Dumfries Running Club members brave rain for raod race

Nov 27 2009 Dumfries Standard Friday

AMIDST the deluge of rainfall that fell at the end of last week it was a pleasant surprise to members of Dumfries Running Club that it was business as usual for the 58th annual Brampton to Carlisle road race that was held on Saturday, November 21.

In all 30 DRC club members joined the field of 473, slightly down on usual and on Police advice the 10 mile distance was shortened to 9.1 with runners staying on the main road towards the finish at the Sands Centre.

In fact, the race remains a rarity in the country; a road race that is still permitted to finish close to a city centre on a busy pre Christmas Saturday afternoon.

Fastest performance came from Steven Smith who was 17th overall in 52.08 behind Ben Gamble of Tipton, the 2009 Kirkcudbright Half marathon winner.

Behind Steven came Mickey Breen, 41st in 53.46 and Jonathan Dale who was nine places and 30 seconds behind.

As an indication of the high standards at the sharp end of the field, this trio were only able to finish as eighth team despite the quality of their performance.

Paul Hart was 54th in 54.48 and was disappointed to fade slightly at the end of the race due to residual tiredness after his recent 24-hour race heroics.

In an excellent debut, Niamh Devlin, of Edinburgh AC who has been training with the club during her work placement at Dumfries and Galloway Infirmary was third woman overall in 54.50, 19 seconds in front of Kevin Conchar and a further minute and a half ahead of Alan Baxter.

First female club runner was Jo Zakrzewski who had another outstanding run in fourth place overall in 56.31, 20 seconds ahead of Les Hill and Lisa Finlay who was second veteran woman in 57.20.

Ian Brown in 57.29, running in the team colours of Tynedale AC, pipped Sandy Shankland and duly reversed their finishing positions from the Dumfries Half.

Danny Queen had a very strong run in 60.57 as did Graeme Cross of Dumfries Sports Club who was substantially faster than last year in 61.38.

Stephen Mohan was delighted to complete his first race in two months in 64.24 and a resurgent Sian Finlay had a gutsy run 25 seconds behind.

In the most anticipated sporting contest this side of Joe Frazier v Muhammad Ali, the battle of Brampton would sort out, once and for all, the showdown between David Breen and Frank Skachill.

In the end it was team Breen that prevailed with David starting very fast and hanging on in 64.58 and beating Frank by over two minutes.

Over a beer after the race a rematch was planned between the two friends for 2010.

Rumour has it that Sky Sports are interested in bidding for the TV rights…

Sandwiched between these two, Allan Manson reaping the rewards of his training for last month's Loch Ness marathon, ran very brightly in 66.40 ahead of Vicky Hart in 68.06.

Maureen Dickson, in a very strong run, was fifth in her category in 68.30 nine seconds in front of Jim Grierson and a further 20 ahead of Mike Trant.

Marian McPhail had an outstanding run in 69mins, exactly 22 seconds faster than Rab Wilson and a further minute quicker than Richard McDougal.

Donald Anson was delighted with his run in 73.12 30 seconds in front of Paula Neill and Liz Smart in 74.35 is on her way back to her best.

Susan Graham in 105.46 is a quiet inspiration to many at Dumfries Running Club and thoroughly enjoyed her run.

Many thanks are due to Carolyn Hunter Rowe, Peter Hutchison and Chris Neill for their on course support of their club mates and to Andy of Houstons Coaches of Lockerbie who made the transport arrangements go so smoothly.

The club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30pm at Nunholm with the beginners group on a Monday.