Author Archives: dhr_admin

Off to a great start!

  By dhr_admin • May 22, 2017 ,

Dunoon Hill Runners club member, Michael Tweedley, has won the Kintyre Way Ultramarathon in a blistering time of 4:52:17. Conditions were sunny and warm for the race, held on 6 May, which covers a distance of 35.5 miles from Tayinloan to Campbeltown. Michael is no stranger to local podiums, having won the inaugural Dunoon 55K Ultramarathon last year. The Kintyre route was also successfully completed by fellow club runners, Elaine Graham and Michelle Cameron.

Michael Tweedley, Grant Mackellar and Bryan Fitzpatrick all produced fast results in the short but tough Beinn Dubhh hill race at Luss on 26 April, with Michael coming in seventh. And David Walsh saw success at the Stuc a'Chroin long hill race on 6 May, a gruelling 22 km with 1500 metres of climbing, described as one of the most arduous races in Britain. Bryan Fitzpatrick and David Walsh then went on to set personal bests in the Ben Lomond hill race on 13 May, with Bryan taking over 30 minutes off of his previous time. Race season continues apace and Dunoon Hill Runners will be found running up Goat Fell and Ben Nevis, among many other hills, as well as taking on the 95 mile West Highland Way race in the coming weeks.

Michael Tweedley being interviewed by BBC

Michael Tweedley on the podum

Michael Tweedley on the podum

Presenter Dougie Vipond was filming for the BBC’s Adventure Show and took the opportunity to meet the Dunoon Hill Runners, interviewing Michael at the finish.

The 2017 race season has well and truly commenced for the club, which has been represented at several other prestigious events across the country. This included the 53 mile Highland Fling Ultramarathon through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, held on 29 April. The five individual club runners who completed this formidable race were returnees Ian Marshall, Ricky Reid and Lisa Marshall, all of whom set personal bests, as well as first timers, Richie Longster and Sabrina Collins Brolly. This was Sabrina’s longest ever distance, having completed her first ultra last October, the Dunoon 55K Ultramarathon. In addition, the female relay team, consisting of Angela Wilson, Lucie Shaw, Sara Cudahy and Kat Ullrich, performed very well, reaching the end in an excellent time.

Sabrina Collins Brolly at the Highland Fling finish

Sabrina Collins Brolly at the Highland Fling finish

That same weekend, Annie Lloyd Evans completed the Fellsman for her fourth time. This consists of a high level traverse covering more than 60 miles over very hard rugged moorland in the Yorkshire Dales. The route has a total elevation gain of over 11,000 feet and requires good navigational skills.

Nearer to home, Morven Walsh and Jean Maclennan finished strongly in the 31 mile Glen Lyon Ultra on 6 May – an achievement made all the more challenging by the warmer temperatures that day.

Michael Tweedley, Grant Mackellar and Bryan Fitzpatrick all produced fast results in the short but tough Beinn Dubhh hill race at Luss on 26 April, with Michael coming in seventh. And David Walsh saw success at the Stuc a’Chroin long hill race on 6 May, a gruelling 22 km with 1500 metres of climbing, described as one of the most arduous races in Britain. Bryan Fitzpatrick and David Walsh then went on to set personal bests in the Ben Lomond hill race on 13 May, with Bryan taking over 30 minutes off of his previous time.

Race season continues apace and Dunoon Hill Runners will be found running up Goat Fell and Ben Nevis, among many other hills, as well as taking on the 95 mile West Highland Way race in the coming weeks.

Another Year of Success for Dunoon Hill Runners

  By dhr_admin • March 13, 2017 ,

Saturday 18 February 2017 commenced with the last event of the Dunoon Hill Runners 2016-17 league series, the Handicap Race. Start times were allocated appropriate to each runner based on their season’s performance, and competitors set off chasing each other down on a damp and muddy Glenkin 5K route. First across the finish line was Bryan Fitzpatrick, followed by Lucie Shaw.

Later that day, the AGM and prizegiving were once again held at the Kirn and Hunters Quay Bowling Club. Dunoon Hill Runners Chairman, Ian Marshall, reviewed another successful year, with members continuing to represent the club in both local and national events. Two new committee members were voted into the positions of Secretary and Race Organisation Officer.

The prizegiving came next and included 2 handsome new trophies hand made by Dunoon Grammar School students, Isaac Lines and Elizabeth Stirling. In addition to the official shields and trophies, some light-hearted recognition was given to specific members for their outstanding contributions in the fields of swearing, sob story-telling, weight loss, animal rescue and a special award for heroic efforts in under-training.

List of Prizewinners:
President’s Trophy for Most Inspirational Runner – Ali McCrossan
Most Improved Male Runner (as voted by members) – Bryan Fitzpatrick
Most Improved Female Runner (as voted by members) – Lucie Shaw

Summer League Series:
Senior Male Winner – Ricky Reid
Senior Female Winner – Lucie Noakes
Senior Veteran Male Winner – Roger Stewart
Senior Veteran Female Winner – Morven Walsh

Handicap Race Male – Bryan Fitzpatrick
Handicap Race Female – Lucie Shaw
Handicap Race Overall Male – Grant Mackellar
Handicap Race Overall Female – Lindsay Moss
Vertical KM Male – Ricky Reid
Vertical KM Female – Lucie Noakes
Long Hill Race Male – Ricky Reid
Long Hill Race Female – Ronee McCarthy
Downhill Race Male – Ricky Reid
Downhill Race Female – Morven Walsh

10K Trail Race Male – Grant Mackellar
10K Trail Race Female – Lucie Noakes
Kilbride Hill Race Male – Grant Mackellar
Kilbride Hill Race Female – Lucie Noakes
Medals were also presented to all members who participated in at least 3 league events.

DHR 2017 prizewinners

L to R back: Morven Walsh, Lucie Shaw, Roger Stewart, Grant Mackellar, Bryan Fitzpatrick, Ricky Reid.
L to R front: Ronee McCarthy, Lucie Noakes, Richie Longster

Dunoon Hill Runners Are On The Up!

  By dhr_admin • February 19, 2017 ,
DHR Vertical KM competitors

DHR Vertical KM competitors

The penultimate race in the Dunoon Hill Runners’ 2016-17 league series of 6 races took place on Saturday 4 February 2017. This was the Vertical KM – which is as the title suggests, a brutal kilometre of relentless climbing! It was held on a damp and misty morning, when hardy competitors
signed up for an all-out, lung-busting ascent of the hills above Loch Eck.

Ricky Reid

Ricky Reid takes the lead in the Vertical KM race

Competition was fierce, but the finishing order soon became apparent as the runners approached the upper reaches of the route. Continuing a string of league race successes this season, the first male finisher was Ricky Reid in a time of 7 minutes 11 seconds, closely followed by Grant Mackellar in
7:38 and Charlie Collins in 7:53. The first female was Lucie Noakes, who has also had a very successful season, in 8:29. She was followed by Kat Sims in 8:39 and Morven Walsh in 9:55.

On Saturday 11 February, a 10-strong club contingent headed over to the Pentland hills to run the legendary Craigdon Carnethy 5 hill race, organised by the Carnethy Hill Running Club. This race is renowned for its brutal conditions and this year was no exception, with officials advising that it was the worst weather in the history of the race. Undaunted, the Dunoon Hill Runners set forth and, despite very high winds and searing wind chill, outstanding performances were achieved. The women’s team came in fourth overall, with results led by Sara Cudahy whose first appearance at this race produced a highly impressive time of 01:19:12. The men’s team came in twelfth overall,  with results led by Grant Mackellar in an incredible 1:03:43. Several personal bests were accomplished and special mention must go to Bryan Fitzpatrick, who took almost 20 minutes off of his 2016 finish time, coming in at 1:18:07.

DHR 2017 Carnethy 5 Hill Race competitors

DHR 2017 Carnethy 5 Hill Race competitors

The final race of the Dunoon Hill Runners league series was the Handicap race, held on Saturday 18 February 2017 (info to follow).

Anyone wishing to join the Dunoon Hill Runners is invited to complete a membership form and bring it along to a training session, or pass to a committee member.

2017 AGM and Prizegiving – 18 February 2017

  By dhr_admin • January 9, 2017 ,

The Dunoon Hill Runners AGM and Prizegiving will be held on Saturday 18 February 2017 at Kirn and Hunters Quay Bowling Club, starting at 7.30 pm. Please forward any agenda items to the Club Secretary – secretary@dunoonhillrunners.org.uk.  Renewal and new memberships will take place at this time.

Following the AGM, a presentation of trophies and awards will be given, followed by a party (at approx 8.30 pm).

2017 Beginners’ Training Sessions Commence

  By dhr_admin • January 9, 2017

Dunoon Hill Runners is pleased to welcome beginners to a training session specially tailored for those new to hill running, or those wishing to return after some absence. We will be operating an 8 week block of weekly training runs, at 6 pm each Tuesday, commencing 17 January 2017. Please advise Morven Walsh of your intention to attend, and complete a temporary membership form which you can print out and bring along to training. The cost is £3 per session. Trail shoes are recommended and a head torch is required.

Runners must be 12 years of age or over.

Please note that anyone between the ages of 12 and 16 years must run with an accompanying adult. A disclaimer form must be completed for anyone aged between 12 and 16 years.

Please also note that anyone who has recently had a baby or been through surgery will require to provide a doctor’s certificate clearing them to train.