Crieff 10k 7 July 2013

Sunday dawned bright and clear, with warm temperatures, making for a perfect day for Strathearn Harriers’ annual Crieff 10k race, run as usual from the Morrison’s playing fields at Dallerie, over Laggan Hill to Trowan farm and back to Dallerie via Lady Mary’s Walk, making this one of the most scenic 10k races in Scotland.

Race entries were up on last year, with over 250 runners taking part. Race winner was Lewis Millar of Central AC, fresh from his mid-week win at the Brig Bash in Bridge of Earn. Despite good course conditions, Lewis’s time of 33.57 couldn’t match the course record set by Robert Gilroy in 2008, but was nonetheless very impressive time. Robert Gilroy of Ron Hill Cambuslang, looking to provide some inspiration for Andy Murray later that afternoon, was second in a fine 34.19 and Andrew Wright of Ochil HR was third in 34.59. First woman was defending champion Edel Mooney of Lothian Runners, in 39.49. Edel was comfortable in first place, but there was a real race for second woman, eventually won by Claire Douglas of Perth Road Runners, in 45.00, just four seconds ahead of Hazel Dean on Central AC in 45.04.

First Strathearn Harrier was Colin Glencorse, in 39.36 on a return visit. Wattie Mackay was first local runner, finishing in 39.26, with second local runner Chris Clarke of Strathearn Harriers in 40.39. This is very much Chris’s local race, since his house overlooks the start and finish area, so he doesn’t have far to travel to get to the race! First local woman was Wendy T, also of Strathearn Harriers in 47.40, with Maddy second local woman and first junior woman in 49.42. First male junior was Matthew O’Brien in 42.46, and second male junior was Charlie Grimson, of Strathearn Harriers, very close behind in 42.51.

Other local finishers were:

Daniel Mestecky (Strathearn Harriers) 44.39

Jim McConnell (Strathearn Harriers) 45.38

Dave Torgersen 49.09

Calum Brown 51.48

Andy Scott (Strathearn Harriers) 52.40

Andrew Aitken 52.48

Hana Issa 53.49

Cara Jones (Strathearn Harriers) 54.37

Charles Robertson 56.55

Colin Howat 57.28

Anna Blackie 57.52

Des Hamilton 58.44

Arianne Newlands 64.02

Aileen McLeod 73.34

While the main race was underway, the Junior 1 mile race was run. Overall boys winner was Lewis Forsyth (Strathearn Harriers) in a new course record time of 5.25, and Rachel Kneen was first girl, in 5.59, also in a new age-group record time.

Under-11 boys

Huw Thomas (Strathearn Harriers) 6.04 (new age-group record)

Ollie Stewart 6.14

Alex Douglas 6.16

Under-11 girls

Millie Stokoe 6.51

Valencia Wright 6.52

Gemma Graham (Strathearn Harriers) 7.19

Under-13 boys

Conor Ryan (Central AC) 5.30 (new age-group record)

David Alexander (Strathearn Harriers) 5.55

Andrew McInnes (Strathearn Harriers) 6.01

Under-13 girls

Rachel Kneen 5.59

Catriona Roberts (Strathearn Harriers) 6.43

Peigi Urquhart 7.18

Under-15 boys

Lewis Forsyth (Strathearn Harriers) 5.25

Findlay Lennie (Perth Strathtay Harriers) 5.58

Under-15 girls

Claire Reid (Strathearn Harriers) 7.34

The races were supported by Highland Spring and The Handy Shop in Crieff, and by a small army of volunteers and marshals, without whom the races could not happen. Special mention must be made of Shelagh and her team for the fine post-race spread of sandwiches, cakes, teas and fresh fruit, and Rob Bolton and his pipers, whose efforts make the races a special event for many of the runners.