Kilmarnock harrier lops 18secs off her 5000m time

May 29 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

KILMARNOCK Harrier Kara Tait represented the West Coast of Scotland Team at Wishaw where she competed over 5000m on the track at the inaugural Scottish Inter Regional Championships.

Stopping the clock in a time of 18.27.10 was a huge improvement of 18 seconds on the Kilmaurs athlete’s previous best time over the 12 and a half laps, and just reward for some recent excellent training.

Kara’s next target will be to go under 18 minutes and that should be very achievable in the not too distant future.

Dunlop held 10 and 5K road races around the town recently in aid of church funds. While the runs were predominantly fun runs in aid of the cause, 160 runners nevertheless turned up on the day and for one family in particular competition was fairly strong.

Laura Cairns was competing over the 10K distance for the first time, and as well as completing a tough course in a hugely respectable 42 minutes, she also finished first lady and was ninth overall.

Possibly most pleasing for Laura however was the fact that dad Graham finished just behind her and gives her current bragging rights in the family.

Fellow Harriers including Ian Drummond and Richard Skillen also enjoyed the run.

Last Thursday evening at Helensburgh the first of the four annual Polaroid 10K road races took place around the town, and among the usual quality field of close to 800 athletes, two Kilmarnock athletes were on the starting line.

With differing goals, Keith Haining and David Mitchell both fared very well. David, on his return from bad injury, has been gradually building the miles in training back up and has recently been back on the racing scene.

David enjoyed the run and ran within his 46-minute target, another improvement and another step back on the comeback trail for the former 34 minute 10K man.

Keith Haining has been one of the on-form 10K runners over the past few years, and last year was consistently at the sharp end of races, including a victory and a couple of second place finishes.

Thursday saw another fine run, his 34.11 time not only earning ninth place but also third in the Veteran Category.

Recognition for Keith and the Harriers was the fact that he received free entry for all four Polaroid races due to his excellent performances last year, and the Shortlees man’s 33.13 pb of last season may well prove to be under threat in 2009.

At Kirkcudbright on Saturday, Susan Beattie and Lesley Phillips were competing in the half marathon and both ran close to their best times for the distance, clocking 1.46 and 1.47 respectably.

Gillian Pryce and Paula Wilson were running in the shorter 11.2K race which was taking place for the second time.

Paula ran a 47.24 which not only placed her fifth and first lady, but was also a ladies course record and won her a quaich trophy. Previous ladies record holder from 2008 Gillian also ran well and wasn’t too far outside her time of 12 months ago.

The latest Glasgow park run 5K race took place on Saturday, and again the free to enter run attracted more than 200 runners. David White was a fine 11th in 17.51, while popular Harrier Ian McGaughtrie stopped the clock in 24.30, just outside his personal best time for the course.

Monday, June 1, is the date for the next Harriers committee meeting.

Membership fees must be paid by the end of May before a late payment charge comes into effect, so see any committee member if you haven’t paid.

Anyone having put their name down for July's Arran Relays should pay the £10 deposit if they haven't already done so to guarantee their place.

Details on the Harriers, including details of the Tuesday and Thursday training, can be found at www.kilmarnockharriers.com