THERE was outstanding support for runners by Wee County spectators as the 39th Alloa Half Marathon returned at the weekend.

Crowds braved the outgoing cold snap as nearly 2,000 runners took on a picturesque course around Clackmannanshire in a race organised as a major fundraiser by Alloa Round Table.

Central AC dominated the tops of the tables with the club's Jennifer Wetton crossing the finish line at Lornshill Academy in 01:18:54 to be the first lady home.

Running stalwart and Alloa man Murdoch McGregor told the Advertiser he believes Jennifer made history on Sunday, March 12, as she became the first woman to have won the ladies' race four times.

Prior to the day she was part of a trio, along with Toni McIntosh from Ayr Seaforth AC and Fiona Matheson from Falkirk Victoria Harriers, who had three wins each at Alloa Half Marathon.

Jennifer, from Stirling, started running at the age of 11 and told the Advertiser she was pleasantly surprised with the win.

She said: “I've got two young children, they are five and two, and they made me ill all winter – at the start of the week I felt horrendous with the cold, I wasn't sure I would be able to run.

“So, I was quite pleased I managed to do it and run quite well in the end.”

Jennifer previously won in 2014, 2015 and 2022 and was pleased to have reached the achievement over close to a decade, with two children and Covid in the middle of it all.

She was joined by club-mate Grace Tindall and Katy Harden from Gala Harriers on the podium.

Central AC also dominated in the men's categories with the club's Cameron Milne first home with a time of 01:07:27.

He was followed within 40 seconds by Fergus Roberts from Ochil Hill Runners while James Waldie of Perth Road Runners came third around two minutes later.

Alloa Round Table's John Dornan said: “Runners, who came from all over the UK – one guy came from Portugal, were saying they were blown away by the local support, everyone came out, cheering the runners, there was a guy out playing the bagpipes, there were people out giving sandwiches and teas to the volunteers, handing out sweets and watermelons.

“Everybody was just absolutely blown away by the local support.”

He thanked sponsors AHC Tools and Gogar Services as well as all the volunteers, runners and the crowd for their support.

Funds raised at the race will go to support good causes with another round of funding to open up soon – keep an eye out on the Alloa Round Table Facebook page for details.