KILMARNOCK HARRIERS OPEN CROSS COUNTRY FESTIVAL 2015

GREAT TURNOUT AT KILMARNOCK HARRIERS CROSS COUNTRY FESTIVAL
The weekend (November 22nd) saw one of the countries few open cross country races take place at the Scott Ellis Playing fields as Kilmarnock Harriers once more played host to their popular November event.
On the day the town welcomed athletes of all ages, and apart from the host Club there was pleasingly a large number of runners from around the country taking part over the fairly new course set up by Race Organiser Ian Gebbie and his army of helpers. Conditions were perfect on the day with little wind, although the heavy downpour of rain in the days leading up to Sunday did make the already tough course heavy, and challenging conditions lay ahead for everyone.
In a number of the early Junior races, Mhari Chalmers was one of the days many star performers taking an excellent bronze medal in the Under 11 girls race while there were also a few team prizes on the day from the Club.
In the Senior Ladies Race it was the Ayr Seaforth trio of eventual winner Kirstin Oakley, Toni McIntosh and Gael Riddle who made up the podium at the end of 2 large laps totalling approx 6,400 metres, while behind them Kilmarnock Harrier Liz McDerment had an excellent run to finish in 6th place overall.
Not too far behind was a fast improving Alanis Brydon, with Winter Championship leader Paula Wilson having yet another steady run to be next in for the Club.
Finally, a cracking race was to end the day’s proceedings as the Senior Men took centre stage.
From the gun to start the race the leading pack of 5 set off at a frantic pace, and in the second half the leaders hadn’t eased up. With the lead changing hands on a few occasions, coming into the home straight it was former Junior Kilmarnock Harrier and now Garscube athlete Del Young who fended off World Masters Marathon Bronze medallist Kerry Wilson of Cambuslang, with previous race winner Kenny Neil of Ayr Seaforth taking 3rd in a thriller.
Ross Connelly consolidated his position at the top of the Killie Men’s Winter Championship by being first local runner home, with 2.43 marathoner Connell Drummond next.
Full times and positions on the day were–

 
Under 11 Girls –(1,300 metres) Mhari Chalmers (3rd) 5.00, Emma McMillan 5.06, Isla Raeburn 5.08, Sophie Ross 5.29, Lottie Lambert 5.33, Anna Lambert 5.35, Rachel Warboys 5.44, Allie Leishman 5.51, Olivia Warboys 5.56, Holly Hopkins 5.57, Sarah Marshall 6.00, Olivia Brydon 6.02

 
Under 11 Boys – (1,300 metres) Lewis Hill 4.45, Jonathon Downey 4.47, Roan Henderson 4.48, Brodie McGregor 4.59, Jordan Phillips 5.02, Jamie Phillips 5.06, Riley Dalziel 5.15, Luke Baird 5.24, Corin Henderson 5.25, Robbie Boyd 5.27, Daniel Wardrop 6.15

 
Under 13 Girls – (3,200 metres) Ava Heron 15.25, Sophie Todd 15.49, Holly Todd 15.50, Emily O’Shea 16.09, Victoria McDowell 16.14, Eilidh Ballantyne 16.17, Lucy Glencorse 16.48, Hannah Henderson 17.33, Kirstyn Park 18.38, Rebecca Montgomery 23.22

 
Under 13 Boys – (3,200 metres) Johny Houson 13.08, Lewis Wardrop 14.45, Sam Lindsay 15.13, Charlie McNulty 15.15, Matthew Boyd 15.16, Andrew Spencer 15.29

 
Under 15 Girls – (4,000 metres) Isla Neilson 17.56, Erin Pastulovic 18.41, Leonie McCutcheon 19.23, Phoebe McCutcheon 20.50, Emily Nix 23.10, Natalie Sharp 23.48

 
Under 15 Boys – (4,000 metres) Aidan Hesset 15.24, Bruce Holden 16.47, Ethan Logan 19.24

 
Under 17 Girls – (5,200 metres) Caitlin McClounie 25.25, Shona McBean 26.10, Iona Charles 27.19

 
Under 17 Boys – (6,400 metres) Tom Nichol 27.08, Jamie Nix 27.39

 
Senior Ladies – (6,400 metres) Liz McDerment 30.46, Alanis Brydon 32.47, Paula Wilson 33.05

 
Senior Men – (9,600 metres) Ross Connelly 37.44, Connell Drummond 38.17, Stewart McAllister 43.39, Les McDerment 44.59, Matt Dodds 45.18, Douglas Dickson 54.56

 
Well done to all, with special thanks to all on and off course helpers on what was a freeing day.