Dumfries Sports Club

Summer put in a belated appearance for the Dumfries Half Marathon on Sunday.

Warm temperatures and sunshine made conditions perfect for spectators watching the 28th annual race.

As runners listened to race starter Davie Rae, chairman of Queen of the South, speak before the 11am start at the Crichton, many apprehensive runners were aware that the heat would add an extra degree of difficulty to the challenge of a 13.1 mile race.

As the runners made their way down to Bankend village, Martin Graham of Shettleston Harriers built up a considerable lead that he increased in the most challenging part of the course with the slow climb up to the Dovecotewell animal rescue centre where tired runners were rewarded with a picture postcard vista of Criffel bathed in sunlight.

Martin was unchallenged in the remainder of the race through Glencaple and Kingholm Quay and crossed the finishing line at the Dock Park in an excellent time of 72.46 minutes, an average pace of round about five and a half minutes a mile.

In second place New Zealander Jonathan Carpenter, currently based in Edinburgh crossed the line in 76.09 with debutant Steven Smith, winner of the prize for first local man in third place in an outstanding 78.39.

In the women’s race Katie Teague from Livingston was 13th overall in 84mins in front of first local woman Mhairi Douglas from Dumfries Running Club, 20th overall in 87.06 and Claire Cleathero from St Clears in Wales in 94.25.

The Dumfries Running Club trio of Mhairi Douglas, Sian Findlay and Carolyn Hunter Rowe won the overall team prize for women.

Other excellent local performances came from Gareth McIntyre of Dumfries Running Club who smashed his personal best in fifth place in 80.35mins, as did Kevin McCaig of Dumfries Border Harriers in sixth in 82.12.

Another Harrier, David Howat and Joe Boardman of ADAC crossed the line together in equal seventh, 30 seconds behind.

The first male team prize was won by Dumfries Running Club with Gareth McIntyre, Sandy Shankland and Norman Neilson all finishing in the top 20.

The race is not all about those runners at the sharp end of the field. Many runners took part for fun, fitness, fundraising for charity and for the personal challenge of attempting to beat targets and goals and the sheer satisfaction and self confidence that comes from completing the distance.

With the new finish just inside the Dock Park proving to be a hit with spectators and runners, the McLeod pavilion on Kingholm playing fields meant that for the first time showers, changing, refreshments and race organisation could be centralised and coffee, tea and well-earned chocolate biscuits were much appreciated. Thoughtful little touches from race organiser Vicky Little such as glass mementoes and goody bags with chocolate bars, bottled water, cheese, courtesy of the Lockerbie Cheese company, and even tubs of Vaseline were much appreciated.

Dozens of Queen of the South cup final T-shirts and scarves were handed out to make the race one of the most memorable in recent years.

Thanks are due to race sponsors Heston Asset Finance, Dumfries Caravan Centre, Norman Furnishings, Bannatynes Health club, Morrisons supermarket, Connaught plc, Dumfries and Galloway Council, DGHP, the Crichton Golf club, Queen of the South football club and chairman David Rae, Booker cash and carry and the Lockerbie Cheese company for generous sponsorship of prizes and help to make the race run so smoothly.

Post race comments, feedback and Runners World magazine ratings were extremely positive about the race organisation, the McLeod pavilion facilities and the friendly welcome from spectators, marshals and fellow runners.

With a 15 per cent rise in entrants from last year, there is every chance that the 2009 race will continue to grow in popularity and showcase the beautiful scenery and the warm welcome available to visitors to south west Scotland.

Dumfries and Galloway Standard