ATHLETICS: Success on the roads and on the hills for Irvine AC runners

Apr 29 2011 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

THE start of April traditionally marks the changeover from the winter to the summer calendar on the Scottish athletics scene with the emphasis switching from cross-country to road, track and hill races and Irvine AC runners have made a great start to the season.

David Millar was in action at the popular Tom Scott 10-miler on the pathways of Strathclyde Park on Sunday, April 10 and kept up his remarkable run of form with a fantastic sixth place finish in 52 minutes 35 seconds to comfortably claim the M40 prize – coming home a minute clear of 2012 Marathon hopeful Andrew Lemoncello, who was using the event as a warm up for the following weekend’s London Marathon.

Billy Richardson further enhanced the club's reputation when he won the Ormidale 10k on Arran on April 17 in an impressive 35.30. This was a welcome return to winning ways for Billy who has had to battle back to fitness after a long run of injury and illness.

Next finisher for Irvine was Craig Miller who made a significant breakthrough in his running career by finishing fourth in 37.00, one place ahead of dad Colin, who had the consolation of the M50 prize with 37.23.

Craig could not count in the Irvine team as he has spent the last six months working in the Outer Hebrides and he is currently competing for Stornoway Harriers, however Irvine still managed to take team silver medals with Jim White (12th in 41.04) and Mike Flinn (23rd in 45.22) making up the counting runners.

On Wednesday, April 20 Irvine hosted the Kaim Hill race at Fairlie and the excellent weather attracted a good field of 61 runners.

Tom Begley showed why he is currently the club’s best hill runner with a fine 17th place in 36.28 and Ian McManus continued to prove that the enjoyment of running is for all ages and abilities as he finished in 58.33.

Thanks to former Irvine runner Scott McKendrick, for his ongoing sponsorship of this race through his firm, Advertisign Direct.