RUNNERS took to the streets of Dunoon on Thursday evening as the Cowal Gathering 5K helped get the Gathering weekend off to a flying start.
The race took place as the traditional Sunset Ceremony was getting under way in Argyll Gardens, adding another sporting element to a busy opening evening in the town.
W. Pattison produced the fastest performance of the night, completing the 5K in 17 minutes 24 seconds to take first place overall.
Junior local runner F. Stirling was next across the line in an impressive 19:02, finishing just ahead of female veteran M. Hanby, who took third overall in 19:08.
A. Poole was fourth in 19:12, with G. Maclean fifth in 19:19 and I. Derrett sixth in 19:23.
There was another strong local junior performance from C. Flynn, who crossed the line seventh overall in 19:45.
The results show a broad mix of competitors taking part, from juniors through to senior, veteran and super veteran runners, with 73 finishers recorded.
Among the local category runners, D. Brown finished in 21:27, while E. Els completed the course in 25:04.
The women were also well represented throughout the field, with Hanby’s third-place overall finish the standout performance, followed later by E. Stewart in 22:13 and L. Towers in 23:41.
At the other end of the field, the final finishers crossed the line after more than 40 minutes, with D. Penders completing the 5K in 41:52.
With the Sunset Ceremony bringing music and entertainment to Argyll Gardens at the same time, the race helped ensure Cowal Gathering weekend began with plenty of activity both on and off the race route.
Top ten overall
W. Pattison – 17:24
F. Stirling – 19:02
M. Hanby – 19:08
A. Poole – 19:12
G. Maclean – 19:19
I. Derrett – 19:23
C. Flynn – 19:45
R. Sutherland – 19:47
G. Bolton – 19:54
K. Martin – 19:58
