We are starting a new beginners walk-jog group, meeting at 7.00 pm on Wed evenings alongside the existing running group. Pass the word around if you know of anyone who would like to join up.

Running route & distances: The second sheet of basic routes, covering the Bell's Estate, Rigg, Cockburn Farm and Blinkbonny areas has now been compiled and is included with this Herald

Short-sleeved Running tops: The first batch went so quickly (or at least certain sizes did!) that we've had to order our second batch of running tops. These are in Red / Green diagonal with "Harmeny Pentland Runners" emblazed across the front and back. Their first outing was at the Grangemouth 10k and it certainly made spotting each other a lot easier during and after the race.

Sizes available are 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44

Running vests / crop tops: If anyone is looking for a running vest for the occasional hot sunny day in the summer, then we do keep a supply. As these are primarily used for track competition they do not have the "Pentland Runners" printing

Forthcoming events: The summer fixture booklet is now available and copies are available at Run & Become in Dalry Rd, or online at www.scottishathletics.org.uk. An updated list of the main local races is included with this Herald. I get a small supply of entry forms for most local races, so I'll try to maintain a stock of race entry forms and posters on the Games Area Notice Boards at Balerno HS & Currie HS

Bus to Britannic Asset Women's 10k, 16th May : There is talk of a bus being organised, with a pickup point in Balerno for local runners. In order to make this happen I'll need to pass on details of those who definitely would travel on it asap to the organisers ("maybe's" don't count!)

Worth noting:

There will be a Corporate Challenge 5k Fun Run in the Botanic Gardens on Wed 28th July.

Membership of Harmeny / Pentland Runners
It's good to see so many folk joining / re-joining. A copy of the Membership form is available at
www.pentlandrunners.org.uk
Members are entitled to a 10% discount on all goods (except sale items) at Run & Become.

Marshalls Needed: It used to be a plea in the American Wild West in places like Dodge City, but these days it's usually a plea by the organisers of every road race. Without an adequate supply of volunteers, the show doesn't go on! So the plea is for helpers for:

Rigg Race, Monday 24th May: Contact Bob Douglas, 449-6105 / bob.douglas@harmenyac.org.uk

Edinburgh Marathon, Sunday 13 June: Contact Caroline Vevers, 01620-890444 / caroline@edinburgh-marathon.co.uk. Helpers at the Edinburgh marathon get some goodies, and if you say you're from Harmeny AC / Harmeny Pentland Runners the club gets a small donation.

Helping at Track and Field meetings: Whilst in seeking-helpers-mode, its worth remembering that the track and field meetings that the club's junior members participate in need a supply of adult volunteers to run the meeting. So if you can't get to the Olympics.... (It's actually better than the Olympics when it's the youngster's we've been coaching!)

A total of ten runners (7 at Grangemouth and 3 at Inverness) braved the windy, squally conditions that seemed to hit all parts of Scotland. Those at Grangemouth were sporting the new running tops – and very fetching we looked too! Times at Grangemouth generally were a lot slower than the previous year (which I recall being a still, sunny day). The weather certainly didn't improve the post-industrial ambience of the Grangemouth scenery. Those running it for the first time know fully understand the "joy" of those last 2 kilometres... Most frustrated runner must have been Carol who was 1 second the wrong side of 50 minutes.

Saturday 3 April, Dunbar

Dunbar almost threatened similar conditions to Grangemouth and trotting round the track warming up was certainly not a breeze when running into it. Fortunately the rain stayed away and we were sufficiently sheltered from the headwind most of the time - except for the 9th kilometre, which also had a climb thrown in for good measure. The course was changed from last year, with a bit less at the beginning, a bit more at the end, and kilometre markers (rather than mile markers) to completely fool previous entrants. Congratulations to Jennifer and Janice for completing their first 10k, and to Norma and Janis for knocking over a minute off their Grangemouth times. A run by the sea, a medal, a can of beer with a pint mug, plus tea and sandwiches in the clubhouse afterwards – definitely one of the better events in Central Scotland. And well marshalled, even if one of them did say "Well done girls " as Bob and Jennifer ran past him......

Alex returns to Paris