TRAINING for members of Ron's Runners continues with the hill session on Sundays proving extremely popular for many who during winter season attempt to gain some extra strength in their legs so that once the racing starts in earnest those dreaded hills hopefully become less feared.

The last few Sundays have been spent at Eglinton Park but in February the venue will switch to the Beach Park with the aim of increasing the distance covered and adding to the weekly tally of miles completed. The snowy weather continued over the weekend and even the hill session required some last minute change in plans when a snow shower lasted throughout the 60 minutes or so training.

Having finished with the training session they all somehow had enough energy left to join in the friendly snowball fight which broke out on the way back down the hill so perhaps the intensity should be stepped up.

With the cancellation of the Eglinton Parkrun on safety issues last weekend, Troon Park 5k became the centre of attraction for some of those looking for a steady run and 11 members lined up at the start. Sylvia Mulholland led the club home when finishing with 22:40 and fourth lady to finish with Jennifer Cowell 23:38 next back with first male for the club Willie Goggans 23:39 just a second adrift.

A strong run from Rachel Wood was rewarded with her best time 26:22 over that course to date. Another good run was recorded by Margaret Craig 30:28 to finish just ahead of Jennifer’s brother Graeme Shaw 30:23. Mary Huggan was happy with her time of 30:54 which was good enough to finish before her sister Ann Hay 31:26 who celebrated a new personal best for the race. Acting as safety steward and “tail runner” Rachel Cox eased herself round finishing with 41:25 while Helen Marshall took her stint as a steward.

The whole club passes wholehearted congratulations to Ian McManus who finished in fine style at the race to record 37:16 - only a day after turning 76, proving once again running can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

On Friday the “trailers” decided to run over the Hill Billy 10k race route at Dalmellington and in a perfect trail running bright frosty morning Sylvia Mulholland, Hazel Anderson and her pal Eileen, Helen Bruce, Helen Marshal, Rachel Cox, Robert Wylie and David Ridout thoroughly enjoyed their run at a comfortable pace the intention simple being more to experience the trail and revel in the fresh air and countryside. Although not a recognised club training day, these infrequent sessions welcome all members to join in and meeting points are usually decided a few days in advance.

Wet miserable dreich conditions this week did not deter seventeen members from lining up on the start line of the local park 5k this week where James Chalmers led the club home recording 20:43 followed by James McGill 22:53, John Owens 23:04 and Mark Garton 24:18. Jennifer Cowell and pal Fiona Wyper ran round together with Jennifer 26:50 getting to the line first with Fiona a second behind. Rachel Wood 28:41 was next then Gillian Dunwoodie 30:13 Carol Rome 30:17 before a steady 31:25 was recorded by Pauline Steven. Eric Pearson 31:50 led a string of fellow members to the line as Margaret Milton timed 32:01, Margaret Craig 32:12 Astrud Gibson 32:26 and Mary Huggan 34:28. In an extremely rare appearance Sandra Hunter finished with 46:37 accompanied by her fellow member Pamela Porteous 46:40, who nursing a foot injury acted as tail runner for the day. Other volunteers were Neil Kyle, Neil McMullen and Sylvia Mulholland.

Regular training sessions lasting around an hour are on Tuesday and Thursday from the escalators in the Mall at 6pm and on Sundays at 10am and presently start from the Big Idea Bridge and all abilities are welcome to come along. For more details. please contact jogalong2010@hotmail.com

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