If you are under 35 on Sunday 30th January do not read on, this is a veterans only race. We are now seeking names for Dumfries running club to enter men's and women's teams in this event.
The race is being held at Strathclyde Park Motherwell starting at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday 30th January. We will be able to enter as many teams as we want and it is not just the fast runners that take part in this race, all are welcome and encouraged. Men's teams consist of 4 runners and ladies teams consist of 3 runners. The loop that each runner has to do is 3.8 miles.
The entry fee for this team event is paid for by the running club. Transport will be organised nearer the time. New for 2011 there is a separate Mens +50 team category so lets see if we can enter a few teams to challenge in this category. The closing date for entries is Saturday 22nd January therefore you need to let either Paul Hart or Jo Zakrzewski know if you want to run in this enjoyable event by Wednesday 19th January latest.
Let's hope we can build on the success of last year when we had a number of teams who enjoyed this event.

Following the nominations process and review by the awards sub-committee Dumfries Running Club are delighted to announce the leading 3 contenders for the 2010 season awards.

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The Dumfries Running Club Championship for 2011 will held at the Carlisle Tri 10K on Wednesday 1st June. The race starts at 7:15p.m.

The 2011 cross country championship will be the West District cross country championships in December, 2011 - date tbc.

Details of the hill race championship to be advised at a later date.

The Dumfries Running Club Grand Prix races for 2011 have been selected. They are as follows:

• 12th March - Dentdale (14mls). We are planning to organise a bus to this race - further details to follow.
• 10th April - Tom Scott (10mls). Strathclyde Park.
• 10th May - Holywood Stroll (5mls). Dumfries.
• 4th June tbc - Stranraer 1/2 marathon.
• 12th July - Moffat Hill Race.
• 26th July - Castle Douglas (5mls).
• 4th Sep - Blackwood Trail Race (10K). Auldgirth.
• 19th November - Brampton to Carlisle (10mls)
• 5K race - tbc
• Marathon - Best marathon time in 2011 (any race)

As a reminder, you must complete any 4 of these races in 2011.

It may be necessary to pre-enter some of these races and it is recommended that you check entry details in advance.

On Sunday January 23rd Dumfries Running Club member Vicky Hart undertook the long journey south to take part in Gloucester 50K. The race was being used by English Athletics as the qualifier for the home-nations championship 100k race, the Anglo-Celtic Plate to be held in Perth in March so Vicky found herself lined up at the start alongside some of the top ultra-runners in the country.

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Thanks to Marcus Scotney for this information - anyone thinking of training runs in Mabie forest in the next 4 months please be aware that there are some major diversions in place..take a look at this link.

www.7stanes.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-8C8DSJ 4

News has come through that, in addition to Marian McPhail, a second runner also completed all the grand prix races in 2010. Congratulations to Alan Baxter for achieving this - unfortunately his Cumbrian result had been missed. This also gives Alan one extra point resulting in a tie with Kevin Conchar on 117 points. (1) Steven Smith - 120 points (2) Kevin Conchar - 117 points (3) Alan Baxter - 117 points

Scrutinising the results shows that, on count back, Kevin still pips Alan for second place but it was very close!

Updated 2010 grand prix results are available here.

A reminder that your votes are being sought for club awards for the 2010 season.
The following awards will be made for the 2010 season:

(1) Best performance male*
(2) Best performance female*
(3) Most improved runner
(4) Best team result
(5) Contribution to the club *

Can be based on a single performance or a series of performances. The club committee are seeking votes from all club members for who you would consider the persons most deserving for each of these awards. In order to help you with your votes a 'suggestions list' has been compiled of potential club members you may wish to consider voting for in each category. The 'suggestions list' has been emailed to all members. You are now invited to vote for one person in each category. Unfortunately you cannot vote for yourself! Please vote by replying to the email sent giving your names for these 5 awards. The closing date for nominations is Friday 21st January.

The heavy snowfall on Friday night could have dampened spirits for the International Cross Country races at Holyrood Park on Saturday January 8th, but everybody rose to the challenge. The Elite women's 5.7K race was also the inter district championships and DRC's Jo Zakrzewski was selected to toe the line as part of a 12 strong team representing the West district.

Jo was apprehensive to race over such a short distance with some of Scotland's best young track runners, but the course and the ankle deep snow played to her strengths. The race consisted of a short lap with 2 sharp uphills and 2 obstacles of haybales to be dealt with and then 3 longer laps in which the short lap was lengthened to include a very steep climb up Haggis Knowe (this was a new steeper route as the old path had become eroded - indeed, all of the races on the day seemed to be won and lost on the hill). She started steadily, not being drawn into a sprint with the Kenyans (Linet Masai winning the race in 20:24) and surprised herself by gradually working her way up the field to finish in 30th place in a time of 23:42 as the 4th counter of 6 in a victorious West team

The first of the new format 5K handicap races was held on Thursday 6th January at the Crichton.

On a very cold night, the first finisher claiming the maximum 50 points available was Susan Gallagher who had a great run in 23:10. Fastest on the night was Paul Hart in 18:24.

The results are available here.

As a reminder this new 5K format replaces the old winter and summer handicap series. It is hoped that the shorter 5K format will attract more club members to take part. Disappointingly, only 11 members took part in this first race. Your club needs your support to turn out for these handicap races for them to continue to happen!

The Handicap Grand Prix results for 2010 have now been compiled. These were based on awarding points for how well each runner did compared to there expected handicap time in the following races during 2010:
Holywood Stroll, Castle Douglas, Dumfries 10K, Christmas handicap race.

The final results are available here.

The top 3 places for 2010 were:
1. Mhairi Duff - 69 points
2. Kevin Conchar - 68 points
3. Liz Smart - 68 points

The running club has received the photograph below of Craig training in his Dumfries club kit in South Africa. It looks like he is just about to start his speed training!

(Click the photo to enlarge.)

All caption competition entries gratefully received!!!!

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR THE ANNUAL DINNER DANCE!

Following the very positive feedback from last years event, the dinner dance will again take place at Dumfries Rugby Club, Park Farm on Friday 4th February, 2011. Arrive 7pm for 7:30pm start including 3 course meal, tea/coffee, presentation of club prizes and awards, and live music by KGB band until 1a.m.. There is also a free drink on arrival at the door and free raffle. Tickets only £20 per person available from Stephen Mohan at Nunholm on club nights.

A reminder that your votes are being sought for club awards for the 2010 season. The following awards will be made for the 2010 season:

(1) Best performance male*
(2) Best performance female*
(3) Most improved runner
(4) Best team result
(5) Contribution to the club

*Can be based on a single performance or a series of performances. The club committee are seeking votes from all club members for who you would consider the persons most deserving for each of these awards. In order to help you with your votes a 'suggestions list' has been compiled of potential club members you may wish to consider voting for in each category. The 'suggestions list' has been emailed to all members. You are now invited to vote for one person in each category. Unfortunately you cannot vote for yourself! Please vote by replying to the email sent giving your names for these 5 awards.
The closing date for nominations is Friday 21st January.

Following their excellent seasons in 2010 congratulations to Mhairi and Jo who have been selected to represent the West District team in the Scottish Inter District Cross County Championships due to take place in Edinburgh on Saturday 8th January. Unfortunately Mhairi has been forced to turn down this selection due to illness which has effected her training in recent weeks. This means Jo will be running against the Nations best and also the World's best in the BUPA Great Edinburgh International Cross Country (inc Inter District Championships) on a 5.7Km course with the race televised on BBC1.

Good luck from all at Dumfries Running Club Jo!

The three Dumfries Running Club places in the 2011 London marathon have been given to Doug Brown, Dawn McDonald and Bob Quin.

The running club wishes them every success to achieve their goals in the race taking place in Apr

A reminder to all club members that the new 5K Handicap Series starts this Thursday. Meet at the Crichton for a 19:00 start. This 5K handicap race will be held on the first Thursday of every month in 2011 and replaces the previous 4 mile winter and summer handicap series. The Handicap Series winner will be the runner with the most points from 5 races out of the 12 that will take place during 2011.

On Sunday January 2nd, 4 members of Dumfries Running Club decided to venture south to run off the excesses of Richard's New Year's Day lunch, finding themselves among the crowd on the start line of the Central Lancashire 1/2 marathon

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