13th edition of the popular races, set to be a big hit!
Campbeltown Picture House’s (CPH) ‘Skid Row Marathon’ should inspire any athlete to run their best MOK Run ever on Sunday May 27.
The uplifting documentary, showing immediately after the Junior MOK Run on Saturday May 26 at 4pm, follows a group of recovering addicts, homeless people and paroled prisoners, who train for marathons, under the supervision of a highly principled Los Angeles judge.
MOK Run organiser Gail Williams, who is regularly seen practicing pounding the pavements, said: ‘Ellen Mainwood at CPH agreed to show the motivational movie as a MOK Run special and is a great way for the cinema to join in the weekend’s events.’
The 13th edition of the popular races, once again a sell-out, with about 700 10K runners and 300 half-marathoners poised to battle it out on Westport’s sands.
Entry includes a top quality running top, sports bottle, handmade pottery medal, post race sandwich, famous Danish pastry, t-shirt and goody bag for all finishers.
The routes are the same as in 2017 and runners should expect great support from the Limecraigs residents and for the half marathoners, the lone beach piper.
Among those runners will be special entry Peter Waugh, who will start this years race. Gail Williams added: ‘Peter wrote to the committee saying he will have run 12 half marathons, one a month for a year and this will be his 13th.
‘His whole family will stay in Carradale in support. Each half marathon has been run in a different county, in three countries, as he raises money for the hospice where his mum spent her final days.
‘All Peter’s destinations, including Kintyre, were his mum’s favourite places.’
The weekend’s events start with registration, in the Aqualibrium creche area, from 11am to 4pm on Saturday May 26 for all races and the juniors, who run on Saturday, must be completed by 1pm.
There is a further registration opportunity on race day from 8.30 am to 9.45am at Kinloch Green in the start area.
Gail Williams added: ‘Could all runners please ensure that their bibs are securely pinned on as it contains the timing chip. Please do not swap or give your race number to anyone else.’
The Junior races start at 2pm on Kinloch Green and there are four categories as follows: five to 6-yearolds and seven to 8-year-olds 500m, nine to 11-year-olds 1km and 12 to 14-year-olds 2km. There are prizes for the top three boys and girls in each category to be presented at 3pm that afternoon.
The MOK Coo, designed by Eoghan Quinn, from Castlehill primary, which first appeared at last year’s junior event was a great success.
This year’s pasta party, ticketed at £13, is at the Seafield hotel, from 6pm to 8pm and tickets can be bought at: www.entrycentral.com/festival/1218
The marshals’ briefing is at 9.30pm in Victoria Hall and if marshals want to ensure their regular spot or perhaps volunteer to marshal they should email: events @mokrun.com or send a message on the MOK Run Facebook page.
After 12 years warm-up duties Fiona Irwin has stepped down and at 10.15am Mairi McKillop from Live Argyll will lead the session on Kinloch Green. The race briefing is at 10.25am before the grand Esplanade start at 10.30am.
Prize-giving is scheduled from 1pm at finish area, on Kinloch Green. This year the furthest travelled prize, for a runner, will be a bottle of Kintyre gin presented by Beinn an Tuirc distillers.
Ceol-an-aire headlines this year’s post race ceilidh in Victoria hall with Jamie Gee from 7.30pm to 12.30pm.
Race director said: ‘Organisers would specially like to thank Co-op for all its support, the fire cadets, West Coast Emergency Medical Services, MC John Armour, Stuweb for timing, Killegruer Caravan Park, Machrihanish Caravan Park, Tunnocks, Campbeltown Pottery, Wee Toon Sports, Kintyre Hire, Jim Martin Supplies, The Ardshiel, Wee Toon Warriors, Campbeltown Running Club, Jog Scotland, McFadyens Transport, Stewart Balfour and Sutherland, South Kintyre Sports Council and all marshals and volunteers.’