Ayrshire Cross Country Champs

KILLIE ADD INDIVIDUAL TITLES TO RELAY CROWNS

Irvine Beach Park was the venue a couple of weeks ago as the latest instalment of the Cross Country season saw the running of the Ayrshire Championships.

Hot on the heels of Kilmarnock Harriers taking the honours at the County’s recent Relay’s, hopes were high for a repeat and with Iain Connell flying at the moment he seemed to be the marginal pre-race favourite despite a returning David Millar lining up in attempt to retain his title.

Iain set off in pursuit of David as the Irvine man set off at his usual frantic pace and by the end of the first lap of 3 it was too tight to call between the pair who already had a gap on the rest of the field.

Iain then took the lead, and despite a gallant effort to close the gap again the line came with Iain first home for his first win in the event and the first Kilmarnock Harrier to claim the tiltle in many a year.
In the ladies race, Kara Tait was also favorite and took the lead from the gun. Like Iain, Kara had a clear gap at the line and was happy to retain the Ladies title and keep the Club at the top of the pile-at least for the moment- in Ayrshire Cross Country Running.

As well as individual titles, the Harriers also took the Gold Medal’s in the Team categories Male and Female, to complete another successful day all round.
Last but not least, Amanda Humes and Cameron Mackie took Gold in the Under 20 category and like team-mates Bethany Ross, Christine Irvine and Cameron Mackie it is brilliant to see the youngsters now coming to the fore as they switch to the Senior Ranks in the very near future.

Finally, special mentions to Stuart Murray who ran his first Cross Country Race and did very well.

Full Times and positions in the 6000 metres Ladies Race for Killie were –
1st Kara Tait 22.46, 2nd Amanda Humes 27.41, 4th Bethany Ross 28.40, 5th Christine Irvine 29.32.

And in the Mens 9000 metre race –
1st Iain Connell 30.17, 6th Colin Glencorse 33.18, 8th Scott Martin 33.38, 9th Ross Connelly 33.54, 12th Connell Drummond 35.25, 17th Cameron Mackie 36.44, 20th David White 37.47, 21st Les McDerment 38.22, 30th Stuart Murray 44.18.

Next weekend (Dec 8th ) is the date for the next big XC event as Inverclyde is the host on a new course in the circuit. Pre entries are in and any Junior or Senior who is running should get in touch with their Coach or Rep this week for travel arrangements.
As you will be aware the Provost’s chosen charity this year is Prostate Cancer and to help raise money for the charity and awareness of the cancer, Leisure Development in conjunction with the Kilmarnock Harriers are holding a Mo 3km Fun Run, which will bring a close to the Movember campaign.