47th Round the Houses and 8th Jim Dingwall Memorial 10km Road Race
The 47th running of the annual “Round the Houses” and 8th Jim Dingwall Memorial 10km road race took place last Sunday in dry but cold and windy conditions. The event which is widely recognised as one of Scotland’s pre-eminent road races is promoted by Falkirk Victoria Harriers and Falkirk Community Trust, attracted a large entry with athletes from all over Scotland amongst the increased number of over 820 finishers across both the 2km Fun Run and main 10km race. Thanks to major sponsors Life Fit Physiotherapy, Behind The Wall, INEOS, Tesco, Metsa Wood, Run 4 It, Lucozade, McDonald’s and ASDA for their continuing support, and also the local police who ensured the runners could complete the course safely. Amongst the entrants were some of the countries finest 10km runners, people raising money for charity and those tackling their first 10km as well as a large contingent of students representing their university in the Scottish Universities 10km Championships.
With tremendous support from the local police force who superbly handled road closures and busy traffic junctions around Grangemouth the races started at 12 mid day when Provost Pat Reid assisted by local Councillor Joan Paterson set one hundred and twenty runners of all ages on their way in the 2km fun run. The route which is traffic free, as a result of the road closures, follows the final 2km of the 10km race on Inchyra Road and allowed the many spectators to offer great encouragement to the participants throughout their run which finished on the athletics track within Grangemouth Stadium with each participant receiving a medal and refreshments to mark their achievement. Last years winner Sol Sweeney from Strathearn Harriers won in 6min 50sec with Michael Swinton Edinburgh AC 7min 2sec in 2nd place and Josh Abbott Gala Harriers 7min 39sec in 3rd. First female home in 4th place overall with an excellent run was Falkirk Victoria Harriers Jessica Christie, 3rd last year, finishing in a time of 7min 42sec. closely followed by Falkirk Victoria Harriers athletes Scott McIntyre and Kane Elliott.
The buoyant atmosphere continued as Provost Pat Reid started the main 10km and athletes following the lead car supplied by Beancross Mercedes Garage quickly got into their running. A tremendous individual competition quickly unfolded As temperatures remained just above freezing the pace at the front of the race was picking up and with 2km to go Robbie Simpson and Neil Renault were locked together. The Deeside Runners athlete Simpson’s strength in the bitter wind proved decisive as he pulled away to win by 5 seconds in 30min 54secs closely behind in 3rd place and winner of the Scottish Universities 10k Championships was Michael Crawley from University of Edinburgh in a time of 31min 3sec. The leading master athlete (Over 40) returning 2012 masters winner Kerry-Liam Wilson, Ron Hill Cambuslang in a magnificent 5th place overall in a time of 31min 39 secs. Local club, Falkirk Victoria Harriers, were also well represented. The winner of the Dingwall
Quaich presented to the first FVH athlete home will be decided at the next committee meeting. Ben Stevenson finished 14th in a time of 33 min 38secs, closely followed by Barry Paterson in 17th place with a time of 33min 57 secs. Kenny Rankine, a former winner of the old Falkirk Peoples Half Marathon was 3rd in the Masters Over 50 age group finishing in 37min 20sec. Ben Stevenson representing University of Edinburgh finished 1st in the Men’s Team race.
The women’s race was a clearer affair and produced a wonderful run from local Falkirk Victoria Harrier Fiona Matheson finishing in 1st place with another excellent performance recording a fast time of 35 min 34 sec with Lyndsey Morrison Central AC, well beaten in 2nd place with a time of 36min 21sec and Garscube Harriers Lesley Chisholm a close 3rd in 36min 34sec
Falkirk Victoria Harriers just missed out in the Senior Women,s race which was won by Corstorphine Aac.
Top performances from Falkirk Victoria Harriers were Julie Nimo producing a massive personal best in Winning the U17 race in 41min 5sec and Peter Moffett 19th in 34min 42sec with Mike McQuaid finishing 3rd in the Men’s Masters45 race in a time of 35min 24sec closely followed by Gary Smith 35min 30sec 22nd in the Senior race.
The excellent prize list ensured competition remained through out the field. Edinburgh AC Neil Thin once again winning the M50 race in 34 min 16secs and Hamilton’s Andy McLinden 1st in the M60 race in 37min 46 secs. Melisa Wylie, Dumbarton AC winning the Womens Masters45 race in 39min 43sec
Edinburgh AC finishing 2nd in the Seniors Mens race and winning the Mens Masters team title.
With fun and charity runners continuing to pour across the finish line up to an hour and fifteen minutes from the start, the organising and support the event had received was evident. Life Fit Physiotherapy were on hand to provide a welcome post race massage for a donation to Strathcarron Hospice who also receive a donation from each of the entry fees.
The Vics would like to thank everyone who contributed and helped with special thanks to Race Director Drew Stevenson and his team, Management and staff of Grangemouth Sports Stadium and St Andrews Ambulance personnel as without this support the race would not be the outstanding success that it has grown to be.
Full results will be available in the Falkirk Herald.