Written by Arthur Smith ...

David Cummings was born in Bridge if Weir in 1894 and shortly after, his family moved to Kilbarchan, where he stayed in New Street and attended the local primary School.  He was always keen on running and joined Paisley Harriers. He later joined Glenpark Harriers and Maryhill Harriers.

David won representative honours for Scotland at Cross Country and was also a Great Britain International. and in 1924 was selected for Great Britain to compete at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, in the Steeplechase, where he won a team Bronze medal. It is also recorded that he competed in the 1920 Amsterdam Olympic Games, in the 10000m.

Also in 1924, David was involved in the formation of Kilbarchan Amateur Athletic Club. After the 2^nd World War, the club disbanded in 1955, was resurrected briefly from 1963 to 65 and when some local residents got together to reform the club in 1974, David was again involved and was elected Honorary President, a position he retained until he died in 1986, in his 92^nd year.

David presented the Club with the David Cummings Trophy and also the George Cummings Trophy in memory of his brother who died in the first World War. George was also a Scottish International Cross Country runner.

With David’s approval, the Club decided to use the David Cummings Trophy for annual competition and it was agreed that the event should be a 7mile handicap chase, to be run in the Spring, around the hilly figure of eight course which is still in use.

This was all decided in 1977 and in fact the first running of the race took place in September in order that the Trophy could be formally presented at the Club’s AGM and Award Presentations later in the month. The original proposal was to start and finish at the Park fountain but in fact s&f was at the Park Gate directly up from the Fountain.

Starting at the Park gate, the trail went down New St, over the Cross, down Church St, turning right, up the Dampton Brae, to the Crossroads which was about 1.8miles. Continuing along the twisting, undulating road to Clochoderick Stone (2.6ml), turning left and left again toward Howwood, left again up Crossflats hill (lone tree on the right marks the halfway point), back up to the Crossroads at just over 4 miles, across and continuing up past Meikle Burntshields Farm, down the Big Dipper and up to Lawmarnock Farm with just under 2 miles to go. Turning right  and down the Law Brae, past the Gas Station with just over a mile to go, turning right into Shuttle Street, down to the Cross and sharp left back up New St to the Finish at the last post at the Park gate.

11 runners took part in that first race on 21^st September 1977 with 17 year old Alan Holmes who stayed in Kilbarchan, the first winner.

The race has been run every year since and in the 31 years so far, around 150 runners have taken on the challenge of this arduous circuit. In these 31 years, Robert Barr has won twice, in 1979 and 1996 and Dougie Biggart also twice, consecutively in 2003 and 2004. Robert has also the distinction of the most number of appearances, no fewer than 29 times, only missing 2000 and 2003. Arthur Smith has run 20 times (won 89), Jimmy Gibson (won 92) and Sandy Ross (won 83), both 16 times. For the Ladies, Margaret Moore has taken part 8 times (won 90). Only 5 ladies have won the Trophy, the last, Shona Allan in 1995.

Current records  ..

SENIOR MEN   Robert Quinn   35.10   1988

U20   Robert Hawkins  37.56  1982

VET       

o40    Gerry Fairley    37.06    1996

o50    Jim McMillan   42.25     1996

o60    Jim McMillan   46.37     2004  

SENIOR WOMEN   Eileen Masson  42.19   1991

U20   Susan  Crawford    44.28  1982

VET     

o35   Eileen Masson  47.27  1996

o45   Jane Murray  52.11  1994

o55  Margaret Moore  54.05  1991

AMS 20.2.2008