THERE was an early start for three members of Irvine running and jogging club Ron's Runners last weekend as they set off to Killin, Perthshire to start the Glen Ogle 33.

With the start of the race being at 8am, the three runners Sylvia Mulholland, Neil McMullen and back up driver Sandra Hunter planned to be away from Kilmarnock around 4am with the aim to collect their race numbers before 7am. On arrival they linked up with club mate Cornelius Lotter who had travelled up the previous night.

Unusually Sylvia was the least relaxed with the last ultra-distance race of the year and the fifth in the self-imposed challenge looming.

The usual doubts manifested and magnified in her mind especially having just completed the fourth ultra the previous week but, with these also came the reassurance experience brings and knowing she had prepared well. With a final check of all mandatory safety equipment, foil blanket, head torch, mobile phone, water supply, hat, gloves, extra clothing and 1st aid box they were off. The start and finish is at Killin and the whole route is on forest trails, cycle tracks or paths with a stretch using a B road gave good underfoot conditions throughout. The first 2 to 3 miles provides some stiff climbing taking the runners close to 1200 ft then undulates to mile five, where it is mostly downhill to around 10 miles, fairly level to reach 17 then climbing to near 1000ft to 19 miles.

From there it is downwards for two miles before a fairly level stretch brings the last 1000ft climb around the 27 mile mark with the last few miles downhill to the finish.

Some spectacular views of Loch Earn are offered over the route which runners with time can enjoy, crossing the viaduct at the first check point after six is the top of Glen Ogle the second is at 10 miles Balquhidder Station with the third at a busy main road to which non-runners are barred with the fourth 22 miles back at Balquhidder. A return to Glen Ogle is check point five and 27 miles and food, water can be left at any check point as wished.

Runners are required to reach the finish area by 4pm, giving an eight-hour window to complete the route.

Casting all self-doubts aside Sylvia was soon into her settled pace and gradually left the boys in her wake and very soon realised that she was finding the race the route and the scenery most enjoyable while Neil was also having perhaps his best ultra run to date and by halfway was not too far behind while Corrie was playing a conservative game his main ambition being the simple one of finishing all in one piece.

With the end in sight Sylvia started to increase her pace, powering to a splendid time of 5 hrs 29 mins and 17 secs, with Neil delighted with his 6:03:32.

Corrie, who had coped well until well over halfway latterly started to feel the miles but should be content to finish well inside time required finishing when taking 7:21:57 with many behind still to finish.

Dayle Burnside took part in the Tamfest 5k the route started down the High Street before crossing the old bridge and turning to run along the riverside. Across dam park bridge and back along the other side of the river. Back to the high street for a second loop. Tamfest Festival was going on at the same time so there was a bit of pedestrian dodging. Dayle completed the 5k in a time of 34:21.

At the local Eglinton 5k Park run first member home for the club was young James Chalmers with a time of 20:01 John Owens 21:45, Neil Kyle 22:53 Hughie Hood timed 23:57 William Goggans also timed 23:57 and set himself a new personal best. First lady home for the club was Rachel Cox with a time of 28:46 with her friend Helen Marshall a second off with 28:47 Margaret Craig 30:45 and Eric Pearson 31:42. Ann Hay was next home 33:38 followed by her sister Mary Huggan 34:04 Jennifer Cowell, Fiona Wyper and Gail Steven helped as volunteers.

Ron's Runners meet every Tuesday and Thursday, at 6pm at the bottom of the mall near Asda and on Sundays, at 10am at Eglinton Park.