THE Hillbilly 10k in Dalmellington is becoming an increasingly popular event in the local running calendar and as the name suggests, is not one for the faint-hearted as this is a challenging course on a route which includes two long and punishing climbs.

The stunning scenery, particularly on a bright but cold Sunday morning, made the course more bearable and there was a small but strong turnout of Irvine runners at the event.

First Irvine runner home was Billy Richardson who took a fine second place - only 61 seconds behind the winner Kieran Cooper in a time of 38 minutes and 6 seconds. Not far behind was Paul Lafferty who finished eighth in a time of 41:47, with Jim Sneddon completing the Irvine finishers with a fine time of 49:45 for 39th place in a field of more than 230 runners.

Meanwhile the Scottish National Cross Country Championships were held at Callendar Park in Falkirk last weekend. Conditions for the event were perfect with the ground firm underfoot and sunny but cool weather excellent for running. Irvine had only one entrant at this year’s event with club captain Mark Livingstone taking to the start line in the men’s race which had well over 600 runners taking part. The race consisted of three loops of the park covering a total of 10k with the large field making for a lot of jostling for position in the early stages. Soon enough the field spread out though and Welsh athlete Kristian Jones, running for Dundee Hawkhill took first place, going one better than last year in a time of 33 minutes and 5 seconds. In second place was Lachlan Oates of Shettleston Harriers in 33:29, with Andrew Douglas third in 33:27. Livingstone, using the race as part of training for the London Marathon, ran well to finish in 264th place in a time of 42:39.

In the Senior Women’s race, Mhairi Maclennan of Edinburgh University took the honours in a time of 37 minutes 49 seconds, edging out team mate Stephanie Pennycook by only 11 seconds with Anna Tait of Victoria Park third in 38 minutes 36 seconds.

The Glen Tress Forrest Marathon near Peebles is part of a weekend series of runs which includes a 10k and half marathon on the Saturday followed by the full marathon distance, which consists of two loops of the half marathon route on the Sunday. The race is run on forest trails and includes some punishing climbs that make the race particularly challenging. Two Irvine runners took to the start line of the marathon event with Alan Douglas coming home in a time of five hours and six minutes in a race he described as being the toughest that he had ever taken part in. Liz Colquhoun unfortunately had to pull out after completing the first half of the race.