Forth Road Runners had star sprinter and champion gran!

THE 30-year history of Forth Road Runners has included a super sprinter with an all-action style reminiscent of Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt.
Runners...
Jackie McCallum, Jim Fowler, Charlie Gallacher, Jane Savage, Lynne and Tom Carswell were among Forth starsRunners...
Jackie McCallum, Jim Fowler, Charlie Gallacher, Jane Savage, Lynne and Tom Carswell were among Forth stars
Runners... Jackie McCallum, Jim Fowler, Charlie Gallacher, Jane Savage, Lynne and Tom Carswell were among Forth stars

Oh, and don’t forget the seven-and-a-half stone granny who won events including the club’s veteran 10km race and the Burnswark six-mile Hill Race at Ecclefechan.

Step forward David Clelland and Margaret Cunningham, just two of the fine characters who’ve graced the club since it was founded back in 1984.

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“David’s zest for running reminded me of Usain Bolt,” said Forth Road Runners secretary Frankie Keenan.

“He was an absolute flying machine and was talented enough to be ranked this country’s third best junior 100m runner in 1992.”

Frankie said that although Margaret was “a wee woman”, she was “as tough as anything”.

“What a competitor she was,” he added.

“Although she was a granny, she was a superb athlete.”

Athletes like David and Margaret were to the fore during Forth Road Runners’ heyday in the 1980s and ’90s, when its members were starrng in marathons, half marathons, 10km runs, cross-country events and Lanarkshire track and field races.

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Founder members like Jim Paton are now among a group celebrating the 30th birthday of the club this year.

“Jim is Mr Forth,” Frankie said. “He is Superman.

To read more about the club, and for more photographs, pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette.