Dumfries Running Club Monthly Bulletin October 2013
Dumfries Running Club Half Marathon
Well in answer to last months question ref the the good weather, it appears Danny had that covered too, or was it just good luck?...
A lot has been said ref the success of the Half Marathon under the directorship of Dannyit’s difficult to argue with increased entries, increased money and the fact that we are attracting Central Belt and North England clubs to our wee town in Dumfries. This has in turn led to an increase in quality. Although we aren’t quite back to the glory days of sub 70 min winners, the times are falling and several runners coming in under 80 mins. 5th place was 75min, a time that would win a lot of Half marathons. The plublicity or “marketing” as Danny calls it has been key to the races success as has the network of contacts that Danny has built up.
Danny’s other secret is tohave a great team behind him (I reckon Beatrice keeps him right) and certain people do certain things each year that probably go unnoticed by most. In the lead up to the race permits are submitted permisions sought etc etc, a lot of behind the scenes stuff. Danny gets people on board and has articles in the paper with new member Jeff among a selection of members writing a few words. Closer to the day and a team of people amass and put together the goody bags, final plans are laid regarding marshalling etc. Bobhas the barriers ready, Doug organises the finish then gets up the start. Sandy and Les help Doug then Les hops on his bike and Sandy runs round the course. What a welcome at the University Campus…the smiling Val and husband Jim along with a team of helpers and the Finlay sisters to sort the baggage. Off to the start and it’s great to see the family involvement as Kev’s youngsters sound the hooters, must have been new ones as last years were well used by the Baxter boys!! Marshalls marshalls everywhere led by Mark and Sue guide us round the course that was set-out and cleared up by members including Frank, Gerry and Mike. Familiar faces en-route to the finish to receive goody bags and teeshirt again handed out by club members and families. Linda is the results guru and is helped by many. Off for a cup of tea and a biscuit and don’t forget the yogurt. A friendly atmosphere and a very appreciative club chairperson in Peter are sure to see runners returning year after year. Even when we get back to Nunholm, Maggie sets off to get pizza and ends up cooking it!!
The feedback from many people and clubs has been fantastic and Portobella club who brought a bus-load down reckon we could teach the big races a thing or two about organisation and value for money etc.
There are too many people to mention, but believe me your efforts are appreciated and are worthwhile. Without such a great team the Half Marathon would not be the race it is just now…long may it continue!!
Now who fancies taking this on? It’s clear to see that whilst we need a coordinator, that the support from DRC is there and will continue in coming years. We have a race that for me stands out in the South of Scotland and is something other clubs will be striving to match.
Club Kit
If you need any kit, contact Sue and remember for the first item you buy in 2013, you will get a £5 discount. Also, the new base layers have arrived in time for the cooler weather and are priced at £20!
Dates for the diary
PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU ARE RUNNING IN ANY DRC EVENTS IN ORDER TO CLAIM POINTS AND PRIZES YOU NEED TO BE A FULLY PAID UP MEMBER. BE ENTERED AS A DRC MEMBER AND BE WEARING A CLUB VEST OR ONE OF OUR NEW CLARET AND BLUE T-SHIRTS. THE WHITE TECHNICAL T-SHIRTS AREN’T OFFICIAL CLUB KIT.
Sun 10th November – Drumlanrig 10k
This is the final DRC Grand Prix race of the year and with positions still to be settled should be a good race! There is a half marathon starting at 11:05am for anyone not gunning for GP points who fancies a longer run. The 10k which is the DRC final GP race starts at 11:20am and there is also a kids fun-run starting at 11:30 so fun for all the family. This link gives details etc.
Sun 17th November- Brampton to Carlisle 10 mile Road Race
This is the DRC Club Championship race for 2013, so forget all the previous races this is first past the post gets the prize. The club will organise abus so as we can enjoy post race refreshments (£10 each, more details to follow.) Entry forms and details can be found here: This race is very popular and usually attracts a large field and is open to entries on the day.
Sat 7th December – Xmas Night Out
Following on previous years good nights out, there will be another this year. Steve M will be selling tickets for £21.95 (why no just make it £22??). There will be a 2 course meal and entertainment including Karoke and Disco. See Steve M to get tickets.
Charity Runners
John Jarvie is targeting 5 half marathons this year as he raises money for his chosen charity – Good luck John.
If you are running for Charity and would like a mention, let me know via email and I can add your name and details on this space, also get a post on the website forum as we have several followers on there!
Club Grand Prix Update
It’s as you were for the Grand Prix with no races since last month’s report. November will see the conclusion of the Grand Prix and the running of the Club Championship, so should be an interesting month!
Name / Age Group / Total PointsJo Zakrzewski / V35 / 150
Lisa Finlay / V35 / 145
Maureen Dickson / V45 / 143
Sue Jeffrey / Sen / 132
Theresa Lavery / Sen / 128
Fiona Jardine / V45 / 127
Alison Groat / Sen / 124
Sian Finlay / V35 / 118
Margaret Laurie / V45 / 109
Name / Age Group / Total Points
Alan Baxter / Sen / 148
Jacob Tangey / Sen / 140
Graeme Cross / V40 / 136
Richard Beck / Sen / 133
Danny Queen / V50 / 123
Sandy Shankland / V50 / 116
Parkrun Trophy
Remember the new Parkrun trophy is still up for grabs. It’s not going to be easy to catch Jo who has 84.79%, however there are a few members not too far away. If you complete a parkrun, let Les know just in case he doesn’t get an update direct from parkrun,
Standards Scheme
For those runners striving to achieve a certain standard, be it bronze, silver, gold or even gold+, you have until the end of December to achieve the required times. Les will remind everyone in due course of how to claim. Please check your times against the standards as some runners have missed awards in previous years by not claiming them.
Notable Performances/Highlights from this month:
Dumfries Half
On the running front, we seen some great performances, with perhaps the ladies winner Nicloa Duncan being the stand-out with a course record (76.29) and a 5 mile warm-down afterwards, Portobella’s finest put most of us in our place I kept up for all of 2 miles and Steveieboy held her off until the hill then it was a cherio to him as-well Last years winner Johnathon Carpenter and regular at Dumfries wasn’t on top form and had to settled for 7th, whilst another regular and previous winner, Callum Reid had to settle for 5th. Morpeth ran in numbers but weren’t just as dominate as last year with increased competition from North of the border. Mark Pollard won the race in 73:34 closely followed by Craig Reid in 73:46. 3rd place was taken by Kevin Brydon in 75:08.
On the homefront, Stevie had a very good run in 78:01 following his 10k pb, he looks to be in good shape; yours truly had to settle for 2nd local in 79.22 with Kev and Terry battling for 3rd and 4th from the club. Jacobshowed the Ultra effortshaven’t slowed him down. On the ladies side we had several great performances form the club, with Theresa first home in 1:45follwed by Mo in 1:46. Alison (“I wish I hadn’t drunk as much on Friday”), came home in 1:52 closely followed by Kerry and Maggie who was pleased to achieve the bronze standard.
Loch Ness MarathonAt Loch Ness, DRC runners had a good day out with Lisa storming home in yet another pb of 2:52 taking third place lady and first in her age category; along with the forever young Danny recording a very respectable time of 3:16. This was a Scottish Championship event so we have yet more titles won by one of DRC’s leading ladies.
Others
Other highlights included a well judged marathon by Theresa and Martha finishing strongly in under 4 hours.
DRC had 19 members taking part in the Hardrock at Dalbeattie. We didn’t win it, but we had several age group prizes including the oldest team award to Sandy and his biking partner…what a claim to fame Craig M done both legs and finished well up the field! Another local in the shape of Tubby showed some of the young guys how it should be done, whilst Richard B had a stormer and enjoyed a good dual with yours truly Sue,Mo, Ali, Michelle and Sandie done the ladies proud as-well. The whole weekend was a great success with kid’s races on the Sat and adults on the Sunday. The friendly and welcoming atmosphere was very apparent and the facilities have improved over the years making this a really good local event worthy of the fantastic support it receives.
Jim B has put the men in contention for Team of the Year award, not only by setting a very quick pace at the West District Cross Country Relays; but also by composing arguable the best race report of the year…so far. Kev,Graeme and yours truly teamed up with Jim at Hamilton race course for a fun-day and a bit of a run.
The response to my plea for the leading ladies to slow down was a 2:52 marathon by Lisa and a 35:15 10k by Jo…did you not read last months bulletin? This marked a return to pb form and continuation of winning ways for Jo who trains exceptionally hard and is worthy of the results that she continues to enjoy. Getting in on the act was Audrey with a 3rd age category finish down at the Wirral 10k.
Onto Rotherham and it was a 50 mile solo effort by Paul and Jacob who ran very well to finish 4th and 6th. In the relay event, team of Sandy, Les, Stephen M and Richard Mc ran well to finish as 8th team.
We want to read about all your running adventures so please send reports and photo’s etc
Charity
This year’s allocation has been complete and the latest charity that will benefit is Changing Faces which was nominated by Bob Quinn.
LondonMarathon Places
We have 3 places to give out this year so if you fancy a go at it, then let Mark know at There will be a deadline set soon and an announcement will be made at the Xmas handicap.
Last but by no means least
Congratulations to Allison Groat and Alan McKean who recently announced their engagement…we wish you all the very best
Happy Running
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