IRVINE Beach was the venue on Saturday for the first North Ayrshire Schools Cross Country League races of 2016.

These races are open to pupils from all North Ayrshire Primary and Secondary schools with a series of events being held every winter. Participants range from those trying competitive cross country for the first time to more experienced runners who have been training with local clubs. It was good to see two of Irvine Running Club's rising stars turn out to support this event. Well done to Dillon Agnew (Auchenharvie Acadeny) and Lewis Rome (Greenwood Academy) who finished first S6 and first S5 pupils respectively over the 2000m course.

Irvine Running Club's junior section train at Irvine Sports Club from 7pm until 8pm on Tuesdays and anyone over nine is welcome to come along

Meanwhile the scheduled Sunday runs organised by Ron's Runners went ahead at the Beach Park in trying conditions.

The frost and snow of the previous day had almost disappeared but runners had to contend with wind-driven rain and cold temperatures. Always prone to being windy part of the normal route close to the shore produced winds almost reaching gale force driving the temperature even lower.

With a dearth of local races to enter at this time of year the jogging group members’ thoughts turn to summer and determine their summer goals.

To this end Neil McMullen is already well into his effort to complete the D33 ultra road race. Held on March 12 and starting at Duthie Park Aberdeen the route takes competitors along the Deeside Way to Banchory and back again to make the total distance covered 33 miles.

 For others the Glencoe Marathon has caught the eye although isnot scheduled until October 2. This 26 mile event ascends over 1600 metres in total as it winds through Glencoe into Glen Nevis and a small group have volunteered Sandra Hunter as team manager..Yet more have settled on the Edinburgh May marathon and already three ladies teams of four have entered the 26 mile team relay race over the marathon distance while at least one member has entered the half marathon event on the same day.

Again this weekend the Saturday Park run within Eglinton Park had to be cancelled and although hardly a cold winter so far, ice was once again the reason.

With the cancellation three of the ladies opted for Ayr Park 5k and on what is regarded as a slower course, all produced excellent runs with perhaps Jennifer Shaw’s 27 minutes 17 seconds the pick of the bunch on her first experience of the route.

Pamela Porteous led the way home and in a time sowing a return to form recorded 26:53 while Fiona Wyper kept Jennifer company an both finished with 27:17.

At the Pollok Park 5k which had metamorphosed to a more cross country type of route young James Chalmers had a smashing time, posting 22:47 followed by Sylvia Mulholland 24:02 and Neil McMullen cantered with a round with a pal in 32:19.

Suzanne Dickson recorded 32:19, underlining a good Beith run while Suzanne was credited with 32:20.

Sylvia who thoroughly enjoyed the changed route finished as sixth lady from a field of 406 runners.