Kilpatrick Hill Race

Next up for Kilmarnock’s growing band of hill runners was the 10.2km Kilpatrick Hill Race, just over the Erskine Bridge.

Five Harriers took on this 426m ascent with Stephen Gilmour making another hill debut.

This race involves a short road section to start followed by a relatively steep ascent which gets ths majority of height gain over with and onto a plateau.  Here it undulates and the trail follows a range of surfaces byassing two small lochs before returning to the initial path and finishing on the road.

Davie White was the leading Killie runner from start to finish. Mike Corson showed his hill walking strength and took an early lead in the next group followed by me and Roddy (sporting his new contact lenses).  It took me a while but eventually I closed the gap on Mike and as he graciously let me pass, slipped on a stone and fell over!  Soon after Mike’s problems worsened as he stood on an old cut down fencepost, adrenalin kicked in and the pain soon subsided.

At the finish line Mike was fearful his foot would be seriously wounded and of course Dr Roddy was on hand with an aray of emergency supplies.  On removing his shoe and sock a small puncture mark was revealed – no blood in sight.

Finishing times:

23rd David White – 54.17, 42nd Alasdair Murray -57.33, 51st Roddy Pugh – 58.20, 55th Mike Corson – 59.01, 85th Stephen Gilmour – 63.27. (125 finishers)