Athletes race to Kintyre for return of full-scale MOKRun
Athletes from around the world are raring to go for the first full-scale Mull of Kintyre Half Marathon and 10k Run (MOKRun) since 2019.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 race was cancelled and last year’s was held virtually, with runners completing their distances in their own areas before submitting their times to organisers.
This year, 10 competitors from countries around the world, including Ireland, Italy, France and the United States of America will join hundreds of locals and people from across the UK as the race makes its return to Kintyre.
The 17th MOKRun kicks off on Friday May 27 with a brand new event – a quiz hosted by Helen Gilchrist at 8pm in Campbeltown Bowling Club, where golden tickets for the 2023 MOKRun will be up for grabs.
It is open to everyone – runners and non-runners – and all money raised will be donated to Meadows Under Fives nursery.
The fun continues on Saturday May 28 with the MOKRun junior races on Kinloch Green.
After personal trainer Jake Sanders coaches them through their warm-up at 1.45pm, the youngsters will complete various distances across five age groups, starting at 2pm.
The races are: one lap (about 500m) for five to six-year-olds; one lap for seven to eightyear-olds; two laps for nine to 10-year-olds, three laps for 11 to 12-year-olds; and four laps for 13 to 14-year-olds.
While prizes for the first, second and third placed girl and boy in each category will be presented by Active Schools coordinator Lindsay Ramsay at 3.30pm, the focus of the children’s races is on having fun, and people of all ages are encouraged to be on the look-out for MOK Coo, the famous MOKRun mascot, who will be cheering on the runners.
The main events – the 13.1-mile half-marathon which takes runners from Campbeltown to Westport beach and back, and the 10K race around town – take place on Sunday May 29.
Personal trainer Mairi Ireland will lead the warm-up at 10.15am, followed by the compulsory race briefing for all entrants at 10.20am, before both races kick-off at 10.30am.
Runners will set-off together before the races branch apart at the Dellwood Hotel, but marshals will be placed around the route to keep runners on the right track.
Organisers are appealing for additional marshals and are asking anyone who has carried out this essential role previously to contact John Galbraith or Campbell Read, or get in touch via the @ mokrun Facebook or email events@mokrun, if they are able to help again.
This year, medical professionals from Inverness-based Hebe Highland First Aid will be on hand to provide assistance to anyone who requires it.
At the finish line, there will be complimentary refreshments, sandwiches and famous Danish pastries supplied by Argyll Bakeries for competitors to enjoy before the prize-giving ceremony at 1pm.
As per previous years, Councillor John Armour will MC the races.
Bibs with race numbers and timing chips have already been posted out to competitors for the adults’ and children’s races – anyone who did not receive theirs is asked to email events@mokrun. com.
This is the first time children will have timing chips, a decision made in a bid to avoid large gatherings during registration, rather than encouraging competition among the youngsters.
Other new measures in place this year because of Covid include asking people to be
mindful of physical distancing and avoid gathering at the start and finish lines of the children’s and adults’ races, as well as using sanitiser.
New this year, there will be a question and answer tent at both the children’s and adults’ races for any queries, misplaced or forgotten race numbers or lost children/ parents!
All ever-presents – those who have run a half-marathon or 10K every year since the event began – will retain that title, even if they did not take part in the virtual races of the last two years.
The weekend concludes with the MOKRun ceilidh at the Victoria Hall in evening.
Doors will open at 7pm and close at 9.30pm prompt. Tickets are still available by emailing events@mokrun.com or from Wee Toon Sports on Campbeltown’s Main Street.
Ceilidh tickets purchased previously on EntryCentral can be picked up from the question and answer tent on race day.
A MOKRun committee spokesperson said: ‘We’re absolutely delighted that, after two years, MOKRun is back; it’s a great weekend for the town and we can’t wait for it!’
They thanked the following sponsors for their support:
Junior races: AM Transport, Mairi Ireland Fitness, Jog Scotland, Campbeltown Running Club, Archie Johnston, Glenbarr Farms, MACC Gym, Stewart Balfour Sutherland, Springbank Distillery and McKinven and Colville.
Adult races: Killegruer Caravan Site, Machrihanish Holiday Park, Springbank Distillery, Glen Scotia Distillery, AM Transport, the Coop and Tunnock’s.
The committee also thanked Kintyre Agricultural Society and Jim Martin Supplies for their help with setting up the marquees etc on the day.
Race maps are available on the www.mokrun.com website and updates will be provided on Facebook.