IRVINE Running Club and Ron's Runners held their annual joint Christmas Handicap event on December 27.

The race is held over a 2.7mile loop starting at Irvine Sports Club and uses the tarmac pathways on the Town Moor to a finish back at the club.

The handicap format allows the slower runners to start first with the faster runners then trying to chase them down. There was an incredibly tight finish to the Hamilton Trophy race which is awarded to the first Irvine Running Club runner to finish. Graeme McFarlane came through the field to catch William Herman on the line with them both given the same time but McFarlane got the finish judge's verdict in a fine scratch time of 17.04.

The Hamilton Trophy was presented by guest of honour, Dr Ann Millar, a former competitor and secretary of the club.

The Ron's Runners handicap winner was Dayle Burnside who led from start to finish with David Rideout the first male finisher. Melanie Sinclair was second female in a fine scratch time of 21.50 while Graeme Steer was second male. The fastest time of the day was 14.57, recorded by guest runner, Dan Whiteman, Ann Millar's son in law.

Another guest, Stephen Daye, continued his recent good form with the second fastest time of 15.21. The fastest female time by an Irvine RC runner was 21.03 by 12-year-old Merideth Reid.

Meanwhile. almost 300 runners braved a bracing wind on Ayr Promenade for the boxing day 10k Turkey Trot organised by Ayrodynamic Triathlon Club. The race always attracts some quality runners and Irvine Running Club representative Paul Lafferty did well in this company to finish in 19th place in 37.20.