Sunday 13 April 2008 - David Cummings Handicap Trophy .... 

Report from Arthur Smith ....

But away from the glamour of the London marathon, another historical event was taking place with the 32^nd running of the David Cummings Trophy race at Kilbarchan,

The Trophy was presented to Kilbarchan Athletic Club in 1977, by David Cummings, a Bronze medallist at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. Donald was also a founder member of the original Kilbarchan club in 1924 and became Honorary President when the club reformed in 1974.

This year’s race was over the traditional 7mile figure of eight route around the hilly rounds behind Kilbarchan and as always, was run as a handicap chase, with the fastest runners setting off last.. The first starter Brian Graham was caught quite early on, near the top of the Dampton Brae, by a group including Gardner Masson who had pushed on ahead by the Clochoderick Stone. Robert Allison had passed Andrew Clugston by Burntshields with back marker Donald Petrie, some way back. Coming back up the Crossflats hill, at the 4 mile mark, Gardner was well ahead with Robert Allison and Gordon Gallacher passing Kate O’Brien and last years winner Richard Beall. Further back, John Kynaston past Willie Watters and was looking strong, Derek Brines was closing on Stevie Hards while Donald Petrie was picking up the pace.

At Lawmarnock Farm, with 2 miles to go, Gardner was beginning to realise he had a chance and was working hard with Robert Allison the main chaser. Donald Petrie had just caught Derek Brines with all the gaps closing but enough to catch the leader?

Gardner Masson never looked back until the final 200metres and he ran strongly up New Street to the finish at the Park Gates, a good 250m ahead of Robert Allison with Donald Petrie just edging out John Kynaston for 3^rd place. Close behind in 5^th place was Derek Brines and Jason Pender a further 40 metres back, was 6^th. First lady was Kate O’Brien in 12^th place.