Racing down memory lane

MOKRUN organisers look to 2021 event

This weekend should have been one of the busiest of the year in Campbeltown’s sporting calendar as the 2020 Mull of Kintyre Run (MOKRUN) was scheduled to take place.

The event, however, like many around the world, had to be cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

A MOKRUN spokesperson said: ‘The committee was extremely disappointed to have to cancel this year’s race, but felt it was the only option with so much uncertainty about when mass gatherings might be allowed again.’

Most of the adult runners who had booked their places in the 2020 10K and half-marathon chose to defer their entry to next year’s race, while organisers have processed refunds for all ceilidh ticket-holders and junior race entrants. All MOKRUN ‘everpresent’ runners – those who have participated every year so far – will retain their position on the glory-board.

‘We decided to fully refund the junior race because some of the children would have moved up an age group between 2020 and 2021, which would have complicated organisation next year,’ the spokesperson said.

‘In the adult race, only 105 refunds were requested, with 895 runners choosing to defer their place to 2021. We were delighted at people’s commitment to completing the run next year, in spite of this year’s cancellation. Planning is already well under way for 2021 and hopefully the festival weekend will be back stronger and better than ever.’

The 2021 MOKRUN will take place on the weekend of May 29 and 30. The 105 half-marathon or 10K places, ceilidh tickets and junior race entries will go on sale on www.entrycentral.com at 9am on January 3, 2021.

‘So if anyone missed out on a place this year, keep a look out for reminders on the website and Facebook page at the end of the year,’ the spokesperson added. ‘Local winners from last year are requested to return their trophies to Wee Toon Sports when the shop re-opens. We hope all of our volunteers, helpers and runners are staying safe through this difficult period and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.’

Here are some photographs to remind readers of previous MOKRUN races.

Nicole McKinlay, Karen Robertson and Rachel French cross the finish line arm-in-arm in 2019.

In 2011, Team BB ran for Bonnie Babies, the Campbeltownbased charity which supplies clothes and bedding for premature babies in the UK and overseas.

All smiles after finishing fourth, fifth and sixth in 2014’s 10K race are Daniel Sheldrick, right, Stuart McGeachy, left, and James Murdoch, centre.

2015 junior prizewinners.

Katherine Macpherson, Fiona Borland, Shona McGlynn and Ruth McClean, with Katie Borland, photographed in 2012. The ladies were raising funds for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research in memory of Katherine, Fiona and Shona’s dad John and his wife Nancie Smith.

Sister and brother Margaret Sinclair and Robert Semple cross the finish line together after completing the half marathon in 2017.