Record Entry, Record Run
A record number of 250 runners signed up for the annual Edinburgh to North Berwick road race this year and 215 toed the new starting line on Portobello promenade. The race which started in 1958 was run over a course from Edinburgh Post Office to North Berwick Post office , a distance of nearly 22 miles but was altered in 2009 for safety reason with the increased number taking part.
With only two miles run it was clear that Neil Renault (EAC) and winner of the East Lothian Cross Country championship in January was out to set a new record. At the 6 mile mark his lead was nearly 3 minutes over the chasing group and by the finish it was over 15 minutes. His time of 1hr 49m03s beat the old record set two years ago by 33 seconds.
The chase for the minor placings was however a fascinating affair with at least four runners challenging including Dunbar’s Stuart Hay who had in the previous two weeks taken 2nd place in the Edinburgh Half Marathon and had success in winning the Heaven and Hell race in Perth.
It was Peter Avent who took the second spot from Murray Paterson (PRC) with Stuart taking 4th spot for the second time,but claiming the veterans award in 2h 04.54s.
Notable performances from East Lothian Club athletes included Dermott Ferry former MAC 20th 2h14m31s; James Addie (DRC) 27th 2h16m16s; Alex Oliver (MAC) 33rd in 2h18m25s.
Rhona Anderson made it a double for Dunbar RC when she won the Veteran Ladies trophy in 43rd place overall in2hr22m06s. Together with Mary Wood and Anne Hay Dunbar won the women’s team award. Sandy Wallace (HELP) V60, completed his 29th running of the event in 2hr 43m29s and just two weeks after his gruelling desert run of 180 miles, Paddy McDonald (HELP) took just over 3hrs.
Other EL runners included John Askham (HELP) 2h. 22m49s; Neil Jones (DRC) 2h50m37s; and Dorothy Elliot (MAC) 3h07m17s.
Full results can be found on: http://www.b-howie.demon.co.uk/enb.htm
Photo courtesy of Kathleen Grabert
