READING a magazine article led to a spur of the moment decision which saw tri-athlete Lisa Miller enter the Newark Castle Marathon even though she knew it would be difficult getting herself ready and  fit enough to produce her best efforts.

But Lisa is nothing if not determined.  

The two months of training she had hoped for was beset by various problems only the first being an immediate and sudden increase of work commitments and almost complete disaster in the last two weeks when she had to nurse a niggling injury.

Having travelled to the area Lisa was surprised to learn the race was much nearer a trail race than the expected road race for which she had trained and the news combined with the slight injury persuaded Lisa that on this occasion the 26 miles were rather longer than she could comfortably manage.

Undaunted, Lisa bravely decided the 11k race also being held would offer the easier option and her choice was proved correct when the slight niggle had become a more serious problem by the time she crossed the finish line.  

The route hugged the banks of the River Trent. leading runners over sticky clay like mud and challenging underfoot terrain but also through scenic countryside.  No official time was taken but for Lisa the reward came in finishing the 11k route and also enjoying her run while estimated time was around 60 minutes

The local Parkrun 5k attracted 82 runners to the Boxing Day run, despite the attraction of a 10k open race at Ayr and the Club’s fun Christmas handicap on the following day.  

Hopefully the dozen or so members taking part were out trying to shake off the effects of the celebrations to have a head start over their rivals.  As expected on another miserable day of drizzle the times in general were well down from normal; Ian McIlwraith ran well finishing with 20:39 followed by Neil McMullen 21:01 and then James Chalmers 23:19.  First for the ladies was Suzanne Dickson in a rare appearance at a park run, clocking 23:52 followed by Paul McCallum 24:22 just ahead of the next lady Sylvia Mulholland 24:53.  Gemma Davidson 25:46 was close to her normal race times though Carol Rome 27:51, Eric Pearson and Mary Huggan 38:05 felt the effects of the season.

This coming Saturday January 2, Ron's Runners are hosting the annual Beith New Year races on behalf of Beith Harriers.  There are races for all ages from under 11s starting at 11.30am.  Registration at Ladeside Pavillion where there will be tea, coffee and snacks and also a prizegiving after the races.

With good intentions some eight or nine members of jogging group Ron's Runners vowed to enter the Cyclists v Harriers cross-country race.  

However as the race got underway, only one member could be counted from the 80 or so starters.

Perhaps the rain or the near gale force winds persuaded some it was not a day to be running or perhaps, and surely to a much lesser extent, this was because it was held on the day after the club’s Christmas night out.

Pamela Porteous once again revelled in the conditions, running strongly and maybe more importantly was still smiling at the end confessing to have had thoroughly enjoyed yet another hard muddy slog.

Meanwhile Ron's Runners welcome runners of all abilities including beginners to our training nights starting at 6pm at the Asda, Irvine end of the mall every Tuesday and Thursday.