Ayr Open Meeting: Sunday 12th April

Clydesdale Harriers had seven members travel to the meeting held in Ayr in sunny conditions for most of the afternoon. Rachel Busby was the youngest competitor from the club being a first year Under 13 athlete. In the 1500 metres race - which was by all accounts the best race of the whole afternoon she set a new personal best of 5:46.9. There were two other club runners in the race - Mirren Wright and new girl Roisin McShea who was in her first track race. Mirren was first across the finishing line in the low 5:40's (not all times were available on the day) with Roisin having a great debut being fifth in 5:46.4. Rachel then went on to the discus where she was third with 7.42 metres. Roisin also took part in the long jump where she cleared 2.84 metres. The 1500 metres was a very good race indeed with the U13 and U15 groups being combined. For her first race, Roisin ran very well starting quickly but slowing a bit towards the end. Mirren showed a good tactical sense and was first of the U15's to finish. She also tackled the 100 metres where she was fourth in 15.4 seconds. Rachel was another who faced three events - in the 150 metres she was fourth in 24.5 - a new pb with a whole second from her previous best time.

Claire Reid was second in her Heat of the 200 metres and also turned out in the 800. Although no official results were posted she had a good run and set a new (unofficial) pb of 2:47 for fifth place. Kirsty Kelly (a first year U17) was the busiest athlete of the day running in the 200/800/1500 metres treble. In the 200 she gained third place medal behind Claire Reid and then in the 800 was clocked at 3:06. In the 1500 there was a massive pb of 5:49.9.

Claire's 800 and Tony Dolan's 1500 were also of a very high quality with Tony equalling his pb of 5:06.3 for third place. In the 800 he had a new pb of 2:30.8 and looks set for more to come. With 300 metres to go to the finish, Tony was fourth some 15 metres+ behind the third man but he managed to catch him at the start of the home straight and then pick him off with a grand finishing burst over the final 50 metres. Ryan Nelson was second in the U20 800 Heat in 2:19.1 taking four seconds from his previous best.

All in all it was a good day for the young athletes giving them a gentle start to the summer's racing. The parents who transported the children down and provided excellent support all afternoon are to be thanked as is coach Phil Dolan whose work with the athletes over the winter shone through. Incidentally another of Phil's athletes - Iain Robertson - won the club men's winter league competition!