ATHLETICS

THOMSON DOES IT AGAIN Chris Thompson (Aldershot Farnham & Dist.) won the Great Scottish Half Marathon for the second year in a row, while Luke Traynor (Giffnock North) claimed the Scottish Half Marathon title in third place.

The 37-year-old started to pull away soon after 5km going on to clock 62 minutes 07 seconds ahead of Polish athlete Marcin Chabowski 62.24 and Traynor 62.56.

Traynor was followed home for the Scottish medals by Shettleston’s Tsegai Tewelde (65.30) with third place for Inverclyde’s Sean Fontana (66.11).

Paralympian Derek Rae (Fife AC) enjoyed a superb day in Glasgow finishing 19th overall timed at a personal best 69.25.

Mare Dibaba (Ethiopia) won the women’s title in 69.15 from Rose Chelimo (Kenya), 70.07, and American Alia Gray, 73.32. Finishing fourth female Fionnuala Ross (Shettleston) took the Scottish title in 74.11 from silver medallist Gemma Rankin (Kilbarchan), 77.53, and Claire Bruce (Metro Aberdeen), 78.27.

Kristin Lownie (PH Racing) placed 15th in 82.33 and Alison McGill (Fife AC) 17th – 83.44.

Adam Craig (Edinburgh AC) won the associated 10km clocking 29 minutes 43 seconds, while GB internationalist Gemma Steel (Charnwood) led home the women’s field in 34.00. Scone over-45 veteran Mike Carroll (Perth RR) placedd a fine 10th in 32.45.

Gateside athlete Sam Fernando (Fife AC) broke away from the leading pack of four runners at the 8km marker to win the East Neuk 10km Race from Anstruther. Battling against strong head winds Fernando tucked in alongside club colleagues Ben Kinninmonth and Craig Morris together with Jamie Ross (Deeside) for the outward 5km. With the wind at their backs the pace quickened along the return 5km as Fernando won in 34 mins 45 secs. Over-40 veteran Ross followed home as runner-up in 36.05, five seconds clear of Kinninmonth. In fourth Craig Morris took the first junior prize tying up the team award for Fife AC. Placing 23rd overall Cupar over-40 veteran Rhona van Rensburg was equally dominant taking the female prize in 40.18 ahead of colleague Katie Jones. Leading over 50 veteran Keren Macpherson was sixth overall to ensure a Fife AC team double.

Leading results: 1 S Fernando (Fife AC) 34.45, 2 J Ross (Deeside R.) 1st veteran. 36.05, 3 B Kinninmonth (Fife AC) 36.10, 4 C Morris (Fife AC) 1st junior. 36.16, 5 W Mackay (Strathearn) 1st over 50. 36.35, 6 G Doig (Unatt.) 2nd veteran. 36.48, 7 S Clark (Fife AC) 3rd veteran. 36.54. Over 60. J Scott (Edinburgh AC) 42.26. Over 70. J Scobie (Fife AC) 50.33. Over 80. S Chalmers (Anster Haddies) 68.47. Women. 1 R van Rensburg (Fife AC) 1st veteran. 40.18, 2 K Jones (Fife AC) 41.13, 3 R Morrocco (PH Racing) 42.39, 4 M Gougeon (Unatt.) 43.07,

5 A Sutherland (Carnegie) 43.18, 6 K Macpherson (Fife AC) 1st over 50. 43.25, 7 K Sweeney (Strathearn) 2nd veteran. 43.34, Over 60. L Stephen (Fife AC) 44.37. Over 70. M Robertson (Dundee RR) 57.02.