Scotch Beg triumphant

Scotch Beg was a 10-1 winner for Lairigborn owner Bill MacKenzie at Downpatrick, North Ireland, yesterday. Victoria Bailie cruised to an emphatic victory in the women’s division of the CETCO Ythan Challenge adventure race.

The Edinburgh athlete has now won five times since her first success in 2011 but slipped off the leaderboard over the past two years after taking time out to start a family.

She was never under any real pressure as she returned to winning ways yesterday to score her first victory since 2014.

Bailie clocked 1hr 3min 11sec to finish almost six minutes ahead of her closest challenger.

She said: “I really enjoy doing this race because there is such a friendly atmosphere and the marshalls in particular are so helpful and encouraging.

“I led all the way so I could relax a little and just go at my own pace. I didn’t expect to have to swim a section of the river as I’m not too good at that, but it was fun. That’s what makes this event so special.”

Aberdeen’s Louise Peet finished second in 1:09:12 while Norma Beaton (Forres Harriers) was first veteran when finishing third in 1:09:30.

Carol Massie won the super-veteran award when finishing 13th in 1:17:44, 24 hours after helping Fraserburgh Running Club win the women’s team prize in the 50-mile Highland Cross duathlon.

Former Cruden Bay resident Eugenie Verney won the vintage veteran prize in 1:39:29. It was a nostalgic return for the woman who