THERE were gifts on offer for members of PH Racing Club as they enjoyed success at a recent Yuletide-themed Dunfermline parkrun.

A healthy representation of athletes made their way to Pittencrieff Park for the December 11 event, which saw coveted Festive Parkrun trophies up for grabs, and 2019 winners Paul Kieran and Kristin Lownie on the start line.

The run took a forced hiatus last year due to COVID-19 restrictions but, in addition to the duo defending their titles, fellow PH member John Crookston was back to go again for his age-graded accolade.

Kieran enjoyed a battle with 2018 winner Andrew Wright, with the latter coming out on top with a time of 17 minutes and 16 seconds, while Mark Ryan, Bryan Innes and Graeme Doig also enjoyed a close race, all finishing just over the 18-minute mark.

Another minute back, Kristin Lownie successfully defended her women’s title, finishing in a new V40 course record time of 19:07, having competed throughout with Mark Webster, who finished a single second ahead.

Slightly further back again was Scott Love, holding off John Crookston, who nevertheless won the age-graded title with his time of 19:28 giving a score of 85.36 per cent.

Unattached runner Alexander Webb broke the PH domination of the top 10 with a run of 20 minutes flat, which was just ahead of four more club athletes.

Julie Menzies was 11th overall, taking second place in the women’s ‘race’ in 20:05 and was followed closely by Paul Hammond, Alan McGowan and Michael Lindsay in 12th, 13th and 14th respectively.

Menzies’ time was also a new course record, for the V45 age category, and gave an age grading of 82.49 per cent.

Mark Western was 16th in a time of 20:29, while Ed Norton was 21st in a new V70 course record time of 21:44, which gave an age grading of 81.13 per cent.

Fellow V70 runner Malcolm Hammond timed at 22:16, for an age grading of 80.16 per cent, in 24th place, while Alan Cockburn separated the two by finishing in 23rd position.

A number of other PH members attended the event ahead of the Tilli 10K race, which will take place on Monday.