NORTH AYRSHIRE AND STIRLING 10K RACE REPORTS

HARRIERS IN 10K ACTION.

Last weekend (4^th September), the latest instalment in the Kilmarnock Harriers Summer Championship took place at the excellently organised Race The Prom 10K which was organised by North Ayrshire Athletics Club.

Close to 500 athletes were taking part in the race and as far as Kilmarnock Harriers were concerned it was James Connelly who was first home in a top 10 position overall he clocked an excellent time of 37.03 on the day, and not too far off of his seasons best time in a step down from his usual preferred Ultramarathon distance.

First Female home in Killie colours was Kirsteen Salisbury and as a result of these runs, this means that both athletes now top the 2016 Championship standings as we enter the final 2 counting races of the year.

Huge mentions on the day have to go however to Kate Todd who won her age category, while Club stalwarts Matt Dodds and Hugh Rankine finished runners up in their respective divisions in arguably the performances of the day.

Killie Times and positions were –

10^th James Connelly 37.03, 51^st Steven Robson 43.25, 58^th Matt Dodds 44.27, 74^th Alan Buchanon 45.36, 96^th Stewart McRoberts 47.03, 121^st Matt Ferguson 48.55, 126^th Kirsteen Salisbury 49.04, 133^rd Rhona O’Neill 49.46, 161^st Hugh Rankine 50.22, 166^th Kate Todd 50.36, 189^th Brian Darroch 51.32, 212^th Douglas Dickson 52.24, 213rd Derek Middleton 52.25, 226^th Amanda Bryden 51.53, 248^th Mark McGregor 54.22, 259^th Kenny Neilson 54.55, 284^th Alisdair Hood 56.24, 296^th Jacqui Sandler 57.02, 319^th Fiona Docherty 58.37, 330^th Julie McAteer 59.39, 360^th Stephanie Dale 60.16, 430^th Suzy Leggat 67.56.

A week later on Sunday Sept 11^th, 2 Kilmarnock Harriers were in Stirling where they were competing in the Scottish 10K Road Racing Championships.

Proving that his recent excellent form has been no flash in the pan, Richard Mair once more smashed his personal best for the distance and in running an excellent 33.34 this was good enough to secure a top 30 position and in his first season of serious running this was, once more, further signs that there is much more to come from him.

Also in the field was Scott Martin and although slightly disappointed with his final clocking of 35.49 for the 6.2 miles, this was a solid run as he steps up his preparation to peak in time for October’s Marathon in Frankfurt.

Finally, the relay season will soon be upon us and in advance of the Cross Country Races at District, County, and National level in October, the ever popular Houston Road Relays take place on Saturday week (24^th Sept) in Renfrewshire.

Each runner takes on 2.7 mile laps of the village and is ideal to set yourself up for the Winter so anyone wishing to compete should see the Captains ASAP.

More info as ever is at www.kilmarnockharriers.com