There was a strange feel to this years Irvine 10k as for the first time this year (or any year) a local event was blessed with blue sky with something bright yellow also high above giving out heat, we were reliably informed at the start that this was the sun.

So with conditions close those Team GB are experiencing in Rio it was time for the eleven Team Troon Tortoises who made the short trip to this well organised local race to toe the start line as 172 starters contested the Marymass 2016 Irvine 10k.

After a short climb up towards the roundabout at the Magnum,following the start at Irvine Vics football ground, Team Troon soon split with Fraser and Matt as usual pushing at the front followed by Rob with Darrell, Ian,Chris and Gerry all running as a group further back with the aim to be around 45 minutes.

After rounding the roundabout it was onto the cycle path all the way to the Gailes, this section I run a lot on my long runs and it was surprising how comfortable the early miles felt with a 6.56 7.10 7.05 result for the first three miles,just before we turned to head back there was just enough time to notice Matt, Fraser and Rob heading back, as I passed the Gailes our four had now become two with Chris and Gerry dropping of the sub 45 pace a little, Ian though had settled into a good pace and I had to work hard to catch up with him at mile four at the bottom of the hill, a quick glance behind saw Gerry working hard to begin closing the gap, with two miles to go and with myself and Ian running together and Gerry closing the gap we hit the final half mile with plenty of time left to beat 45 minutes, a few final motivational shouts to tell Gerry to get a sprint on saw us over the line breaking sub 44.

It looked like Matt and Fraser had a good battle with only a second between them as they finished in 26 and 27th place a great result in a fast paced race.

we waited and cheered in the rest of the team with Ann, Bruce Sineadh and Karen all finishing strongly, some even sprinting to a finish (you know who you are)

With PB’s also for Chris,Sineadh and Karen plus SB for Anne it was a great night of running all around.

full results on results Tab

Darrell