FOR members of Ron's Runners, the Irvine running and jogging group another week brought another plethora of varied running events to enter.

On Sunday, Carrol Finlay was one of 90 lined up at the start line of the Mabie Forest 10k Trail Race facing 815ft of climbing which lay ahead with most coming in the first two milesof which is faced within the first two miles.

The challenging route lies entirely within the forest boundaries and takes runners over a mixture of soft leafy paths, gravel fire breaks and technically difficult rocky trails. Carol made steady progress up the first hill, passing a few runners on the way. After a brief flat section of gravel road, the runners head up again onto one of the technical sections, where rocks, mud and fallen branches lie in wait. Having pushed her pace to halfway mark with a welcome gulp or two at the water station. The last big climb takes in the bleak hillside section of the race, and once the top is reached there is a difficult descent. With memories of last week's bad fall still fresh, Carrol was hesitant at first but knew if she concentrated really hard on foot placement she could catch two younger ladies ahead.

With confidence returning, she passed the two runners and started to enjoy the race which she knew to be mostly downhill all the way to the finish. The 2 younger runners overtook her on a flat section of forest road and the three then played cat and mouse over the last two miles before Carrol’s sprint finish pipped them at the post! It was a great race.

Carrol was doubly thrilled to find out that she had finished in 65th place, first in her age group with her time of 66:56. And will definitely be back for more next year once again.

Andy Stewart travelled further to enter the Skye half marathon on the same day.

The weather, however was not the best being wet and very windy.

The race route is out of Portree towards Skeabos, returning to Portree via Borve and an undulating course with stunning landscapes as a backdrop in good weather.

Describing the race as one of the hardest he has experienced Andy was delighted with his time of 1hr 33mins and 17 secs

Many members opted to enter the more local event the “Roon the Toon” 10k in Kilmarnock, which took runners from Queens Drive past the court building turning out in to the countryside before returning to the town centre up John Finnie St passed the bus station to return to the Arena from which they started.

First home for the club was Cameron Miller 40:27 before a personal best time by Neil Kyle took 43:07 for the first time in front of his pal John Owens.

For the ladies, Melanie Sinclair 54:10 - much faster than she expected - led a large contingent home while, with a gutsy run, recent mum Rachel Wood returned 56:34.

Further down the order both Michelle Burns and Dayle Burnside set new personal bests with 69:02 and 72:56 respectfully with Michelle lopping over a minute from her Troon time. Both Gillian Dunwoodie 59:02 and Gemma Davidson 58:44 should be reassured by their performance as should William Goggans 52:40.

Other times were: Mathew Watson 43:21 Derek Chisholm 45:46 Garton 49:22 Paul McCallum 49:31 James Elliot 49:32 Thomas Hodgart 49:39 and David Ridout 51:08 while for the ladies Carrol Rome 57:30 Ali Lawson 59:13 and Amanda Lindsay 61:34 should be equally happy.

Andy McNaughton was another to break new ground for the club when he travelled to Cultybraggan Camp for the Strathearn marathon at Comrie in time for a 9am start. Luckily the rain which had been rather heavy stopped and gave the runners dry overhead conditions except for the last few miles when some welcome showers took place. Andy used the race as part preparation training for an ultra-distance event in July. This time over the route a total height of 1500 feet had to be climbed over the 26 miles and as Andy confirmed one word described perfectly “Hilly!” Andy set out to maintain a 10 minutes a mile pace but towards the latter stages the hills took their toll and with his time of 4 hrs 31 mins and 33 secs which considering the tough course left Andy feeling more than pleased and giving an overall pace of 10mins 24 secs for each mile.

At this week’s Park 5k two remarkable performances stand out.

New to running and after only a few weeks training friends Cara Durnie and Lynn Festorazzi ran in their first race. Giving each other much need support and running together the girls to their delight recorded a smashing 31:07.

Leading the club home and showing no after effects of a club night out John Owens timed 19:58 with Sylvia Mulholland first home for the ladies with 23:46. Paul McCallum 24:14 followed then Ruth McCloughlan managed 26:24 Keeping her good form Lynn Shearer 29:35 finished ahead of Eric Pearson on 30:22 and her pal Margaret Craig 30:42. Sisters Ann Hay and Mary Huggans also ran together though Ann timed 33:05 to her sister’s 33:06. Pamela Porteous this week did her stint as a steward.

Training nights are Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm with Tuesday being at Eglinton Park while Thursday is at the escalators in the mall. All runners including beginners are welcome.