Harrier flies to victory

Sep 30 2009 by Iain Pollock, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

SHETTLESTON Harrier Martin Graham cruised to victory in the Dumfries Half Marathon on Sunday.

Martin crossed the line in a time of 72 minutes and 50 seconds to finish the 28th annual race more than four minutes ahead of his nearest rival, Steven Smith of the host club.

Steven, who finished with a time of 77 minutes and six seconds, was the only Dumfries competitor to make the top 10.

His performance alongside those of Sandy Shankland, 14th overall, and Kevin Conchar, 16th, gave the hosts the male team prize.

The 2008 race winner Paul Carroll of Clydesdale Harriers was sixth overall and first in the male 40 category in a time of 79 minutes and 16 seconds.

Lisa Finlay of Dumfries Running Club was the first female to finish by a comfortable margin.

She completed the 13.1 miles in a time of 84 minutes and 41 seconds, well ahead of Marina McCallum of Clydesdale Harriers in 92 minutes and one second.

Maureen Dickson of Dumfries Running Club took the prize in the female 50 category in 105 minutes and eight seconds.

And her clubmate Marian McPhail was the winner of the female 55 category with a time of 107 minutes and 45 seconds.

The full prize list is as follows: Race winner: Martin Graham; Shettleston Harriers, 72.50; 2 Steven Smith Dumfries RC, 77.06; 3 James Scott-Buccleuch Stockport Harriers , 77.50. First female: Lisa Finlay Dumfries RC, 84.41; 2 Marina McCallum Clydesdale Harriers, 92.01; 3 Hilary Millar Giffnock North, 93.14.

Veterans: Male 40: Paul Carroll, Clydesdale Harriers, 79.16. Male 45: Andrew Meskimmon, Dewsbury Road Runners, 82.42. Male 50: Paul Tait, Tynedale Harriers and AC, 83.03. Male 55: Brian Kirkwood, Lasswade AC, 81.43. Male 60: Alan Lawson, unattached, 94.06. Female 35: Joanne Lee, Tynedale Harriers and AC, 93.24. Female 40: Paula Wilson, Kilmarnock Harriers and AC, 93.46. Female 45: Gillian Geates, Ayr, Seaforth, 96.15. Female 50: Maureen Dickson, Dumfries Running Club, 105.08. Female 55: Marian McPhail Dumfries RC, 107.45. First local male: Steven Smith Dumfries RC. First local female: Lisa Finlay Dumfries RC. First Male team: Steven Smith, Sandy Shankland and Kevin Conchar, Dumfries RC. First female team: Joanne Lee, Jennifer Lapping and Rachel Chinnery Tynedale Harriers and AC.