Loretto runners at the Edinburgh Marathon
25 May 2008
Edinburgh Marathon and Team Relay, May 25th 2008
With the advent of a new course for the Edinburgh marathon concluding at Musselburgh Racecourse, Loretto School has found itself at the very heart of this annual race, and it was a real privilege for the school to take such an active role this year. The numbers had doubled since last year, with over 13,000 runners competing in both the marathon and the team relay, and it was Lorettonian Tom Dunford that was set to start the race as he proudly held aloft the Scottish Saltire. Loretto, too, fielded a much larger number of athletes this year, including two pupil teams, and two members of staff competing in the full marathon.
As the day itself dawned, the strong wind was ominous, particularly as it would have to be tackled head-on for the first 18 miles of the race along the coast of East Lothian. Not daunted, however, the Loretto runners gave it their all, and relished the experience. Relay runner James Burnet (Modern Languages Department) was even heard to remark after the event that he was slightly sad when his relay leg was over! First team home for Loretto were John Elder (History), Dave Burton (PE, and a very late substitute for a certain Physics teacher), Danny Rossouw (PE) and Jenny Fletcher (PE, and Balcarres Housemistress). Their time of 3 hours 24 minutes, placed them as 44th team overall (out of 786), and was a sterling effort. Commendation should also go to Australian Gap Student Dan O'Driscoll, whose time of 27 minutes for his 4 ½ mile leg was very impressive indeed. On the pupil front, it should also probably be noted that the girls team (Rosie Urquhart, Rosie MacAulay, Harriet Wood, and Mary McDougal) beat the boys!
Two members of staff tackled the full distance of 26 miles: Rick Valentine (Director of the Golf Academy) and Peter Middleton (English). This was Rick's second marathon, having completed last year's Edinburgh Marathon as well. His preparation hadn't been ideal (given the arrival of his baby daughter Ashleigh), so a Personal Best wasn't necessarily on the cards. Nevertheless, he fought hard to knock a minute and a half off his PB, finishing the race in 3 hours 48 minutes and 14 seconds. He finished in the top third, and was placed 1952nd out of 6612. Peter Middleton was also aiming for a PB in this his eight marathon, and had hoped to finish in under 3 hours, a milestone in the marathon world. It has been a busy year of racing for this running-mad teacher, with the Gloucester Marathon and the Cape Town Two Oceans Ultra Marathon already under his belt. As it was, Edinburgh was not to be his day, and he just missed out on his goal, though he did secure a Personal Best of 3.00.46, agonisingly close to the 3 hour mark! This placed him 159th overall.
Everyone involved had a great day, and no doubt the usual suspects will be lining up at next year's race, hopefully with a few new faces as well!
[PJM]
Tom Dunford and Patrick Burnet waiting at the finish with the winner's ribbon