On the same Sunday Will Manners competed in the Stirling Duathlon and finished as 7th Vet, 33rd overall and two minutes faster than last year. His times were: 1st run (~6km) - 22.50 (28th fastest); 1st transition 0.44; Bike 44.26 (64th fastest); 2nd transition 0.33; 2nd run (~6km) - 22.10 (25th fastest).

A small group of Harriers turned out for the first of the season's East District league fixtures at Stirling University on Saturday October 15th. Angela Mackenzie and Liz Mestecky ran well in the ladies race, and Phil Mestecky, Jim McConnell and Gordon Morrison finished in creditable times (and in that order!) in the men's race.

The racing was competitive but enjoyable, and we hope to see a bigger turnout from the club for the next event on November 27th.

In the searing heat of a September day in Perthshire (no, really, Sunday 4th was the hottest day of the year by some way!) four Harriers competed in the Aberfeldy Half Marathon. On the day, everyone's times were at least 5-10 minutes down on expectations as a result of the conditions. However, all put in good performances with Will Manners leading the team home in 17th place out of 156 finishers in a time of 1:29.32. Phil Tipping finished just over a minute behind in 23rd place (1:30.49).

Shelagh Crighton, in her first ever half marathon was next in 105th place in a time of 2:01.39 and Liz Mestecky came in soon afterwards in 123rd place.

Two Harriers took part in the Ben Nevis race this year: Digby Sym in his first attempt at this monstrous hill race and Adrian Wake in his 15th (yes, fifteenth). Digby managed to get to the top in good shape but lost a few places coming down the precipitous descent as fellow runners disengaged both brain and brakes. Nonetheless, he managed a very impressive time of 2:16.32 and 157th position.

Adrian, nursing a recently sprained ankle, came through unscathed in 2:52.52 - perhaps not the fastest of his 15 attempts but another step on his way to his target of 21 completions (apparently this will entitle him to a free bottle of Ben Nevis Malt - hmmm someone might mention there may be an easier way...)

The 'Strathearn Strollers', a trio of John and Sue Drummond and Edward Elworthy, distinguished themselves and the Strath with some exceptional results in this tough event on July 2nd. It's a 17 mile run/walk from Fort Augustus over the 2500 ft pass and on to Garva Bridge, then a 26 mile cycle ride to Kincraig.

Run/Cycle - Sue Drummond 06:13:17 - 4th female super veteran
Walk Cycle - Edward Elworthy 06:22:42 - 1st male vintage
- John Drummond 07: 07: 58 - 2nd male vintage
Congratulations to these up and coming youngsters!

At the recent Kenmore Highland Games, the Wake brothers, Adam and Simon, were intent on securing family bragging rights over the 5 mile hill race. Adam took an early lead on the steep uphill road out of the town and never relinquished it from then on finishing in overall 3rd position with Simon in 4th both collecting some useful beer money (which I've not seen hide nor hair of yet, ed.). Simon's partner, Shelagh Crighton, demonstrated she's in good form at the moment finishing well as 4th lady but just outside the cash prizes..

After nearly 18 months away from racing, Walter Simpson turned in a useful performance as the only Harrier at the Brig Bash 5 mile race in Bridge of Earn. Walter finished in 48.38 just a few minutes down on his previous run there in 2003.

In warm sunny weather, Simon and younger brother Adam attempted the arduous 28 mile course from the Police Station in Braemar to the Police Station in Aviemore through the rough track that is the Lairig Ghru. Despite setting off dead last, the brothers worked their way through the field and finished well up in joint 34th place in a time of 4 hours 47 mins. Although this was a great effort, particularly since neither had had a chance to train seriously for the race, I'm reliably informed it was over 40 minutes slower than elder brother Adrian's best! A target for next year then?

Two Harriers took part in the enjoyable but virtually unpublicised Lang Toon 10k on Wednesday evening. Ewan McNair, in improving form, finished in something over 50 minutes, and Gordon Morrison managed a respectable 44.50.

Phil Mestecky, Simon Wake and Gordon Morrison were the only nominees for the committee, so they now join President Jim McConnell, Treasurer Phil Tipping and Secretary Liz Mestecky.

On May 18th three members of Strathearn Harries took on the 800ft challenge of Kinnoull Hill in Perth. The course was a scenic one through woodland and the heavy rain arrived just in time to add a bit more mud to the tracks. The three Harriers all performed well with Will Manners finishing in a fine 22nd place in a time of 30mins and 49secs, Shelagh Crighton in 77th closely followed by Liz Mestecky in 79th place.

The following Wednesday a seven-strong Harriers contingent took part in the local Knock Hill Race in even worse weather than the previous week. The course was a gruelling one twice taking in the top of the Knock and was again extremely muddy. Despite the weather, all the Harriers ran well with John Burke finishing in a creditable 5th place despite being one of many runners that mislaid the route on the way down. Another good performance from Will Manners saw him finishing in the top 10, closely followed by Digby Sym in an excellent 12th place. Gordon Morrison finished well in 27th place and the female Harriers all finished closely with Mandy Waite in 40th, Shelagh Crighton in 41st and Liz Mestecky in 43rd place.

Under uninterrupted blue skies, Adrian Wake and Phil Mestecky shipped out on the "Time & Motion" for the 2005 Clyde Challenge. Three days of sailing, running, orienteering, cycling, general knowledge and games ended up with the two Harriers in (they think) 4th place (out of 9 teams).

In both running races Phil finished 2nd and Adrian 4th making the pair 2nd running team overall. They won the cycling only to be disqualified for not using the appropriate number of bikes (using a tandem apparently constitutes an unfair advantage!).

Rob "crazy" Bolton and Walter Gray were part of the organizing team as well as adding lustre to the event with their fantastic piping throughout the weekend.

Well done to Digby Sym who was the sole Strathearn Harrier tough enough to take this one on this year. Digby's time of 3.33.44 was an excellent performance over the gruelling 15 mile course with 5000 feet of ascent.

Phil Mestecky managed a creditable time of 3.51.19 and 11th place in this 14 lap course around the streets and cycle tracks of Glenrothes. Phil's view on the race : 0/10 for scenery but certainly a good flat course with plenty of opportunities to grab something to drink and some much needed Jelly Babies on each lap.

On a blustery and occasionally rainy evening, three Harriers ran the Kinross 10k on Thursday 28th April , supported by Liz Mestecky. Alison Manners ran an excellent 54.56, accompanied by not-yet-fully fit husband Will, and Gordon Morrison finished in 45.39, slightly slower than last year.

Adrian, Simon and Adam Wake ran in the London Marathon on Sunday 18th, in memory of their mother. In his first marathon, Simon finished in a creditable 3.44.42 in 6757th place overall. Big brother Adrian came home in under 4 hours at 3.55.29, and third brother Adam finished in 4.26.08.
Dad Charles also took part and completed the course in 5.25.27. Well done to all.

Congratulations to all the Harriers who ran in the tough Speyside 50k race on Sunday April 10th. Individually their results were:

Phil Mestecky 10th 4.08.31
Phil Tipping 13th 4.15.01
Eric Sidebottom 39th 5.07.59
Sue Drummond 42nd 5.19.00

and jointly their efforts made Strathearn Harriers the 2nd placed club.

Well done to Adrian Wake and Vic Johnston who ran in the Inverness Half Marathon on March13th.
Among 1087 finishers, Ade was 183rd in 1:32.21 and Vic was 450th in 1:43.45.
There's life in the old dogs yet!

On the evening of Saturday January 29th the Harriers gathered for the 21st annual club dinner, held at the Crieff Hydro. Some 27 runners and guests enjoyed a good meal (this year with only one dessert) and fine wines.

Club president Jim McConnell thanked Walter Simpson for all his work as club secretary. Jim also welcomed Elizabeth Mestecky as our new secretary, and congratulated her and husband Phil for organising the successful club entry to the Devil's Burdens race.

This year's very popular winners of the prizes for outstanding contribution to the club were Sue Drummond and Adrian Wake.

Rob Bolton was unfortunately not able to be present and his usual witty and insightful after-dinner address was greatly missed (it says here).

At the annual dinner, Adrian Wake stepped down as club treasurer after a good number of years valued service, and unless there is a late rush of other applicants for the position Phil Tipping will take over as treasurer with effect from the beginning of February. Thanks to Adrian for all his hard work and well done Phil for volunteering!

On the same day as the annual club dinner three Strathearn Harriers teams took part in the Devil's Burdens race. This involves teams of 6 people running in relay over the Lomond Hills, covering a distance of 30 km and climbing 4100 ft.

This years Mince Pie Run involved several starting points and various routes to reach the top of Torlum Hill and the awaiting refreshments of mince pies and Rob Bolton’s famous “coffee”. The generous dusting of snow and blue skies helped make this the perfect way to start the Christmas celebrations.

The following week, while sensible folk were sleeping off the after-effects of Hogmanay celebrations, more than 25 intrepid men and women from Strathearn Harriers met up in Comrie on Saturday morning to mark the New Year in their own traditional way. Starting at The Royal Hotel, and ignoring the bemused looks of those engaged in the clear-up operation in Melville Square, the troupe set off at a brisk pace through the woods and up the steep path to Melville’s monument. Another flask of Rob’s “coffee” provided the reward for the climb and topped-up the courage of a record 5 Harriers who took the plunge in the Wee Cauldron’s invigorating waters. Among the swimmers were 13 year old Ben Wake and his father Adrian who insists that this will be his last New Year dip now that Ben has assumed his mantle.