Annan and District Athletic Club

ADAC runs from Winter into Spring ADAC Town run series race number 5 took place on a "driech" night in Lockerbie. The damp and breezy weather conditions were something ADAC runners have got well used to on their training runs in the past few winter weeks and it showed with some strong running throughout. Barry Fitzgerald got runners set off in the usual handicapped way based on previous age grade scores. Fiona Latimer slipped under the handicapper’s eagle eye with a "predicted finish time" busting performance and improved her age grade score by over 4% to romp home in first place. Some regular training attendance paying dividends Ed Woodman, another regular at training sessions continues to improve well to come home in 2nd place. Colin Walker and Katrina Smith "upped their age grade" nicely to come in 3rd and 4th respectively. Wendy Gass and Linda Cameron could not be separated yet again for 5th equal. James Taylor shows no sign of slowing down as we edge closer to the summer season with the fastest time of the night and I'm sure will continue this fine form. Despite running more miles than hours he's had sleep Gordon Vivers scored the best age grade of the evening with 76.3% ADAC runners found some signs of spring (at least in their step if not the weather) with a fine display at the Carlisle half marathon. Marie Marshall was the 6th female over the line and 3rd in her age category with a great run getting 15 seconds under the sub 1:30 barrier (1:29:45). It looks as though Gordon Vivers is going to continue being an inspiration to his fellow club mates young and old this summer producing a time of 1:33:12 which earned him first place in his age category. Wendy Gass continues collecting the bling with another medal for the collection in a time of 2:06:03 and surely an award due for competitor with the biggest smile on their face crossing the line. George Fraser opted for the 10 k in Carlisle and achieved an impressive 2 nd place in his age grade. ADAC Burnswark winter league 5.4-mile race with winter nearly behind us and the spring sun beaming down "The only way is up" would've been a suitable song to have as a soundtrack to the first half of our race this morning. The hill was more full of the sound of out of breath runners than the sound of music though as it truly was a test for all. ADAC runners always up for a challenge put in some fine performances. James Taylor was fastest on the day despite his back giving him pain with a very fast 37.43. Marie Marshall was fastest lady and 2nd overall continuing in fine form in her build up to the West Highland way this summer. Gordy's marathon prep seems in better order than he's giving himself credit for with the highest age grade score of 68% exceptional on this course and on the back of a 26 mile plus run the previous day. Conditions were certainly fitting for the last week of our winter ADAC season of racing. Tuesday night seen the final run of our handicapped town run series take place in Annan. It wasn’t the weather for hanging about with a distinct chill in the air and runners weren’t long in working up a heat with some sizzling performances. John Murphy wasn’t for hanging around in the cold and romped home first. Wendy Gass had plenty to smile about with another fine run to place 2nd. Ed Woodman, a relatively newcomer to running and the club showed continuing improvement for 3rd place. Gordon Vivers with a 4th place finish and the highest age grade score of the night of 79.2%. James Taylor continues to impress with an outstanding time of 21.45 over the 3.9-mile course. Crooked Road the last of the Winter League races took place on Thursday night as the small but hardy ADAC crew were welcomed into Beattock with hail and snow. Thankfully the clouds cleared, and competitive running was set aside for our final race of the winter league in favour of a good chat and taking in the views. Some found the chatting part had to take a back seat going up the hill to prioritise breathing!! Alan Creighton and his dog, Bob, were on marshalling duties and a very welcome sight at the top of the hill. Finishing order on the night: 1 st James Taylor and Marie Marshall, 2 nd Norman Johnstone, Godron Vivers and Rosie Ogg, 3 rd Ed Woodman, 4 th Barry Fitzgerald and 5 th Richard Smith. This race concludes our Winter league and the Handicapped town series. Leagues will be updated, and prize winners announced at our presentation night at the end of the April. After a short break our Summer league will run from April until October. It will comprise a mixture of ADAC races (some of which are new, suggested by members) and externally organised races. Nine of the races are free to enter (including three Parkruns) and seven have a fee. There will be 16 races, and each athlete’s best 10 races will count towards the championship. "A wee break" was suggested for our ADAC crew this next couple of weeks but there is still a busy schedule of spring races to choose from and ADAC members were out doing the club proud all over the country. Wendy Gass made the trip to the capital for the London landmarks half marathon and it was a worthwhile journey with a new PB of 1:53:44... plenty to smile about indeed. Liz Dawson and Lionda Cameron had a very successful trip to Manchester. Liz put in a tremendous run to get a "good for age" time in the marathon with 4hrs 14 mins and Linda came home with a time of 4:50:30. Godron Vivers (Gordy) a man of very high running standards which today he felt himself he may not have met still managed a great time of 3:47:39. Slightly closer for a trio of ADAC runners was Wetheral for the latest Sport in Action race "3 village 10". It has been mentioned on this page on numerous times the form James Taylor is in at the moment, and he did not disappoint this morning with a 6th place finish and a time of 1:04:14 over the 10 mile course. There was also some great running from Colin Walker (1:16:39) and Richard Smith (1:27:22) We very much look forward to where our ADAC runners will be popping up and running next!