WELL OVER A THOUSAND RUN “ROON THE TOON”!

Over A Thousand Pound the Pavements “Roon the Toon”

On Sunday morning, months of preparation came to a head as the town of Kilmarnock played host to its first 10k Road Race in a number of years, an event which was aptly named “Roon the Toon”.

Previous events had attracted a few hundred athletes, however in the wake of military precision organisation, a wave of publicity, and in no small measure with the support of the town, council and police, entries closed weeks ago with numbers totalling over 1,300 runners of all abilities and backgrounds.

In the large field it was heartwarming to see not only a huge contingent from host athletics Club Kilmarnock Harrier and AC, but also large numbers from most other West of Scotland Clubs, athletes competing for the first time in years, lapsed members of Kilmarnock, local MP Alan Brown, and people who were taking part in a race for the first time and comments from 3^rd placed athlete Del Young stated that “Atmosphere wise that is the best 10 k I have ever done. It had the feeling of a city half marathon. Good to see the town pulling this off with a massive turnout from the locals and others from further afield”.

A mainly flat course headed from the fantastic start/finish of the Ayrshire Athletics Arena, and led athletes down Queens Drive, past Glencairn Square, down Holmes Road and into the country towards the end of Dundonald Road. From there, approaching halfway, the route headed back up Dundonald Road, past the courthouse and up John Finnie Street before sweeping round the one way system and back up Queens Drive to the finish inside the Arena.

To the 10k itself, and although the ladies had a pre race favourite in Kilbarchan athlete Elspeth Curran who is coming back from injury, the Men’s wasn’t so clear cut with Paul Sorrie (Shettleston), David Millar (Irvine), and former Kilmarnock Harrier and current Garscube athlete Del Young all having a claim to being first winner of the race.

First past the post however was Paul Sorrie in what goes down as an excellent course record 32.12, with David Millar next in a speedy 32.51. Del completed a classy podium with 33.27 while next in and first Junior was Ayr Seaforth’s Fraser Stirling (34.47).

First woman champion was indeed Elspeth setting the benchmark for next year in an impressive 37.44 to give her the win from Dumbarton’s Lindsey Currie in 40.08, with her teammate Charlene Kelly following her home in a fine 41.27. Kilmarnock Harrier Claire Orr was first Junior in 48.40 so a huge well done to her.

In the Kilmarnock Harriers stakes, new member Richard Mair took the honours in 35.02 for a 6^th place overall finish, while behind him Neil Walker and Scott Martin had a great battle, with Neil taking the honours and both dipping under the 36 minute mark and just ahead of clubmate Gordon Reid.

With too many great performances to mention, a humungous mention goes to Hugh Rankine. The former world record holder in his age group for 3,000 metres clocked an amazing 48.34 which is a time that will propel him well up the rankings in his age group in the UK.

The Kilmarnock Women took the Team prize and top performers for the Harriers were Colleen Tait (in a new pb of 42.15), Laura Haggarty (45.56), and club stalwart Paula Wilson (47.49) who completed the leading trio which made up the team. Again though, like Hugh in the Men’s race, special mentions must go to Kate Todd for another excellent performance to win her age group title.

Kilmarnock Harrier chip times and positions on the day were –

6^th Richard Mair 35.02, 12^th Neil Walker 35.48, 14^th Scott Martin 35.55, 15^th Gordon Reid 36.21, 19^th Robert Lindsay 36.47, 21^st Connell Drummond 36.49, 23^rd Jim Connelly 36.57, 27^th John Cairns 37.14, 30^th Ross Connelly 37.41, 33^rd Mark Alexander 37.51, 40^th James Wales 39.06, 51^st Stewart McAllister 40.10, 70^th Ali Neil 41.31, 80^th Colleen Tait 42.15, 82^nd Mark Hamilton 42.15, 93^rd John Parker 42.41, 113rd Aidan Tonner 43.15, 115^th Stewart McRoberts 43.31, 122^nd Stephen Emerson 43.44, 132^nd Scott Lyden 44.11, 136^th Graham Cairns 44.21, 141^st Eddie Tonner 44.14, 161^st Gerry Dodds 44.49, 167^th Kenneth Dudgeon 44.53, 172^nd Douglas Thorburn 45.09, 179^th Laura Haggarty 45.56, 204^th Corrie Lotter 46.27, 207^th Terry Mulholland 46.45, 237^th Paul Bennie 47.03, 247^th Ian Drummond 47.21, 249^th Roddie Pugh 47.24, 255^th Paula Wilson 47.49, 266^th Matt Ferguson 48.14, 283^rd Murray McDonald 48.06, 287^th Hugh Rankin 48.34, 306^th Claire Orr 48.40, 307^th Kate Todd 49.30, 311^th Kenny Wales 49.32, 315^th Marlyn Graham 49.20, 323^rd Viv Lambert 49.31, 326^th David McGill 49.56, 327^th Rhona O’Neill 49.57, 329^th Susan Beattie 49.23, 359^th Karen Quinn 50.45, 372^nd Natalie Wales 51.11, 377^th Brian Darroch 50.45, 384^th Shona McBean 51.35, 387^th Derek Middleton 51.17, 389^th Willie Duffy 31.57, 390^th Geoff Robertson 51.58, 397^th Richard Skillen 51.43, 427^th Alisdair Hood 52.48, 434^th Kenny Neilson 52.12, 461^st Douglas Dickson 53.49, 466^th Kevin McWhirter  53.00, 489^th Eve McClurg 53.42, 495^th Malcolm McGregor 53.53, 502^nd Morag Cairns 54.24, 514^th Mark Lyden 54.41, 550^th Kirsten Dale 55.54, 562^nd Dawn McManus 55.59, 580^th Alanais Brydon 55.35, 581^st Alan Bryden 55.36, 606^th Jacqui Sandler 56.44, 607^th Tracy Kerr 57.10, 611^th Kirsteen Salisbury 57.31, 612^th Alison Wales 57.31, 625^th Stephen Chard 57.22, 645^th Sharon Barr 57.29, 646^th Mandy Nimbley 57.28, 646^th Fiona Robb 57.28, 677^th Chloe Adams 59.00, 678^th Jacqueline McConnell 59.00, 696^th Mark McGregor 59.04, 701^st Emy Dodds 59.21, 747^th Colin Crosbie 60.26, 761^st Ronnie McCormick 60.29, 794^th Ann Graham 62.18, 866^th Ian Logan 64.59, 867^th Ian McAughtrie 65.00, 915^th Dawn-Marie Wylie 67.52, 940^th Emma McGregor 68.26, 944^th Suzy Leggat 68.27^th, 981^st Steven Milligan 71.18, 1073^rd Janice Millar 87.06.

A link to the overall results can be found at –

http://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/1aF

As mentioned, a huge thanks go to everyone involved in a magnificent day for not only athletes, but the town in general. The numbers who took part now makes this one of the largest 10k events in the country and everyone involved should be extremely proud of themselves.

As a footnote, should anyone who took part in the event (some possibly taking up running or athletics for the first time) be interested in coming along to Kilmarnock Harriers they should seriously consider doing so and they will be made at home. Anyone interested should contact Billy Roberton at clubtogether@kilmarnockharriers.com  and he will be delighted to hear from you and provide fuller information.

Much more info at www.kilmarnockharriers.com