Bryan Fitzpatrick

Bryan Fitzpatrick

A selfie of Bryan

How/when did you start running, in particular hill/trail running?
I started running a few miles with my main man, Ricky (Reid), and he was telling me about the Kintyre Ultra Marathon. I was then a support runner for them – it was supposed to be a nice 6 miles but ended up being 21, so I guess that’s where I started.

Why do you run?
I run because hill running is probably the hardest and most challenging thing I’ve ever done and the buzz you get is awesome.

Bryan Fitzpatrick, Ben Lomond

Another selfie (and Goatfell, Arran)

What is your favourite running route?
Anywhere up the back of Dunoon and Benmore. I was going to say the Loch Eck loop but I would be lying 😀.

What have been your favourite races?
The Carnethy 5 and the Ben Lomond Hill Race.

What is your greatest running achievement?
The Glencoe Marathon – how I got my big ass over that finish line, I’ll never know. I have to say, Ricky pushed me a lot and really helped me even though I wanted to burst him at some points.

What are your goals/ambitions?
My goals are really just to keep enjoying it and taking more selfies of ma handsome face 😀

Bryan Fitzpatrick

Another selfie

Who is your running hero?
Well I know Ricky will expect me to say him, but it’s everyone in the Dunoon Hill Runners Club that gets out there and pushes themselves.

What is your most essential piece of kit?
My phone to take pics lol – and my tight shorts to keep the ladies happy.

Do you have other interests/pastimes?
Calling other Irish family members out for fights and disco dancing.

Bryan and Kieron

Bryan and Kieron (not a selfie?!)

Favourite inspirational running quote or piece of advice.
Don’t believe anyone when they say this is the last hill!Bryan Fitzpatrick

Congratulations to our 2015 Hoka Highland Fling Runners

2015 Hoka Highland Fling - Team DHR

2015 Hoka Highland Fling – Team DHR

Big congratulations go out to all the Dunoon Hill Runners who took part in the 2015 Hoka Highland Fling on 25 April. Three DHRs completed the full 53 mile race in outstanding times – well done, Kevin Nairn, Lisa Marshall and David Wilson. Our two relay teams did exceptionally well too: Kenny Taylor, Michelle Cameron, Gail Ritchie, Linda Good,  Lynda Nairn, Suzanne Longster,  Elaine Graham and Clare McFadden – you can all take a bow!  Thanks also to all the DHR supporters who showed up to provide encouragement, sustenance and medical assistance (!) on the day.

Race results can be found here.

Dunoon Ride and Run 2015

DHR Team at Dunoon Ride and Run 2015

DHR Team at Dunoon Ride and Run 2015

Dunoon Hill Runners club was well represented at the inaugural Dunoon Ride and Run event, held on Saturday 28 March 2015 and organised by PA23 BID – Destination Dunoon and No Fuss Events. In fairly atrocious conditions, the cyclists set out at 8 am to cover a challenging 31 mile route, before the run commenced just after 11 am. Thankfully, the torrential rain had lessened for the runners as they made their way through the 4 stages (and transitions) that firstly took them from the Argyll Gardens along Alexandra Parade and on to Hunters Quay Holiday Village. The next stage involved a muddy trail run through Kennel Wood, emerging at the Sandbank high road. It was then onwards to 2 speedy laps of Dunoon Stadium, before transitioning to Bishop’s Glen for the final stage that took the runners back to the centre of Dunoon.

Iain and Roger collect their medals

Iain and Roger collect their medals, presented by Graeme Obree

DHR’s own Iain Cairns and Roger Stewart took first and second place respectively on the podium for the run portion of the event.

It was an excellent, well-organised event and it is to be hoped that this will be the first of many more to come!

Results can be found here.

The route came to approx 9.3 miles in total, with approx 6.7 miles of timed stages.

Iain Cairns and Roger Stewart, 1st and 2nd place!

Iain Cairns and Roger Stewart, 1st and 2nd place!

Weekly Training Runs

Each week, Dunoon Hill Runners holds training sessions at 6 pm on a Monday and Tuesday night. This costs £1 for members and £3 for non-members. Venues will be posted on the Club Calendar and Facebook community page each week.

In addition, there is a weekly Wednesday night run at 7.30 pm, meeting at Glen Morag Car Park (same cost as above). Please also refer to the Club Calendar for any updates regarding it.

DHR Donates to Happy Dayz

Jean Bryson passes donation cheque to Paul Kerr of Happy Dayz

Jean Bryson passes donation cheque to Paul Kerr of Happy Dayz

Dunoon Hill Runners were delighted to hand over our first club charity cheque of £325 to Paul Kerr for local charity, HappyDayz. The money was raised by all the Dunoon Hill Runners who took part in the 2014 Glencoe Marathon and Mamores Half Marathon.

It is fantastic as a club to be able to be part of such an amazing charity and we hope it helps to bring some big smiles.

Dunoon Hill Runners Hold First AGM and Prizegiving

2014 Prizewinners

Prizewinnes: David Walsh, Ian Marshall, Michelle Cameron, Lisa Marshall, Bryan Fitzpatrick (click to enlarge)

After a highly successful inaugural year, the Dunoon Hill Runners Club held its first AGM and Prizegiving at the Lorne Bar on Saturday 28 February 2015. A large turn-out of members and friends attended as Club President, Ian Marshall, reflected on the growth of the Club as well as the achievements of members who represented Dunoon Hill Runners at many races across the country and beyond. The significant sums raised for charity were noted, two of the primary beneficiaries being local charity, Happy Dayz, as well as Arrochar Mountain Rescue.

Treasurer Morven Walsh then reviewed Club finances, following which the Prizegiving commenced with awards being made to Lisa Marshall – Summer League Female Champion, Ian Marshall – Summer League Male Champion, Michelle Cameron – Most Improved Female Runner, Bryan Fitzpatrick – Most Improved Male Runner, and David Walsh – President’s Trophy for Most Inspirational Runner.

Thanks go to everyone who has supported the Club over the past year, including sponsors – Argyll Financial Services, Cowal Physiotherapy, Mossvale Windowcleaners, the Eco Health Store and The Lorne Bar.

2015 Carnethy 5 Race Report

by Ian C Marshall

I don’t ever imagine David and Morven Walsh envisaged seeing a mass of Dunoon Hill Runners vests racing across the Carnethy hills when they first entered this race back in 2012. Fast forward some 3 years later, twelve club runners adorned in the now familiar and recognisable red, yellow and black colours were seen racing across the five peaks of the iconic Carnethy 5 2015 hill race.

Five new faces to the race, Bobby, Bryan, Kevin, Kieron and Louise, along with “seasoned” Carnethians, David, Iain, Lisa, Morven, Richie and Ricky (supported by Lynda and family) lined up at the mass start. An expanse of rough, untouched bog-strewn fields sprawled out in front of them before the monstrous hills of Scald Law and Carnethy rose up dramatically from the ground to the heavens. As usual there was a fantastic buzz in the air as around 515 hardy fell runners chatted with excitement, occasionally being drowned out by the sound of bagpipes from a lone piper.

It wasn’t long before the chatter died to a nervous silence as the Chief Marshal gave the well-versed race brief and the distinct bang of the start gun went off! Change the shorts, vests and waist packs into kilts and claymores, one could easily have been re-enacting the Battle of Bannockburn and crying “Freedom!” as the runners set off with purpose towards the first of five tough climbs. The first climb, Scald Law, towering some 579m/1900ft above sea level, is guaranteed to have the calves screaming at you at some point on the ascent and it wasn’t long before the field of runners had filtered into what looked like an army of ants across the bare heather-laden hillside.

Over the 10k course, the ground, soft underfoot, uneven, peppered with ditches, streams, thick matted heather, bog, scree and mud, is a test for any runner. Add in a few wickedly steep descents and the legs soon feel like jelly! Thankfully, this year the course was free of snow and ice so there were fewer Torvill and Dean impressions. Four peaks completed, and just when you think the lungs or legs can’t take any more following a leg breaking descent stretching over a mile to near sea level, you are faced with one last thigh, calf and lung burning climb – Carnethy! At 573m/1900ft in height, it looks every bit as daunting as Scald Law and feels more like Kilimanjaro, yet this last climb has a rather nasty twist. As you reach the top with a sense of relief, up out of the hill ruptures another steep rise to the actual summit and you quickly realise that you are standing on a false summit … Yes I am confident that if ever there was a place to have a swear box, it would be at this point!

Once up and over, the horizon unfolds for miles and looking downwards you can make out the distinctive yellow and red Carnethy flags marking the finish. One last hair-raising, leg busting descent over heather that wants to grapple you to the ground, on to loose scree, then back on to the all familiar ankle-breaking field that we had raced across at the start, and the cheers quickly ring in the ears with fellow runners, supporters and marshals encouraging those tired legs to finish in near Usain Bolt style (well, ask Bryan about that one).

Twelve DHR runners, twelve DHR finishers, and fittingly David led the way for Dunoon finishing in a new PB of 1:07.16 (it would have been quicker except for a bog taking him out at the beginning!). Also worthy of noting, five others achieved PB’s. Ricky and Lisa took a huge chunk from theirs of 9 and 10 minutes respectively, Morven took 4 minutes off of her time from the previous year, and Richie and Iain also gained new records. Of the Dunoon Hill Runners that ran this for the first time, I am confident that continuing the same dedication you have all shown in 2014 and carrying it on into 2015, each one of you will achieve a new PB in 2016!

Well done everyone and I hope to see even more faces at next year’s race!!