Dumfries Sports Club

2009 Holywood Stroll Prize Winners: Back L-R, Darren To, Paul Hart, Marcus Scotney and Sandy Shankland, Front L-R, Jo Zakrzewski, Melanie Martin, Maureen Dickson and Vicky Little

For most members of Dumfries Running Club Tuesday May 12th was judgement day, the day of the Holywood Stroll.

This short yet intense 5 mile race would determine who had the measure of their club mates and local rivals and this would measure precisely how fast training has been going. On a breezy and balmy evening 87 runners, the second highest number ever, gathered on the rural route towards Holywood.

As a measure of the growing reputation of the race, entrants came from Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh and even Arbroath as well as from local clubs in South West Scotland.

Marcus Scotney of Dumfries Running Club won in 26.53 minutes ahead of club mate Steven Smith in 27.45 with Casey Morgan of Shettleston Harriers in third place.

Jo Zakrzewski and Marcus Scotney 1st man and woman

In the womens race Jo Zakrzewski of the host club capped an extraordinary seven days of racing by coming 14th overall in 31.13, five minutes faster than last year, ahead of Melanie Martin of Dalbeattie in 34.38 with Ally Wilson in third place. 

In a virtual clean sweep of the prizes for Dumfries Running Club. Paul Hart was the first veteran man in 29mins with Sandy Shankland first supervet in 30.53. Dawn McDonald was first veteran woman in 39.24 and Maureen Dickson had a fantastic run as first supervet in 37.31.

Unsurprisingly the host club won the male and the female team prizes. Darren To of Dumfries Academy ran an excellent race to win the prize for first junior man.

Dumfries and Galloway Standard