Troon Tortoises 10k

We thought we may have got away with the weather as we headed towards Troon & a glimpse of blue sky was seen ahead but how wrong we were. Standing next to the sea in vest & shorts as the wind howled in off the coast and the rain driving horizontally up my shorts was far from pleasant, but there seemed a good turnout nonetheless & a good bunch of fast guys up front.

The virtual gun eventually went off & we soon forgot about the weather (for the time being) as we turned at the end of the prom & got the temporary benefit of the back wind. This was only too short lived as every turn after that the wind seemed to become stronger & stronger & more head on. Then it started raining, then raining harder which then became something resembling sleet. If I ever get laser eye surgery I will at least know what it feels like.

First Harrier over the line was Alan Derrick in a respectable 35.23. There is some uncertainty surrounding Alans last 10k appearance but good to see him back in action.
Next up was Colin, somehow pulling a significant PB out of the bag despite the conditions - finishing in 36.39.
Stephen Reilly came through in 37.27, followed by Eddie 38.31 & Graham Lindsay in 43.02 in his first race back following some injury problems.
Mary Goldsmith was sole female Harrier in 48.07 then Richard Lawton came over the line in 50.14.
Well done everyone - that was a tough one.

A couple of downsides for this race were the crammed registration area due to the weather which made it hard to actually get in the building to get your number, and also the fiddly chip timers that mean you have to unthread your laces then re-lace again. Not easy to get off when your pinkies are like mini-milks at the end of a cold race.

Good points - a good cup of sugary tea after & cracking sausage supper from the chippy.

Colin