Dam Fine Performances at Ayr - West of Scotland track and field champiopnships - 12th May 2012 
There's also PBs for John Smillie Breaking 40mins at Troon 10k and The Gray Boys PB at Strathclyde Park Run   

Inverclyde AC had the wide range of athletes travelling to Ayr to compete in the West of Scotland track and field champiopnships.
 
Leading the charge was two of the clubs top performing seniors in Mark Pollard and Craig Ruddy accompained by a host of young athletes keen to emulate the levels achieved by mark and Craig. The 1500m was a show down between Mark and Craig but with serious opposition coming from kilbarchan the duo were not going to have it their own way.  As they got under way the wind conditions were not conjusive to fast running however Mark decided to take the lead being shadowed by the rest,  this continued until 600m to go when Mark was passed with an injection of pace as the push for glory was one,  reaching the back straight the Inverclyde duo were falling off the pace.  Approaching 200m to go Craig made a move toward the leaders taking Mark with him, reaching the home straight it appeared only a bronze was on however Mark has returned to his competetive best and reached into his very deep reserves and pulled in the leaders to claim a popular victory in sub 4 minutes,  with Craig being edged out in fourth.
 
Emulating Mark his young clubmates took on their respective age groups in the 1500m with Jonny Glen,  Cameron Watson and Sean Gaffney all recording new personal bests despite the weather conditions.
 
Coming down in distance Greg Williams had the most challenging 800m with the lead changing throughout the race,  with the back straight approaching victory seemed lost to Greg.  Cleary Greg has been watching Mark and continued driving toward the home straight before lifting the pace   and reducing the gap to the leaders  20m out from the line the strength of Greg proved decisive claiming victory in a time equalling his personal best.   Callum Hunter also had the chance of improving his best over 800m and will be delighted with his performance which recorded him a new best.
 
In the sprints Shaun Toner returned the area to the top of the districts over 100m recording the fastest time of the day of 11 secs.  Despite a false start Shaun refocused and exploded from the blocks,  going through 60m he began striding out looking effortless as he sythed through the field to record Inverclyde's first sprint title for some considerable years.  In the 200m he powered round the top bend approaching the home straight hitting the head wind saw him battle toward the finish line being pipped by the thickness of a vest for the sprint double.
 
Joining Shaun on the podium for the sprints was Evie Semple, fresh from her excellent performances in the Olympic stadium returned to earth with a bump inthe cold and windy Ayr,  however another fine performance saw Evie securing another notable performance  just outside her best.
 
Inverclyde's talents then moved to the field where Jill Magachy took the black and white stripes to new heights equalling her best of 1.30 over the high jump.  Jill attacked a new increased level and just clipped the bar,  this performance like some of her team mates should give her the confidence to take on these new challenges.

 Inverclyde athletes acknowledge the support of Janice, Claire and Emma who were up very early, returning late to help each and everyone through their events.

Elsewhere there were PBs for John Smillie with a 39.22 at Troon on Wednesday . And what about Ryan(17.28) and Ross(18.37) at the Strathclyde 5K ParkRun.

Evie Semple represents Scotland at the UK Sainsbury Schools International at the Olympic Stadium

Evie Semple competing at the Sainsburys UK Schools International at the Olympic Stadium

Esplanade Mile - Tuesday 8th May 2012 - Chasing Hay while the sun shines!

On your marks....The under 16s are off!

Ally Hay breaks the tape in 4mins 5 secs to win the mile race on Greenock Esplanade.

Results from the mile race on Greenock Esplanade on Tuesday evening.

SENIOR RESULTS
A. Hay 4.05
M. Pollard 4.06
C. Ruddy 4.07
C. Watson 4.08
G. Williams U17 4.12
J. Cooke 4.30
B. Stafford 4.32
A. Campbell 4.34
S. Gaffney 4.35
P. Currie 4.41
R. Todd 4.55
K. ODonoghue 5.08
N. Mulholland F 5.21
G. Gaffney 5.24
S. Taylor 5.36
R. Gray 5.41
 
UNDER 16s
J. Glen 4.28
Ryan Gray 4.57
Ross Gray 5.01
P. Harper 5.04
R. Forbes 5.06
C. Watson 5.31
C Shand 6.04
A. McInnes 6.05
K. Hogg 6.14
C. Purves 6.16
C. Hogg 6.17
S. Odocherty 6.18
R. Wilson 6.23
G. Carmichael 6.29
A. McLellan 6.43
C. Pollock 6.53
L. Morrison 6.58
A. Winter 6.58
R. Davidson 7.02
M Wetherow 8.27
E. Morrison 8.28
K. Purves 8.54 

Thanks to Helen, Cammie, Ian, Hugh and George for organising the time and places at the finish and James W for cycling twice leading the pack.

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New Half Marathon PB for Andy

Andy Douglas set a new half marathon PB of 65:55 on his way to 3rd place in the Lillebælt half marathon in Denmark. A breakdown of his run (and a video of his sprint finish) can be found at http://www.sportstiming.dk/Results/IndividualResult.aspx?Id=351199

Link To Dan Mulhare's Latest Video Blog

An educational video blog from Dan's section on the Runners Life site.

http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/dan-mulhare/blog/my-kenyan-home/1183