IT was a successful weekend for Inverclyde AC with a number of athletes of all ages competing over four events with six victories and lots of PBs and season bests.
Saturday was a cross country event organised by Scottish Veteran Harriers at Tollcross Park, Glasgow.
Gregor Yates won the men's race outright and also took first place in the M35 category. Robert Paterson also performed well taking bronze in the M55 category.
Sunday was for road racing with athletes competing at three events and over three distances. The Kilmacolm Running festival was the closest and was the most popular for IAC athletes with a choice of 3K, 10K and half marathon distances.
John Bell finishing in 1:08.15 looked to be continuing his recent great form as he won the race for the second time, having won in 2021.
Jack Letson, who won last year, finished in fourth place, while Jason Kane was eighth in 1:18.21. This was a season’s best for Jason and his best performance over the distance in a number of years. A PB was the reward for Alan Callan in 1:20.42.
The 10K was another victory for Inverclyde AC with Ross Gray repeating the winning performances he had shown at the recent Paisley 10K and Bute 10K in a time of 32.55, more than a minute ahead of the second placed finisher.
Three of the clubs’ Womens’ Fit2Run group. Faye Currie, Steph McCann and Kate Reid also took part with all achieving new PBs for the distance.
The third victory of the day came from Liam Kane in the 3K, winning overall and taking first place in the male 14-16 category.
Ten-year-old James Reid, who was third, joined Liam on the podium and also took the top place in the boys 10-13 category, smashing his PB set at last year's event by more than two minutes!
A further six young athletes from the club took part all finishing strongly - Sol Currie 7th M10-13; Archie Reid 9th M10-13; Pearl Paterson 4th F10-13; Callum McDonald 9th M6-9; Emily Kane 8th F10-13and Mia Kyle 7th F14-16.
At the Stirling 10K, five of Inverclyde’s senior men were competing. Mark Doherty was first finisher for the club in 9th place in a season’s best of 31.12 to take victory in the M40 category.
Brother Colin was not far behind in 16th place 32.07, just a second slower than his PB which was set in 2021.
Paul Friend also ran a season’s best to finish in the top 100.
Craig Ruddy and Sean Gaffney were competing over the distance for the first time this year as part of their preparation for the Valencia Marathon in October and felt satisfied with their efforts, particularly Craig who finished in 30th place.
The furthest distance travelled was by Nynke Mulholland Stummer who was competing in the AJ Bell Great North Half Marathon from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields
This was Nynke’s first attempt at the distance and she was in good shape having being second woman at both the recent Paisley and Bute 10K’s. She Finished 15th overall in a time of 1:22.12, in a performance which coach Norrie Hay said bodes well for future performances.
Many Thanks to club coaches, and to the families of the athletes for all their support
For more information about club activities, either go to the club website inverclydeac.org.uk and click on the dropdown button ‘Contact Us’ or email inverclydeac01@gmail.com.
Inverclyde AC is supported by Diodes Inc, Inverclyde Council, Inverclyde Leisure, Smiths of Greenock, Succession Wealth.
Inverclyde AC is an accredited club with Active Schools Inverclyde.
Photos taken by club members
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