Sunday's sold-out Kilmarnock 10K was by all accounts a smashing success, with nearly 1,200 runners completing the fast and flat course – and new records set to boot.

For most runners, the race was their first time on a start line in over a year and a half. One keen participant wrote on social media, ‘Normal people just don’t understand the excitement of seeing a bank of portaloos in a field.’

Runners universally praised the organisation of the Kilmarnock event, with one calling it ‘a well-oiled machine’ and other ‘by far the best 10K there is’. 

The people of Kilmarnock came in for heaps of praise for their ‘amazing’ enthusiasm too, with one runner saying that the ‘race side support from locals makes it all extra special’.

Even St Marnock’s Church and its choir got into the spirt of the event, by singing and ringing out the Chariots of Fire theme tune on its bells.

This year’s goody bag, which one runner called ‘surely the best in Scotland’, included the obligatory t-shirt and medal, but also two tickets to a championship match, courtesy of Kilmarnock Football Club, and a ‘Roon the Toon’ empire biscuit, courtesy of Brownings the Bakers. Tired runners could also perk themselves up with a free regular coffee at the Coffee Press by showing their medal. Special bonus hoodies were on hand for runners who had completed all five editions of the event. 

Organisers East Ayrshire Leisure, Kilmarnock Harriers and East Ayrshire Council also laid on pacers for the first time, in easy-to-follow electric pink shirts, to help runners achieve target times from 40 to 60 minutes. 

Central Belt runners dominated the entry list and the podium. The race was won by East Kilbride AC’s Daryl Reid, in a new record time of 30.43 – a feat which earned him a £100 bonus.  Nipping at his heels for second was Fife AC’s Lewis Rodgers (30.48), with Kilbarchan AAC’s Lewis Hannigan taking third (30.53).

First female home was Fife AC’s Scottish international Annabel Simpson (33.41), in a new record time nearly four minutes clear of her closest rival, Shettleston Harrier Kayleigh Jarrett (37.25). Simpson also took home a £100 bonus for her efforts. Giffnock North teen Valencia Wright (37.35) took third.

Image: East Ayrshire Council (flickr)