Land o' Burns 10k

 

Team Photo

The weather last Wednesday night couldn't have been more of a contrast to the previous year where we had torrential rain and strong winds, this years event was blue sky and sunshine, making it a much nicer night for spectators. 23 harriers made it to the start line down in Ayr (a harriers grand prix event) with several more down to support. Jim Mearns had intended on running but got held up at work and made it to the starting area as the race started, however without a warm up or his race number on he decided spectating was a better option.  The course was the same traffic free route as last year, starting on the sea front and following the cycle path. It is now an out and back course, with more uphill on the way out than the way back. Craig Ferguson was still feeling the effects of a virus and had to pull out after about 1k. Kai Wheeler continues to improve with just about every race and used the tactic of sitting in behind coach Andy for most of the way before pulling away in the final stages to be the first harrier home and achieve a new PB of 40:39 (also 3rd U20). Andy Buchanan was the next harrier home and will be disappointed that Kai got the better of him this time to finish in 41:37. 

Kai powering to a new PB

Stephen Phimister, Julie Beveridge, Graham Lindsay and Jason Grant all had a close battle throughout the race with Stephen coming in next harrier in a time of 43:10, Julie Beverdige was not far behind in 43:17 (also finishing as 3rd female and 2nd FV40), Graeme Lindsay was next finishing in 43:38 then Jason in 43:47. The spectating harriers didnt have long to wait on the next pair of harriers which was also a close finish and both obtaining new PBs, Scott Hair got the better of Andy Higgins this time with Scott finishing in 44:22 with Andy 4 seconds behind in 44:26. Rachel McPhilips was the next harrier and 2nd of our female harriers (pleased to beat her dad again but not sure anyone else apart from Kev thought he had a chance - sorry Kev...). Rachel finished in 45:06 and was also 2nd U20. Robert Pattinson had a steady race, working his way through the harriers finishing in 46:25 with Kevin McPhilips not too far behind in 46:42, Alison Lessells was next harrier home n 47:40 (3rd FV40) with Robert Gibson finishing a couple of minutes behind in 49:55. Richard Lawton has had a good injury free period now and ran the fastest 10k he has ran since his heart attack a few years ago and was delighted with his time of 50:52. Gordon McInally has had very limited training in the run up to this after his toe operation (maybe about 3 or 4 runs in total) so was pleased with his time of 53:04. Tuesday night graduate Peter Moyes has reaped the rewards of consistent training and joining our Thursday night training sessions to run a great time of 54:45. Catherine Boyd was a few minutes behind in 57:13 and another of our Tuesday night graduates who has also benefitted from joining regular Thursday sessions also ran a new PB of 58:28. Russell Couper was pleased to get in under the 

Vivek on his way to a new PB

hour finishing in 59:20. Tammy Hutchison and Rebecca Kirsten ran round together and crossed the line in 60:01 and 60:02 respectively - they would have been under the hour had they not finished to the left of the finish funnel and had to go back and cross the finish line... Lauren McPhilips finished not far behind in 62:09 completing the harriers line up. Thanks very much to everyone who came down to support - there's so many who were there that I'm bound to forget some so wont mention any!!