Livingston Road Relays, Tom Scott, Round the Houses….and Ultras.

LIVINGSTON HOST THE NATIONAL SENIOR ROAD RELAYS

On Sunday 3rd April, the new town of Livingston was once more the venue of the National 6/4 stage Road Relays and as is the norm some of the nation’s finest athletes were up for the challenge.

In an event that traditionally sees the end of the Winter season, the Women have 4 members per team while 6 Men complete a quota. The legs alternate between short (3.2 mile) and long (5.2 mile) legs with the shorter legs kicking off proceedings at 12 noon in decent running conditions.

In a Mens race won by Cambuslang, a Kilmarnock six including debutants Neil Walker and Ross Connelly were led off by Ross and he had his usual strong run to have the team well placed as first long leg runner Neil consolidated the position with the Clubs quickest long leg of the day.

Fine runs by the rest of the team meant that the Harriers were to finish in 32^nd position and a great workout for everyone involved.

In the Women’s field Central won an extremely close race, although Kilmarnock can be satisfied with a top 20 placing.

Leading the way was Laura Haggarty in a race that she competed in a few years ago and had set herself a target of beating her time as a 16 year old. Laura did so to the delight of her team mates and watching family, and with Liz McDerment and Colleen Tait setting up debutant Kirsteen Salisbury to complete the job, it was a great day all round.

As a footnote, the race signalled the end of the Kilmarnock Harriers Winter Championship and congratulations go to watching Captain Paula Wilson, and Ross Connelly for taking their respective titles.

A big thanks too goes to Senior coaches Jim Young for his on course support, and Kenny Wales for running in the Killie team that took part on the day.

Killie Results are –

Womens Team (19^th) – Laura Haggarty 21.02, Liz McDerment 43.35, Colleen Tait 20.52, Kirsteen Salisbury 43.12

Mens Team (32^nd) Ross Connelly 17.38, Neil Walker 33.39, Stewart McAllister 19.40, Scott Martin 34.10, Ken Wales 23.19, Connell Drummond 34.22

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10k and 10 mile Road Races see 4 fine performances

4 Kilmarnock Harrier athletes were in Road Running action on Sunday April 10th at Strathclyde Park, and at Grangemouth and all can be satisfied with their efforts.

At Strathclyde Park the Tom Scott Road Races took place and in a longstanding event that features a 6k and a 10 mile race around the vicinity of the loch, Kate Todd and Scott Martin chose the longer distance to see where they were at as regards their fitness. The Race doubled up as Championship Races for both Scottishathletics and Scottish Masters and thus attracted a quality field.

In a race that saw the Ladies course record broken in fine running conditions, Kate saw her target of 90 minute smashed as she clocked 84.10 for the distance and finished 4^th in her age category in a highly decent run. The former British 100K Champion looks now to be in fine shape for her next challenges.

Returning from injury and getting back to fitness, Scott Martin was taking part in his longest race in a few months. Targeting under the hour, Scott set off a bit too fast but nevertheless held on and in clocking the 10 miles in 59.26, this was again a good judge of his current fitness and both Irvine Valley athletes took the short trip home in fine fettle.

Meanwhile, in Grangemouth, the 50^th Anniverary of the Falkirk Victoria organised “Round the Houses” 10k Road Race attracted a number of excellent athletes.

In this number were 2 of Killie’s finest with Stewart McAllister and Connell Drummond in action.

Limbering up for next weekends Virgin London Marathon, Connell clocked a very decent 35.41 which wasn’t too far off of his pb and at this stage of marathon prep is a great result.

Stewart McAllister too was happy, as in running under 40 minutes with 39.43, this now means that he has achieved Bronze level in the Club Standards scheme and now only requires one more qualifying time over another distance to receive his prize at the end of the year.

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Finally, in the fast growing Ultra (a race further than the 26.2 Marathon distance)scene, the remarkable Jim Connelly continues to impress big time.

In last week’s 55 mile road race, Jim came home in a fantastic 4^th place by running 7 hours 36 minutes. This was hot on the heels of completing the D33 33 mile race, and sets himself up perfectly for the Highland Fling Ultra at the end of the month.

Good luck to Jim, and much more info is at www.kilmarnockharriers.com