AYRSHIRE XC CHAMPS 2016

KILLIE HARRIERS EXCEL IN AYRSHIRE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

On Saturday afternoon in freezing conditions, North Ayrshire Athletics Club played host to the Ayrshire Cross Country Championships which this year were being held at Irvine Beach Park – the last time such an event will be hosted there due to the closure of the nearby Magnum Leisure Centre at the end of 2016.

By the time the Senior/Under 17 Athletes lined up for the closing race of the day at 1.30pm, the elder Kilmarnock Harriers had been set a superb example by the younger sections of the Club who had won medals galore. On a new route around the Beach Park everyone was set a tough, challenging route of hills, sand, and tight corners to combine with the wind that was coming off of the sea and it was extremely welcome for all the runners that a number of supporters from all the Clubs had positioned themselves around the course to lend shouts of encouragement as the race progressed.

With Female and Male athletes setting off together it was the winner of last week’s Kilmarnock Cross Country Senior Women’s Race, Laura Wallace of Ayr Seaforth who was to be first female to cross the line after the allocated 2 laps, finishing ahead of her twin Toni Mackintosh – thus reclaiming the Ayrshire Crown she had won in 2014. Behind her however, and repeating her 4^th place finish of last week was Kilmarnock Harrier Kirsty Alexander. In another impressive performance, the new member also scooped the Gold Medal in the Vet category and, being backed up by her clubmates Paula Wilson and Amanda Bryden, the Club also were in the medals in the team category with bronze.

As far as the Senior Men were concerned, Kilmarnock had the pre race favourite in Richard Mair who had been in fine form of late and looking to emulate recent Harrier Ayrshire Champions Ian Connell and Graham Cameron, who had each won the title in the past 5 years.

At the end of the 3 laps that the Senior Man took on, Richard had a bit of daylight from last year’s winner Kenny Neil of Ayr Seaforth. With another past Champion in Billy Richardson of Irvine as 3^rd placed Ayrshire runner it showed the quality of the field and proved to be another excellent days running from Richard.

In the Team Category, Kilmarnock took excellent Senior Gold medals as Richard was ably supported by Robert Lindsay (5^th), Gordon Reid (7^th), Scott Martin (9^th), Connell Drummond (11^th) and Colin Glencorse (12^th) as the team packed well, with special mentions too, to Stewart McAllister who wasn’t too far behind to provide great back up the 6 counters.

The next big Cross Country Race is on Sunday 4^th December as the town of Ayr hosts the West Districts Champs and entries are now in for this pre entry only race where the usual large number of Kilmarnock runners will toe the line with the best athletes in the district.

Finally, Janice Millar ran her third ultra this year in Killin, at the Glen Ogle 33. Janice knocked an impressive 20 minutes off of her previous best time for the course in what was an amazing race, with glorious scenery, fab friendly people and brilliantly organised.

She now vows to have a quieter and shorter 2017 so well done to Janice on this year’s exploits.

More info at www.kilmarnockharriers.com