WITH the early running season now in full swing members of Irvine’s running and jogging Ron's Runners found a wide range of events to enter over the last week.

First up were Dayle Burnside and Thomas Hodgart who on a weekend to Evesham entered the local Park 5k and with Thomas's help Dayle finished with a personal best of 34:10 with Tosh just a step behind 34:11.

The following day, both entered the Ellenden Farm Frolic an event which lasts for three hours with the aim for each runner being to run as far as possible within that time.

The race comprises fairly long laps and, provided a lap is started within the three hours, runners are allowed to run to complete that lap.

On conclusion Thomas managed 6 laps for a total of 27.3k over six laps in three hrs and four minutes, while Dayle managed 22.9k have run two laps and had started to walk the fourth lap by the three-hour timeline, taking a total time of 3hrs 43 for five laps.

Returning from holiday, Andy Stewart completed the Monklands Half Marathon with a time of 1:32:25, admitting the struggle to maintain pace from mile 10 where his recent lack of serious training began to tell.

David Ridout participated in another trail race, undeterred by his fall of last week, completing the Whangie Whizz – part of The Bog and Burn series.

As he lined up, David was struck by the others who all looked as though they were the more serious athlete compared to the expected mix of serious and fun runners and at the end was thankful to finish ahead of some of the field finishing in 53:05, describing the event as a great experience.

Opting for a new event on the calendar, Andy McNaughton took himself down to Selkirk to enter the inaugural Selkirk Ultra Trail Race billed as over a distance of 27 miles though in the end Andy reckoned it was just a tad short coming nearer the actual Marathon distance.

Relying on his Loch Katrine experience Andy, having taken account of the hilly route, prepared himself for around a 5-hour finish, however, as the miles passed his estimation stretched more like six hours. The route takes runners over five separate hills - each of which are over 1500ft and the total elevation gain, start to finish, is 4346 ft.

The first peak is reached after five miles though the remaining hills are much steeper and over a shorter distance with the last a real tough climb between 21 and 25 miles.

Adding to discomfort the descents were even steeper being either technical rock or very slippery. Andy was content with his ultimate finish time of 5:56, having lost some time doubling back on his tracks when missing a course turn – Andy reported this event to be tougher than Glencoe. The following day the same course was part of a mountain bike race.

Wednesday saw Mark Garton complete his near weekly stint at Glasgow Quays 5k, this week finishing in 23:26. On the same night seven members entered the 10k Antonine Trail /Hill race which turned out to be yet another extremely hilly event describe by one as up a steep hill to start before turning a corner to find a steeper climb before being confronted by more hills - that was only the first mile! There were four hills in total with a climb of over 900 metres, however runners reported that the weather was fantastic and there was a great support from volunteers all the way around the route.

Andy Stewart was the first back for the club clocking 48:23 followed by Neil Kyle 53:10; David Ridout; 1:00:33; Gemma Davidson took the honours for the club ladies with a strong run, timing 66:07 leading home fellow female members, Lynn Shearer Margaret Craig and Elizabeth Fairbairn running all together in a team effort and credited with the a time of 73:39. All members agreed it was an extremely tough event with even the best runners taking some 10 minutes longer to cover the miles than they would normally expect, however, they also agreed it was a great event.

In this week's Eglinton Parkrun, Amanda Lindsay took on tail runner duties to complete her 50th Parkrun. Afterwards she and her fellow runners celebrated with cake at the Parks Tournament café – well done Amanda for volunteering. Other volunteers were Andy Davidson, Ann Hay and John Owens, well done to all. Finishing first for the club again this week was Cameron Miller finishing overall fifth in a time of 18.42 followed by Neil Kyle in 21.43, Mark Garton finished with a new PB of 22.37; Jennifer Shaw finishing first for the club ladies in 23.41 followed by Pamela Porteous 24.37, Fiona Wyper 26.38; Rachel Wood 27.28; Carol Rome 27.32, Graeme Shaw 27.39, Astrud Gibson 31.30, Mary Huggan 34.04 and Anita Mackie completing the club runners with her son, running for the first time, in 34.17.