made along with the marathon award, best newcomer, most improved male, most improved female and most improved hill runner.
A draw will also be made for our final club place for the 2010 Virgin London Marathon which takes place on Sunday 25th April.
A good turnout of members is expected and after the presentation everyone is invited to come along for a liquid refreshment in the adjoining Canmore Vaults bar.