Kilmarnock Harriers take part in Turkey Trot

Jan 2 2009 by Stef Lach, Kilmarnock Standard

A NUMBER of Kilmarnock Harriers took the short trip south on boxing day to take part in the extremely popular annual Turkey Trot Road Races.

Organised superbly as ever by the Ayrodynamics Triathlon Club, the day features a 5K race, followed by the 10K which as ever attracted a big field consisting of a large number of talented athletes, as well as a number of hardy souls out for a jaunt round the seaside course to burn off those Christmas dinners.

In the first race of the day, Kara Tait had high hopes of lowering her personal best time for 3.1 miles, and ran well. As well as finishing second Lady and gaining a pb, Kara finished a fine sixth overall of almost 100 finishers.

Coach Jim Goldie was first Harrier man, the former 31-minute 10K man enjoying his run round the seafront, while mentions go to all the junior athletes who competed, as well as Harold Bartl who completed the race with daughter Hannah, before competing in the 10K.

Killie times and positions were: 6th Kara Tait (19.12), 12th Jim Goldie (20.21), 16th Matt Ferguson (20.46), 19th Colleen Tait (21.23), 22nd Roy Shankland (22.11), 33rd Harold Bartl (23.50), 35th Hannah Bartl (23.52), 39th Lois Shankland (24.07), 50th Mia Tait (26.52), 61st Pamela Gray (28.57).

The 10K commenced at high noon, and while Harrier numbers were slightly down, nearly 20 lined up in the field of around 300. Conditions were perfect for running, with next to no wind on the flat course, and all Harriers ran well.

Irvine’s David Miller and Girvan’s Stevie Wylie are widely renowned as two of the West of Scotland’s best athletes and unsurprisingly took the top two positions, with Davie’s winning time of 31.05 being possibly a course record and close to his own personal best.

In-form Harrier Keith Haining wasn’t too far behind however, and in clocking a third consecutive sub-34 minute run for the first time in his career, finished in the top five and first Vet as well.

Personal bests were achieved by a few Harriers on the day, including James Wales, Connell Drummond with his first sub-36 minute 10K, Gillian Mullen, and Liz McDerment, while James Wales, Lindsay McMahon and Scott Martin joined Keith in picking up prizes in their respective Vet and Junior categories.

Special mentions must go to under 17 athlete Ross Connelly who took a big step up in distance for his first 10K and ran an excellent 37.15, and Leslie McDerment who managed to run round with wife Liz, despite recovering from recent injury.

Full Killie times and positions in a field of 279 finishers were – 5th Keith Haining (33.41), 11th Scott Martin (34.42 pb), 13th James Wales (35.07 pb), 18th Connell Drummond (35.49 pb), 29th Ross Connelly (37.15), 54th Alan Bryden (40.06 pb), 57th Alasdair Murray (40.45) 58th Harold Bartl (40.47) 59th Lindsay McMahon (40.48) 65th Emma Mackie (41.06), 87th Paula Wilson (42.30), 89th Gillian Mullen (42.41 pb), 129th Leslie McDerment (45.24) 133rd Liz McDerment (45.38 pb), 148th Arlene Rowan (46.36), 167th Stephen Chard (48.07), 186th Marion Burns (49.50), 196th Keith Mackie (50.39), 198th Jan McLeod (50.43).

Special mentions to supporters including coach Jim Young, Jackie McCulloch, Graham Boyd, David Mitchell and Vicky McLeod.

A couple of weeks ago, the under-15 age group was featured, and we now focus on another group of young athletes, the endurance section of the under-17 and under-20 athletes at Kilmarnock Harriers.

This age group have the added pressure of exams, all the athletes having to balance their studies with the demands of training for county, district and national competitions. This can lead to a dip in performance and confidence.

As 2008 started, the athletes had their prelims and indoor competition to contend with. Sarah McNish, Ayrshire’s top 800m female in the junior age groups, was entered for the West District Indoor 800m. Although not at peak fitness, Sarah managed to finish fourth in a competitive final at the Kelvin Hall.

They missed a lot of training in May due to their studies, but coming into June, Colleen Tait was on the way back to near to her best.

After a disappointing run at the East Ayrshire Schools Colleen ran the 800m and finished in a time of 2min 52secs. This was a massive step backwards for the talented athlete. The following week would see Colleen return to the form that she had shown two years before.

Colleen was up against her training partner Sarah in the Ayrshire Schools 800m final. Going into the race Sarah was favourite, but the grit and determination of Colleen saw her out sprint Sarah over the final 200m to take the title, with Sarah finishing one second behind her in second place.

This race was the first of many where the athletes would meet and Colleen continued her excellent season to finish the season with a best of 2min 22.9secs, this was good enough to take top spot in Ayrshire for the under 20 age group.

Sarah also showed a good competitive spirit through out the season and finished the season with a best time of 2min 23.9secs. Sarah had the added competition of representing Ayrshire Harriers in the Scottish Young Athletes League Division 1.

Showing her versatilely, Sarah ran over 200m, 300m and 800m, gaining valuable points that allowed the AHCA team make it to the national final.

Both Sarah and Colleen were crowned Ayrshire champion in July for the 800m in their respective age groups.

New to the club was Coylton athlete Dylan Chester, a talented rugby player with a good endurance base, where he concentrated his efforts during the summer. Dylan was spotted at the Auchencruive 5k race in May by the club and came along with school friend Sarah McNish.

The highlight for Dylan was the open meeting in June where he ran the 3000m and finished first under 17 man in less than 10minutes.

Another athlete returning to the sport was Lois Shankland. Lois was a national finalist at 1500m only a year before, but had taken a year out to concentrate on her netball.

She is improving in her training and steadily making her way back to some sort of fitness, but has already shown her dedication and determination to the sport by training three to four times a week.

Lauren Campbell has missed some training due to her commitment to orienteering, where she has represented Scotland in various events. Lauren has trained hard over the summer and helped the senior women’s team to the Ayrshire team title at the Ayrshire cross-country in November.

Mia Tait, Stephanie Miller and Amy Milliken have all run for Kilmarnock Harriers, competing in various events and running near to their personal bests.

Murray McDonald has been ever present at all events and training. Although Murray is a keen sailor, he manages to work well in the group and is always willing to race for the club at all the open events and championships.

Fellow Stewarton Academy pupil Greg Leyden is also an asset to the training group with his ability to churn out the miles during training. Mixing athletics with band practice has been difficult for Greg, but hopefully he will get back to some serious training.

Other highlights of the year have been: Ayrshire under-17 women’s cross-country Relays Champions; Ayrshire under-17 men’ cross-country Relays 2nd and 3rd place; Ayrshire Under-17 women Cross-country team champions; AHCA Championships 1st Under 20 female – Lauren Campbell; AHCA Championships 3rd Under 17 female – Sarah McNish; AHCA CC Relays, 2nd fastest leg Under 17 men – Ross Connelly.

More details on the Harriers are at www.kilmarnockharriers.com