Cairn Table, Muirkirk

A simple wee race – there’s the hill, run up it and run back down. Simple entry too – name only, no clubs, no categories. Billed as 6 miles, 1945 feet but really only 4½ and 1125, this event is organised by East Ayrshire Council as part of their Outdoor Access strategy and deserves better custom. Last year’s race was the first time with seemingly only 16 runners in the startline photo. This year was better with 39, mainly from local Ayrshire clubs.

The first mile was pretty flat across the low moor, punctuated with numerous boardwalk crossings over shallow boggy (but dry) stream beds, then a path undulating up the open hillside, firm and peaty with an smattering of stone higher up. Stuart Simpson led off briskly and I clipped onto his heels, staying there until he eased to walk a little on the hill. I managed to keep on running … all the way to the huge monumental cairn at the top. As I put my mind to battering down the hill as best I could, Stuart was running smoothly towards the turn. Cat was skipping up around 10th or 12th. It was a great runnable sure-footed descent with not too many rocks to dodge. Drew shouted I had 200m on Stuart. I was sure I could hear his footsteps thumping on the ground towards the flat, but nothing over the boardwalks – I worried he was avoiding these to sneak up on me but fortunately not and I had a clear run to the finish.

Then Ronnie finished in third, which was a surprise as I hadn’t seen him on the hill. He’d given us a headstart of four minutes apparently, having been thwarted by a slip road closure on the M74. Cat was pipped on the descent finishing closely behind her current nemesis, Jo Whitehead, while there wasn’t enough steep descent for Drew to overhaul his – old tartan shorts. All the podium places got a bumper backpackful of East Ayrshire branded items – clothing, mugs, alarm clocks … and waterbottles and Snickers bars for all participants.

1st 32.48 David

2nd 33.37 Stuart Simpson

3rd 34.37 Ronnie

6th 35.59 Scott McKendrick

20th 40.38 Jo Whitehead, 1st lady

21st 40.55 Cat, 2nd lady

34th 48.55 Drew

39 runners