Irvine Marymass 10k

235 runners were tempted to the Ayrshire coast last night by the promise of a free ice cream from race sponsors Vanilla Joe's. Three harriers made the short journey doon the watter to Irvine and were surprised by the sight of a fourth in the shape of John Boyd who had a sponsors place and therefore hadn't shown on the pre-race start list.

The usual coastal breeze lowered the temperature very nicely for the runners tackling the fast and flat course which hasn't changed all that much since I ran what was a pb at the time of 42.06 way back in 2002! I would be content with a time under 50 minutes this time around though.

Not surprisingly the leading harrier and second female was Julie Beveridge in a (jet-lagged) time of 40.53, her flight from Mallorca having only touched down at two o'clock that afternoon. Now there's dedication for you. Second home in a girls one-two was Kirsty Wilson in 46.02 and 6th female. I wiped myself out by coming over the line in 49.02 with John Boyd chasing after me in 50.41. Ex-harrier Davie Wardope was one place behind Kirsty in 46.14

The men's winner was Gordon Robertson of Cambuslang harriers in 33.28 only 23 seconds ahead of an EKAC athlete, Daryl Reid (any relation Eddie?) The female winner was Toni McIntosh in 38.17, although it was announced later at the prizegiving as 28.17!

I can report the ice creams went down very well as did the post-race home baking back at Irvine Sports Club.

Big thanks are due to Kirsty for the transport to and from Irvine and I hope you figure out soon how to open the doors of your new car!

I will add a link to a few photos of the race tomorrow. They are courtesy of Julie (she had plenty of time after finishing so quickly!), Kenny Philips and myself.

Photos now on Flickr here https://www.flickr.com/photos/135841033@N05/albums/72157670502696437