WHILE most people were finishing off their Christmas shopping on Sunday, 80 fitness enthusiasts were having festive fun of a different kind, competing in the annual Cyclists v Harriers race.

This is the 57th successive year the event has been held in Irvine with all of them involving the rough tracks which criss-cross the town moor.

The balance of wins has favoured the cyclists in recent times with the last win by a runner being back in 2008. However, race convenor Andy Rennie, of Irvine Running Club was confident that the recent spell of wet weather would have produced enough soft ground on the 5mile course to put the harriers in with a chance. The main contenders for the title were: JP Baxter of Ayr Burners Cycling who won in 2014, Kenny Neill of Ayr Seaforth, who is the current Ayrshire Cross- Country Champion, Brian Yates of Ayr Roads Cycling Club and Del Young of Garscube Harriers. In the early stages of the race the leading cyclists outpaced the runners but as the race progressed to the tougher sections on the moor Young and Neil came through to lead the field with Baxter and Yates not far behind.

By the latter stages it was still Young in front but with Baxter, Yates and Neill within striking distance.

The race finishes with a lap of the Marress Playing fields which includes three barriers which the competitors have to jump and on this stage Young was able to use his strength to surge away for a well-deserved victory in 27.52.

Only 17 seconds covered the next three with Baxter 2nd in 28.33, Yates 3rd in 28.37 and Neill 4th in 28.50. The first female was Cat Fisher of Westerlands Cross-Country club in 35.06 and the first female cyclist was Lorna Sloan of Walkers Cycling Club in 36.05.

The Irvine Running Club finishers were: Alex Allardyce ( 6th, 30.23); Paul Lafferty (16th, 32.41); George Irving (19th, 32.58); Alan Douglas ( 20th, 33.06), Fergie Collier ( 24th, 34.03); Jim Sneddon (37th, 35.47); Colin Miller (39th, 36.00); Joe McNamee (62nd, 40.17); Jim White (69th, 41.12), Ian McManus (79th, 60.52).

The next big race for local runners is the popular Christmas Handicap which is organised jointly by Irvine Running Club and Ron's Runners.

The event will be held this coming Sunday. December 27 with a 1pm start at Irvine Sports Club and all runners, including guests are welcome.