Seniors in action at the National Cross Country, and also on the Roads.

DECENT RESULTS FOR THE HARRIERS

After the youngsters left the stage at the “Nationals”,  it was then the turn of the Seniors to round off a high quality day of running.

In the Senior Ladies field it was to be victory for Commonwealth Games athlete Beth Potter with a bit of daylight between herself and the rest of the field. In the Kilmarnock stakes however, Bethany Ross was first Kilmarnock athlete in 142nd place (39.55) with Kirteen Salisbury 10 places further back (40.36) in a great race in prep for her Marathon debut at Edinburgh in May. Paula Wilson continues to regain fitness by clocking 42.58 for the 8k race while special mentions go to Stephanie Dale who unfortunately had to pull out midway through the first lap due to injury.

Last race of the day saw Central AC athlete Andrew Butchart retain his title with a bit to spare, while behind him 5 Harriers lined up for the 12,000 metres test of endurance.

Neil Walker was first home in 144th place (48.36) with Connell Drummond next in 48.52 (154th).
Stewart McAllister and Leslie McDerment clocked 57.06 and 61.26 completed the finishers with sadly Ross Connelly being also forced to pull out mid race due to injury.

Despite a relatively quiet week to kick off the month of March for Senior Members of Kilmarnock Harrier and AC, there were still some fine performances around the country to keep things ticking along nicely as the lighter nights begin to set in.

Firstly, last Friday afternoon, 4 Harriers lined up at the monthly “3K On The Green” race which is aptly enough held in and around Glasgow Green.

A ding dong battle between Robert Lindsay and Gordon Reid saw the former take the honours by a second in 9.54, while Mark Alexander also secured a top 10 position by clocking 10.05 and a new pb for the distance.

Stephanie Hewitt completed the quartet and a run of 12.25 saw her place 4^th female in the popular event.

Still on the 3K distance, Neil Walker was in Cambuslang on Sunday as he took part in the host Club’s “Down by the River” Road Races. Also featuring a 10K on the day, Neil took the decision to compete in the shorter distance to consolidate a good winter on the track and country to see what stage he was at on the roads, and completed the distance in a good time of 9.54. As a consequence of this, with 4 training partners all within a few seconds of each other over the distance recently, the healthy rivalry in the Club should hopefully see all times come tumbling down in the coming months.

Next up on Sunday, Stewart McAllister joined Connell Drummond in the trip east for the Lasswade 10 Mile Road Race.

Stewart wasn’t too far off of his personal best for the distance, and in running 68.15 this puts himself within touching distance of Bronze Standard in the Kilmarnock Harriers 2016 Club Standard Scheme. Connell completed the course in 60 minutes in another good run.

Finally, five of Member and club stalwart Kate Todd’s “Mums on the Run” group travelled to Norththumberland for the endurance trail races.

Over a hard undulating route over trails and beach, Sandra Dickson took on the 10K and ran 1 hour 11. Shona Mclaughan completed the course in 1.12, while Nicola Collins and Leila Neil both ran 1hour 14 mins. The first man was 48min which will give you an idea on the course.

Kate herself opted for the half marathon, which she completed in 2.12 which placed her first in her category in a very well organised event.

Much more details at www.kilmarnockharriers.com