An Ultra….a Marathon…..and a 10K

Les and Liz Join Growing Band of Ultra Runners in Kilmarnock

At the weekend, husband and wife duo Leslie and Liz McDerment added an Ultra Marathon to their running cv’s as they joined fellow Kilmarnock Harrier Karen Robertson in competing in the scenic, but tough 50k Trail Race in Kelder over a distance of over 30 miles. All did very well, and Les describes his day below in his own words.

“On Saturday morning Liz and myself arrived at Hawkhirst Scout Camp for the start of the Kielder 50k Ultra trail Race . On arrival we met Karen Robertson from the Harriers and friends from Ayrodynamics, with Karen being the only experienced Ultra runner , albeit she was taking it easy on medical advice .

The race started in great cool weather conditions along some lovely paths in trees and uphills , however I was soon to get my eyes opened wide when we hit the first real hilly trail through trees , which reduced every one around to a walk . After this it was a run on flat and downhill, followed by a brisk walk up hills . At one badly marked point in the road the group I was with turned the wrong way for a short spell but noticed within 1/2 a mile and turned back to the right way , although by now my lack of proper training kicked in and I was equal walk/jog/running .

It was no surprise that my wife Liz caught me after about 16 miles and we walk /jogged together for a little bit till she eventually pulled a gap. That was the last I saw her for a few miles although we did meet up again and I passed her in a particularly boggy patch, followed by a really steep hill at the top of which was the highest point .

We met again several times but after 21 miles she broke away completely and finished in 6hours and 27 mins for just under 31 miles which was a great effort on such a tough course. I with my wrong turn finished in 6hour44mins for 31.5 miles and Karen being sensible finished in 7hours 58 mins. This was an excellent race but if there is a next time I must remember to look for the word trail in the title”

Well done to all involved.

Also at the weekend, another member of Kilmarnock Harriers joined almost 700 runners from all over the country to race the Grangemouth “Round the Houses” 10K Road Race, which aptly enough takes in a fairly flat route around the houses of the town.

The race was won by Shettleston Harrier Wayne Ghebresilassie in an excellent 30.55 with Kilmarnock athlete Scott Lyden continuing his comeback to racing by completing the course in 40.53, an effort which placed him highly in the competitive field.

Finally, a big well done to new Member Martin Duffy who joined the Club last year as a complete novice and, like many others, on the back of running the popular Roon the Toon 10K Road Race in Kilmarnock.

Martin took on the massive challenge of running the Manchester Marathon last week, and easily completed the course in a highly credible 4.46.41 in a very good debut at the gruiling distance and in his first year of running.

Finally, a reminder that entries are open now for this years Roon the Toon 10K, and details for the June 11^th race are on the Club website