LAST Wednesday saw available members of Ron's Runners assemble at 2pm at the Beach Park to ensure the safe racing event hosted by the group in the evening.

With the eight volunteers, light work was made of highlighting the hazards which might be of some danger to the runners with low posts raised to eye level and some potholes on rough ground filled by sand or earth and one rock sized boulder enveloped by bubble wrap.

The 5k route which starts near the town area of the large Big Idea car park takes entrants down the promenade round the outskirts of the car park then into the beach park itself and using the cycle tracks and walkways skirts the pond round the dragon hill back to the pond to return by the outward route to the finish line 30 metres town side of the Big Idea bridge making it completely traffic free.

On a bitterly cold night and a with a steady wind blowing, the 130 runners lined up facing the worst of the weather for the first few minutes but on entering the beach park it then became less of a handicap.

As the front-runners returned to the toilet area it was clearly seen that the leader at this point would be ultimate winner but his lead was much shorter than the previous year and it soon became apparent that the leading female runner could hold her best with some of the faster men.

First across the finish line was Irvine’s own Stephen Daye, wearing Irvine Running Club colours in a fast time of 16:46 followed by an equally good time by under-twenty runner Bellahouston Harriers Jack Heathwood 17:05, in a sprint finish for third place Ayr Seaforth runner Craig McPike finishing with 17:08. In eighth place having had a tremendous run came the first lady Elspeth Curran 17:48 followed by her fellow Kilbarchan runner Christina Rankin 18:08. Mandy Stewart from Ayrodynamic returned with 19:17 taking third lady in the open race.

First over 40 veteran male was Stephen McCrorie 17:35 followed by Lorna Todd 22:09, taking the female, from Ayrodynamic.A loud cheer greeted the male over 60’s winner as it was announced the honour went to the host club’s Hugh Hood 22:14.

First home for Ron's was Cameron Miller 18:52 followed by Andy Stewart 20:01 and Neil Kyle 21:34 First lady was Jennifer Shaw 23:01 second being Pamela Porteous 24:18 and in third position in her first race in the club’s yellow Clare Greer took 25:18. Also racing for the first time in an open race Darren Ridout posted 23:58 with other beginners Adelle Paterson 25:27 Elizabeth Bembo 29:04 Nicola Lightbody 29:40 and Margaret Milton 30:04 all of whom were justifiably pleased with their efforts. Other members’ times were Matthew Watson 21:45, Mark Garton 23:05, James Elliot 23:19, Thomas Hodgart 24:06, Robert Wylie, 25:32, Helen Bruce 25:54, David Ridout 26:11, Hazel Anderson and Rachel Wood both recorded 27:08, Graeme Shaw 27:44, Angela Gibson 28:03, Patricia McMullen, 29:04 Eric Pearson 30:09, Cecilia Murray 33:15, Dayle Burnside 34:24, Claire Paparakis 36:54 and Sandra Hunter 44:11 with many having their best race for some time.

The race also formed the Ayrshire 5k championships. Male winner was Steve Daye, second Craig McPike and third and also first male over 40 Stephen McCrorie; first male over 50 David Auchie 19:10.

For the ladies, the order was Mandy Stewart with well-regarded Toni McIntosh of Toni’s Tigers second 20:15 and third Kilmarnock Harriers’ Laura Haggarty 21:26. Lorna Todd was first lady veteran while first over 50 was Valerie Martin 22:13. Karen Wright 32:12 of Ron's Runners Saturday group was first over-60 finisher bringing further cheer to the home club.

As well as those running in the race some 25 active running members were also on duty as officials or marshals and at the prize giving it was remarked how friendly though competitive the event was with the marshals singled out for special thanks. Sylvia Mulholland gave up her ultra-training for the day to act as tail runner accompanying the final runner home in a time of 47:02.

In the Ayrshire 5k team results for the men Ayr Seaforth were first, second Ayrodynamic and third Kilmarnock Harriers while for the ladies Ayrodynamic claimed top spot Kilmarnock were second and third, another welcome bonus for the local club, Rons Runners in the shape of Jennifer Shaw, Pamela Porteous and Claire Greer making it a successful night for the club’s entrants.

At the local park run this week Cameron Miller lead the others home, clocking 18:37 over the 5k course which set him a new personal best with Andy Stewart next with 19:44 also setting himself a new peronal best, Neil Kyle 21:12 and James McGill 22:40 crossed the line just before another best ever time from Mark Garton 22:41.

Also setting a new personal best Jennifer Shaw finished with 22:49 was second lady overall with Pamela Porteous recording 24:43 Paul McCallum 25:33 kept Fiona Wyper 25:39 company most of the way round then came Willie Goggans 26:34 still running himself back to full fitness. Rachel Wood 27:41, Carol Rome posted 28:03 ahead of Anita Mackie 28:29 there then followed Amy Dickson with her best time to date 28:34 with mum Suzanne 28:35.

A welcome return by Ian Walterson 28:53 then Eric Pearson took 29:43 and Ann Hay in her 100th Park run finished with 31:50 to sister Mary Huggan’s 31:57 and another returning member, Gillian Dunwoodie recorded 34:21. Ann’s sister in law Sheenagh Hay in a rare outing timed 37:16 to share in her day. Stewards were Lynn Shearer and Margaret Craig.

Rons Runners welcome all standard of runners to their sessions with beginners especially welcome.