Ron's Runners latest report

Six members entered this year and they again reported on a well run pleasing race. The race starts and finishes near to Paisley Cross and after a loop around the old historic centre takes runner out to the west of the town and is regarded by most to be a flat fast run. Over the opening loop the field was rather bunched but soon opened up as runners gained their pace passing St. Mirren football ground through Ferguslie Park under the roadway onto the cycle track where some inclines were met. Here the race pace really pick up as the finish line got near.

Andy Stewart was the first over the finish line when recording 41:02 followed by John Owens running much faster than at Troon with 41:57. James Chalmers came next, though after his recent fine runs he had harboured hopes of this time catching John, whom he could see just ahead, and with a hard run recorded 42:21 to earn himself a new pb in consolation of just failing in his cherished aim and almost 2 mins faster than his last 10k at Kilmarnock. Mark Garton also had a fine run and he too set a new best timing 47:46 while Thomas Hodgart was satisfied with 48:04 Rachel Cox then returned 60:54 before Dayle Burnside posted 74:01 to complete the club’s participants.

On the same day at Prestwick 10k Sharon Crombie and Melanie Sinclair choosing the race closer to home and hoped the flatter of the two finished together with 58:10 with Sharon the happier with the time. Sharon had stopped to help an unwell Melanie during the race and stayed by her side to the end. All things considered a remarkable time, more especially, for Sharon. Also taking part a good time was recorded by Karen Wright happy to finish with 66:06 a fine effort after recent injury.

Midweek saw the Jim Young Memorial and Marymass 10k and the club had 20 runners on the start line many of whom had been in action on the Sunday. First home again was Andy Stewart with his time of 41:32 but hot on his heels John Owens worked hard for 41:37 with James Chalmers managing 42:31 to Neil Kyle’s 43:20.

Following a small gap, James Elliot had a good race claiming 48:52 to be followed by David Ridout setting a new personal best at 60 years old, timing 49:59 William Goggans was next recording 50:04 with Brian Darroch 50:49 and Robert Wyllie going strong 50:55

An all too rare appearance by Karen Morrison took the honour of leading the ladies home taking 51:33 closely followed by Gail Steven 52:01 delight to be near best form again. David’s son Darren Ridout did well to post 52:53 while Gemma Davidson finished with 54:02 also after some months of below par race times. Iain Sutherland deserved his 56:00 while Helen Marshall timed 56:51 Rachel Cox had her best run of the year recording a richly deserved 56:59. Karen Wright followed Rachel with 66:26 chased by Mary Huggan 66:55 with her sister Ann Hay posting 72:20 and in a busy week for Dayle Burnside closed with 73:57

With the race using the cycle track along Marine Drive and a regular summer training route of the club the jury remains out on whether it is an advantage knowing the ground so well with the club runners equally divided in their opinion.

At the local Eglinton Park 5k where Andy Stewart was once more the first back for the club with 20:31 and leading two team-mates close on his heals having John Owens 20:36 seconds behind again followed as on Wednesday by young James Chalmers 20:56 and then Neil McMullen 24:25. Fiona Wyper was the first lady for the club with 7th position in the lady’s race when taking 24:38 with her pal Jennifer Shaw 24:53 next was Pamela Porteous 26:07 Relative beginner Lynn Festorazzi 30:07 set a new personal best while veteran Eric Pearson 30:31 held off Lynn’s pal Cara Durnie 30:33 also improving her best. Four members then followed in a bunch when Margret Craig 30:58 Jennifer’s brother Graeme Shaw 31:01 Lynn Shearer 31:02 and Sandra Murphy 31:03 all finished close together. Mary Huggan 33:16 again in before sister Ann Hay 37:23 completed the club’s runners.