Dentdale

Last Saturday 15 members of Dumfries Running Club travelled to the Yorkshire Dales national park for the 14.1mile Dentdale race which has been a popular yet very challenging event. 

This marked the second event in the 2017 DRC grand prix series. With over 400 taking part this year the Dentdale race has more than its fair share of tough climbs in its uneven terrain and it is perfect for anyone who is training for early season marathons. The post race tea and sandwiches along with a welcome pint of the local Dent beer are a definite bonus too. This year a shorter 7.9 mile event was introduced and with over 200 in that, the early stages of both races were rather congested as runners made their way through the narrow and steep country roads.

First club runner back who gained maximum points was Kevin McCaig who was 44^th overall in 97.19 with Allan Manson in 104.44. Slightly down on previous years, Stephen Mohan was next in 111.41, three minutes ahead of Mike Jardine with Anne Macfarlane a further minute adrift. Female club captain Sue Jeffrey was pleased with her run in 118.01 as was Neil Moffat who was two minutes behind and Mark Hall gained encouragement for future marathon performances in 122mins.Fiona Jardine returned to form in 2 hours 17 mins, narrowly in front of Andy Dickson and Sheila Graham and Laura Broatch was delighted to complete her longest ever club race.

In the shorter event, Sandy Shankland and Les Hill ran disciplined races as they have both missed training time recently due to injury and each was very pleased to finish injury free in 61.34 and 62.17 respectively. Sean McGleenan also ran a careful race, seven days after his half marathon in Paris and was pleased to finish in 74.37. Many thanks are due to Callum from Houston's coaches who took the party to and from the event in comfort.