Round Cumbrae 10 mile race 14/09/14

On Sunday 14^th September 11 Harriers made the short journey across the water from Largs to Millport for the Round Cumbrae 10 mile road race.

From my perspective it was 3^rd time lucky as I’d previously registered for this race in 2012 and 2013 but had to pull out through injury both times. Asides from that it was also my first attempt at racing over 10 miles so going into it I wasn’t entirely sure of my pacing.

Conditions on the island seemed favourable although when Kenny Wales declared just before the start that “the wind would be at your back for 8 miles” I should’ve sensed something wasn’t right!

Within the first 2 miles the lead group of 10 runners, which included Neil Walker and Stuart Murdoch, had pulled away leaving myself and Scott Lyden at the front of the chasing group. Scott and I maintained a steady pace at the front of the group for the first 7 miles, with several other runners seemingly content to sit behind and let us shield them from the reasonably strong wind we found ourselves running into. Just after the 7 mile marker, eventual first female Laura Wallace (Ayr Seaforth) eased past and took on the running followed soon after by Jim Phillips (Troon Tortoises) and Simon Sheridan (Garscube).

As we came into the final mile the head wind really picked up and it seemed to blow away any chance I had of getting back up at the runners that had passed me earlier. I stayed on as best I could and had a battle over the last ¼ mile to keep my place as Charlotte Wilson (Garscube) was breathing down my neck.

In the end up I was content to finish 14^th overall in a time of 64:13 and happy to contribute towards 1^st male team prize along with Neil, Stuart & Scott.

 

Harriers times below:

 

Position                Name                                    Time

4                            Neil Walker                          59:26

6                            Stuart Murdoch                   61:33

14                           Mark Alexander                  64:13

19                           Scott Lyden                          65:28

89                          Matthew Ferguson            78:42

102                        Darren Ridout                    80:45

145                        Alan Anderson                    88:16

167                        Jackie McCulloch               93:00

172                        Laura Moffat                       94:33

194                        Stephanie Dale                   101:05

211                        Janice Millar                       119:00