On Sunday 14th 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 3rd 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 14th overall in a time of 64:13 and happy to contribute towards 1st 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
