ANOTHER varied racing week for members of Irvine jogging and running group Ron's Runners with members again travelling near and far to enter chosen events.

Nearest to home was the Ayr Festival of running 10K which started on the promenade heading towards the Citadel along Fort Street onto Blackburn road then running parallel to the prom. Returning to Racecourse Road passing Belleisle to Doonfoot then taking the riverside path to the Millennium Bridge where an about turn took runners back onto the Prom for the last 2k.

Derek Chisholm in an all too rare race appearance led the club home returning with 48:26 followed by James Elliot 48:52 and close behind James, William Goggans just lost some yards in the final dash to the line with 48:55.

Following the three men, Gail Steven was rewarded with a time better than the Marymass 10k, of 52:03 when claiming first back for the ladies while Gemma Davidson was satisfied to clock 53:05 Pals Karen Wright 64:08 and Dayle Burnside 72:11 should both be happy with their efforts in what, especially for Dayle, a very busy racing week which ended with both ladies lowering their personal bests.

Further afield Andy McNaughton continued his love affair with trail runs, this time at Glencoe Trail 15 miles. Andy was initially disappointed with a recorded time of 3hrs 41 which he thought rather slow over a total distance of 15.65 miles but when realising he was almost exactly where he would normally expect to be over all in the finishing order and recognising that others times were also below par put it down to previous days of rain.

Starting at the Glencoe Mountain/Ski Centre the first 4 miles are easy running on the West Highland Way followed by a strength sapping scramble over moors and peat bogs then after the halfway safety check point it is a couple of miles up hill on a rocky track before re-joining the West Highland Way for a further two miles. Another stretch of moor and bogs which climbs above the ski centre.

The last 0.5 miles is almost a scary near vertical descent down under the cables of the ski lift chairs.

Andy’s relief at finishing all in one piece with no limbs broken he regarded as a thorough success good enough to pay scant regard for his initial reaction to his time and after analysis gathered that the last three tiring miles accounted for most of the lost time. Although describing the event as “a race from hell” not only because of the course but the attacks from midges as well the odds are he will join in again next year.

Two members entered the new event on the running calendar completing Aberdeen Half Marathon where Helen Marshall recorded an excellent 2hrs 6 mins and 37 secs while Rachel Cox also took part this time as part of her favourite charity JAPES team making a young disabled girl’s day. Recently too, and also for JAPES, Rachel and her team hauled, pushed, carried or otherwise lifted a disabled 12-year-old boy to the top of Ben Lomond in his wheelchair and then made the journey back down much to the delight of the young boy. Rachel and her team were described as Super Women in the national press much to their amusement.

Another member taking on a challenge Lisa Miller took part in the fabulous Great Scottish Swim at Lomond Shores this week, completing the two-mile race in 1:0.8.10. The atmosphere was superb and the scenery around Loch Lomond was great for Ron's Runner Sharon Crombie, also an open water swimmer and fellow triathlete, who was on hand offering Lisa welcome moral support. For mere mortal members in the club, a superb effort.

Slightly nearer home Sylvia Mulholland took part in the Drumchapel Park run last week where she recorded a new personal best for the route of 25:09 when finishing as third lady and 9th overall. Sylvia has previously described the race as being extremely hilly but enjoyable. Sandra Hunter was a steward at the race as well.

This week at Eglinton Park 5k on a lovely early autumn like morning 10 members toed the start line with Mary Huggan being a steward. James Chalmers led the club home with 20:07 just one second slower than his best with Neil McMulllen 21:30 followed by Mark Garton 24:03 and William Goggans 24:12 who did set a new personal best. Pamela Porteous led the ladies home recording 25:16 followed closely by Paul McCallum who took 25:40 then Lynn Shearer 28:43 Rachel Cox 29:20 Eric Pearson 30:56 and John Owens easing round with 39:03 to complete the club’s runners.

All ability of runners or joggers are welcome to come along and join training nights which are on Tuesdays at Eglinton Park and Thursdays at the bottom of the Mall at 6pm.

Saturday morning sessions are for the slower or beginner runners to run together.