XMAS Fun Run 2011

Conditions were perfect for running, not too cold  and no wind – far better than very icy and cold conditions experienced in the last couple of years when the route has had to be changed. There were 47 finishers this year compared with 21 last year, 43 in 2009 and 84 3 years ago; but the very icy conditions over the last couple of years put a number of people off entering. Despite this being a fun run there were some very fast finishers; over the flat course the fastest was Myles Edwards in a time of 15 minutes 35 seconds, the closest time to this previously was in 2007 when Darren Steel completed in a time of 15 minutes 42 seconds and it was Darrens’ father John Steel who won fastest male veteran this year for the 4^th year in a row (at least).  Fastest female was Emma Singer in a time of 20 minutes and 54 seconds and fastest female veteran Diana Ingram (a very late entry as she didn’t turn up until the race had started)in a time of 23 minutes and 2 seconds.

Husband and wife team Raymond and Margaret Simpson put the fun back into the run by completing the course dressed in Sumo wrestler outfits; they were pleased that they both finished faster by 5 minutes than the same distance on Saturday when they were hampered by the wind in their very wide costumes. There were a few Santa hats worn but David McKeith made sure he was kept warm on the course with his Santa outfit. There were also a few youngsters entered youngest was William Tulloch at 6 years of age who finished very respectably in just under 31 minutes.

The fun run is advertised asking participants to experience the 2 S’s – Soup and a Swim in Stonehaven bay and this year there was even a swimmer/surfer  who experienced the cold sea without a wetsuit!