More than 180 runners crossed the finish line in the Killearn 10k on Saturday as the delighted organisers hailed the event as their best ever.
Before the 10k race got underway, a sold-out field of more than 200 ran the Killearn Mile, with mums, dads and kids enjoying the fun run together and having a ball. Both races were bathed in glorious sunshine throughout.
A committee member said: “A lot of hard work all year round goes into putting on the event, but it all seems worthwhile when you see so many people getting so much enjoyment from it.”
Entries for the 10k, supported by main sponsors West Homes, sold out in less than 24 hours back in December. And there was plenty of enthusiasm in the air, with smiling faces everywhere, before the start in Killearn Park at 11am.
The elite runners set a blistering pace despite the heat, and barely 15 minutes had passed before news filtered back to amazed organisers that male race leader Steven Lamb of Bellahouston Road Runners had already reached the half-way point.
Steven duly came home in an impressive 34:36 to smash the course record, looking like he’d been for a gentle two-minute jog as he cruised over the line.
Last year’s winner, Finlay Finlay of Garscube Harriers, was two minutes behind in second place (36:47). Another Bellahouston Road Runner, Lewis Roberts (37:10) took third.
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The quality of the performance put in by the winner of the female race, Catriona O’Donnell, is summed up by the fact she was seventh in the entire combined field. She won in 40:30, followed in by Bellahouston Road Runners’ Rhona Fraser (43:57). Angela Irving (44:55) claimed third.
Catriona also took the prize in the female veterans over 50 category. G63 male winner Stuart Bradnam made the overall top 10 too, finishing eighth in 40:44.
The other category winners were: female over 70, Ann Lister (74:58); female under 20, Sarah Lawrence (60:31); male under 20 Christiaan Lamb (53:07); female over 60, Geraldine Barnett (69:39), male over 60 Brian Andrews (50:06); male over 50 Colin Hughes (40:30); female over 40, Rhona Fraser; male over 40 Finlay Finlay. Senior female (19-40), Hannah McAuley (46:00), senior male, Steven Lamb.
The G63 prizes for local runners went to Hannah McAuley and Stuart Bradnam, and the hotly contested race within a race among the 10k stalwarts of Killearn Football Club was won in fine style by Matthew Anderson (47:47).
UK Athletics chair, and Killearn resident, Ian Beattie presented the prizes.
The 10k race day, however, is about much more than elite winners and trophies. The event is intended, in a small way, to be a force for good in the community, promoting the benefits of an active lifestyle and providing a celebration for the village to come together and enjoy.
To help make the race a reality, a band of 70 local people turned out to help stage the 10k and mile races in various capacities.
After the race, organisers said: “We know our runners love the 10k. They tell us so, and it’s easy to see from how much they enjoy coming here.
“The Mile is an absolute joy. It’s priceless seeing how much the kids enjoy it. This year’s race was superbly organised by Jackie Hawkins and was easily the best Killearn Mile ever.
“Active Stirling play a key role in the Mile and Trossachs Search and Rescue provide first aid cover in the park. Thanks too to Killearn Brownies and Scouts for their help on race day.
“We can’t wait until we all come together to run again in 2024.”
