Senior Roundup 15th November 2022

It has been another busy couple of weeks for our senior/U20 athletes on the roads and XC fields,
with lots of good news to report!

First off, we had a group of athletes make the journey through to Kirkcaldy for the National Short
Course XC. Held at Dunnikier Park, the ground was a bit soft in places but a well laid course led to
some really fast times throughout the day. The senior ladies were first off, with only two athletes
competing on this occasion. First across the line for the club was Jennifer Beattie in 16:38 (152 nd
overall, 22 nd V40), followed by Amanda Bryden in 17:46 (188 th ). The senior/U20 men were better
represented, with 7 athletes putting their toe on the line. First back for the club was Craig Ferguson
in a cracking 12:38 (79 th overall), followed in by Jonathon Downey in 13:24 (142 nd /34 th U20), John
Speirs in 14:12 (230 th overall and 32 nd V40), Jamie Nix in 14:25 (249 th ), Paul Black in 15:56 (374 th ), and
Murray McDonald in 18:31 (465 th ). Unfortunately Charlie McNulty took unwell on the course but it
was great to see him turning out to represent at Senior/U20 level.

On the same weekend we had two Harriers travel to Strathaven for the Run with The Wind 10k, held
over a slightly different course this year starting at West Kype Farm. Lynsey O’Connor was first
home in 16 th overall and 2 nd lady in a cracking 39:58 – well done Lynsey! Our other finisher was Mark
Lyden who completed the course in 55:29.

The weekend just gone saw a team of athletes competing at the Ayrshire XC Championships at
Rozelle Park in Ayr. We were blessed with a dry, mild and calm afternoon – however conditions
underfoot were challenging to say the least! For the ladies we had 3 athletes brave the mud, with
Lorna Baird first home in 36:53 for an agonisingly close 4 th place behind a very strong trio of Ayr
Seaforth ladies. Bethany Ross was 12 th in 43:31, closely followed home in 13 th by Amanda Bryden in
43:40. The ladies took the silver team medal – well done all!

In the men’s section we were treated to some really exciting racing, with our Craig Ferguson and
Steve Daye from Irvine contesting the lead back and forward throughout the race. However on lap 3
Craig made a big move that proved to be impossible to catch, meaning that he is is our very worthy
Ayrshire Men’s XC Champion for 2022 finishing in 30:57 – huge well done Craig! Next home for the
team was Jonathon Downey, contesting his first long format senior XC and finishing in an excellent
5 th place and 1 st U20 in 33:29. John Speirs was next back, following up a mid week RAF XC podium
with a strong finish here for 9 th place in 34:52. U20 athlete Nathan Smith followed in 13 th place
(36:10), Ross McNaught in 21 st (37:59) and Connell Drummond in 24 th (38:52). These 6 athletes made
up the 6 counting scores for the team prizes and like the ladies took the silver – well done guys!
However, proving we have real depth in the senior men’s squad at the moment we had a further 4
finishers – David Anderson in 25 th (39:08), Neil Todd in 29 th (39:52), Michael Corson in 32 nd and 1 st V60
athlete (40:33) and Nick Carter in 35 th (41:33). Well done to everyone who competed – it looked
really tough out there!

Also on Saturday, Mark Lyden was back out representing – this time at the Newton Road Runners
10k. He completed the race in 54:42 and 159 th place overall, well done Mark.
On Sunday, 3 Harriers made the most of the extremely mild November weather at the Jimmy Irvine
Bella 10k which is a very popular and competitive race. 1 st back was Mark Alexander in 41:07 and
87 th overall, followed by Les McDerment in 48:58 and 231 st place, and then Doreen Wales doing it for
the girls in 54:53 and 109 th lady overall. Well done guys!

With 5 races now complete in the Winter league, Craig Ferguson currently tops the men’s table with
49 points, followed by Jonathon Downey with 37 points and Jamie Nix with 36. For the ladies it is a
two way tie at the top with Jennifer Beattie and Amanda Bryden both on 39 points, and Bethany
Ross is currently 3 rd with 26 points. There is still plenty to play for with a further 8 races to go –
remember that your best 7 scores will count. The next race with available points is the 1 st West
League match being held at Strathaven this Saturday (19 th November). There is no closing date on
this one – you can just turn up on the day and run! Following this we have West Districts on the 3 rd
of December at the AAA – entries are now closed for this but if you are not running please still come
down and support your team mates or even better volunteer to marshall on the day. Entries are
open on Entry Central for the Turkey Trot on Boxing Day (points for the 10k only, though the 5k is a
great wee race too if you want to support one of our local events).

You can view the full tables here – winter points