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ADAC FESTIVAL OF RUNNING 2005

The third ADAC Running Festival was held in the region at the weekend.

The event is a real challenge for even the fittest of runners. With four races over three days the hardest thing is to judge how to run fast yet keep that little something back for the next run. The results as in previous years were age graded which enabled all competitors to be on a level footing as they were racing their own age group world standard times this means that everyone has to work as hard as one another as the faster your time the better your percentage and those with the highest scores get the top points.

Over thirty runners from around the region took part including the previous years winner from Moffat Jim Buchanan who, despite having a few injuries in the lead up to the event assured us that he was ready to fight to regain his title.

The first event to take place was the one mile race. Twenty one runners set off and first home was Annan’s Mark Whitelaw in a time of 4.45 .Young Kevin Breen of Dumfries was second in 5.27 and Les Hill also of Dumfries third in 5.30.Mhairi Douglas was the leading lady across the line in 5.54. Good times of 6.29 and 7.09 were set by youngsters James Sharkey and Jemma Hunter.

Evergreen supervet Jim Buchanan however once again claimed the lead for his run of 6.11 which when transferred to % gave him an excellent top mark of 81.63.

Just over 40 minutes rest and the runners were in action again, this time to run 3.75 miles over a cross country route on the banks of the River Annan. Nineteen competitors stood on the starting line.

Yet again it was Mr Whitelaw who came into the home straight well ahead but pushing himself all the way, had he done enough this time to earn himself top marks with his excellent time of 19.40 giving him a score of 80.58%? Les Hill crossed in second spot 22.15 just ahead of Roger Irving 22.31 and Andy Fairgrieve in 22.41.Kevin was hot on their heels and finished in 22.56.Mhairi led the ladies in with a fine 24.39 from newcomer Ann Torduff in 26.11 and Lockerbie’s Ruth Priestley 26.44.

With an excellent run of 25.21 it was no surprise that, that man Jim took the top marks for the second event with his performance of 82.84%.

After a good nights rest Saturday morning arrived and with it came one of the wettest Saturday’s of the summer. However when 10.30am came the gods were watching and the rain stopped to make conditions ideal for the third event, the 6 mile road race which took place at Gretna Green. Fifteen competitors ran the undulating circular route. They were set off in groups according to their ability to give the faster runners a target to chase in order to try to help them achieve a fast time. Mark was fastest crossing the finish in 32.06 .A good run by Langholms Owen Brown gave him a time of 37.35 with the speedy sixteen year old Kevin just behind in 38.14.An excellent run of 38.40 gave Mhairi a good % but still not good enough to beat the unstoppable Jim who’s time of 40.14 converted to 85.31% looked like he was going into the last event with a very handy winning margin.

Sunday morning and it was up to Moffat which was the venue for the 3.5 mile fell race and although it was a climb of only 550 feet –not much for the experienced fell racers- it was going to pose a bit of a challenge for those not familiar with the hills. The competitors that had completed all three events so far were feeling slightly weary legged but they were eager to complete the final hurdle.

Eighteen in total set off on the scenic route across the Moffat hills. Mark crossed the tape ahead (21.47) well clear of Adam Anderson (23.17) .Roger(23.26 ) and Andy (25.14)came in next just ahead of Kevin 26.39.Mhairi made it a clean sweep of events for the ladies coming down in 29.06 from Jean Robson always at home on the hills in 31.59 .Ann enjoyed her experience and came in 33.37 just ahead of promising newcomer Lynda Minto who ran a super 34.17. Caroline Legg took a wrong turn somewhere along the course which resulted in running an extra few furlongs ,finally found a path back to cross in 35.47.

After some light refreshments it was time to add up the points and it was no surprise that Jim Buchanan had held on to his title. Mark finished runner up and should be pleased with the excellent times he achieved and after a battle between himself Andy and Mhairi for the third prize it was young Kevin Breen who came out on top to take a well-deserved third

The event was a huge success once again and thanks go to all competitors, Dumfries Running Club for their support and the huge band of helpers whose help as always is invaluable. Full results can be viewed on the website adac.org.uk

Photos with results following

* Includes bonus 20 points for completion of all 4 events

*Includes bonus 20 points for completion of all 4 events