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| They're Off! |
I had a pleasant journey down to the Ayrshire coast on Saturday for the county’s Cross Country Relay Championships. Despite a number of national races taken place at Irvine’s Beach Park this was my first appearance at the scenic location. There was a decent turnout from the local clubs with the host club having three teams of four in the men’s event but sadly no teams of three for the women’s event. Kilmarnock had four men’s teams and three women’s; Troon Tortoises: two men’s and two women’s: Ayr Seaforth: two men’s and one women’s; Girvan: two men’s and no women’s; and Ayrodynamic Triathlon Club: two men’s and one women’s. A total of 15 men’s teams and seven women’s teams, around 80 athletes in all, up significantly on the previous year.
I was pleased to be informed that I would be running the second leg, rather than the anchor/death/glory/last one of the previous week. Even better news was that the men’s and the women’s races would be held simultaneously. This would mean that I would be competing against other racers rather than just the clock.
There was perfect weather as the senior athletes chatted and warmed up as the junior athletes completed their races. One of the great things about cross country races and relays in particular is that athletes get more time than usual to mingle with each other, sharing the pre and post race banter and camaraderie. Around 2pm the seniors set off. I was in the D team and John McLarty was our first runner, as he made his way around the 4k course, I completed my warm up and made my way to the hand over pen. After the elite runners had sestet off on their second leg, I moved closer to the front and cheered on Natalie Fleming as she almost caught her Troon colleague Iain McNee as they crossed the line, in 16:43 and 16:42 respectively. Next home was Ayrodynamic’s Louise Murdoch in 16:50, surprisingly, ahead of Ayr’s Laura Wallace in 16:51. Girvan’s Stephen Flanagan was next in 16:59, followed one second later by Ayrodynamic’s Kenny Girvan. Kilmarnock’s John McLarty handed over to me in 17:13 and I set off in 14th place.
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| My Start |
The first part of the course is wide and flat and heads out towards the Firth of Clyde, climbing the first hill at 200m, I was rewarded with a gorgeous view over the sea to the Isle of Arran. The route then took a sharp left turn and went along the ridge before descending, vending right, crossing a path and climbing a steep hill. I was impressed to see Girvan’s John Rennie and Ayro’s Colin Davidson running up the incline and any thoughts which I may have had about walking up it were nipped in the bud. I was rewarded for my climb with stunning views of Ailsa Craig in the distance and the two runners ahead. We made our way down towards the beach and through the sand dunes. I had caught the two runners at this stage but was frustrated at the lack of overtaking opportunities. I was stuck behind John as Colin negotiated the sand dunes better. I seized the first chance to overtake John and set off after Colin. The route took a sharp left and headed upward and inland. I caught Colin on the hill and had taken 4:30 for the first kilometre. The route took another left and zigzagged through the Beach Park. I managed to overtake Troon’s Anne Noble as the route headed back towards the coast and then Ayro’s Alice McNulty. The only person I could now see in front of me was Troon’s Peter Malone. The second kilometre had taken me 4:43. After another 250m or so I caught the bearded giant. I was now running against the clock and headed towards and then along Marine Drive. I wasn’t sure about the course but with the end almost in sight the markers took me back into the park. The third kilometre had taken 4:17. The course then meandered a little before reaching the wide and flat section which forms the start/finish of the race. I gave it my all as I made my way towards the finish line cheered on by fellow runners and supporters to cross the line in a total time of 16:34. I was shattered and had a lie down on the grass before regaining my composure and joining in with the others to support the remaining runners. My Garmin indicated that the course was 3.75k long and that my final 750m had been run at an average pace of 4:03 min/k, 4:25 for the race.
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| My Finish |
I had handed over to Brian Darroch in 11th place and Brian did well to maintain our position with an individual time of 17:09. The ‘glory’ leg fell to Kenny Wales whose time of 17:24 was good enough to gain one place. Our team had finished 10th, with a combined time of 68:20.
Men’s Teams
Kilmarnock Harriers A Team placed second, to Irvine, with a time of 55: 07. The B Team placed fifth in 60:62 and the C Team eighth with a time of 62:44.
Women’s Teams
The Women’s A Team also placed second, behind Ayr Seaforth, with a time of 48:04. The B Team placed fifth in 57:16 and the incomplete C Team sixth.
Stars
Kara Tait ran the fastest lap of any woman with a time of 14:48, whilst Ross Connelly was the fastest Harrier with a time of 13:14. All Harriers can be pleased with their performance including Michelle Goldie who ran her first cross country since leaving school.
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| One Honest Man and Two Bonnie Lassies (Toni McIntosh and Laura Wallace) |
Course
Senior Men
1st Irvine Athletic Club A 51m 45s
2nd Kilmarnock Harriers A 55m 07s
3rd Girvan AAC A 56m 00s
Fastest Laps
1st David Millar Irvine AC 12m 14s
2nd S Wylie Girvan AAC 12m 16s
3rd Neil Burnside Ayr Seaforth13m 02s
Senior Women 1st Ayr Seaforth 47m 50s
2nd Kilmarnock Harriers A 48m 04s
3rd Troon Tortoises A 53m 52s
Fastest Laps
1st Kara Tate Kilmarnock 14m 48s
2nd Louise Hill-Stirling Ayr Sf 14m 52s
3rd Toni McIntosh Ayr Seaforth 16m 07s
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