Introduction

The full results of the 2007 Grand Prix are now completed. The series comprises of 7 local races with the best 4 results (best 3 for the women) to count. The men's winner this year was Marcus Scotney, scoring a maximum of 120 points. In second place was Gareth McIntyre with 117 points and in third place was Les Hill on 113 points. Mhairi Douglas won the women's series, again scoring a maximum of 90 points. Dawn McDonald was a close second with 89 points, and Liz Smart and Vicky Little shared third on 85 points. The handicap version of the grand prix was won by Joyce Hamilton, followed by Sebastian Pflanz in second and Vicky Little in third. Full results here.

The Dumfries Running Club annual Festive Five Mile handicap race was held on Sunday 16th December. There were 27 runners of all standards who tackled the five-mile route on a bitterly cold and frosty morning. First to finish was Roz Plant, followed by Jim Grierson in second and a fast finishing Micky Breen in third. Micky's was the fastest performance of the day, an excellent 26.53. Fastest lady was Mhari Douglas in 32.29. Thanks to the time keepers for giving up their Sunday morning to stand in the cold. Full results here.

The latest run in the winter four mile handicap series at the Crichton was held on 6th December. The series leader after three races is Des Park with 67 points, followed by Sandy Shankland and Rab Wilson, both on 63 points. The series results so far are here.

A new venue has been booked for this years club dance. It will be held on Friday 1st February, 2008 at Dumfries Rugby Club. The rugby club has several advantages including full catering facilities, space for 120 people seated for the meal, and plenty of dancing space for the music by the live band KG. Menu details and posters for the dance will be circulated shortly and tickets will be priced at £15 and obtained through Dave McNaught at the clubhouse, from 26th November onwards. Final numbers need to be in by 24th January, 2008. Full details

The Club Championship was held during the Derwentwater Ten on 4/11/07. Congratulations to the our club champions Les Hill, winning for the fourth time, and Mhari Douglas, winning for the fourth consecutive year. Their respective times were 59:44 and 69:26.

The annual 'Festive Five' mile handicap race will be held on Sunday 16th December 2007 at 10.30am, over the Holywood Stroll course, and all club members are invited to attend. Please fill in the list on the club notice board or let Les Hill know that you want to run by 12th December. Full details

As the end of the year approaches, would any club member who wants to claim a certificate regarding the standards scheme complete the form below and return to Les Hill as soon as you have achieved the desired results. You still have until the end of December to achieve it if you have not already done so, but early submissions gratefully received. Details of the awards scheme and claim form are here

A motion to amend Section 4 of Dumfries Running Club’s Constitution has been considered by the committee, and was submitted to the Club Secretary on 30th October 2007. This motion is to amend section 4 of the constitution that relates to “Officers” on the committee. Full details

The committee have agreed that Dumfries Running Club will pay for the printing of the club name on Dumfries RC vests. If you do not already have your club vest with ‘Dumfries Running Club’ printed on it and you would like it done, you can do it by handing your vest to Mhairi Douglas or by taking it direct to Rostrum Sports in Lochmaben - see full details here.

The date of the AGM has been set for Thursday 15th November at 8.15pm. It will be held in Dumfries Sports Club and all members of Dumfries Running Club are encouraged to attend. A small buffet will be provided - Details here.

The 2007 Dumfries Half Marathon was held on Sunday 23rd September, with early blustery weather becoming quite humid. The mens race was won by Alastair Morrison of Garscube Harriers and the ladies race by Toni McIntosh. Dumfries Running Club won both the mens and ladies team prizes. The results and the prizewinners are here.

Congratulations to Les Hill, who celebrated his 50th birthday by running his 50th marathon in the World Masters Athletics (WMA) championships in Riccione, Italy, last Saturday. His performance of 3.01.19 in hot conditions saw him earn a silver medal as the third counter for the GB & NI team in the men's 50-54 category. The other GB counters were Alex Rowe of Lytham St Annes in 2.43.50 and Robert Wilson of Greenock in 2.55.34. Les finished 17th in the men's 50-54 category, and 111th overall in the race. Full report and photos here

The winter handicap series will again be held over the Crichton 4 miles course, normally on the first Thursday of each month, starting 11th October. Some dates may change to fit in with local races. The provisional dates for the winter series are here.

The final race in the summer four mile handicap series was held on 6th September. Vicky Little, who has improved with each race over the summer, was a clear winner of the series on 71 points. In second place was Des Park on 65 points and in third Paul Hart on 63 points. The overall series results so far are here.

There was a great turn out of 21 runners for the Women's Only 5 K fun run over a flat and well-marshalled course on quiet country roads near Holywood village on Monday evening. Vicky Little was the first to finish in a time of 21.13, followed by Ros Plant in 23.26 and Susan Gallagher in 23.38. The aim of the event was to support newer runners and encourage participation in a friendly competition. The results are here.

The latest summer four mile handicap was held on 2nd August. The series leader is still Ann Sloan on 62 points, followed by Vicky Little on 60 points and Paul Hart on 59 points. With just 1 run to go, there are 9 runners who could still win the overall series. The series results so far are here.

There is an update of the record Mike Trant has been keeping a record of all the races that club members do this year. So far Dumfries Running Club members have completed 139 races for a total of 1805 miles. Paul Hart leads the way for completing the most races (13) and the most miles (289.5), along way clear of Les Hill (7races/127.7m) and Mike Trant (7races/124.7m). A summary of races to June is here and the Top10.

Dumfries Running Club are organising a Women Only 5 K Running Race, to be held on Monday 27th August 2007 at 7pm. Meet at Nunholm Sports club, Dumfries, where refreshments and changing will be available. The race is free entry but donation to charity would be appreciated. Runners of all abilities are welcome. Read here for further details.

The July four mile handicap was held on 28th June in torrential rain. A smaller group of runners turned out than normal, with times generally down on June. With large parts of the course under water, wellies would have been useful! Four races have now been completed, with the series leader still Ann Sloan on 62 points, followed by Carolyn Hunter-Rowe and Liz Smart, both on 55 points. A big thank you to Les for standing out in the rain to do the times. The series results so far are here.

The 2007 Club Hill Race Championship was held at Lotus Hill on Thursday 21st June 2007. Despite heavy rain throughout the day, the evening stayed fine and there was a great turnout of 33 runners. Marcus Scotney was the winner in a fast 24:21, beating his winning time from last year. Doug Brown was second, with Norman Neilson in third. Mhari Douglas won the ladies race in 32:20, just ahead of Carolyn Hunter-Rowe. Guest runner Shirley Singh was third. Thanks for everyone who gave the race a go and to Les for the timekeeping. Results

This year's summer barbecue is planned for Saturday 21st July at Heathfield Farm and costs just £5. If you want to go please contact Richard McDougal or any committee member. Details are here

Mike Trant has been keeping a record of all the races that club members do this year (Jan - Dec 2007)) under UKAthletics rules. So far Dumfries Running Club members have completed 104 races for a total of 1281.5 miles. Liz Smart has completed the most races (7) and Paul Hart has raced the most miles (91.2). A summary of races to May is here

Please note that the July four mile handicap will be brought forward one week to Thursday 28th June. With the first 3 races of the summer handicap series now been completed, the current leader is Ann Sloan with 57 points, followed by Donald Anson and Dave Breen, both on 53 points. The series results so far are here.

Doug Brown has just completed the Southern Upland Way in a record time for an unassisted traverse of the route. This meant that Doug had to carry with him everything needed for the run, just obtaining stream water en route. Doug, running east to west, covered the 212 miles in an amazing 4 days, 7 hours and 54 minutes.

Congratulations to Paul Hart, who won the Scottish 100k Championship whilst competing for Scotland in the Self Transcendence 100k at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh. This was Paul's first 100k, and he finished in an impressive 5th place in a time of 8:10:27. Also competing for Scotland was Les Hill, who unfortunately withdrew from the race after 36k due to injury. Dumfries Running Club is very proud to have provided the Scottish 100k champion for 3 successive years! Les Hill and Paul Hart prior to the race

Following the success of last years event, the 2007 Club Hill Race Championship will again be held at Lotus Hill, Beeswing on Thursday 21st June 2007. The course is a 4 mile loop of Lotus Hill, with 800 ft of climbing. By holding the race on a club night at a local venue we hope many club members will attend, with some using it as an introduction to hill running. Full details are here.

The club has two guaranteed entries for the Great North Run. The required qualifying times are sub 85 minutes for men and sub 100 minutes for women, achieved within the last 12 months. Any Dumfries Running Club members interested in claiming one of these places please inform Mhairi Douglas (mhairi.douglas@dumgal.gov.uk or by phone on 01387 264416) by Tuesday 29th May.

The 2007 Hollywood Stroll 5 mile road race was held on Tuesday 15th May. There was a good turnout of 55 runners for this event, who were greeted with ideal running conditions. The mens race was won by Marcus Scotney and the ladies race by Mhari Douglas, both of Dumfries Running Club. Thanks to everyone who helped the race by either competing or marshalling. Full Results and a list of prize winners are here.

With the first 2 races of the summer handicap series completed, the series leader is Mary Cheetham with 40 points. Close behind is Liz Smart on 37 points and Mike Cole on 36 points. The next race is on Thursday 7th June. The series results so far are here.

Former Scottish Olympic athlete Yvonne Murray will be the star attraction at an exclusive running clinic to be held at 7pm on Thursday 10th May. The event will be held on at Bannatynes Gym, Edinburgh Road , Dumfries and is sponsored by Puma UK in conjunction with Knox Sports. There will be 2 clinics on the night, the first for Bannatyne Gym members and the second for Dumfries Running Club members only. Anyone interested in attending this clinic should contact Mhairi Douglas or Margaret Gray at the club. Please read here for full details.

As Thursday 5th April is the start of the Easter weekend holiday the first race in the Summer Handicap has been put back to 12th April.

Les Hill is organising a weekend away running in the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors over the May Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday 5th May to Monday 7th May). There will be a choice of routes, running anything up to a total of 80 miles over the three days. The routes will be of a circular nature each day and should provide for distances starting at around 10 miles. Accommodation needs to be arranged, so if you are interested in this weekend please contact Les by 6th April. Full details of the weekend are here.

Congratulations to Les Hill and Paul Hart, who have been selected to represent Scotland at the Anglo-Celtic Plate 100k, to be held at Heriot Watt, Edinburgh on 20th May. Paul has been in excellent form this winter and this will be his first representative vest. Les is the defending Scottish champion over 100k.

The first race of the 2007 Grand Prix will be the Hollywood Stroll on 15th May. The series comprises of 7 local races with the best 4 results (best 3 for the women) to count. Full details available here.

It has been agreed to hold the club championship over 10 miles this year. There are 2 local races which are supported by the club which could host this championship; the Derwentwater Ten in Keswick on Sunday 4th November, and the Brampton to Carlisle Ten in Carlisle on Saturday 17th November. Please advise Les Hill ( les.hill@dumgal.gov.uk.) or any committee member, by 19th April if you have a preference for one of these events.

The final race of the Winter Handicap series was held on Thursday 1st March. This winters winner is Ann Sloan, with 72 points out of a maximum of 75. Well done Ann! In second place was Donald Anson, just pipping Gill Pearcy on countback. The final results are available here

The Annan River races were the venue for the 2007 Club Cross Country Championships. Marcus Scotney was first home for Dumfries, finishing in second place overall and winning the Dumfries and Galloway Championship. Mhari Douglas won the ladies championship, finishing 3rd in the race and in the Dumfries and Galloway Championship. Other winners on the day were Liz Smart, taking the Female Vets title and the Dumfries men's team of Marcus Scotney, Duncan Scobie and Paul Hart. Dumfries results are available here

Two Dumfries runners made the long journey south to compete in the Draycote Water 35mile race, held on a 5mile circuit of Draycote Water Country Park in Warwickshire. Paul Hart, running in his first road race of this distance, had an outstanding debut, finishing as 5th male in 4:05:58. Les Hill, running with Paul in the early stages of the race, finished steadily in 4:14:19 to claim the 1st MV40 prize.

The 2007 Club Cross Country Championships will again be held at the Annan River Races on Sunday 25th February. The course is a flattish 6k starting around 12 noon. Full details are here or on the Annan website

With 5 races of the winter handicap series completed just the March run remains. The current series leader is Ann Sloan with 70 points out of a possible 75. Joint second on 68 points is Donald Anson and Gill Pearcy. The final race is on Thursday 1st March. The series results so far are here

Three members of Dumfries Running Club participated in the 'That's Lyth', a 24mile trail run/walk around Kendal, organised by the Long Distance Walkers Association. Paul Hart had a strong run to finish in third place in 2 hours 57 minutes, behind race winner Mark Fish of Ambleside in 2 hrs 50 minutes. Les Hill was tenth in 3:15, a couple of minutes faster than last year. Peter Hill, unfortunately struggled with an injury, but did well to finish in 4:20.

The Club presentation night was held at the Nith Hotel in Glencaple. The winter flu bug meant fewer faces than normal, but hopefully everyone who attended enjoyed the food and the music of the 'David Bass Band'. The 2006 Club Championship was held in October within the Cumbrian Run half marathon, with a new name on the men's trophy, Chas Mellor. The ladies champion for the third consecutive year was Mhari Douglas, who also won the Ladies Grand Prix and Cross Country Championship. The Mens Grand Prix winner was Paul Hart and the veterans Grand Prix winner Chas Mellor. The Cross Country Championship was contested at the Annan River Races in February 2006 with Marcus Scotney winning the title. Marcus also won the Hill Race in August, preventing Doug Brown picking up a tenth consecutive win. The ladies Hill Race winner was Phoebe Webster.

Club News 2007