2016 CROSS COUNTRY RELAY RESULTS AND REPORT AT COUNTY, DISTRICT AND NATIONAL LEVEL

KILMARNOCK TAKE SENIOR MENS TITLE, WHILE WOMEN SCOOP SILVER AT THE “AYRSHIRES”

The Ayrshire Athletics Arena saw some excellent Cross Country racing on Saturday 15^th October as Kilmarnock Harriers played host to the annual Ayrshire Cross Country Relay Championships.

As ever, the day started with many medals from the Junior ranks who did themselves proud as always, and by the time 2pm came it was the turn of the Seniors to line up in the Scott Ellis Playing Fields next to the Arena.

Setting off together, all athletes completed a 4,000 metre circuit of the course with Females having 3 runners per team, compared to their Male counterpart who had 4 athletes in their side. Being the home club on this occasion there was a massive contingent of Killie runners and the day was to be a success.

Having claimed the Senior Men’s title in 2011 after a 12 year gap, Kilmarnock then went on to retain the trophy for the next 3 years, however it was Ayr Seaforth who took the honours in 2015 and as such it was they who were defending champions. Setting off first for the Killie A Team however was inform newcomer Richard Mair and he had another stormer as he had the Harriers in a healthy lead in easily the quickest time of the day by any athlete.

Another newcomer – Gavin Hogarth – was next off and he showed the faith put in him by Captain Neil to consolidate this lead with the second fastest Killie run, and following on from this it was the experienced Gordon Reid, who was aiming for his first Relay Title since the 90’s, to keep all opposition at bay with yet another excellent clocking.

Taking the anchor, Robert Lindsay completed a fantastic team effort and as he crossed the line with 15 seconds of daylight from Ayr Seaforth it was confirmed that the trophy would be staying in Kilmarnock for the next 12 months to jubilation amongst the home ranks.

To prove the strength in depth at Kilmarnock these days, the B Team were 4^th, while all in their were 5 strong teams on show in blue in white.

Captain Paula Wilson too had talent at her disposal and in a competitive race another relative newcomer Stephanie Hewitt had the A Team narrowly in the lead after the first leg, although Ayr Seaforth were never far behind.

Next up was Laura Haggarty who ran the fastest time in her team on the day, although by the end of the lap it was the experienced Toni Mackintosh who had given Ayr a slight lead as she handed over to her sister and another individual Ayrshire Champion Laura Wallace to take on the 3^rd leg.

Bringing Kilmarnock home was Liz McDerment who kept up her recent excellent form with the 3^rd quickest Harrier time, and when all was said and done it was excellent silver medals for the trio for coming home second to a very good Ayr Team on the day.

An added footnote as to be mentions to all Kilmarnock athletes on the day, with many competing in their debut Cross Country Race, and also to race organisers Ian Gebbi, Hugh Rankin, and everyone involved in making the day a huge success.

Killie Times were –

Senior Men -A Team (1^st) Richard Mair 13.03, Gavin Hogarth 13.29, Gordon Reid 14.09, Robert Lindsay 14.08

B Team (4^th) Connell Drummond 14.51, James Wales 14.35, Neil Walker 14.14, Cameron Wilson 14.36

C Team (8^th) Jim Connelly 14.48, Stuart Nimbloe 17.45, Stewart McAllister 16.10, Colin Glencorse 14.59

D Team (14^th) John Tougher 16.15, John Parker 16.34, Kenny Wales 19.42, Willie Duffy 17.29

E Team – Graham Cairns 17.54, Les McDerment 18.07, Douglas Dickson 20.02

Senior Ladies – A Team (2^nd) Stephanie Hewitt 17.13, Laura Haggarty 17.11, Liz McDerment 18.12

B Team (5^th) Kirsteen Havlin 18.59, Paula Wilson 19.19, Doreen Wales 19.44

C Team (8^th) Viv Lambert 20.53, Amanda Bryden 19.49, Laura Carruthers 21.04

D Team (10^th) Jacqui Sandler 23.44, Sandra Dickson 23.29, Stephanie Dale 22.11.

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Following on from this, the weekend saw the blue riband of the XC Relay season take place at Cumbernauld for The Nationals and on one of the toughest courses in the circuit, again Kilmarnock Harriers were well represented, and again it was strong showings by the Juniors that had gave the Seniors a lot to live up to when the time came for themselves to toe the line.

On the day, the event had the fantastic spectacle of Scottish Olympians Calum Hawkins (9^th place Marathon) and Andrew Butchart (6^th place 10,000 metres) taking part in their respective Kilbarchan and Central AC colours and in mind boggling times of 11.01 and 11.22 for the 4,000 metre hilly course this was a massive inspiration to everyone.

In the Kilmarnock Women ranks however, Captain Paula again had a good squad to choose from and the A team finished in a fine top 30 position with Stephanie Hewitt clocking the quickest time on this occasion – a great effort at National Level.

Quickest Male time on the day for the Harriers was one of the previous weeks Ayrshire hero’s Gavin Hogarth, and he led his team to a hugely respectable 37^th place, all the more impressive in the absence of 3 of last weeks winning team.

Times for Kilmarnock were –

Ladies – A Team 29^th Stephanie Hewitt 16.54, Laura Haggarty 17.20, Elizabeth McDerment 18.37, Kirsteen Havlin 18.46

B Team – Paula Wilson 18.38, Amanda Bryden 19.15, Laura Carruthers 20.52

Men – A Team 37^th Gavin Hogarth 13.21, Neil Walker 13.58, James Wales 14.14, Connell Drummond 14.33

B Team – Cameron Wilson 13.50, Scott Lyden 15.52, Willie Duffy 17.15, Stewart McAllister 15.48

Solo Runner – Les McDerment 17.48.

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Both Relay events were however preceded on Saturday 8th October at the opening event off the winter cross country season – The West District Relays at Kilmacolm. Kilmarnock Harriers fielded 5 Junior Teams consisting of 3 girls teams and 3 boys teams. All young athletes performed to a very high standard mixing it with the best young endurance athletes in the west of Scotland and with excellent results all round the day was a success and focus now turns to next weeks Ayrshire Champs were hopes will be high of a good medal haul within Junior ranks.

After this, the Senior and Masters took to the grass and first off was the females.

Captain Paula had 2 teams competing and over the 2 lap, 4K course and it was great to see a relatively inexperienced team of Laura Carruthers, Stephanie Dale, and Victoria Anderson compete, and both the A and B Teams can be pleased with excellent displays.

Female Times were –

A Team (16^th) Bethany Ross 18.15, Liz McDerment 18.07, Paula Wilson 18.43.

B Team (24^th) Laura Carruthers 19.40, Stephanie Dale 22.46, Victoria Anderson 20.07.

Next up and final race of a long day was the Senior Men and – like Paula – Mens Captain Neil Walker was in a good position of having 3 full teams to choose from.

Included in the ranks was new member Gavin Hogarth and in a fine Cross Country debut in Killie colours he clocked the quickest Killie time of the day.

Fielding a couple of Vets Teams, Kilmarnock, for the second year in succession, finished agonisingly outside the medals  in 4^th but did finish ahead of some very strong Masters Teams to justify Neils decision to field the teams in this manner to maximise podium chances.

Male times were –

Vets A Team (21^st – 4^th Vets) Robert Lindsay 13.59, Gordon Reid 13.52, Colin Glencorse 14.18, Scott Martin 14.13

Senior Team (31^st ) Gavin Hogarth 13.06, Neil Walker 14.03, Scott Lyden 15.07, Stewart McAllister 15.55

Vets B Team (60^th) James Connelly 14.32, Willie Duffy 17.02, John Parker 16.14, Les McDerment 17.55.

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Finally and rounding off a successful spell – the day after the Ayrshire Cross Country Champs Richard Mair took part in the Scottish Veteran Harriers 10,000 metres Championship at Grangemouth which was his first ever track race over the distance.

Richard had another stormer in finishing 2^nd in a new pb of 33.30, while also taking part was Connell Drummond. Connell clocked 36.54, again a great effort after racing the previous days racing and a run that was good enough to secure himself the first M40 prize in the overall Vets Championships for the year.