PRR season closes in chilly Cupar

Dec 14 2012 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser

As 2012 comes to a close, only the hardy and the foolish are left to battle the elements and in some cases, some fierce opposition too.

On Saturday, Cupar hosted the Scottish East District Cross Country Championships 2012.

Perth was represented by a small band of runners. Some were battled-hardened, for other this was to be a jump into the deep end of an entirely different league of runners.

The field took to a frozen 9.5km course, where a mass start of scantly-clad runners, set off sending spikes, mud and the odd unlucky runner into the air.

David Hunter was first home for Perth Road Runners in a time of 38:22, followed by Stephen Ferguson in 45:21 and Derek Phillips 47:52.

Steven Bonthrone finished in 49:03 with Chris Paton a minute down in 50:03, both making their first appearances in the Cross Country league.

Not content with a single race for the weekend David Hunter, who has become something of a rising star within the club, made the journey North to Lossiemouth for the 2012 Turkey Trott which is a festive end of season road race.

Clearly not worn out in Saturday’s Cross Country, David turned in yet another PB for the season finishing the 10 mile course in a time of 00:58:11.

Both Bob Brown and Pete Ritchie left the cold behind for a weekend in Lanzarote. Flying out on Saturday they squeezed in a quick half marathon.

Bob finished in a time of 1:39:09 (58th overall), however he took home the honours in his age category with a first place finish.

Peter finished in 1:52:30.

Tuesday, December 11 saw the club’s annual handicap race, the Yahoo, return for 2012 with 23 runners braving the conditions. Results in finishing order: 1 Andrew Lochhead in 66min, 2 Chris Paton 72min 04sec, 3 John Rudd 72min 15sec, 4 Susie Lockett 80min 25sec, 5 Zsolt Szarka 63min 38sec, 6 Stuart Robertson 60min 45sec, 7 Fiona Hair 90min 08sec, 8 Susan Smith 90min 10sec, 9 Dave McRae 81min 12sec, 10 Sue Jones 86min 20sec, 11 Sarah McKinnon 86min 25sec, 12 Grant Wooler 70min 01sec, 13 Paul

Grace 72min 16sec, 14 David Hunter 57min 40sec, 15 Beth Lardner 88min 15sec, 16 Rhona McBean 94min 59sec, 17 Sharon Johnstone 99min 15sec, 18 Hisham 99min 15sec, 19 Kenneth Stewart 88min 22sec, 20 Alan Paterson 101min 10sec, 21 Fiona Angus 84min 55sec, 22 Allison Brown 84min 55sec, 23 Fiona Morrison 113min 08sec. Fastest male, David Hunter, 57min 40sec; fastest female, Susie Lockett, 80min 25sec; closest to predicated time, Rhona McBean (one second under time).