Festive Forest Run – It Was FREEZIN’

Andy Symonds and Isobel Burnett win the Forest Run
Well done to all sixty two club members who completed a very challenging race on Saturday morning around an icy and snow covered Festive Forest Run course at Blairadam

The cold weather didn’t appear to affect the runners with a steady tempo being set from the gun. As the race progressed, Andy Symonds and Andrew Wright broke away from the chasing pack followed up the relentless climbs by former Forest Run winners Tommy Lawrence and Ian Stewart. In the ladies race, Isobel Burnett was forcing the pace with 2008 race winner Gail Murdoch and ultra running specialist Pauline Walker close behind.

Andy Symonds upped the tempo over the last few miles reaching the finish in an impressive 40 mins 40 secs to win his first Festive Forest Run title. 2008 race winner Andrew Wright put in a strong performance placing 2nd overall in 40.58 while Tommy Lawrence finished a stride ahead of Ian Stewart to claim 3rd place in 43.20 with Ian clocking 43.21 (4th and 1st M50).

Lewis Lawson was the leading M40 finishing 5th overall in 43.53 with Iain Taylor placing 6th (2nd M40) in 45.22 and Mike Harvey, 7th (3rd M40) in 46.09. Peter Simpson enjoyed a strong run placing 8th and 2nd M50 in 46.25, Steven King was 9th in 47.04 and Roger Clark completed the top ten finishers timing at 47.28. Bill Duff had a superb run winning the M60 award and placing 24th overall in 55.06.

Congratulations to Isobel Burnett who on her Forest Run debut won the ladies race in 54.17. Gail Murdoch ran well finishing 2nd lady in 56.02 and Pauline Walker covered the seven mile route in 56.54 placing 3rd lady. Helena Sim in 4th position (57.06) won the F40 award, Linda James was 5th lady in 58.50 and Grace McKenzie in her forst Forest Run was the 6th lady (59.13). Race organiser Morna Fleming finished 7th lady (1.03.48) and 1st F50 while Annette Bunyan placed 8th lady in 1.04.44.

Many thanks to everyone who assisted with the race organisation and to Sue Walker for providing the hot punch which was much appreciated after the race especially on such a cold morning.

The complete set of results are posted on our club website results page.

The 2009 race saw the highest number of runners taking part in the Festive Forest Run this century! The number of finishers each year can be found below;

2009 – 62 finishers
2008 – 43 finishers
2007 – 44 finishers
2006 – 47 finishers
2005 – 56 finishers
2004 – 50 finishers
2003 – 39 finishers
2002 – 35 finishers
2001 – 46 finishers
2000 – 39 finishers

Many thanks also to Isobel Burnett who provided the use of her 4×4 vehicle to set up the course.