AS well as enjoying the the Chick Forbes two-mile race last week-end other events were also entered by members of Irvine jogging club Ron's Runners, with Andrew Davidson travelling to Edinburgh to take part in the Men’s Health November 10k.

The first Men’s 10k was in Glasgow 10 years ago with the laudable aim of bringing focus on the health issues of men in Scotland where the average lifespan remains 3 years less than the rest of Europe.

Edinburgh is one of three cities hosting such an event, joining Glasgow and London, and the route starts at the Lawnmarket The Royal Mile and finishes at Murrayfield Stadium attracting a large number of runners in both the Spring and Autumn versions. With the same weather as experienced locally providing pleasant running conditions Andy was content to record 54:25.

In Glasgow at the Southside Six which is confined to south of the Clyde derives the name from the route which takes runners into and through the six parks of the city’s southside. Starting from Queens Park through Battlefield to KingsPark the route then goes onto Linn Park from there onto Rouken Glen Park, Pollock Park and Bellahouston Park before finishing back at Queens Park. The route is expected to take the average runner around 3 hours to complete covering 26k from start to finish.

All four members who entered this unique event had good times to report though separate minor disasters almost befell two when suffering bad falls, however both got back up and with a quick rough rub down were on their way again. One of the fallers, Andy Stewart, posted 1hr.54 mins and 14 seconds while showing the rest the way home with Neil McMullen 2:03:50 overtaking Gary Kilpatrick 2:07:40.. The other athlete to suffer a fall, in the closing stages. Sylvia Mulholland the club’s only lady to enter happily claimed 2:12:08 having lost two weeks training nursing a slight calf niggle.

Two members also entered The Run with the Wind 10k starting at the Ardochrig entrance to Whitelee Wind Farm and finishing in Kirkland Park, Strathaven.

The rural route is described as undulating but mainly downhill. James McGill continued a summer of good results and was delighted to record a new personal best with his time of 41:41 while ever eager Sandra Hunter timed a significant 79 mins her best for some considerable time.

At the local park 5k where heavy rain and slippery underfoot conditions substantial cut the numbers attending Ian McIlwraith in his first appearance for some time led the club home with 20:45. James McGill 21:21 was next then his nephew James Chalmers one minute later on 22:20 before Paul McCallum, acting as a pacemaker, timed 25:39

Leading the ladies home with 26:46 was hard-training Rachel Wood followed by Rachel Cox 27:17 with her training partner Carol Rome 27:33 then Jennifer Shaw, running with a friend, finished with 28:28.

Ann Hay took 30:46 and again led her pal Margaret Craig 30:57 and her sister Mary Huggan 32:33 over the finish line.

Club training starts from the bottom of the Mall on both Tuesdays and Thursdays. at 6pm. with the Sunday venue being Eglinton Park for a 10am start.

Runners of all abilities are welcome at the training sessions.

People simply come along and run with company for extra enjoyment and added safety during dark winter months.

All runners should wear white or reflective clothing to be easily seen For more details contact jogalong2010@hotmail.com.