It was the busiest week of the year for Linlithgow Athletic Club with its own local 10K and Junior Fun Run taking place on Sunday. Twenty-nine club runners completed the 10K and a vast number of other club members, supporters and friends took part in the massive organisational task which such an event involves. There were however other events over the weekend.
Lothian Schools Cross Country
On Wednesday one of Linlithgow AC’s promising junior runners, Lucas Welsh, took part in West Lothian Schools Cross Country championship and came 3rd.
Dunoon Ultra-Marathon
On Saturday Darren Dick and Bryan Grome ran the Dunoon Ultra-Marathon. Darren Dick finished the 55K course in 6 hours and 18 minutes, Bryan Grome in 6 hours, 38 minutes and 8 seconds, a PB which reduced his previous best by an hour and seven minutes.
Scottish Cross (off road) triathlon
Also on Saturday, Ian Logan was competing in the Scottish Cross (off road) triathlon championships on the Island of Kerrera. The race consisted of a 500m sea swim from the mainland to the island, a 14K mountain bike ride and an 8K hill and trail run. Ian completed the race in 1:27:24 to finish an excellent 7th overall and 2nd Vet (0ver 40). It was a fantastic venue and great race for anyone wanting to try a triathlon.
Chicago Marathon
Neil Anderson ran the Chicago Marathon in 3:51:38, completing, after twelve years of effort, his tally of the six World Marathon Majors (Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo).
Parkrun - Leicester, Edinburgh and Plean
With the 10k pending, it was a quiet week at Parkruns for Linlithgow runners. Richard Wood completed Leicester Victoria in 18:49 (2nd VM45). At Edinburgh William Millar finished in 19:58 and David Maine-Reade in 24:09. Graeme Wilkinson ran Plean in 23:26.
Linlithgow 10k and 2k Funrun
In Sunday’s Junior Funrun, among the 175 entrants, seventeen of Linlithgow Athletic Club’s Youth and Junior runners completed the course. Four of our young runners were in the top ten. Andrew McGill was 2nd, Sam Marshall was 4th, Ruaridh Duncan was 7th and James Hammond was 8th.
Alastair Hay of Central Athletic Club won the twenty-sixth Linlithgow 10K in 31:35, with Colin Reilly of Cambusland AC second in 32:56 and Hamish Wolfe third 33:50. The first male Vet was Malcolm Lang of Lothian AC. Rebecca Burns of Edinburgh AC was first female in 37:01, Hazel MacCormack of Penny Lane Striders was second female and first female Vet in 38:58 and Chloe Cox of Edinburgh AC was third female in 39:32.
John Redding was the first of Linlithgow AC’s twenty-nine runners home in 36:05 and was 10th overall. David McNish finished in 39:57 and Mairi Watt in 40:28 (4th F). Martin Maginnis ran 41:12, Kenny Gray ran 41:23, Paul Anthony ran 41:54, Michael O’Hara ran 42:02 and Lynn McGill ran 42:09 (6th F). Paul Emery finished in 42:12 (PB), Ian Boxall in 42:22, Paul Ward in 43:02, Jude Moir in 43:04, Moore McArtney in 43:34, and Angus Gallie, running his 24th Linlithgow 10K, in 43:37. Lorna Simpson ran 44:39, Alison Malone ran 44:58, Malcolm Hughes ran 45:23, Victoria McCartney ran 45:48, and Jennifer Newton 45:50 (1st VF50). Charlotte Moran finished 46.11, Graeme Wilkinson in 46:51, Susie Porteous in 48:26, Jill Horsburgh in 49:55, Louisa Cockburn in 50:00, Laura Finlay in 50:29, Roddy Simpson in 51:05, Scott Cumming in 51:15, Alison Marshall in 51:18, Graham Chambers in 1:04:20.
It was a huge success for the town and for Linlithgow Athletic Club and the thanks of all competitors go to Graeme Lawson and his army of helpers.