LIZ TAKES BEITH CROWN, AS OTHERS IMPRESS OUTDOORS AND INDOORS

Beith New Year Race 2016

The first road race in the 2016 calendar in the Kilmarnock Harrier Winter Championships took place just two days into the New Year – a four lap, 4.8mile loop in a quiet industrial estate on the outskirts of Beith/Kilbirnie in pleasant conditions. This was a far cry from the ‘four seasons in one day’ weather which made the corresponding race in 2015 so testing. Despite coming at the tail end of the festive holidays, Kilmarnock Harriers had a strong presence at the race, both in the senior and junior events, and it was new Race organisers Ron’s Runners who organised a hugely successful event.

 
Killie performance of the day was in the Women’s race, which was won by Harriers own Liz McDerment in an excellent time of 33:26, with fellow Harrier Kirsteen Salisbury taking third place with 35:01. Completing the Womens race from Kilmarnock Harriers was Jackie McCulloch (8th place, 40:01), Chloe Adams (10th, 41:23) and Alison Wales (14th, 43:31).

 
Some strong performances were also to be found in the Men’s race – won by Jamie Reid of Ronhill Cambuslang in 24:37 – with the first Harrier home was Ross Connelly who achieved a 9th place finish with 27:12. Completing the Harrier contingent in the Mens race was Les McDerment (19th, 31:07), Stewart McAllister (21st, 32:00), Stewart McRoberts (29th, 34:14), David McGill (34th,38:35) and Mark Lyden (35th, 39:37).

 
In the junior races, Kilmarnock Harriers Emma McMillan and Sophie Ross took first and second place respectively in the U11 girls race, and Brodie McGregor taking second place in the U11 boys race. Killie were also represented in the U15 girls race and U17 boys.

 
Next up in the Winter Championships is a trip to East Kilbride for the Cross Country on the 16th January.

 

NEW YEARS INDOOR MEET, EMIRATES ARENA
The following day, 4 Kilmarnock Harrier athletes were in action Indoor, at the hugely impressive Emirates Arena in the East End of Glasgow.

 

Taking part over 400 metres was Robert Lindsay, and despite lack of recent speed training he had an excellent race. Clocking 57.30, this placed him 3rd in his heat and an excellent start to 2016 in a step down in distance from his preferred 800 metres.

 
In the 3,000 metres events there were a couple of Harriers making their Indoor debuts.

 
Neil Walker took on the 15 laps of 200 metres and ran fairly even paced to clock an excellent time of 9.46.62. This not only placed him 7th in his heat, but also secured himself a bronze medal in the M35 category so he can be pleased with his debut.

 
In the following heat, Connell Drummond was taking a huge step down in distance having ran many races over 5K to the Marathon last year and gaining large pb’s over them all.

 
Connell came 4th in his race, and a time of 10.15.71 was a large personal best for him and excellent experience as he looks to continue his form in the coming months.

 
Finally, special mentions to Gordon Reid who started the race despite being under the weather in the days leading up to the race. Gordon started the race gamely, but after a few laps wisely decided to call it a day, although with some excellent recent training behind him he too can look forward to 2016 with optimism.

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Over the festive period, Colin Glencorse ran in the Greenmantle Hill Race and had his usual strong run as he finished 16th in a time of 19.58.
Club Treasurer and Vice President Alasdair Murray ran in the New Years Day Parkrun at Pollock Park and clocked 21.51 for the hilly 5k course, and also competed at the Eglinton event on Jan 2nd, along with one or 2 other Kilmarnock runners.
Well done to everyone who trained or raced over the Festive period, and much more info is at www.kilmarnockharriers.com