Published: Thursday, 15th May, 2008 12:40pm

Thousands enjoy Run Dunfermline 2008

by Sportsdesk

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Pic by: Dunfermline Press

THE second-biggest field in the recent history of the race contested Sunday’s Dunfermline City Half Marathon.

Nearly 800 runners, ranging from Scotland’s elite to enthusiastic joggers, pounded just over 13 miles of the city’s streets in what was the showpiece event of the weekend’s Run Dunfermline 2008 Festival.

A field of nearly 300 got the festival off the blocks in Wednesday’s Auld Toun 10K race and then the baton passed to hundreds of primary school children who were taking part in Friday’s cross-country relays in Pittencrieff Park.

The park staged a 3K and 5K event on Saturday before the main race got under way just after 11am on Sunday in overcast but warm conditions.

Central AC’s Robert Russell won and was so crowned Scotland’s national half marathon champion, taking the tape in a speedy 1 hour, 7 minutes and 36 seconds, almost two minutes ahead of his nearest challenger, clubmate Ross Houston, who clocked 1:09.29. Robert Gilroy, of Ron Hill Cambuslang Harriers, was third in 1:10.14.

Carnegie Harrier Tommy Lawrence was the first West Fifer home in 10th place and won the Gary Riddell Trophy presented each year in memory of the former Pars player who died while taking part in the race in 1989.

He was followed by another Harrier, Scott Bradley, who clocked 1:15.44 in 11th. Ian Johnston was the third Harrier home and his time of 1:24.16 ensured he was the leading M50 and clinched third team place for Carnegie.

Neil MacLachlan was the first Pitreavie AAC athlete to finish, coming 29th in 1:22.27.

Central AC also produced the female half marathon champion, thanks to Alison Docherty, who placed 26th overall in a time of 1:21.44.

Second was Megan Wright, of Hunters Bog Trotters, in 1:22.41 and third was Carnegie’s Ros Alexander, the first West Fife female, who clocked 1:26.08 to place 51st. Harriers Sharron Gunn (1:34.22) and Susan Cederstrom (1:42.23, 3rd F40) helped the Carnegie ladies finish second team.

Dunfermline West MP Willie Rennie, who runs for Carnegie Harriers, was 205th in 1:39.56.

Reflecting on the weekend, Run Dunfermline 2008 race director John Martindale told Press Sport, “The weekend, the venue, the excitement – it was magnificent.

“It’s a celebration of running and it’s a corking event.

“It was the second-biggest field we’ve had and there were no casualties.

“The work starts for next year now and the review process has already begun.

We will build up the team relay and make it a two-leg relay and we’ve got some ideas about speeding up the course.

“It was a fantastic performance by Robert Russell in winning. He’s a name to watch out for in the future. I think he’s one of the most elegant runners in terms of style that I’ve ever seen – he’s like a well-oiled machine.”

There was around three times the usual turn-out for the popular family fun run, which sees younger children complete a 1km loop around the park accompanied by mums, dads, aunties and uncles.

However, the big field led to some youngsters not receiving a medal at the finishing line and Martindale explained, “We have got their names and addresses and we are putting it right. They will be sent a letter with their medal.

“All I can do is apologise. It must have upset those individuals very much, I can appreciate that.”