Ayr Turkey Trot 2017 and Beith New Year Road Races 2018

NO REST FOR RUNNERS OVER FESTIVE PERIOD

Many athletes took advantage of the recent holidays to take part in two of the county’s more popular races at Ayr and Glengarnock on Boxing Day and January 2^nd respectively.

First up was the Ayrodynamic organised Turkey Trot races which, as per tradition, sets off from just outside the Citadel in the town and heads South along the Promonade before, depending on whether the runner is doing the 5K or the 10K, either turns back to the finish or heads further down the coast to a new turning point in the case of the longer distanced event.

The 5k started the day’s proceedings and in unusually perfect conditions for the time of year, there were a few Kilmarnock Harriers in the field of over 100 hardy souls.

First overall Female home in the race was Colleen Tait who followed in sister Kara’s footsteps as a winner of the event, and Colleen was followed home by a trio of other excellent performances by her Clubmates not far behind.

5K Killie results were – 11th (1^st Female) Colleen Tait 20.04, 12^th Jamie Phillips 20.14, 18^th Jordan Phillips 21.41, 24^th Lorne Kerr 22.56.

Shortly afterwards the 10k took place with almost 300 runners competing, and on an altered, and more challenging, course it was Stuart Gibson of Cambuslang who cut the tape first in an impressive time of 32.49.

Taking the honours by being first home for Kilmarnock however, was inform Ultra specialist David McClure in 7^th place overall, and not too far off of his pb which was set in Troon this year. Craig Ferguson also claimed a top 10 position, while in the age category stakes both Kirsty Alexander and Jim Connelly were in the prizes with Kirsty setting a new personal best, and Jim running his quickest 10k in many a year.

Full 10k results and positions for Kilmarnock were (chip times) – 7^th David McClure 35.32, 10^th Craig Ferguson 36.19, 16^th Jim Connelly 36.42, 38^th Connell Drummond 39.17, 50^th John Tougher 39.58, 62^nd Kirsty Alexander 41.52, 70^th Alasdair Murray 42.29, 135^th Kirsty McNulty 48.07, 150^th Paula Wilson 49.27, 153^rd Liz McDerment 49.45, 177^th Amanda Bryden 51.37, 179^th Kirstin Dalziel 51.29, 189^th Matt Ferguson 52.07, 190^th Douglas Dickson 52.24, 200^th Brian Darroch 53.15, 220^th Jacqui Sandler 55.13, 242^nd Sandra Dickson 57.10.

Exactly 7 days later the Beith Road Races took place. The event has been held since the 1920’s and was once more a success, with the number of athletes competing on the rise, despite a pre race monsoon threatening to dampen spirits.

One of the reasons for the longevity of the Races is the fact that events take place throughout the age groups and with the Juniors competing over varying distances the standard of Kilmarnock performances was high.

Junior results were –

Under 11 Boys (3/4 mile) – 7^th Lewis Anderson 3.15, 9^th Ross Bain 3.29, 12^th Theo Dickson 3.50

Under 11 Girls  (3/4 mile) – 1^st Olivia Warboys 2.51, 2^nd Rachel Warboys 2.56, 11^th Emma Bain 4.17.

Under 13 Boys (1.2 miles)– 2^nd Jamie Phillips 7.14

Under 13 Girls (1.2 miles) – 3^rd Ellie Anderson 8.26

Under 15 Boys (1.2 miles) – 2^nd Luca Dickson 10.49

Last up was the Senior Races and this was done over 4 laps of the course that the Juniors had previously set alight and 75 athletes were in the field.

In the ladies race, Kirsty Alexander took the headlines by being first female home and in doing so claim the historic trophy which she will now hold for 12 months. In an outstanding run, Kirsty also extends her lead in the Women’s Harriers Winter Championship to complete a great day.

First Kilmarnock athlete home was David McClure who had yet another excellent run in 5^th place overall, behind the previous weeks Ayr Turkey Trot winner Stuart Gibson, who in winning Beith for the 4^th time completed a festive double.

Also in the prizes for Kilmarnock were age group winners Kirsty McNulty, Colin Glencorse, and Scott Martin who all ran well.

Over the 4.8 mile race, Killie times were –

Women – 1^st Kirsty Alexander 30.54, 6^th Kirsty McNulty 35.32, 10^th Amanda Bryden 38.42, 17^th Jacqui Sandler 41.12, 18^th Sandra Dickson 41.44.

Men – 5^th David McClure 26.13, 7^th Craig Ferguson 26.42, 8^th Scott Martin 27.21, 10^th Colin Glencorse 28.07, 41^st Douglas Dickson 37.26, 43^rd Stewart McRoberts 37.43.

Kilmarnock Harriers wishes everyone a Very Happy New Year, and also a big well done to everyone who has competed over the past couple of weeks.