Orienteering ace makes his Mark
Forth Valley Orienteers’ Mark Johnston continued his dominance of East of Scotland races with a two minute victory margin in the Corstorphine Hill event for his sixth consecutive win over a year.
Despite being pushed hard by ESOC duo Craig Nolan and Ben Brown in the early stages, Mark held his concentration on a tricky middle stage and ran on to win in 20.31
Paul Hammond was sixth (25.24) and Pierre Lardet was second junior and eighth overall (26.22). James Hammond was third junior in the Long race (28.02)
The Intermediate race saw Struan Duncan take his first-ever podium place in 24.50, ahead of Jen Leonard, who claimed third in 25.03.
Hanna Brindley was fourth fastest in the Short race (14.00), but was relegated for missing a checkpoint, however she bounced back to secure second place in the Novice race, in 8.48.
Hazel and Martin Dean headed north for the Shooting Greens race on Royal Deeside, and were at the front of the field in the Blue race, Martin taking fourth place in 71.14, with Hazel 24 seconds back in fifth.
Will Hensman won the Forth Valley Night Series race on Abbey Craig in 33.36, but may have left his run on a title challenge for the King of the Night crown too late, having missed the first half of the season through injury.
Chris Smithard was second (34.08) with Ross McLennan filling the podium in 37.06.
In terms of the overall championship, Graham Gristwood still enjoys a 100 per cent record, but Fraser Purves has moved two points clear of Lewis Taylor into second place.
A fifth place on the night for Grace Molloy (38.18) sees her establish a six points lead over Fanni Gyurko in the women’s championship with three events remaining.