40th Anniversary

In 2024, the club celebrated its 40th anniversary with a varied, fun, and well-supported calendar of events. Thank you to the anniversary sub-committee, formed of Clare Webster, Colin Birtwistle, Fíona Canavan, Brian Dunbar, Adam Hart, Scott James, Harry Kay and Eugenie Verney.

Eugenie has put together the following summary of the events.

A launch photocall on a rainy 18 June, which got some excellent coverage from DC Thomson! - was swiftly followed by a much drier mid-summer relay on 22 June which saw teams start and finish at the V&A on a glorious day. The nine-leg relay route took in a good chunk of countryside to the north and west of the city centre, with 22 DRR members and guests covering approximately 100 km over cycle paths, roads, hills and trails between them.

Jamie Stewart, Geoff Campbell, David Webster, Adam Hart and Mairi Littleson before the first leg of the relay.

Paul Reed, Sara Cali and James O'Donnell before leg 5 of the relay.

Next up on 9 July was the Three Hills challenge, which offered runners a choice of nine or five miles starting and finishing at the Whitehall Theatre. Organiser Harry Kay said: ‘We huddled together in the damp before setting off westwards up to Blackness and Invergowrie Drive through Menzieshill. We returned towards Blackness, Logie, and Lochee Road. Very enjoyable and we’re looking to add this route to our 2025 Tuesday calendar.’

A group of nine members swapped running shoes for bikes on 11 August, gathering at Camperdown Park for a 30-mile cycle ride organised by Brian Dunbar, who said: ‘We headed first for Tullybaccart, via Lundie. Then we rode on to Kettins and Coupar Angus where we stopped for lunch. After that, our route took us into Ardler, Meigle, and then Newtyle before heading to Couston and Auchterhouse. We finally pulled into the Birkie Inn for a well-deserved libation!’

The winning quiz team - Adam Hart, Ken Hart, Grant Whytock, Alison Gelly and Keith Gelly.

A collage of pictures from the 40th anniverary cycle.

A few weeks later, on 2 September, the action moved indoors, to the Fort Bar in Broughty Ferry for a club quiz night led by resident quizmaster John Brown. A total of 11 teams took part, raising around £350 for the club’s funds. Team Under Pressure - comprising Ken and Adam Hart, Alison and Keith Gelly, and Grant Whytock - took the honours with a well-deserved win. They clearly weren’t under quite as much pressure as everyone else! Big thanks to the Fort for hosting.

Under Pressure member Adam, along with Mairi Littleson, were the team behind the excellent 40th anniversary special edition hoodies, organising their design, production, and distribution. They proved very popular, with a total of 28 bought in club blue and white, and 25 in red and white.

Hoodies ordered for the club's 40th anniversary.

The celebratory centrepiece took place on 13 September (a far from unlucky Friday the 13th!) when more than 75 current and former members assembled at the Logie Club for a ceilidh that was voted a massive hit. A fine mix of music was provided by the Platinum Band, and DRR veterans Harry Kay and Brian Dunbar brought along plenty of old photos and newspaper clippings featuring club races and events over the years since 1985. Everyone there voted the night a great success.

Past and present members at the 40th Anniversary ceilidh.

The 40th celebrations drew to a close on 13 November when 23 members signed up for a 10-pin bowling evening at Tenpin, Kingsway West Retail Park. Organiser Brian Dunbar said: ‘Everyone had a great night, with several keen for the club to organise another session. Watch this space!'