Diverted in Dundonald by Miles and Miles

I changed my treatment regime, for my hamstring, from rest and ice, to race and ice and headed down the M77 towards Dundonald. I say ‘towards Dundonald’ as when I approached the neighbouring village of Gatehead, I was diverted along the B751 to Crosshouse and then the B7081 via Springside to Dreghorn and finally along the B730, via Drybridge, to the venue for the night’s race. Not surprisingly, I was a bit later than I had hoped for but after registering and changing into my racing gear, I made my way to the town’s 14th century castle and the Start of the race. 


Although a number of regulars were noticeable by their absence, there was still a decent turnout from Kilmarnock Harriers, as well as the other Ayrshire clubs: Troon Tortoises; Ayr Seaforth and Girvan ACC. Members from various West of Scotland running clubs, a couple of far travelled runners from Stornoway RAC and a healthy turnout from the locals would all play there part in making the event competitive.

As I warmed up, the organisers announced that the race would be delayed by ten minutes due to the difficulties caused by the road diversions. The majority of runners took advantage of this delay by extending their pre race chatting. My self included. I told a number of running buddies, including Natalie Fleming, that as I had problems with my hamstring, I wouldn’t be going for a time tonight. However as it’s a Kilmarnock Harriers’ championship race I would be trying to beat as many club mates as possible. Just before the Starting Gun fired, Kilmarnock’s Kate Todd introduced me to her niece, Lorna.


Race Report

At 7:39pm we set off, heading southwards, along the main street. A right turn, followed by a sharp left turn, took us into the Ayrshire countryside and up the first hill of the course. After about 800m, I was running side by side with Natalie, at 1k my Garmin beeped to inform me that my pace was 4:13. That seems to be the norm for my 10ks but unfortunately I can never maintain that pace. Tonight was to be no exception as the hills started to slow me down, Natalie maintained, or increased her pace and left me well behind. However when a fellow Kilmarnock Harrier overtook me on one of the hills, I made sure that I returned the compliment on the downhill section. This pattern repeated itself a couple of times with the Harrier, accompanied by Kate’s niece and a local runner, passing me on the uphill section and me catching them going downhill. On the last hill into Symington the Killie Harrier maintained his form and opened up a sizable gap in front of me, although I was struggling, I managed to hold off the challenge from Kate’s niece and the local runner. 

I was hoping to close the gap on my Kilmarnock competitor as I made my way through the pretty Ayrshire village. However my legs had other plans and not only did he increase the gap but Kate’s niece and the other runner caught me once again. The hills and the heat had taken their toll and I was finding the race both physically and mentally difficult but a cry of encouragement from Connell Drummond who had chosen to support, rather than race, helped me to regain my focus.

I knew that the second part of the course was generally flat and fast and that some respite, in the form of a water station, would soon be forthcoming. As I continued to play leapfrog with the local runner, Kate’s niece left us both behind and managed to catch my championship competitor. The water station seemed further along than I remembered which made me even more relieved to see it when it finally appeared. Although the local runner was in front of me at this point, I had taken the decision to stop and have a small drink, rather than risk choking myself. I poured the remainder of the cool water over my head and set off to catch the local runner. I was confident that I wouldn’t be long until I caught him and I was running well as I passed him. However he was not for giving up easily and he increased his pace, tucking in just behind me. I could hear his heavy foot steps but tried to focus in on catching the Harrier in front. At 7k, I caught him on the inside and he congratulated me on my running as I passed him.

Although I say 7k, there are no ‘k’ markers on the route, somewhat bizarrely for a 10 kilometre race, there are mile markers instead but the organisers fail to inform the runners of this and, as the markers don’t give the unit of distance but just the number, it can be very confusing for runners.

I made sure that I built up a considerable gap on my fellow Harrier but I couldn’t rid myself of the local runner, whose foot steps remained a constant reminder that he was in my trail. I thought positively, convincing myself that he would love to be in my place and that the reason that I was in front was because I was faster than him. However it was still in the back of my mind that he might out race me by overtaking me in the final strait.

I concentrated on Kate’s niece in front and, as we approached Dundonald, I managed to find an extra gear. The sound of footsteps behind me faded as I made chase towards Kate’s niece. I was closing the gap on her as the marshals directed us off of the main street and up towards the castle built by King Robert II. The race finishes on the grass playing field and I sprinted over the line to hear the timer saying “48”.

I congratulated Kate’s niece, Lorna, the local runner and the Kilmarnock Harrier, who turned out to be hill specialist Roddie Pugh, before cheering the other runners home.


Selected Results
Natalie had placed 3rd woman, Kate Todd 1st FV45 and Louise-Hill Stirling 1st FJ

Stuart Gibson repeated last year’s achievement of winning the race, with Claire McArthur winning the women's race.


Full Results 

Reflections

Although the records reveal that my time was a lot slower than last year when I finished in 44:09, I was still delighted with my time of 44:48 and with my race performance. I had held off the challenger, I had finished strongly, had completed another club championship race and had managed to beat those Harriers of a similar standard.


Post Race Review

I met a couple of runners back at the Race HQ, the local primary school, who asked me where the prize ceremony was being held. I advised them that cash prizes and spot prizes were awarded to the runners as they crossed the Finish Line. They had hoped for a medal and/or a t-shirt but for £5 for SA members they were maybe asking for a bit much. I’m sure most would settle for kilometre rather than mile markers, maybe next year?

Running Pics by Great Scott Photography