TROON 10K AND SCOTTISH 5K ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

LARGE NUMBERS AGAIN AT THE TROON 10K

Last Wednesday evening, over 1000 runners lined up on Troon Promenade for the 30^th staging of the host town’s 10K Road Race and as ever there were a large number of Kilmarnock Harriers in the event which sold out months in advance.

At the sharp end of the field it was past winner Mike Deason who took the honours in 32.27, while Garscube athlete Lesley Chisholm (36.21) won the ladies race, taking the title from Kilmarnock athlete Kara Tait who was missing from the race this year due to unfortunate injury.

Connell Drummond was to be first Harrier home, although returning to a bit of form Gordon Reid did chase him to the line with a mere 5 seconds separating the pair at the end and both athletes a tad over 36 minutes.

First Killie Woman was Laura Haggarty, while Kirsteen Salisbury was next home in a new personal best for 10k to confirm her excellent form ahead of her Marathon debut at Edinburgh at the end of the year.

Personal bests were also achieved by a number of athletes, and these include Alisdair Hood, Alison Wales and David Rutherford.

Killie Times and positions (chip times) –

11^th Connell Drummond 36.05, 12^th Gordon Reid 36.10, 23^rd James Connelly 37.20, 54^th Stewart McAllister 39.49, 98^th David Rutherford 42.21, 139^th Laura Haggarty 43.59, 154^th Mike Corson 44.11, 178^th Russell Duncan 45.11, 191^st Scott Lyden 45.06, 194^th Kirsteen Salisbury 45.24, 231^st Matt Ferguson 46.44, 233^rd Rhona O’Neill 46.30, 293^rd David McGill 48.12, 294^th Ken Wales 48.13, 335^th Susan Beattie 49.07, 346^th Brian Darroch 49.04, 433^rd Alisdair Hood 51.40, 575^th Stephanie Dale 54.41, 576^th Michelle Goldie 54.51, 577^th Alex McGhee 54.51, 601^st Kenny Neilson 55.32, 624^th Jacqueline McConnell 55.46, 629^th Chloe Adams 56.36, 650^th Alison Wales 56.43, 821^st Mark Lyden 62.03, 934^th Dawn-Marie Wylie 68.00, 957^th Suzy Leggat 70.19

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Next up, last Friday evening in better conditions was the Scottish 5K Road Race Championships, and a pair of Killie athletes took the trip through to Silverknowles, Edinburgh for the flat course on the edge of the Firth of Forth.

In a high quality field where the top dozen or so impressively dipped under the 15 minute mark, Neil Walker had specifically targeted the race and saw his recent excellent training pay off. Officially Neil clocked an impressive 16.44, although it should be noted that everyone was given a time between 3-5 seconds slower than they actually ran and unofficially Neil clocked himself in a new pb of 16.39.

Also making the trip up was Scott Martin who was using the race as a sharpener as he continues his return to racing after a spell out, and like Neil was pleased with his race. Scott clocked 17.17, although like Neil he too clocked himself unofficially a few seconds quicker.

A massive thanks to Troon Tortoises and Scottish Athletics for great organisation at both races and as ever a large mention to all coaches and supporters who lended encouragement on both nights.

An excellent night, and week all round by Kilmarnock Harriers as the Road Season gathers momentum, and long may it continue.