December
Winter Trail Race Champs – Sun 1st Dec
The day after the West District XC John Logan was the solo Harrier at the Auchengillan trail race running a brilliant race to finish 3rd overall ahead of some top quality hill runners over a very hilly course.
3rd, John Logan – 59:32
Shale Trail 50km – Sun 8th Dec
Lorna Mitchell and Viki Snith finished the year off in style at the Shale 50km, a wee weekend wander for two of the club’s ultra legends. Lorna started well and on for target pace however, knee injury meant she was forced to walk-jog the 2nd half of the race. Despite this Lorna finished 7th female and 1st F40. Despite a year of stop-start running for Viki she went on to smash the 50km race finishing 6th female and 1st F50.
Viki Smith – 5h 12m 23s Lorna Mitchell – 5h 14m 13s
Tillicoutry 10km – Sun 29th Dec
Kirsty Ormond was the solo Harrier at the popular and fast Tilli 10k. Kirsty’s time wasn’t too far off her PB at this same event in 2020, despite the tough wind conditions on the way back.
Kirsty Ormond – 41:46
January 2025
Beith Harriers New Year Road Race – 2nd Jan
Despite the drop in temperature and ice covering most of Scotland, the Beith Harriers team made sure the course was safe to run starting 2025 with a fast race. Andy McCall was first Harriers home in an excellent new 10km PB, finishing in 2nd place. Despite fighting a virus John Logan, who clearly loves to race, put in a strong performance to run another quick 10k time finishing 9th overall. Viki Smith gave her usual excellent performance over the shorter distance and was happy with her time. Run of the day came from Andy Smith who went on to smash his 10km PB despite the tough course and icy underfoot conditions. Great signs for the year ahead.
Results 2nd Andy McCall – 33:56 9th John Logan – 36:34 77th (5th female) Viki Smith – 49:42 117th Andy Smith – 58:08 (PB)
Scottish Athletics 3000m Indoor Meet – 4th Jan
As the rest of the club were finished racing the Harris trophy, joint club champion Dylan Crawford was the solo Harrier at the National indoor championships. Dylan’s form has been excellent throughout 2024 and looked set to continue into the new year. Dylan set off with some of the quickest runners in the country in the 11th race of the day. Benefiting from a cautious start, Dylan made his way through the field. Feeling strong with the bulk of the race done, Dylan put in a superb effort in the last 400m to finish well under his target time on 9 minutes and a new personal best for the distance.
Results Dylan Crawford – 8:55
West XC League Linn Park
Stephen Harrison, Lynne Harrison, William Taylor, Gerry Gallacher, Charlotte McKay and Sarah Jane Whalen represented the club at the West XC League at Linn Park. As the Cross Country season builds towards the National, not the horse racing variant, at Falkirk, Linn Park provided the perfect prearation on a tough hilly course.
Results William Taylor 25:17 Stephen Harrison 25:46 Lynne Harrison 31:06 Gerry Gallacher 32:34 Sarah Jane Whalen 35:42 Charlotte McKay 40:06