Dumfries Running Club athletes compete in Carlisle 5K and 10K races

Twenty eight Dumfries Running Club members took part in the Carlisle Resolution races 5k and 10K races which took place at Carlisle racecourse on Sunday morning.

This was the first Grand Prix race of the season and that meant a large number were keen to get their year off to a good start.

The 10k route, which the vast majority were doing, started at 10am, and was on the race terrain itself plus a mix of quiet country roads that are generally flat or undulating and was fully on tarmac with the bonus of finishing directly in front of the main grandstand.

The 5k which began 15 minutes later, was fully within the course grounds and the only club entrant there was Michael McKean who was thoroughly delighted to get back to racing form in 21.05 which placed him 16th out of 82 finishers.

In the main race first club member back out of the 330 finishers was Jamie Ovens who was fourth overall in 35.06. This was Jamie’s second race of the year after winning the Crichton parkrun on January 1.

Alan Baxter was very pleased to get under the 40 minute barrier in 39.36 in 20th position and Darren Malin had an outstanding run in 41.03, two minutes in front of Stuart Gillespie.

Simon Mortlock was on vintage form in 43.18 and was first over 60 in the race. Ranjit Thomas in 44.20 headed off Kevin Gordon by two places and eight seconds.

Sandy Shankland had a very good run in 45.58 and was a full minute in front of Sue Jeffrey who was also pleased with her progress.

Les Hill ran well in 49.09 and used his experience to guide Daniel Nordkil home in 49.30, a two and a half minute improvement which bodes well for the future.

Club captain Karen Littlejohn was delighted to get round in her second fastest time ever in 50.13, a minute in front of Anne