Kilmarnock Harriers host the Ruby Young Memorial races

Jun 26 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

THE Dean Country Park hosted the annual Ruby Young Memorial Races, and once more the public came up trumps, as the Ayrshire Hospice benefited by £6800, with more cash rolling in all the time.

Both men and women competed in the same 5K route around the park, albeit with different starting times, and the women were first to set off, as is tradition.

Kara Tait is in form just now, and from the gun, she took the lead. It was a position which the Kilmarnock Harriers ladies captain was to hold till the tape, with fellow Harriers Paula Wilson (20.37 – 4th + 1st local) and Laura Cairns (20.53 – 5th) also occupying top five positions.

Stuart Gibson of Cambuslang was always going to be the male to beat. Like Kara, his lead lasted from gun to line, while Ross Connelly had a decent race as well – the young Harrier finishing third, while Graeme Haddow of Stewarton picked up the 1st local prize.

The race featured 162 runners, while almost 2000 people were at Dean Castle to support the event. The winners of the 5K race were: 1st lady: Kara Tait, Kilmarnock Harriers 18.59 minutes; 2nd lady Sarah Munn, Irvine AC 20 minutes; 3rd lady Val Martin, unattached 20.11 minutes.

1st man Stuart Gibson 16.45 minutes Ron Hill Cambuslang; 2nd man Brian Craig, 18.10 minutes Irvine AC; 3rd man Ross Connelly, 18.32, Kilmarnock Harriers.

There were many winners of the raffle which would not have been possible without the help of sponsors ASDA, JH Donald, Blues Restaurant, Loudoun Castle Theme Park, Scottish Rugby, Trophy Centre, the Palace Theatre and the Galleon Centre.

Special thanks go to Greggs the Bakers, the main sponsors of the event, who stepped in with last-minute sponsorship. Everyone who participated in the 5K Run received a reusable cotton goody bag, sponsored by Greggs.

Other Harriers times and positions were: Ladies Race (109 runners ) – Liz McDerment 21.38 -7th, Morag Cairns 24.13 – 11th, Kirsty Robertson 24.19 - 12th, Kirsten Thompson 24.51 – 15th, Lorne Kerr 25.08 – 16th, Gillian Pryce 25.36 – 19th, Michelle Goldie 25.45 – 20th, Fern Wales 25.48 - 21st, Tracy Kerr 25.54 – 22nd, Hannah Bartl 26.59 – 27th, Alanis Brydon 27.10 – 29th, Jackie McCulloch 27.40 32nd, Eve McClung 27.44 – 34th, Ann Graham 28.08 – 37th, Sharon McClung 30.19 – 48th, Vicki Havers 30.25 – 52nd, Sharon Barr 30.33 – 53rd, Lauren Aitken 32.14 – 61st, Wendy Jamieson 34.07 – 74th, Patricia Johnson 34.09 – 75th, Anne Anderson 34.09 – 76th, Carol Mcaughtrie 35.17 80th.

Men’s Race (53 runners) – Willie Duffy 20.13 – 7th, Richard Skillen 20.36 – 10th, David Lowden 20.48 – 11th, Matt Gilmour 21.21 – 15th, Corey O’Hara 22.09 – 21st, Daniel Steele 22.12 – 22nd, Paul Bennie 23.14 – 26th, Bryce Kerr 23.16 – 27th, Ian Mcaughtrie 24.57 – 36th, George Higgins 29.27 42nd.

Saturday, June 13, was a busy day in the hills with Killie represented at Cairn Table, Muirkirk (8km/360m ascent) and Durisdeer (15km / 1240m ascent).

James Wales ran well on his annual outing in the Muirkirk hills finishing in third place with a time of 35.30, with Andy Taylor the other Killie runner in 13th place and 45.59. Both runners would be pleased, knocking a couple of minutes off their previous times at this gentle hill race.

Davie White, Al Murray and Roddy Pugh headed a little further south to Durisdeer and the longer event of the day. This race combines a good mixture of ascent, descent and valley running, rewarded by some fine views and excellent home backing at the finish.

Thankfully, visibility was clear as the route needs some good navigation skills and like Cairn Table, after the recent dry spell, ground conditions were good.

Davie followed up his recent good run at Kilpatricks with a fine sixth place in 1hr 54 min, followed by Al in 2hrs 4min with Roddy a further 10 minutes back in 2hrs 14min.

Another impressive turnout of close to 200 runners of all abilities participated in Saturday’s weekly Park Run 5K race around Pollok Park.

A few Harriers were on show as this was part of the Road Racing Championship, and Andy McGhee was the man in form.

Running 17.45 for the tough course, the Stewarton man clocked the fastest time over the two Championship dates and finished a fine seventh in the process, with Connell Drummond also top ten-ing.

Killie Times: Andy 17.45 (7th), Connell 17.55 (9th), Steven Currie 19.23 (19th), Les McDerment 19.34 (22nd), Willie Duffy 20.01 (32nd), Paula Wilson 20.29 (38th, 3rd female), Richard Skillen 20.57 (44th), Murray McDonald 21.07 (45th), David Mitchell 21.10 (47th), Liz McDerment 21.22 (50th), Brian Darroch 21.51 (54th), Ian McAughtrie 23.53 (79th), Sarah McDonald 25.07 (93rd).

New Harrier John Parker put his recent injuries to one side on Sunday when he participated in the now annual Men’s Health 10K Race in Glasgow.

Despite missing a lot of recent training, John fared well, and his 49.23 run gives him a decent benchmark to aim for at his next race over the distance.

Next week promises to be rather hectic.

Wednesday, July 1, is the date for the running of the slightly re-vamped Kilmarnock 10K road race.

Asda-sponsored for the first time, the run should attract people of all abilities, with a portion of the entry fee going to Cash for Kids.

Entry forms are available around various outlets around the town, including Asda, at the gym, or from anyone involved with Killie Harriers.

Entry is also available on the night (with a marginal increase in cost) and with a 5K run before the 10K, it proves to be a great night for everyone.

The following night, Scott Ellis will witness the running of the annual Rosebowl Race which is open to all members of Killie Harriers. Starting at 7pm, let Les know beforehand if you want to run.