MORE than a dozen Strathearn Harriers entered the newly established Stirling Marathon at the weekend.

Altogether 15 club members took part, they were a good mix of hardened marathon veterans and débutantes.

More than 4,000 runners from all over Scotland and beyond took the route from Blair Drummond to Stirling – the race was won by internationalist Andrew Lemoncello in a time of 2.25.01.

First in the women's race was Lesley Pirie in 2.47.36; other notable appearances included Zola Budd and Scottish running legend Liz McColgan.

Leading the Harriers home was marathon veteran Roger Goddard in a time of 2.54.57.

The club's Will Manners achieved his goal of a sub three-hour-race, finishing in 2.59.18.

Andrew Aitken was next in with a time of 3.30.14 with Wendy Taylor following in 3.35.07 as first Harrier woman.

Nicola Watson finished in 3.56.56, just a minute ahead of Cathy Tilbrook.

Cathy's performance came the day after she ranked sixth in the Scottish Orienteering Championships at Gullane.

Lauren Fairweather was agonisingly close to finish under four hours with her time officially recorded as 4.00.01 – her own watch recorded a time of 3.59.58.

Wendy's sister Susan Saunders was running her second marathon in the space of five weeks and was raising funds for the daughter of a friend who needs equipment for her communication needs.

To date, Susan has raised £1,320.

Also raising funds was Andrew Brown who raised the amazing total of £1,540 for Strathcarron Hospice.

Full Harriers results are:

Roger Goddard 2.57.47

Will Manners 2.59.18

Andrew Aitken 3.30.14

Wendy Taylor 3.35.07

Richard Collingwood 3.55.12

Nicola Watson 3.56.56

Cathy Tilbrook 3.57.50

Lauren Fairweather 4.00.01

Sonja McFadden 4.04.11

Janine Grant 4.32.51

Susan Sharp 4.35.19

Dawn Gleeson 4.36.28

Dave Griffiths 4.42.04

Susan Saunders 4.42.17

Andrew Brown 5.15.53

Earlier in the week, a group of Harriers headed to Perth for the annual Kinnoull Race – a short and sharp four mile hill run.

First Harrier home was Aaron Dawson in a time of 29.10, improving on last year's result to finish 16th overall.

Wattie Mackay made his return after a long lay-off due to injury to finish in 30.24 – he finished 24th overall and second in MV50.

Performance of the day came from Greta Dargie in her debut for the club, running a superb race to finish fifth woman and third senior in a time of 34.27.

Other runners from the club included Tony Wayte, 35.03, Andrew Scott, 37.21, Iain Thomson, 38.52, Nicola Watson, 43.01, and Julia Greenlees in 43.33.

Top fives in the club championship standings after these two races are:

Tony Wayte 54.60

Andrew Scott 39.62

Ben Murphy 36.32

Andy Gallagher 33.31

Iain Thomson 29.85

Nicola Watson 32.88

Cathy Tilbrook 31.59

Maddy Watson 22.96

Julia Greenlees 20.54

Lauren Fairweather 19.24