IRVINE Running Club Captain, Alex Allardyce continues to produce consistent cross-country results which would be the envy of runners half his age.

The 45-year-old started his latest set of impressive results with a fine eighth place at the Kilmarnock Harriers Open Cross Country event event on November 22 and he followed that a week later with third place in the Ayrshire Cross Country Championships at Ayr.

Last week he led the Irvine team home at the West District Cross Country Championships, held over a rain-sodden course at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow.

Allardyce completed the energy sapping 10k event in 44m19s in 50th place overall and fourth M45 in the race. Less than 40s seconds separated the next three Irvine runners: Colin Whitby (50.05), Alan Douglas (50.19) and Mark Livingstone( 50.42) with Paul Lafferty completing the Irvine finishers in 53.01.

The popular Irvine captain also holds another enviable record which he will be hoping some younger runner might emulate. In 2008 he was the last runner to win the Cyclists v Harriers race which is scheduled for Sunday.

This annual event will start from Irvine Sports Club at 1pm.

All entries will be taken on the day from 11am.

Congratulations to Tom Begley and Ian McManus for their efforts in the recent Tinto Hill race. This event is held over a 4.5-mile course with a 1500m peak which always has snow on the summit on race day, with Begley finishing in 42.46 and McManus 75.08. Well done also to new member Chis Figgins who recorded a personal best of 21.57 in coming 16th in Saturday's Eglinton Parkrun.