'˜Nightmare' series Black Rock race lives up to its name

Friday night saw 82 competitors donning head torches for the competitive Blacker than Black Rock race at Pettycur Bay.

Organised by Chris Russell, Glenrothes, as part of the highly acclaimed ‘Nightmare Series.

The runners endured horrendous and challenging conditions to run out to the rock and back.

With the support of Kinghorn RNLI, who provided marshals and a safety crew as well as some unexpected entertainment at the rock, all runners navigated the route safely.

They finished cold but happy as were the RNLI who benefitted from the race which raised £240 for the local Fife crew.

Russell, representing Leven Las Vegas Running Club, was first to finish the 3.2 mile route in 17 minutes.

Falkland Trail Runners were well represented with fifteen club members battling the elements.

First to finish was the ever improving Colin Smith who was thirteenth in 20 mins 12 secs.

Ruth Sharp was second female (32nd overall) in 22.41.

Making a comeback from a long term injury, Carole Mowbray finished 50th and first FV50 in 25.08.

Other finishers were: - 19 Derek McDonald 20.42; 30 Ian Donaldson 22.29; 42 Scott Fraser 24.06; 45 Susanne Lumsden 24.43; 61 Rosie Lee 27.20; 66 Jordan Davidson (jr) 29.26; 71 Annie Gibson 31.30; 75 Eilidh Jarrett (3rdfj) 32.06; 76 Alex Jarrett 32.10; 77 Shona Jarrett 32.26 and 80 Fiona Campbell 33.37

The weather was even more unforgiving in the Lothians on Saturday at the Carnethy ‘5’ hill race.

Some 472 runners headed to the starting line covered from head to toe in waterproofs and carrying emergency equipment as they set out over the five mile, 2500 feet climb over five peaks of the Pentlands.

Kevin Murray led the scurry of Skwerlz home finishing 325th in 1 hour 25 mins 22 seconds.

Susan Harley put in a gutsy performance finishing 340th in 1.26.58 followed by 368 Lee Cessford 1.30.28; 406 Dan Kershaw 1.37.40 and 451 Rosie Lee 1.50.09.

In bitterly cold conditions a trio of Falkland Trail Runners members contested the Kirkintilloch 12.5k race.

Bryan Innes led the trio home in 52nd place in 52m 40s followed by 207 Derek Adamson 67.28 and 270 Allan Sheret 75.03.

The local 5k parkruns also beat the weather conditions with many club members setting out early on Saturday morning for the various events.

FTR’s Tom Ashton destroyed the field at Craigtoun Park, St Andrews finishing first in a time of 17 minutes 53 seconds.

Brian Cruickshank was second club member to finish crossing the line in 18 minutes 15 seconds.

However honours of the day went to club president Tony Martin who broke the course record for the first over 65 year old finishing ninth in 19.49.

Other FTR finishers were 34 Derek McDonald 22.50, 101 Kaitlyn Lumsden (JW10yo) 27.54, 118 Zoe McIntosh 29.25,122 Alex Jarrety 30.32, 145 Kerry Spence 36.09, 157 Frances Carlton 39.03.