AT THE close of a difficult year that saw much of sport curtailed, Pitreavie AAC's endurance runners were busy making up for lost time.

More than 100 members took part in two virtual club activities during December.

Restrictions due to coronavirus has impacted on the events that clubs can run, or participate in, but more than 130 members took part in 'PAACE Yourself in December', which involved participants making a personal commitment to achieving a fitness goal throughout the month, with any type of daily exercise permitted, ranging from taking a minimum number of steps, walking or running distance, while also raising cash for club funds.

The second event saw around 77 members take part in the PAACE Winter Trail Series, devised by club ultra runner Mike Gudgeon.

Keen to spread his love of trails, Mike developed a series of mapped trail routes across West Fife to be run any time to the end of February 2021, with the idea being to run in small groups, compliant with Scottish Athletics COVID-19 guidelines.

The races, while providing a little of the atmosphere of a normal event, were also designed to be a positive for mental health due to the safe social contact involved.

While some runners took the series more competitively than others and aimed for fast times, others, including the club's jogscotland group – Ready, Steady, Go Pitreavie – have been taking part to enjoy their first taste of the trails and, importantly, have fun.

In addition, PAACE members have also been busy raising money, both for the club and a good cause.

A total of £130 was donated to EATS Rosyth after the club hosted an internal five-mile handicap race, while a recipe book – based on member contributions – compiled by Carrie Wardrope raised £450 for the club.

Meanwhile, Pitreavie, which has more than 350 members, are on the lookout for people to fill two separate roles within the club.

They are seeking an assistant coach, or coaches, to help increase membership numbers by supporting a new community athletics programme for athletes aged between five and 12, and they also need a community athletics co-ordinator and coach.

The latter role, which is a part-time post, is funded through a partnership between the club and Scottish Athletics, through which the successful applicant will be employed. They will organise, lead and coach a new structured community athletics programme and, for more information about both positions, visit the Scottish Athletics website.