ONLY one member of Irvine jogging group Ron's Runners entered the Nigel Barge 10 k race at Glasgow last weekend.

This race, along with Beith NewYear's race are reputedly the oldest road races still held and like Beith has in the past attracted many of the best runners in the West of Scotland and beyond.

The race is named after a pilot and athlete who died during the Second World War. In her first serious race of the year, Gail Stevens completed the route in 51 minutes and 21 seconds and, although not her best was still a satisfactory time over what runners’ consider a hilly tough race.

Also in Glasgow, Sylvia Mulholland and Sandra Hunter chose to revisit Springburn 5k Park run and a fine run from Sylvia saw her awarded 3rd lady finisher with the time of 23:13 and an excellent result.

Sandra travelled with no such high hopes of such a finish and happily completed the course, taking 42:32 and enjoyed her day.

On the same day, Pamela Porteous accompanied her husband to Strathclyde Park and whilst there was invited by Troon Ladies to join them to complete their veteran's team of three for a road relay race. Pamela had a good steady run in the third leg pulling the ladies up one position to thirteenth with her time of 29.34.

With both Ayr and Eglinton park 5k runs cancelled yet again this weekend most runners had a barren race week-end but nevertheless some at least managed to continue their usual training runs and some of the luckier ones met as usual on Saturday morning

This group is designed solely for the beginner or slower runner although they are sometimes joined by accomplished runners returning after injury.

Only once so far this year have they cancelled through bad weather and again their chosen route proved well sheltered although very mucky underfoot.

The group enjoyed a fine easy paced 5k run and by good luck chose a time when the sun was shining although in some sections wind was troublesome

One person determined not to miss a Saturday run Sylvia Mulholland again plumped for Pollock 5k only to discover that the course was again changed to the route resembling cross country running as on a previous Saturday - only this time the course had some distance added.

Being a three-lap hilly course by the start of lap three runners were running in ankle deep mud - just the sort of running on which Sylvia thrives.

After enjoying the race Sylvia was delighted to finish in ninth position with her 29:02

Training nights from the bottom of the mall are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6pm and runners of all standards are welcome to attend.

Currently there are five different groups containing runners of roughly equal ability and presently an additional pack consisting of those new to or restarting running.

Head along to any training night and join other runners to add to the enjoyment and safety to your running or contact jogalong2010@hotmail.com. Beginners especially welcomed to sessions.