LAST week saw a wide range of races attend by Irvine’s running and jogging group Ron's Runners.

Events ranged from the mass of members at Troon 10k to a park run and an event in Evesham adding to two trail races run by different runners.

At the ever-popular Troon 10k, the club had a total of 39 runners on the start line and with almost as many there supporting their colleagues. Almost half the club was represented. The good weather of the preceding days thankfully continued and barring a slight but cold wind was almost perfect for running.

First home for the club was Cameron Miller claiming a new personal best of 38:25, and the first of many on the night followed by hard working Andy Stewart 40:25 then John Owens surprised all by also claiming pb of 42:23 so soon after his marathon effort. John’s pal Neil Kyle also had a best time with his 43:15. Derek Chisholm took 44:25 before Hugh Hood at 64 lowered his fastest time ever with a fine 44:35 which was also good enough for second, over 60 and just holding off the club’s first female to finish Jennifer Shaw, who set another personal best with her 46:37 followed by Mark Garton keeping the records falling clocking 47:20 and James Elliot 47:21.

Another personal best was set by much improved Thomas Hodgart with 47:53 then came Graham Blair 48:10 ahead of second female, hugely enjoying her race, Gail Steven 49:11 with Ruth McLaughlan 51:05 and closely behind came Pamela Porteous’s 51:07. Other times were Robert Wyllie 51:17 John Watters pb of 52:23 Helen Bruce 52:57 A fine 53:40 delighted Mandy MacKintosh. Hazel Anderson 53:51, Angela Stroyan, Shavaun O’Neil 54:02, Rachel Wood 55:13, Gemma Davidson 55:44 Anita Mackie 56:47 all had good times.

Audrey Green timed 57:42 and was delighted to lower her fastest time ahead of Sharon Crombie 58:22 and then came another two personal bests from Pat McMullen and Ali Lawson who helped each other all the way around timing 59:47 and 59.51 respectively. Graeme Shaw was first back over the hour with his 61:07 followed by Alison Sutherland 61:59 and her pal Astrud Gibson 62:00 then Gary Kerr 62:01.

The less experienced members also had a good night as Karen Wright was another with a personal best - setting 65:37 while a smashing effort by Michelle Burns slashed over eight minutes from her previous best when recording 69:52 and perhaps the best relative performance. Claire Paparakis posted 72:21- just ahead of a trio running round together, Dayle Burnside’s new personal best of 74:29, Gaynor Elliot 74:30 was delighted to finish her first 10k with Allison Elliot 74:31 just a step behind completing a night of many personal triumphs within the club.

Seeking a change from Troon, but on the same night, David Ridout entered the Dumyat Hill Race - a popular fixture on the hill running calendar which provides a fun but challenging event set around the Stirling University campus taking runners up and down the hill for a total distance of five miles. David, who described the views from the top as breath-taking finished with 61.01, found no real problems on the ascent but on the very tricky descent he suffered a bad fall sustaining some cuts, bruises and grazes despite which, with a shake of the body and a quick brush down, continued on his way.

He felt coming into the finish area he must have presented quite a mess to the watching crowd but nevertheless thoroughly enjoyed his night, and the event, which is part of the bog and Burn Series this year.

Carrol Findlay was also on her travels to enter her first trail race of the season making her way to 10k trail race at Callander in the Trossachs. It was about 16°C at 11am when the race started with first mile a steep 300ft climb up through the forest providing some shade from the sun. From there the trail winds down back to the town runs across the large town square then with the help of the local police along the high street across the main road down towards the river then over the bridge comes the second of the three climbs. Carrol felt the effects of the heat on this climb but reached the top to begin a descent on the forest road. Carrol then stopped to help a runner who fell just in front of her, injuring her ankle. Having waited for injured runner’s partner to reach her and on being assured the she would be fine Carrol continued her race. After a very welcome water station at 4 miles, the last two miles include a 250ft climb on the north side of the valley in full sun followed by a long one-mile stretch of newly-tarred cycle path to the finish.

Crossing the finish line very hot and bothered, Carrol was rewarded with 66:58 - her best time for this race by over two and a half minutes.

At Eglinton Park 5k, Andy Stewart refreshed after a holiday clocked 20:22 with Neil Mcmullen close behind with 20:35 then James McGill 22:04 just held off Neil Kyle 22:12. Jennifer Shaw was first female back for the club and second overall timing 23:09 following whom came Pamela Porteous finishing eighth in 24:50. Carol Rome was next homing with 27:34 and Rachel Wood 27:50. A smashing effort from Margaret Craig saw her finish just short of a personal best timing 28:49 on a miserable wet morning then Eric Pearson took 32:14. Fiona Wyper ran this week having Mary Huggan as company both recording 37:15. On a day where numbers were reduced by the weather, club members Fiona Wyper Cameron Miller and Gillian Dunwoodie and her twin girls were stewards.