New Year’s Day – The Lyle Mile

A hundred and thirty five runners turned out on New Year’s Day, supported by thirteen volunteers to take on the one-mile uphill challenge from the railway bridge at Fort Matilda to the Free French Memorial Cross at the top of Lyle Hill. This year’s race helped raise funds for Ardgowan Hospice, in memory of George McCallum.

Winner in a time just under 6 minutes was John Bell (5:56) of Inverclyde, followed in by Andrew Osbourne (6:49) and Daniel Doherty (6:56) in third place. John Logan (7:17), Mathew Deegan (7:18) and Owen Atkinson (7:19) were in next, just 3 seconds apart. Next in for the club in ninth place was Kevin Craig (8:06), closely followed by Greg Luke (8:08), Stephen Harrison (8:11), Colin McKnight (8:18) and Stephen Hanley (8:24). Following closely behind Stephen with a cracker of a run was veteran Stevie McLoone who gave it his all from start to finish (8:30).

First Senior Lady was Sharon McNicol (8:45) of Giffnock North, with Toni McIntosh (8:57) second and Lynne Harrison in third.

First Junior Female was Summer Taggart (8:47), just 2 seconds behind the Senior winner. Second Junior Female was Evie Harrison (8:53), with Erin McEleny (9:18) in third place.

First Junior Male was Elijah Taylor (8:33). Finlay Mitchell (9:14) finished second.

Another veteran run worthy of mention came from Micky Dunn (8:43).

Emma Benstead and Fiona Cushnaghan (both 22:04) power walking with the high visibility vests on completed the official finishers on the day.

Click here for race results

Many thanks to the race volunteers who included Alan O’Rourke, Fiona Cushnaghan, Sy Hutton, Gill Gilmour, Graeme Crawford, Kirstin Ärthur, James Doherty Jnr, Gordy Hepburn, Jill Cox, Lorna Coyle, Bruce Coyle, Wenda Crawford and Kenny Morrison.

See coach Alan O’Rourke’s Facebook post for our New Year training plans and our target of recruiting 30 new members.

Route: www.strava.com/routes/2903675165703780792