WINTER running season this year is now almost history and members of Irvine’s running and jogging group Ron's Runners are already preparing for the summer’s packed programme of racing all distances - from 5k through to the full marathon and indeed for the brave there are longer events to attempt.

Neil McMullen has passed the last few months preparing an assault on the Dee 33 an “ultra” distance event which takes its name from Aberdeen’s River Dee and covers a distance of 33 miles. The race starts within Hazelhead Park and following cycle paths tracks and trails eventually reaches Banchory before runners retrace their steps and return to the finish within the park again

The first few miles were mainly downhill or flat but as runners left the coast behind the going got harder as the hills got higher. Being on the East coast the weather was cold, made worse by the stiff breeze, but as the race progressed Neil warmed up and even welcomed the few slight showers which developed and by the finish conditions proved perfect for running.

The training schedule Neil followed proved sound and he was content to finish with the time of 5 hrs 40 mins and 35 secs - so much so he has pencilled in two more “ultra” events- the Clydestride in July followed by the River Ayr Trail in September.

Both these races have also been targeted by Sylvia Mulholland and hopefully much of the training will be easier when done together.

Another Ron's Runners member also had reason to celebrate when Gail Steven set a new personal best when finishing the Barcelona Marathon with her time of 3hrs 54mins. She can hopefully use this as a marker for the coming summer and can use this good start to kick on and perhaps lower her personal best time for the shorter distances.

For the club’s upcoming 5k on April 13, the entries have already passed expectations but there are still spaces to fill.

Registration is within the Magnum and the race starts at 7pm. Using the promenade and the Beach Park tracks the route is generally tarmac or paved underfoot though a short stretch is over grass.

Many members were present for this week’s local 5k Park run where Pamela Porteous stole the show when with an inspiring run led the rest of the ladies home when finishing in fifth position and setting a new personal best of 23:57. Only two males were ahead of Pamela with Andy Stewart claiming 20:10 from young Cameron Miller happy with 21:29 in his first race for some time. Andy Mcnaughton 24:24 finished ahead of Helen Bruce, 25:26, who had the satisfaction of also setting a new best time then came Carol Rome with 27:51. Ian Walterson timed 27:55 followed by Rachel Cox 28:49 and a fine run from Audrey Green posted 29:24 chased to the line by Lynn Shearer 29:27. Ann Hay returned with 29:43 and just got the better of Carrol Finlay 30:01 but Carrol however had the reward of a new fastest time.