When I was appointed RD for this year, one of my first thoughts was “I bet it is chucking it down with a howling gale on race night” but as you all know, ATRX has been blessed with the best of weather in recent times and this year was no different.

140 runners started and 140 runners finished, pretty much all of them with smiles on their faces (eventually). Before the race, we had the most inspiring sight of our friends from the Japes team, piloted by Scott, heading off on what is fast becoming a permanent fixture for us, the Japes race. After 2.5km of running, a rapturous welcome welcomed the team home. Thanks Scott, we really appreciate you taking the time to support the race.

Our charity partner this year is, as you know, Strathcarron Hospice and we were delighted when they agreed to be part of our ATR community. Thanks to Coleena from the hospice who came along to support us throughout the event – check out the great work they do for our community here – https://www.strathcarronhospice.net/ and keep an eye out on our Facebook page for a heads up on their 10k event which will happen at the start of October – an ideal warm up for our own ATR half marathon at the end of that month! It would be brilliant to see lots of ATR tee shirts, visors and buffs at that event.

This year’s race sold out in just over 2 hours, testament to the reputation you have all help create around the series. It’s a tough track but it’s one challenge that so many of you love and seeing so many familiar faces each year fills the team with a great sense of pride. A quality field is always assured and with John Connolly and Lynne Allan setting the course records last year, John breaking the 40-minute mark for the first time, those at the front knew they would have to dig deep to get anywhere near the same performance levels. Expectation was high. And we were not to be disappointed.

A quite outstanding run from Michael Healy won the men’s race in a time of 39:16, setting a new course record by 24 seconds in the process, with Marc Pollock securing 2^nd place  in 40:31 and Euan Craig securing the final podium place in 42:07.

In the ladies race, a familiar podium finisher in our races, made it to the top spot again with Hilary Robinson taking first place in 50:09, followed by Joni Lindsay in 52:03 and, after a last sprint finish, Suzanne Rae took the third spot by a whisker in 52:30.

James Gallacher  took the MV50 title in 42:14 and, without even knowing it until prize giving time, Fiona Kirkaldy took the FV50 title in 57:53.

Thanks again to Co-op, Tunnocks and Active Root for their amazing and generous support. To our volunteers and cheerleaders on the night. You are fast being seen as the best in the business and make everything we do so worthwhile. And big shout to Phil Hunter for the incredible work to make the trophies and medals. To all runners for taking part, smiling and being easy to deal with – and for another incredible haul for Kilsyth Community Foodbank.

That’s the ATRX done for another year. Results can be found at this link ATRX Results, 2019. If you have any queries on the results please email us in the first instance.

Peace, love and trails. The ATR team.