Sport
| Published date | 12 May 2023 |
| Publication title | Dumfries & Galloway Standard |
Maintaining a steady pace, encouraged by the cheering of crowds lining the streets, Kerry continued towards half-way at Tower Bridge, before heading towards Canary Wharf.
She started to get tired after the 20-mile mark but she kept her mind on the finish line and a final boost came from seeing her mum in the crowd as she turned at the Palace of Westminster to make the final push towards Buckingham Palace.
There was a welcome change in weather and the sun shone as Kerry reached the finishing line earning a PB of 4 hrs 40 mins. This marked her fifth big city marathon and she hopes to complete the New York Marathon in the next few years.
Three races for Les Les Hill took part in a trio of races over the past week as he gets ready for challenges later in the season.
First up was the Scottish Vet Harriers 5 miles race last Wednesday at Drumpelier near Airdrie. This has the unusual title of being the "snowball" race, not for any athletic related reasons, but simply because each finisher is rewarded with a pack of coconut snowballs. Les was pleased to complete the race in 38.46.
The next day his target was the Helensburgh 10k which is part of the Babcock quartet of races in West Dumbartonshire that always attract a large high quality field and Les was pleased to finish in 49.56, battling against a strong headwind for much of the way.
His final race was on Sunday when he travelled to East Yorkshire and entered
to brand new Burton Constable half marathon on a flat, picturesque and traffic free course. Perhaps due to his previous exertions Les was a bit slower than he had hoped but his time of 108.25 meant he qualified for a bronze standard road runners award.
The Holywood Stroll Now well into its third decade, this very popular five mile Dumfries Running Club race will take place next Tuesday, May 16 starting at 7pm.
The course is flat, free of traffic and on quiet rural roads and is suitable for runners of all standards from beginners aiming for their first ever race to
experienced athletes looking to improve their PB.
The race will have chip timing and entrants should arrive at Dumfries Sports Club on Nunholm Road between 6 and 6.30pm as car parking is very limited and will be controlled by race marshals and car sharing would be appreciated.
Run under UK Athletics rules, runners are reminded that headphones and the use of music devices are not permitted. Entries are available until Monday at a cost of £6 for SA members with the usual £2 surcharge for unaffiliated runners. Juniors over the age of 15 are welcome at a cost of £2 per entry.
Further race details can be found at www.entrycentral.com/ dumfrieshollywoodstroll
Dumfries Harriers Troon 10K The annual midweek Troon 10k is a popular fixture on the Dumfries Harriers race calendar and was well attended last Wednesday evening.
Always an evening of two halves, with the first being the well attended flat road race, now in its 36th year and the second being the stop in at Coylton on the way home for the traditional post race fish supper. With running conditions near perfect on a cool evening, first over the
line for the Harriers was Gordon Stewart in a very impressive 42.23.
Gordon said: "I came for the fish supper and went home with a shiny new 10k PB. Get in there."
Literally hot on his heels and still with London in his legs was Alistair Barclay in 42.28. Third Harrier and pulling out all the stops to sneak under the 45 minute mark was Stephen Carrol in a very tidy 44.44.
Next over the line in 46.26 was current ladies champion Emma Gillooly who was happy enough with that on her road back from injury.
Kirkton's favourite son Steven Lumb crossed the line in an impressive 46.35 and not far behind was Harrier in exile, Gavin Collingwood, who had made the trip over from Edinburgh in 47.18.
Men's captain Douglas...
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