Hill And Dale

15 FEB2011

Saturday provided another great day of running events with one of Scotland's top hill races, the Carnethy 5, attracting a field of close to 500 while 3 parkruns saw over 700 runners in action.

In the big hill race Shettleston Harrier Tom Owen was first home in 50:31 with Robbie Simpson (50:45); Angela Mudge was first woman in 57:25. Check out some great photos from Bob Marshall online which capture a flavour of this very tough race which sees runners climb then descent five hills in the Pentlands, south of Edinburgh.

There was another bumper turnout (356) at Pollok Park for Glasgow's parkrun where regular Robert Gilroy (Cambuslang Harrier) flew home in 15:53 ahead of Pitreavrie's impressive veteran Jeff Farquhar in second. Edinburgh AC's Nathalie Christie (19:03) was fastest woman. Derek Murison celebrated his 50th parkrun with a PB of 27:57.

There were fast times at Edinburgh too where Central AC's Ross Houston was first man in 15:01 and Charlotte Fortune (19:47) first lady. Check out Craig Lindsay's photos from the event online at flickr.

Meanwhile at the highly-inclusive Strathclyde parkrun - wheelchair athletes, canix runners, participants of all ages, and big family contingents were among the 104 runners. Kirkintilloch Olympian Stephen Allan managed a PB of 17:06 to finish fastest, ahead of his club's 12.5K event this weekend with first-timer Clalre Barr (Motherwell AC) top woman in 20:48. Wheelchair participant Colette Martin (Red Star AC) completed the course in 19:15. Check out a full report of this friendly event at the parkrun website.

Parkrun in Scotland is soon to be four with the imminent addition of an event at Falkirk - keep tabs on a likely start date at the Falkirk parkrun Facebook page. Organisers are currently finalising a course at Callendar Park and dealing with last minute health and safety issues.