Falkland Trail Runners take top honours at Balbirnie

Held on paths and trails in the beautiful surroundings of Balbirnie Park, the route includes mud, water crossings and a few undulations. Just short of 200 runners took part on a chilly but sunny Sunday morning.

Glenrothes member Chris Russell followed up his win in the first race of the series crossing the finish line in 28 minutes 45 seconds which was 15 seconds clear of second placed Ryan Duncan (Perth Road Runners) in 29.00. There was a 1 - 2 for the Falkland club in the female category with Susanne Lumsden (34m 27s )finishing 16 seconds ahead of her club mate Zoey Johnston (35.43).

A few age category prizes also went the way of the Skwerls, Dave Clark who crossed the finish line in fifth place was also the leading M40.

There was first places in the over-65 category for both Richard Shaw and Jude Alcock.

Susie Harley was runner up in the F50 classification as was Bradley Marshall i n the male junior age group.

Leading FTR results: 1st Chris Russell 28.45,5th & 1st M40 Dave Clark 31.06, 16th Andy Harley 33.53, 21st & 1stF Susanne Lumsden 34.27, 28th & 2ndF Zoey Johnston 35.43, 48th & 1st M65 Richard Shaw 37.38, 54th & 2nd F50 Susie Harley 38.06, 57th & 2nd MJ Bradley Marshall 38.45, 90th Emma Lessells 43.02, 91st Ross McArthur 43.05, 96th Tony Gallagher 43.27.

The Falkland club was also represented on both days of the Glentress Trail Running weekend near Peebles.

The 10k and half marathon took place on the Saturday with the full marathon 24 hours later.

Leading FTR results were: 10k Alan Gardener 1h 17m 10s, Laura Robertson 1h 32m 02s. Half Marathon- Lizzie Martin 2h 51m 40s, Janet Parker 3:02.34, Eric Nachman 3:10.35, Fiona Malone 3:48.02, Sandra Gardener 4:17.01.

Marathon: Iain Donaldson 7:24.25.

Across the Border, Daniel Kershaw placed 59th of 169 finishers in the Northumberland Coastal Trail Marathon in 5 hours 20 minutes 59 secs.