Kilmarnock Harriers impress at Polaroid 10k series

Jun 19 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

KILMARNOCK Harrier Brian Darroch’s amazing sequence of races continued at the weekend around the southern shores of Loch Lomond.

He, along with club mates Keith Haining, Zoe Brown and David Mitchell were competing in the Scottish 10K Road Championships, held as part of the Polaroid 10K series of races.

The Vale of Leven race was the fourth and final one of the series, and was also Brian’s seventh race in three weeks. His total included 10Ks, a half- marathon and even a full marathon. A tremendous performance for the Ardrossan runner.

The Vale race is known as a challenging one due to the hilly route that winds up and around Balloch Country Park, but high temperatures at the start-line made it an even tougher test for the 784 competitors who finished

Keith Haining’s good recent form continued as he took the 3rd Vet prize. This result means that Keith has been placed in all four of the prestigious Polaroid races this season.

His time of 34:41 also placed him 12th overall in a field that included international athletes. David finished in 45:48 with Brian in 47:20.

Six o’clock group Harrier Zoe was pleased with her first run in her brand new vest, stopping the clock in a very respectable 54:17.

The Vale of Leven 10K was the final event in the Polaroid four 10K race series which started in Helensburgh on May 21st and included Clydebank and Dumbarton.

With a combined entry of over 3000 runners, the series is one of the biggest of its type in the UK. The quality and depth of the field means that runners of all standards always have a group around them which of course pulls them to improved performances.

The trio of Keith, David and Brian would recommend that you mark this unique event in your 2010 diaries.

Willie Duffy finally took the plunge and entered the ParkRun 5Km at Pollok Park last Saturday morning.

The weekly time trial again attracted almost 200 runners and Willie was happy with his clocking of 20:38. This Saturday’s event should witness another quality field, boosted by Killie Harriers as club captain Connell Drummond has selected it as a Championship event.

David Lowden travelled to Giffnock on Thursday night to compete in the Rouken Glen 10K road race.

He recorded a fine 43 minutes dead for the notorious course that has hills for four of its ten kilometres.

James Wales took a break from the track on Saturday to compete in the Cairntable Hill race. The local lad finished in third for the Muirkirk race over testing conditions.

The next race for Kilmarnock road runners is the Calderglen Trail race on Friday, June 26.

The 10K course is a popular one and uses the trails and tracks around the country park to good effect.

Some other diary dates – Irvine five mile road race (July 20), Around Arran Relays (July 25), Kilmaurs Gala 5K and childrens races (July 29), Ayrshire Track and Field Championships (June 28 at Dam Park Stadium).

The annual Rowallan Rosebowl race will take place on Thursday, July 2, in and around Scott Ellis. The Scott Ellis, New Mill Road, Queen’s Drive loop is a 1.7-mile circuit with the Seniors running it twice

There are well over 120 senior members of the club and it would be great if as many as possible could take the time out to support this event.

The previous night, Wednesday, July 1, is the inaugural Asda-sponsored Kilmarnock 10K road race. Pre-entry is now open and details on this and much more can be found at; www.kilmarnockharriers. com