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The final winter handicap run was held on Saturday morning and it was a beautiful spring morning

 that greeted the eight runners who turned up at Annans Everholm Park to run in the 5 Mile event.

Guest runner Peter Rogerson crossed the line first but the fastest time was by Mark Whitelaw .

It has been a lot of fun throughout the winter and ADAC look forward to holding events throughout

 the summer months the routes will alternate between road and grass and will be moved from a 

Saturday morning to a Tuesday evening all abilities and non members are always made welcome 

all we ask for is that you come along and enjoy them and have some fun no serious athletes allowed!!

The first of the events will take place on Tuesday April 1^st meet at 6.00pm Galabank carpark .

For further information checkout the ADAC website.

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It is hard to believe that the ADAC road running season is now well over half way through with 

race number eight of the twelve race series haven taken place on Tuesday evening at Castle Douglas.

Over 40 runners set out on the scenic five mile circular route from Carlingwark Loch. Temperatures

 were a few degrees down than in recent weeks making conditions for running ideal. In form 

ADAC runner Mark Whitelaw had an easy ride round crossing the line with plenty in hand in a

 time of 28.10 from Dumfries Running Club Veteran Les Hill 28.20. Just behind taking third place

 was Solway Running Club member Adam Anderson whose time was 28.37. The first female home

was Sandra Brett of Dumfries in a fine time of 32.56. Clarencefields Darren Malin took the first 

junior prize with his excellent performance of 29.24 and Lorna Innes of Nithsdale AC took the

female equivalent with her run of 37.06.

Roger Irving was the second ADAC runner home sixth overall in 29.44 this earned him second 

veteran prize. John Murphys time of 31.15 was slightly below his expectations yet was a good 

run nevertheless and he was followed by Over 60 Jim Buchanan, 32.05,  who continues to clock

 some great times as does Super veteran George Fraser who came home in 34.44. Caroline

Legg ran round in a time of 36.33 and Gordon Rogerson made it back in a time of 40.44.

The previous outing for the ADAC team was at Moffat where eight members turned up to compete

 in the Moffat Gala Run over a distance of 15 Kilometres.

To start with there is an undulating four miles which gets the runners into a nice rhythm then comes

the real test with a climb up the side of the Beef tub which is just under a mile long and finally relief 

you might think at the top as the remaining four and a bit miles are all downhill but believe me it 

does put a strain on the fittest of legs. It has to be said however tough the course might be the

support of the people who turn out to cheer each and every single runner who crosses that finishing

 line is amazing and makes it one of the favourite races in many a runners calendar.

It was a very hot and sultry evening that greeted this years competitors so it was clear from the

 start that fast times were not going to be achieved.

Victory went to Dumfries Running Clubs Jamie Laird in a time of 52.00 Border Harrier Steve

 Angus took the runners up spot in 54.02 and ADACs Mark Whitelaw was third in 54.46. 

Mhairi Douglas of Dumfries was first female home in 65.30.

Once again Roger Irving was second of the clubs members in with a time of 61.29 he was

 followed by John Murphy 64.19 who had to dig real deep to find an extra gear to get and 

stay ahead of Jim Buchanan 64.26 and Owen Brown 65.22. Flying the flag for the female

 members were Caroline Legg and Jean Robson who completed the run in times of 75.15 

and 88.23.Gordon Rogerson 85.02 was happy to be competing in the run again after a few 

years break and a far from fully fit Alan Legg struggled in to make it all ADAC members safely

 back.

A special mention must go to Mark Whitelaw who gained a personal best time of 32.27 in the

 last of the Poloroid Series of 10Ks at the Vale Of Leven recently. Mark finished the overall 

series in third place which was a superb result, the out right winner was Steve Wylie of 

Cambuslang and Beattocks Carl Heaven was second.

The next Championship race will be the Dumfries 10K which takes place at the David Keswick

Centre on Wednesday September 3rd it is pre entry only. Meanwhile the next ADAC event to

take place will be the eagerly awaited first ever "ADAC Festival Of Running". The event will 

take place on the 8^th 9^th and 10^th of August and consists of four runs, a one mile Track

 Run and a 3 mile Cross Country run at Annans Everholm on the Friday evening ,

a six mile Road Run at Gretna Green on the Saturday morning and finally on the Sunday 

a Hill Run of approx 3.5 miles at Moffat. Competitors may take part in as many of the 

events as they wish. Results will be by the age grade system and all standards and abilities as 

well as non members are welcome .For further information contact Caroline Legg 01461205350

 or checkout the ADAC website.

The road running season is now well and truly underway and ADAC members have been leaving

 their mark in races up and down the country.

The current road running champion George Fraser has certainly done his share of travelling over

 the past few months taking part in various events down in the Lake District and across in the

 Scottish Borders. Most recently he ventured northwards to take part in two popular runs the 

first of them the Dunfermline half marathon which attracted a total of 756 runners .It was a very

 hot sultry day that greeted the competitors and the course although undulating was a very

 pleasant one. George enjoyed his run finishing midfield in a time of 1.45.46.The next event

was also a very well attended one with over 800 runners turning out to complete the 13.1 Mile

route at East Kilbride this course was a complete contrast to Dunfermline as there was hardly 

a hill in sight which would account for his improved finishing time of 1.42.12.

Mark Whitelaw has been taking part in the Polaroid Series of 10K runs around the Glasgow area.

 There are four races in the event which are spread out over six weeks and Mark had finished in

 ninth place in the first two so was hopeful of a good run in the third which was to take place at 

Dumbarton .He was not disappointed and although finished a few places down on the previous

runs he was rewarded with a PB time of 32.45. With only one race to go this weekend at Vale

 Of Leven he looks set to finish in a good position overall for the series.

New member Lee Price travelled with Mark and former ADAC member Carl Heaven to

 Glenrothes to compete at the Glenrothes Running Festival .Lee decided to opt for the 5K 

run leaving his training partners to take on the longer 10K event. From the off it appeared 

as though Lee had made the right choice and his training partners watched him storm home

 in first place in a time of 17.10. It was an extremely hot day and it would be fair to say that

 Mark and Carl did not enjoy their efforts in their 10K run due to the heat as well as perhaps 

tired legs from their excellent runs at Dumbarton I am sure left them wishing they had opted

 for the shorter event! However further down the road at Edinburgh on the same day another

 ADAC member was out running and 10K was less than a quarter of the distance she had to run

 in. Caroline Legg was taking part in the revived Edinburgh Marathon. It was 18 years since the

 city had staged a Marathon so there was great enthusiasm amongst the crowd as well as the

 competitors. The entrants were warned that the route was not going to produce fast times and

 that there were a few "inclines to be endured "the first of them being around Arthur’s Seat!

According to Caroline though that was one of the easier hills the toughest one being at Silver 

Knowles 18 miles into the run and which the runners have since nicknamed the "killer". The 

beating sun and cobbled streets added to the testing hills made it the hardest run she has

 taken part in but determined not to be defeated she ran across the finishing line in a time just 

outside her best of 3.49.23.

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The ADAC 4 Mile Handicap Championship Run took place on Tuesday evening. It was a

 pleasant night for running perhaps a little on the warm side but dry and not much of a breeze.

 The route chosen was a likeable one, a steady climb for two miles then a turn around and a

 lovely descent before the road levels off back to the starting point.

Eleven competitors turned out to take part in the run which was part of this years Road Running 

Championships. Although the run was held as a handicap event, that is the slowest runners

 followed by the fastest runners, the result for the championship was worked out by the

 WAVA age grading system which takes the runners time and calculates it as a percentage

 according their age.

First across the finishing line was guest runner Gary Dean he stormed round the course in

 an excellent time of 22.16,hot on his heels in second place and just pipping Caroline Legg 

in the last few metres was Darren Malin. The runners all finished within a minute of each

 other which was really good as everyone got a good workout in preparation for their 

forthcoming races except maybe for Mark Whitelaw and Carl Heaven who had no more

 than a stroll around as they are racing on Thursday evening

in the next round of the Poloroid 10K Series at Glasgow where they have been performing 

really well Carl finished fourth again last week in a time of just over 32 minutes and Mark

 was ninth with a super run of 33.08.

The date for the next handicap event is June 17^th and will take place at the John Bell Field 

at the slightly later time of 6.30pm.

A senior track training night will be starting on Tuesday June 24^th as with the Handicap 

events all abilities are welcome the meeting place the Everholm the time 6.15pm.

May has been a busy month once again for ADAC roadrunners with members taking part

 in a variety of events both locally and further afield.

The first of the local races was the "Hollywood Stroll", a pleasant run around quiet country

 lanes covering a distance of 5 Miles. The winner was Jamie Laird of the host club Dumfries.

 There was a very strong head wind for most of the way so his time of 25.40 was excellent

. Beattock based runner Carl Heaven took the runners up spot in 26.51 from ADAC s Mark 

Whitelaw in 27.11.

Mhari Douglas was the first lady home in a fine time of 33.27,second place went to Sandra 

Brett of Dumfries Running Club 34.44 and a good run by ADACs Louise Hopper 35.13 

gave her third position.

Darren Malin made a gentle return to competition after his leg break of last year and he was

 rewarded with the first junior man prize with his run of 31.46.

Other ADAC performances were John Murphy 30.59,Jim Buchanan 32.44,George Fraser

 34.30,Caroline Legg 35.49,Elizabeth Myatt 36.15,Callum Thomson 37.32,Alan Legg 38.31 

and Davy Henderson 43.33.

Langholm was the venue for the next event to take place and was quite a contrast to the short 

undulating course of Hollywood. The event known as the Doctors Run covers 8 miles and

 features some very steep climbs along the way these added to the new finish on the rough

 ground of the rugby field led to some very tired bodies crossing the finishing line. One consolation 

was that the weather was kind the torrential downpours that had been taking place all morning

 stayed away for the duration of the run.

First home in a time of 44.16 was Border Harrier Mike Scott he was followed by Langholm 

runner John Borthwick 45.28 and Mikes team mate Steve Angus was third in 45.45.

The first lady home was Doleen Galbraith of Giffnock North RC her time 55.55. Next was 

Dumfries RC runner Sandra Brett 57.35 who was also the first female doctor and in third 

place yet again flying the flag for ADAC was Louise Hopper in 60.21.

Roger Irving running on home soil had a pleasing run he crossed in 9^th place 49.43. John 

Murphy and Jim Buchanan had a good battle along the way to cross in 15^th and 16^th places

 their times being 54.22 and 54.34 as did George Fraser and Liz Myatt their finishing times

 of 61.28 and 61.34 being equally as close. Next ADAC vest home was Callum Thomson 

in 64.42.

Caroline Leggs time of 68.43 only tells half a story – her and husband Alan ran their race

 playing catch up – they arrived in plenty of time for the run but as Caroline climbed out of

 the car she realised that she had left her trainers at home! A very kind and caring Alan drove

 back to Annan collected her shoes and returned six minutes after the race had started but the 

‘dedicated’ runners that they are set off on the run and completed the route. Alan came home

 in 71.36 just ahead of Jean Robson 72.29.

Kircudbright ½ marathon took place on Saturday and only four members braved the longer

 distance. It was a pre race warm up for Louise and Caroline who both hope to compete in

 the Edinburgh marathon in two weeks time.Both were pleased with their performances 

Caroline just catching Louise in the last half mile to cross in 97.32,Louises time was 97.55

 .Callum ran his usual steady race finishing around 110 minutes and Alan admitted a bit more

 training is needed before he tackles the distance again,however he completed in 116 minutes.

Mark and John have been competing in races much further from home.

Troon was the first of their jaunts to compete in the West District 10K Road Running 

Championships. It was a very windy evening that greeted them so although the course is

 renowned as producing really fast times the horrendous weather conditions put paid to

 any records being broken .

The race was won by Alan Adams of Clydsdale AC in 31.44 .Mark finished 17^th overall 

in a time of 34.39 which was a good performance in a field of 750 runners John also did

 well to come home 74^th in a time of 40.49.

Next journey for Mark was to Helensburgh to take part in their 10K .With a time of 30.22

 victory went to Stephen Wyllie of Cambuslang Former ADAC runner Carl Heaven showed

 he is getting back to his best with an excellent time of 32.43 which gained him 4^th place. Mark

 also had a good run taking 9^th place ,his time being 33.44.

Manchester was Johns destination, the event, the Great Manchester 10K run .He enjoyed 

the race which was well suited to his style of running – no hills !- and was pleased with his

 performance of 40.29 as well as his TV appearance .

We now look forward to the next set of races the first of them being the ADAC 4 Mile 

Handicap on June 3d a reminder that this is a championship event .Guests are welcome to

 come along ,the meeting place Galabank carpark at 6pm with the first runners setting off

around 6.15pm.

The second ADAC handicap run of the season was held on Tuesday evening 22nd April, 

on the John Bell Playing Fields. The weather was once again kind, although cool, it was dry

 and pleasant for running.

The 3 mile course consists of three and a half laps and conditions underfoot were perfect 

thanks to the fine weather of late enabling some fast times to be achieved. Bob Morgan 

kindly stepped in to be referee and time keeper, making sure the eleven members set off 

when they should, this enabled the handicap to work well as everyone finished within a couple

 of minutes of one another.

First across the line was Mark Whitelaw followed by Roger Irving, both were given lenient

 handicap marks as they were expected to be tired from their participation in the London 

Marathon just over a week ago and they were followed by Caroline Legg who was pleased

 to finish ahead of husband Alan.

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Well done to Mark and Roger who took part in the London Marathon. Marks time of 2.44 gives

 him an automatic entry for next years race and although Rogers time of 3.30 was well down 

on other years he completed the race and after a well earned rest can look forward to putting 

his hard training to use in other forthcoming events.

John Murphy competed at the weekend in the Lancashire 3 Bridges 10K he was 37^th overall 

in a time of 39.27 while current road running champion George Fraser was also out and about

 running in the Gala Harriers 10k road race at Galashiels.

 Next Handicap Run  will take place at the same venue on Tuesday May 6^th the first runners

 setting off at 6pm. Other dates for your diary are the Hollywood Stroll 5 Mile race on 

Tuesday May 13^th 7pm start from Nunholm Sports Centre Dumfries, Doctors 8 Mile

 Run Langholm Sunday May 18^th, Kircudbright ½ Marathon Saturday May 24^th

 and ADAC 4 Mile Road Handicap Run Galabank car park Tuesday June 3rd 6pm start.

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The first road races of the season have been taking place across the region and ADAC members

 have been out in force making the most of the lovely spell of weather which we have been 

blessed with over the past couple of weeks. It is most unusual to start off the series of runs in

 near on perfect conditions.

The reigning 2003 road champion George Fraser has already set the target for the rest of the 

group as he has to be the most travelled runner to date competing in three events already. The 

Haweswater ½ Marathon was his debut .The route is a hilly but very scenic one near Penrith

 and was won by Border Harrier Mike Scott in a time of 74.07 Sara Carson of Cumberland

 Fell Runners was first lady home her time 79.15.Almost 350 runners took part and George 

did well to complete in 1.43.29. Claire Burrell of Gretna was another local who took part and 

was pleased with her effort finishing in 1.47.15. Next journey for the ADAC member was to

 the Lasswade 10 Mile Run. Victory here went to Al Hart of Hunters Bog Trotters his time 

54.27. Nearly 300 hundred runners set out on the undulating course and George was pleased 

to have the company of a runner from Moffat to aid him to his finishing position of 137th and 

time of 77.19.

The Dalston 10K was a little nearer home for the Lockerbie man and here he was accompanied

 by four team mates .The race winner was Great Britain Internationalist Mark Openshaw 

of Birchfield Harriers in an impressive time of 30.17. Although not a particularly hard course

 fast times are hard to come by. First of the ADAC team home was Roger Irving just back

 from some "warm weather training" on holiday Roger struggled with the fast early pace and

 had to stop twice on route to stretch tight leg muscles however he did complete the run.

 George and Louise Hopper had a good battle along the way Louises lack of race fitness

 just letting the champ finish slightly ahead but a great run never the less and her time 43.50

 at the start of the year looks promising better watch out George ! Caroline Legg had been

 suffering from an ear and throat infection so was not surprised at her poor effort of 47.58.

 Final ADAC runner home was Callum Thomson who ran a steady race producing his usual

 good turn of foot at the end to move up a few places.

Training partners Mark Whitelaw and John Murphy travelled to Carnforth to take part in the

 Carnforth Classic 10K the day before Dalston . This run was over a very tough route and

 John was quite disappointed with his time of 40 minutes as he has been running very well

 in the handicap events over the winter however he too has been suffering from the viral

 infection circulating in our area explaining his under par performance. In contrast Mark ran

 an excellent race finishing in seventh place and a fine time of 34 minutes.

Next race will be the Tom Scott 10 Mile which takes place at Strathclyde Park on April

 6^th and finally a date to add to the diary is May 13^th for the Hollywood 5 Mile Road Race.

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1st April.

The Tom Scott 10 Mile road race is race number two on the ADAC road running calendar and 

the event was held on Sunday April the 6^th. This was the 40^th running of the event and special

 mementoes of engraved pens were given to all competitors.

The weather conditions were as near perfect for racing as you can get especially at this time 

of the year which it would be fair to say accounted for the large turnout of almost 200 runners.

 The run starts at the village of Law and finishes at Motherwell and although not the most scenic

 of routes the finishing mile through Strathclyde Park more than makes up for it. The second half

 of the run is very fast with much of the course downhill and fast times are never unexpected.

Victory in a time of 48.25 went to Steve Wylie of Ron Hill Cambuslang who incidentally up 

until two years ago thought exercise was walking to his local pub and back!

Half a minute behind second and third place was being fought out by Steve’s teammate Jamie

 Reid and Allan Adams of Clydesdale AC with only a second separating them at the finish it

 was a real battle all the way to the line.

Great Britain Internationalist Trudi Thomson of Pitreavie showed a clean pair of heels to her

 rivals crossing the tape in 56.11which was almost three minutes ahead of second place Elaine

 McBrinn of Shettleston Ladies. Third prize went to Jessie Millar of Motherwell AC (64.07).

First of the ADAC runners home was Mark Whitelaw who it has to be said had a very easy run

 round (59.55) in preparation for his main aim of the year this weekends London Marathon.

John Murphy should be pleased with his run and time of 62.10which follows his good performance

 recently at the tough Coniston 14 Mile run, which he completed in 96.30.

Louise Hopper and Caroline Legg were the female reps from the club and both had no

 complaints about their performances of 70.01 and 72.33 proving to them that training is 

going well for their forthcoming Edinburgh Marathon in June.

There is a lull now to allow everyone including the reigning champion (George) time to get

 some extra training in and sharpen themselves up ready for the next set of events in May 

the first of them being the Hollywood Stroll ‘5’ Mile on the 13^th.

A slight blip in the weather saw the first of the summer handicap events taking place on a 

cold damp evening, however it may not have dampened the spirits of those who turned up

 to run but for some it did numb their heads into forgetting what a handicap run is –the slow

runners first then the faster and in theory everyone to cross the line together -never mind

 practise makes perfect they say so by the end of the summer hopefully everyone will have

 got the idea.

The events are a lot of fun really and all abilities and non-members are welcome to come 

along and take part, the next one will take place on Tuesday April 22^nd meeting place 

the John Bell Field at 6pm.

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