EVERY club needs members who work tirelessly in the background.

And in true keeping with the club ethos Irvine jogging and running club Ron's Runners have much more than a fair share of those who are willing occasionally to reach out a helping hand to others. In Sandra Hunter, the club have found a unique example of an athlete who will support her clubmates.

Despite not always running, she urges her colleagues on to better faster things and indulging in her other love, photography. So it was no surprise this weekend that Sandra was found, camera ready, in the hills around Rowardennan.

With teams entering the West Highland way “Hoka” relay in April 6, members, all wearing back packs with extra clothing and food for safety, took the chance of looking at, and running over, part of the route and by sheer good fortune chose a day of bright blue skies.

Sandra was backup driver and joined Sylvia Mulholland, Paul McCallum, Fiona Wyper, Jennifer Shaw, Ruth McLaughlan and Angela Stroyan. They started at Drymen had a short break at Balmaha where skint knees from a trip and slithering fall coming down Conic Hill, were nursed and admired. then it was onwards again.

At this point Ruth, still recovering from flu, wisely decided to rest but, skint knees or not, the others pushed on.

The remaining five all finished with around 14 miles, over some tough hard going, before the happy group all got together again to finish at Rowardennan where a paddle in the loch revived tired feet.

On Sunday it was the short journey to Dalmellington for the Hillbilly butterfly charity 10k cross country race. A very hilly tough course starts easily enough with a 2k single track tarmac road before leading runners through farm tracks and woodland paths within Craigengillan Estate offering, if runners take time to admire, some great views.

At this race again the club spirit prevailed with Melanie Sinclair sacrificing part of her own pace to urge Sharon Crombie around the course and both girls finished together both pleasantly content to time 73:03, to be followed by Carrol Finlay favouring a muscle strain with 74:20.

Young James Chalmers 53:20 worked hard shaving some two minutes from his last year’s time but failed to make any impression on his uncle James McGill 48:19 who showed the rest home.

Splitting these two with a sparkling display Suzanne Dickson again belying her slight frame posted 51:37.

Continuing recent good form Gail Steven recorded 54:24, closely followed by Paul McCallum 55:51 and Andy McNaughton 57:36. Rachel Wood should be content with her 30:32. Following Rachel, Helen Bruce 62:49 and Rachel Cox in a break from marathon training eased home with 65:34.

This weeks Parkrun saw some celebrations as Andrew Stewart came first for the club, 20.03 on his 100th Parkrun, James Chalmers completed his 50th parkrun in 22.38 and there were two first timers - William Goggans, 28.49 and Kim Angus, 34.01.

Other members completing the Eglinton Parkrun were Matthew Young, 21.10, Sylvia Mulholland our first woman to finish in 23.24, Fiona Wyper 23.48, Jennifer Shaw 23.48, Paul McCallum, 24.15, Pamela Porteous 25.32, Carol Rome 28.49, Ann Hay 30.00, Frances Rodman 32.11, Margaret Craig 32.25, Michelle Burns 38.34, Sandra Hunter 50.19 and tail runner Rachel Wood finished with Sandra in 50.20.

Young James Chalmers 53:20 worked hard, having some two minutes from his last year’s time but failed to make any impression on uncle James McGill 48:19. Splitting these two with a sparkling display, Suzanne Dickson posted 51:37.

Gail Steven recorded 54:24 closely followed by Paul McCallum 55:51 and Andy McNaughton 57:36. Rachel Wood should be content with her 30:32.

Following Rachel, Helen Bruce 62:49 and Rachel Cox in a break from marathon training eased home with 65:34.

This weeks Parkrun saw some celebrations as Andrew Stewart came first for the club, 20.03 on his 100th Parkrun James Chalmers completed his 50th in 22.38.