Dumfries Sports Club

Now well into its second decade, the five-mile Holywood Stroll is a well-established favourite on the local circuit for runners of all standards to measure progress and gauge training over the winter months.

The low key friendly nature of the race, organised by Sandy Shankland of Dumfries Running Club and his team of helpers, this year attracted a bumper entry of 94, the highest ever, with runners from Dumfries Border Harriers and Annan and District very well represented. 

The race winner, Alex Allardyce from Irvine AC, finished in 27.16mins just ahead of David Armour of Central AC in 27.48 and local stalwart Jim Ferguson in 28.05.

In the women’s race Mhairi Douglas of Dumfries Running Club was 25th overall in 33.25, followed by Catherine Black of Dumfries Border Harriers 33rd in 34.41 and Jo Zakrzewski of the host club in 40th place in 36.08.

Dumfries Running Club claimed both the men’s and women’s team prizes with Jonathan Dale, Marcus Scotney and Dougie Brown and Mhairi Douglas, Jo Zakrzewski and Susan Gallagher claiming the prizes.

In the junior section of the race, Dumfries Academy pupil David Parrish had an outstanding run in 13th place in 31.05 and schoolmate Darren started strongly but faded at the end to finish in 46th place in 36.32.

There was going to be many more juniors taking part but the big grudge football match with the staff of Tesco v Morrisons took priority!

This weekend Paul Hart and Les Hill of Dumfries Running Club are in the Scottish team in the Anglo Celtic Plate 100-kilometre Home International race in Cardiff on Sunday, May 18 and best wishes go to them and hopefully they will do themselves and Scotland proud.

Prizelist

Male: 1 27.16 Alex Allardyce (Irvine AC); 2 27.48 David Armour (Central AC); 3 28.05 Jim Ferguson (Unattached).

Male vet: 1 28.33 Jonathan Dale (Dumfries RC).

Male super vet: 1 28.53 Colin Miller (Irvine AC).

Male team: 1 Marcus Scotney, Jonathan Dale, Doug Brown, (DRC).

Female: 1 33.25 Mhairi Douglas (DRC); 2 34.41 Catherine Black (Border Harriers); 3 36.08 Jo Zakrzewski (DRC).

Female vet: 1 37.07 Susan Gallagher (DRC).

Female super vet: 1 37.47 Maureen Dickson (DRC).

Female team: 1 Mhairi Douglas, Jo Zakrzewski, Susan Gallagher (DRC).

Dumfries and Galloway Standard

Further race details are available at www.dumfriesrunningclub.org.uk