RUNNERS from all over Inverclyde and beyond descended on the Battery Park for Inverclyde Athletic Club's Inverclyde Five Mile Road Race.

The event, with classes for under-20s and senior athletes, incorporated the Renfrewshire Amateur Athletic Association's road race championships for both seniors and juniors, as well as a fun run for children aged between five and eight - making for plenty of Sunday morning action.

(Image: supplied) As well as praise from the visiting clubs and athletes, Inverclyde AC also picked up a fine haul of six gold, one silver and two bronze individual medals - along with one gold, two silver and three bronze team medals across all age groups.

Traditionally seen as an opportunity for athletes to compete in a shorter, faster race in preparation for the National Cross Country Championships in a few weeks' time, the unpredictable winter weather often plays a part - and this year the conditions lived up to that reputation, with wind and rain adding to the challenges faced by the athletes.

While the rain was easing by the start of the senior five-mile race, the wind had got stronger as the large pack made its way around the Battery Park before heading out to the Esplanade and returning to the park.

John Bell led the Inverclyde AC group, which also included teammates Ross Gray and Gregor Yates, while Nynke Mulholland-Stummer and Millie McClelland-Brooks were also making their presence felt in the women’s event as they left the park.

(Image: supplied)

(Image: supplied) Gray made a decisive move and took the lead on the return from the Esplanade before entering the park for the final lap with a gap ahead of Jack Heathwood of Bellahouston Harriers in second and Bell in third.

But a late burst of speed took Bell over the finishing line first, followed by Heathwood and then Gray.

Mulholland-Stummer had pulled away from McClelland-Brooks on the out-of-the-park section, and maintained her leading place in the senior women’s race all the way to the line, with McLelland-Brooks finishing second overall and taking under-20s gold.

(Image: supplied) Once the senior race had left the park, the mini fun race took centre stage, with laps of either 600 metres or 1km.

In addition to the children who attend the club's own weekly mini session, there were also young guests from Giffnock, West Dunbartonshire and Springburn Harriers.

This was also a special race as for the first time there were three wheelchair/race running athletes who attend IAC's weekly Zoomin' Zebra Racers session.

After the senior five-mile event it was over to the under-11 boys' race, with Ollie Bonnar looking like he'd taken a tip from John Bell as he produced a blistering burst of speed in the final 600m of the 1.6km course to cross the line in first place.

Ollie was ably supported by a large group of teammates, many competing for the first time, with Rudy Byrne and Fraser Morton joining him on the podium for a bronze team medal.

While no individual medals were won in the under-11 girls race, Anna Shearer and Faye Holmes finished fourth and fifth respectively and Reenie Henry came home 11th to secure a team bronze for IAC.

(Image: supplied) Determined performances delighted the club’s junior coaching team who are dedicated to the club’s ethos of our juniors being confident in their ability, determined to succeed and resilient when facing challenges.

The Under 13 boys and girls then raced together over three kilometres, with Louis Reid moving up from fifth to third in the final lap, finishing just three seconds behind Finlay Hamilton of Giffnock North.

Alexander Morton was next home for the host club, with an impressive run from Oliver Bjonness securing team bronze for IAC, while Rosie Callan was the club's first girl over the line.

Several IAC girls made their mark in the under-15 race, with Grace Barry setting off with purpose and opening up an early lead, only to be overtaken by Giffnock's April McAulay in the final stages, Barry taking the silver medal ahead of another Giffnock runner, Eve Cameron.

Strong runs from Nuala Munro, Cara McDougall, Kiera Gregory, Lucy Neilson, Molly Farish, Pearl Paterson and Leah Kane saw Inverclyde on the podium again for a silver team medal.

A club spokesperson said: "Events like this don’t happen without a lot of effort and hard work both before and during the event.

"Inverclyde AC are indebted to the efforts of club treasurer, Gerry Gaffney and Jon Hammerman in the organising of the event and ensuring all was in place on the day.

"The club would also like to thank Inverclyde Leisure for their support in the preparation of the event for their help during the event.

"The club’s catering team, all the spectators and competitors supplied with much needed hot drinks and home baking and  to the club volunteers who were out in large numbers to marshal the course and help with declarations and recording."

For more information about club activities and sessions for both juniors and seniors, either go to the club website inverclydeac.org.uk and click on the dropdown button ‘Contact Us’ or email inverclydeac01@gmail.com.

Inverclyde AC is accredited with Active Schools Inverclyde.

Inverclyde Athletic Club is supported by Diodes Inc, Inverclyde Council, Inverclyde Leisure, Inverclyde Warm Hands of Friendship, Smiths of Greenock, Succession Wealth and Tesco Stronger Starts