Mike Carroll Breaks the Course Record at Knockhill

21 AUG2009

Perth Road Runner Mike Carroll led home a record field of 217 runners at the Graham Clark Memorial Race held on Thursday August 20 at Knockhill Racing Circuit by Dunfermline. Mike raced to victory covering the 3.9 mile course in a new course record of 19.08 thereby leading his Perth club to the Men's Team award.

The host club's Andrew Wright placed second overall in 19.50 with Glasgow Uni’s Michael Deason, competing in his third race of the week, finished third in 19.58.

Continuing her success at Irvine on Wednesday, Claire McArthur clocked an impressive 23.10 to win the Women’s Race. Carnegie's Judy Turner finished Second Woman in 24.14 and Gillian Carr (Corstorphine AAC) covered her three laps of the racing circuit in 24.39 to earn the Third Woman prize.

Carnegie's Ian Stewart won the M50 award finishing eighth overall in 20.47, whilst Grant Wilkie (Corstorphine AAC) was the leading M40 (ninth overall) in 20.48. Clydesdale Harrier Pete Cartwright finished in a time of 24.54 to place first M60 (59th overall). At the other end of the scale, 16 year old Kinross Road Runner Cameron Milne enjoyed a superb run finishing sixth overall and first Male Junior in 20.35.

Beryl Junnier (Wee County Harriers) was the leading F45 in 24.42 and Carnegie's Fabienne Thompson won the F35 title in 25.13. Morna Fleming (Carnegie Harriers) enjoyed success in the F55 category in 27.59 whilst Fife youngster Kerry Gibson won the Female Junior award in 27.43.

The Men's Team award was won by Perth Road Runners (Mike Carroll, Greg Simpson and Mark Cooper) with 18 points, Carnegie Harriers were second on 21 points and Glasgow Uni Hares & Hounds placed third team with 36 points.

Carnegie Harriers (Judy Turner, Fabienne Thompson and Isobel Burnett) won the Women’s Team award with 188 points ahead of Corstorphine AAC who placed second on 209 points.

Women's Winner Claire McArthur told SCOTTISH RUNNING GUIDE "This was an absolutely brilliantly organised race by the friendly people at Carnegie Harriers. The course is a hilly one to run and there was a biting headwind for much of the way but I still loved this one. There was a great post-race buffet and very welcome hot coffee given how cold it was on the course."

Race photos are available at www.roadrunpics.com