On a very busy weekend for LRC members, those not committed to running the London Marathon, Beecraigs BYU, The Devil Ultra, Scone 10k, Round the Houses 10k, Dalgety Bay 10k, Hidden Glen, Washington Trail Race, had an eye on the wind direction at Auldcathie Parkrun. On Friday night BBC weather presenter Gillian Smart forecast an Easterly wind, I am sure she looked down the lens of the camera and winked. So it was that 17 of us headed to the wind assisted, but still very hilly, Parkrun at Auldcathie. Given the favourable conditions it was no surprise that seven participants ended up with over 80 points for April based on today's run, Neil McC, John J, John R, Ellyce, Eileen, Kirsty G, Thomas R. New course PBs for John R, Claire W and Ellyce.

Given the high stakes, this was the last chance to record a quick time in the Spring Handicap, Fraser left the briefing early to bagsie places near the front, he joined John J who looked as if he had bagsied his spot last night. Kirtsy was not hanging about, pushing JR ahead of her, she showed the ruthlessness it takes to get a marathon PB by trampling over grannies and small children to get to the front. Clifford had been half through telling us how he knows he will beat Ted over the course of the three months.

There seems to be a theme developing of newly retired athletes bagging lots of points, Stuart H kept the sequence going by taking the April 100 points back to Fife. Matthew, Liam, Stephanie, John J make up the next four April places.

The Olympic League looks tight at the top with only a point between Neil and Sandy, ahead of a pack of experienced runners with improved handicaps. In the World League Claire W has trained hard over the winter and will now be difficult to catch. In the European League, Matthew has again been running more this year and looks well handicapped for the rest of the series. Although John J in 3rd ran his fastest Parkrun in over a year today! Similar to last year, this League could prove to be very competitive. In the Commonwealth League both leader Stuart H and 2nd placed Stepahine have their handicaps cut for May whilst third placed Ellyce remains unchanged, similar for fifth Eileen T, so another exciting tussle in this League.

Fastest 5 Males in April
Stuart L, Sandy, Neil, Jonny, David.

Fastest 5 Females in April
Lesley, Claire, Emma T, Kirsty G, Vic

The best net time for April was awarded 100 points, the next best 99 points and so on. See attached PDF for the League Tables.

Handicaps for May have been set based on your 2nd fastest Parkrun time in your last 10 runs. These are included on the right hand side of the League Tables. I have also produced a separate table showing how many seconds better off you are compared to your April Handicap. For example Emma P gets to subtract an extra 204 seconds from her Gross Time in May. This may or may not ease her pain during the Beecraigs vertical climb.

Reminder, we now move to Beecraigs Parkrun for May, as voted by club members, with double points on offer.

Always good to celebrate success, so congratulations to Emma T who set a lifetime Parkrun PB at Livingston this morning.