Irvine Athletic Club lose out in Arran relay

Jul 31 2009 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

AFTER their success in winning the team event at their own five-mile road race last week, Irvine Athletic Club had high hopes of retaining their Round Arran Relay title on Saturday.

The Marress club has been the most consistent performer in the history of this event with nine victories in the past 21 years in this unique relay race which sees teams of six runners tackling the undulating 56-mile perimeter road of the island in stages ranging from 7.5 miles to 11.5 miles.

The race is restricted to 23 teams due to safety and the complex logistics of getting competitors to the various changeover points and unfortunately David Millar, Tony McKnight and Billy Richardson from the winning Irvine team of the previous week were unavailable due to other commitments.

That meant Irvine travelled to Arran with an under-strength team, however those who made the crossing gave a good account of themselves and finished a respectable third behind Central AC and Garscube Harriers.

In the legs around the north of the island Mark Livingstone covered the long 11.5 mile stretch from Blackwaterfoot to Pirnmill in one hour ten minutes 57 seconds, Alex Allardyce covered the 10.5 mile leg from Pirnmill to the top of the massive 600ft Boguillie Pass between Lochranza and Sannox in 1.04.10 and Brian Craig completed the north legs with a time of 1.01.30 for the ten miles to Brodick.

In the hilly legs around the south of the island Jim Sneddon set off first, covering the 7.5 miles from Blackwaterfoot to Lagg in 48.50, Colin Miller took over at Lagg and completed the 8.5 miles to Whiting Bay in 57.40 and Ian Berryman finished off the south legs with 50.14 for the 8.5miles to Brodick.

The winning team is decided on the aggregate time for all six runners with the Irvine recording a total time of 5.53.21 – well clear of local rivals Kilmarnock who were fourth with 6.12.54.

Irvine Athletic Club continues to train from Irvine Sports Club on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and welcomes new members of all abilities.

Contact Club Secretary, Andy Rennie on 01294 274772m if you are interested.