SCOTTISH VETERAN ROAD RELAYS

KILLIE ATHLETES TO THE FORE AT VETS ROAD RELAYS

On Sunday morning (Jan 25th) , Strathclyde Park hosted the annual Scottish Veteran Harriers Road Relay Championships and, as has been the case in recent years, a number of Ayrshire athletes took part. These included a dozen runners from Kilmarnock Harriers, and everyone was thankful of the recent thaw meaning that on course conditions were good for the time of year.

Open to people aged 35 and over, in the Men’s Race there were strong favourites in Cambuslang. Dumfries Running Club was always going to be tough to beat in the ladies field, and so this was to prove as both teams proved worthy winners at the end of the day.

First off for Kilmarnock however was Neil Walker and, having the quickest run of any Harrier on the day, he handed over to Robert Lindsay with his team in a very healthy 8^th position at this stage.

Improving Robert gained a couple of places, which 3^rd leg runner Connell Drummond consolidated, while anchor man Scott Martin brought Kilmarnock up to 4^th and -although a bit away from the podium -a highly decent position in such a strong field.

Not to be outdone, Stuart Murdoch too had an excellent run in a good second Killie Team by running one of his teams fastest times of the day in Leg 1, while new Member Stewart McRoberts, Coach Kenny Wales, and stalwart Brian Darroch backed him up for an overall position just outside the Top 30.

In recent years, the Kilmarnock Female Team have finished 2^nd in this event, and relatively new member Lorna Todd set the trio off on the 3.7 mile lap of the lake with her teams fastest time of the day. Paula Wilson and Rosemary McMillan completed a fine job and when all was said and done the girls finished in a healthy top 10 position.

Special mentions too, go to reliable Janice Millar who ran in a solo team and bagged another race under the belt to stand herself in great stead for the rest of the year.

Times for the 3.7 mile laps were –

Mens A (4^th) – Neil Walker 20.33, Robert Lindsay 20.47, Connell Drummond 21.33, Scott Martin 20.40

Mens B – Stuart Murdoch 21.00, Stewart McRoberts 24.44, Kenny Wales 25.29, Brian Darroch 27.51

Ladies (10^th) – Lorna Todd 24.56, Paula Wilson 27.54, Rosemary McMillan 27.30,

Ladies B – Janice Millar – 39.59

Well done to all.

Saturday (Jan 31^st) is the day when Kilmarnock hosts the Scottish Masters National Cross Country Championships and this pre entry race should see some of Scotland’s top 40 year old and over athletes on show.

A number of local runners again will compete, however the Club DOES require assistance from within to help with on the day duties. Any Member who can spare even an hour or 2 should let anyone at registration know of their availability before Saturday.