BEN POTRYKUS blasted his way to victory across the Forth recently as Pitreavie AAC Endurance athletes continue to enjoy running success.

He earned one of two top-three spots for club members at Blast Running's 'Blast at Gypsy Brae' event in Edinburgh, a five-kilometre race held on a Sunday morning at Silverknowes in the north of the city.

The timed run, which begins at Gypsy Brae Park, is one of two such events held each week in the capital and Potrykus, in a time of 15 minutes and 12 seconds, came out on top with David Henderson placing third in 18:26.

Virtual racing has continued across the country despite some easing of lockdown measures and, for Jonny Cotton and Leona Doherty, it proved worthwhile when they took part in the Gartmorn 6 race.

Held by the Wee County Harriers, the trail race usually takes place in March – a week before the Alloa Half Marathon – round the Gartmorn Dam next to Alloa and Sauchie but was cancelled this year because of COVID-19.

A virtual event, however, was organised and Cotton, in 47:16, finished first while Doherty was the top female competitor, timing at 52:58.

Cotton followed that achievement by placing third overall, and the second M40 athlete, at another virtual event, the Last Duel Trail Race, hosted by Fife Athletic Club.

Participants were asked to run the real 5.6-mile course in Cardenden Woods by October 25 and, despite muddy and slippery conditions after heavy rainfall, Cotton produced a highly-impressive time.

Pitreavie have also been supporting races organised by Trails of Fife, with 16 members of the endurance section taking on the Reuse Recycle Charity Trail Race at Lochore Meadows on October 18.

Led by M50 runner John Cruikshank, who was Pitreavie's first male home in ninth place in a time of 34:19, they once more produced fine performances over the 4.9-mile course, which included Mags Blanski taking the first F50 crown in 44:58.

The same course was home to the Chilly Willy Halloween Trail race two weeks later, with another 19 endurance section members running in windy and muddy conditions, many in full Halloween costume.