Who cares about the weather – it’s the Tortoise 10K!
Troon Tortoise’s 10K certainly lived up to its reputation as being the biggest and one of the best organised mid-week races in the country. It even underpinned its status as an international event with competitors from all four home nations as well as the USA, Africa, Asia and the Isle of Man!
Last year’s winner, Amanuel Woldeselassie, was beaten into second place by his club mate Tsega Tewelde. Both Amanuel and Tsega are former Eritrean international runners who now run for Shettleston Harriers. Whilst last year it was a clean sweep by the former Eritreans, this year they didn’t get it all their own way with third place being won by David Phee of Giffnock North AAC. The first Ayrshire athlete was 2007 winner, David Millar of Irvine AC in fourth place.
First lady home was defending champion, Toni McIntosh of Ayr Seaforth. Whilst Toni was reported to be suffering from an infection, she didn’t let that or the weather dampen her spirits and was quicker by over a minute on her last year’s time. Kara Tait of Kilmarnock Harriers was second lady with Emma Birnie of Bellahouston in third.
David Phee | Amanuel Woldeselassie |Tsega Tewelde |Toni McIntosh | Kara Tait | Emma Birnie
This year there was a special award sponsored by The Scottish Building Society. Whilst the Society has been a major sponsor of the Tortoise’s 10K for many years, the sponsorship package was enhanced this year with the donation of a trophy, The Scottish Building Society Community Cup. The cup will be awarded on an annual basis, to a local person who has overcome barriers or a specific challenge to participate in the race. The first winner of the SBS Community cup was Hazel McFarlane of Troon, who completed the run in a very respectable 51 minutes – despite being blind. Hazel ran the race with Guide Runner, George MacGregor, a fellow member of Troon Tortoise Running Club.
“I am delighted to be the first recipient of the Scottish Building Society Community Cup and think it is a great idea to recognise the effort and sacrifices that people do make to get out and run and to get fit. The club members here are great to run with and there is never any shortage of volunteer guide runners to run with me,” said Hazel.
“Hazel is an inspiration to us all,” commented Scottish Building Society Troon Branch Manager, Frances Milroy. “It is a daunting thought for most of us to participate in a 10k road race, but Hazel has shown real strength and determination and we are delighted to have such a worthy winner to launch this new trophy.”
Frances Milroy, Manager of the Troon Branch of the Scottish Building Society is pictured here presenting the cup to Hazel after the run.
Results:
Men
1st Tsega Tewelde 30:43
2nd Amanuel Woldeselassie 30:45
3rd David Phee 32:03
Women
1st Toni McIntosh 36:03
2nd Kara Tait 39:02
3rd Emma Birnie 39:47
Vets men (40-49) Graeme Croll 33:29
Vets women (35-44) Emma Birnie 39:47
SuperVets men (50-59) Paul Thompson 36:47
SuperVets women (45-54) Jacqueline Cowan 42:06
Men (60-69) Andrew Rennie 39:57
Women (55-64) Linda Young 49:25
Men over 70 William Lusk 53:00
Junior Male (15-17) Callum Mclennan 42:08
Junor Female (15-17) Sarah Munn 40:28
Over 60 Andrew Rennie 39:57
Over 75 William Lusk 53:00
Troon Tortoise’s would like to thank all of their sponsors as well as South Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council and Strathclyde Police.