British Masters 5k and West Districts 10K As Events Keep On Coming

NO LET UP IN RACING AFTER ROON THE TOON

On Sunday morning, three Kilmarnock Harrier athletes were in Horwich, Bolton for the annual staging of the British Masters 5K Championships.

The ultra competitive event usually sees a large contingent of runners aged 35 and over from North of the border compete. 2016 was no different with strong line ups from a number of Clubs, and it was to prove an event of great success at the end of the undulating race featuring just over 3 laps around the streets of the town centre.

In the Team event, the first 3 athletes from the various clubs were to be the team counters in the quest for medals and in the days leading up to the race Kilmarnock’s chances were hampered a bit with the late withdrawal of Neil Walker due to injury. This meant that Richard Mair, Connell Drummond and Scott Martin all had to perform well as there was no scope for error without a 4^th man to fall back on if someone was struggling.

In team declarations, Scott had dropped down an age group (as the rules allowed), so in the Men’s 35-44 age group category Kilmarnock had a full team and lined up with decent hopes of doing well.

Star man on the day was new member Richard Mair, who not only came home first for his team in a position just outside the Top 20 overall, but cracked his pb for the distance in an impressive time of 16.39. Richard was to be backed up on the day with fine runs from Scott (17.35) and Connell (17.45) so with the team packing well the Club took great Silver Medals back to Killie, and weren’t too far behind strong defending champions, and pre race favourites, Kirkintilloch Olympians as they did so.

As well as these 2 Clubs, medallists on the day came from Cambuslang, Garscube, Law and Districts, and Victoria Park amongst others, so it was great to see Kilmarnock and all Scottish Clubs compete admirably with some of the best Masters athletes in the UK.

On Friday 17th June, ten Kilmarnock Harriers resisted an evening with Rod Stewart at Rugby Park to take part in the Brian Goodwin Memorial 10K in Glasgows Pollock Park, the newest fixture in the Kilmarnock Harriers club championship.

The race was also part of the West District Road Race Championships, attracted a field of 377 athletes, and was won by Tewolde Mengisteab of Shettleston Harriers in 31:06. The race consisted of 2 mostly flat laps within the grounds of Pollock Park on a pleasant evening – credit must go to Bellahouston Harriers for hosting a great event which included a BBQ’d burger and a beer at the finish line, which was well taken advantage of by the majority of participants.

Maximum points for the men’s race was claimed by Connell Drummond (32nd, 36:15) followed by an ever-improving Stewart McRoberts (164th, 43:52) and Scott Lyden (183rd, 45:02). First female home for Killie was recent marathon-woman Kirsteen Salisbury (244th, 48:12), closely followed by Doreen Wales (254th, 48:55) and Laura Caruthers (309th, 52:44). Stewart went on to achieve a 10K PB a mere 2 days later at the Men’s 10K event in Glasgow, with an impressive 42:44. Full Kilmarnock results as follows: Connell Drummond (32nd, 36:15); Stewart McRoberts (164th, 43:52); Scott Lyden (183rd, 45:02) Kirsteen Salisbury (244th, 48:12); Doreen Wales (254th, 48:55); Geoff Robertson (277th, 50:26); Douglas Dickson (300th, 52:09); Laura Caruthers (309th, 52:44); Mark Lyden (346th, 55:59) and Stephanie Dale (359th, 57:49).

Next up in the Club Championships is the Irvine 5miler on the 17th July.