Senior/U20 Event Report 23rd September 2026

The weather has taken a decidedly autumnal turn, we’re back to training under the lights at the track, and XC season is just around the corner.  However, the end of summer events have been coming thick and fast and there is a huge amount of good news to report since just a couple of weeks ago!  As always if anything has been missed then please let me know.

We start this edition with a bit of a crossover from the last report (results were not yet available), travelling north for the Ben Nevis race on Saturday the 5th of September.  We had two Harriers take on this extremely challenging event, with David White finishing in 187th place in 2:39:32, and Roddy Pugh finishing in 282nd overall and 1st V70 in an incredible 3:00:05 to get his name on the coveted Ben Nevis Trophy – great running from both and for those of us moaning about the hills on the Valley Dash a few days later, just a little bit humbling!

Speaking of the Valley Dash (which Roddy also ran!), this year’s edition took place on Tuesday the 8th in somewhat breezy conditions, though thankfully it remained dry!  A total of 42 Harriers turned up to enjoy the route (or at least the fabulous buffet from Alisdair Hood – thank you!), and first across the line and getting his name on the trophy was Thomas Samson who was just over 30s in front of next finisher Susan McGurn (2:43 faster than last year) and Rory Morris who was nearly 5 minutes faster than last year – great to see such big improvements!  Fastest man on the night was Jonathon Downey in a net time of 23:31 for this hilly 4.5 mile route, with Jamie Work second in 25:33 and Scott Masterton in 25:38.  For the ladies, fastest lady was Lynsey O’Connor in 29:23 followed by Kirsty Girvan (30:10) and Jennifer Beattie (30:54). Great running from everyone and fantastic to see a good group of newcomers this year – hopefully you will all come back next year.   

On Friday the 11th of September, Gregor Samson travelled to Livingston OG to finish 7th in the 800m A race with a fabulous new PB of 1:56.20.  Gregor now leaves us to study at Aberdeen but we’ll hopefully see him back in the holidays!  The Friday was also day one of the BMAF British Masters Outdoor Championships in Derby, where Rob McHarg took gold in the V60 400m with what I believe to be a PB of 57.94 and backed this up with a win in the 1500m (4:36.33).  On the Saturday he completed the triple crown by taking the win in the 800m (2:11.30) – what an incredible season this man has had!

Saturday the 12th saw a planned return to the mud for Kat Kelly and Susan Boyd at the SVHC home international team trials at Tollcross for the Cross Country International in Dublin later in the year.  Kat was 5th overall and 2nd V45 taking an automatic team qualification, and Susan was 66th overall and 2nd V75 to also earn her cap for Dublin.  

Meanwhile, we had three athletes battling mud that was not necessarily part of the plan on the River Ayr Way ultra thanks to some pretty poor weather in the run up to the event.  Craig Ferguson made his Ultra debut a great one, finishing 2nd overall in 5:29:33.  Next back was Mark Lynch (also I believe making his ultra debut) in 10th and 3rd V40 in 6:49:45.  Seasoned ultra runner Graeme Quinn was part of the winning relay team that finished in 5:28:13 – well done all.

On Sunday the 13th, Mark Alexander was our sole representative at the Kilmacolm 10k where he finished in 4th overall and 1st V40 in a time of 37:48 – great running Mark!

The weekend just gone has been SUPER busy with races, and windy conditions did not stop some excellent performances across the various events.  On Saturday it was the return of the ever popular Fast n Flat series at Linlithgow, where athletes compete in seeded 5k races on a cycle track.  The athletes competing here probably saw the worst of the weather wind wise – not ideal on a looped course but still some fabulous times posted.  Jamie Work was 30th in race 2 in 16:09.9, Ian Wilson was 21st in race 4 in 17:50.7 and Sharon McNicol ran a fabulous PB in race 6 to secure what I’m led to believe was her first sub 20 performance (19:53) in 13th place overall.

On Sunday the 20th, we had two athletes competing at the Copenhagen half marathon.  Lorna Baird secured a fabulous PB in 85:03 and one of our newest athletes Isla Grant definitely put a shot across the bows ahead of XC selection time with a PB of 1:33:02.  Fantastic running ladies!

Also crossing borders to race this weekend, Scott Masterton was in Cheltenham for their half marathon where he finished in 22nd overall with a new PB of 76:48 – excellent running Scott, even though we missed you at Cumbrae…

There were no border crossings for the main club race this weekend, but a ferry crossing was required for the Kenny Phillips Memorial 10 mile race on Cumbrae where 18 Harriers took on mostly bright but breezy conditions in this pretty unique race round the island.  First home for the men and in 3rd overall was Jonathon Downey (55:17), followed by Owen Walpole (7th in 59:37), Mark Alexander (8th in 59:46 PB) and Jordan Phillips (13th in 61:21) – these 4 men also took the open men’s team prize.  Special mention also to Jim Phillips who was 1st V50 (14th in 61:24).  For the ladies, Kirsty Girvan was first back in 3rd  lady overall (68:18), followed by Jennifer Beattie in 4th (and 1st V40) in 69:13, and Ellie Anderson 9th lady in 71:51.  These three took the open ladies team prize too – great day at the office for Kilmarnock!  All results can be seen HERE.  This race is also an Ayrshire Championship, and although results have yet to be officially published by Ayrshire Harriers it looks like medals should be coming for Jonathon Downey (silver senior men), Mark Alexander (gold V40), Jim Phillips (gold V50), Kirsty Girvan (bronze senior women) and Jennifer Beattie (gold V40).  Both teams will also be Ayrshire champions – let’s hope we can add the XC relays and senior XC to this in the coming months!  Well done to everyone who took part and enjoyed a great club day out and special thanks to Mark Alexander for sorting team transport.

From a league perspective, all of the listed races have been completed – however there are still Parkrun, HM and marathon times to be considered. I will request these after the deadline (Sunday 4th of October) but if you wish to send me anything that will not change before that date then please do!  Absolutely untouchable at the top of the ladies table is Kirsty Girvan (145 points) who has had a fabulous season.  However the battle for the rest of the prizes is still very much alive, with Jennifer Beattie now moving into 2nd (78 points) and Natalie Sharp holding on to 3rd (66 points) and Lynsey Jamieson just behind with 63.  For the men, Jonathon Downey holds the lead with 105 points, Graeme Quinn is in 2nd with 82 and Mark Alexander currently holds 3rd with 78.  The numbers we have had participate in at least 1 race this season is fantastic – 67 men and 77 ladies have posted scores so far.

From an admin perspective, XC trials are this Saturday (26th) at the Dean – we are also looking for volunteers to help on the day (under Parkrun race director instruction), if you are willing and able then please let Jennifer know ASAP.  West District entries will be submitted either 22nd or 23rd so if you want to take part then you need to sign up NOW.  Also looking for names for Ayrshires and Nationals – please tick ‘yes’ on TeamApp if you are available.