GB AND IRELAND MASTERS INTERNATIONAL, AND KILMARNOCK HARRIERS OPEN XC RACES

RICHARD RACES IN SCOTLAND COLOURS FOR THE FIRST TIME

2 big events which effected Kilmarnock Harriers took place over the weekend, with the first one taking  place at Tollcross in Glasgow, as host country Scotland held the British and Ireland Masters International Cross Country Races which annually feature Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland and England.

Selection is earned by form throughout the year, although in 2016 the Scottish Vets held a trial race at the same venue in September in order to assist the selection committee in what is always an extremely tough task. The races are for athletes of 35 years of age and over with age groups going up on a 5 yearly basis, and it is always a huge feather in the cap of any runner who competes for their country on the day. Each age group has 6 athletes per team, and the 35-39, 40-44 and 45-49 categories all line up in the same race, with a separate race featuring the over 50’s to 65’s Men, while the first race on the day sees the ladies, and also the over 65 year old men set off together.

Finishing 2^nd overall at September’s Trial, Richard deservedly found himself an early pick for the Scottish M35-39 team that lined up in the last race of the day on Saturday. With the cream of the country’s vets alongside him the pace was frantic from gun to tape.

Taking on 4 laps of approximately 2K of true cross country Richard didn’t in any way look out of place and by the end of the 8,000 metres the team had finished in an excellent bronze medal position behind very strong Ireland and England squads, with Richard in a top 40 place overall. In his first year of serious running Richard, his family, and Kilmarnock Harriers can all be extremely proud of this, and it also fuels the appetite for more selections in the coming years.

KILMARNOCK HARRIERS OPEN CROSS COUNTRY

The following afternoon, Kilmarnock Harriers hosted their annual and longstanding Open Cross Country Races, and these feature events throughout the age groups. The first race features the Under 11 Girls over 1300 metres, and the Seniors end proceedings with the Men completing the longest distance of just over 10,000 metres.

In great running conditions, the heavy rain over the days prior to the event did however mean that the course had cut up quite a bit and this made for a tough, but rewarding, race for everyone in the field.

With a number of excellent performances by all the Juniors on show, the Senior Ladies Race was then won by Laura Wallace of Ayr Seaforth, with a wee bit of daylight from Kilbarchan athlete and runner up Elaine Eadie.

First home for Kilmarnock in a fine 4^th place was new Member Kirsty Alexander in her Cross Country debut and obviously finding a liking for the mud. A couple of places back was Stephanie Hewitt, and backed up by Liz McDerment (13^th) the Killie Team took the overall team prize on offer to complete a successful day on and off the course for the Club.

Full Killie Times were – Kirsty Alexander 29.50, Stephanie Hewitt 30.31, Liz McDerment 33.14, Amanda Bryden 34.16, Paula Wilson 34.44.

Finally, the Senior Mens Race was won by Corstophine athlete Calum McKenzie who, in an excellent run, finished ahead of Kendal AC’s Alasdair Russell and Stuart Gibson, with exactly a minute separating the leading trio.

Finishing 7^th in a strong field, and the host’s leading athlete on the day was Gavin Hogarth, while just outside the top 10 in 12^th was Colin Glencorse who was next home for Kilmarnock.

The Killie Men’s Team finished 2^nd behind an extremely strong Kilbarchan trio.

Times in the Men’s Race for the Harriers were –

Gavin Hogarth 36.48, Colin Glencorse 40.08, Connell Drummond 40.29, Mark Alexander 41.48.

A huge thanks go to all organisers on the day, and also to supporters and sponsors Scottish Powers Energy Network.

Full race results throughout the age groups, and local athletics info in general are on the Kilmarnock Harriers website.