The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Poignant tribute as Brian wins Broch half marathon
Athletics: Tomremembershislate friendashetakesJaffreyTrophy
Metro Aberdeen’s Tom Brian pulled off his first major north-east road-running victory yesterday when setting a personal best time of 1hr 14min 27sec to defeat a field of 273 runners in the Johnston Carmichael Fraserburgh half marathon.
For the first time the race, which can trace its roots back to 1981, started and finished at the Broch’s impressive new all-weather running track at the town’s South Links .
Brian moved into the lead from the gun and was already at the head of a small group by the time the competitors completed their circuit of the track and began the long run out through the surrounding countryside.
No one could live with Brian’s early pace.
By the four-mile mark there was clear daylight between him and his nearest challengers.
Brian continued to extend his lead and when he returned to the track the only remaining challenge was to secure an improvement on his previous best time of 1:14:48 – set in the Great North Run between Newcastle and South Shields in September.
He achieved it with 21 seconds to spare and displayed obvious satisfaction by punching the air in delight when crossing the finishing line.
Brian, who set a personal best time of 2:39:24 in October’s Chicago marathon, received another boost by winning the Neil Jaffrey Trophy.
The trophy is awarded in memory of his clubmate and friend who died in a road traffic accident a few years ago.
He said: “It’s my fastest time for a half marathon, so I am really pleased.
“I was keen to win because, apart from some parkruns and one or two Metro Proms 3km races, I’ve never won a big event before.
“I am also proud to win the Neil Jaffrey Trophy as he was a member of our club and a good friend.
“I hope to push on with my road times in 2018 and I’m aiming for the Inverness half marathon in March.
“After that I’ll have another go at the London marathon in April.”
Brian’s Metro clubmate Jim Tole, who set a world record 1:26:59 for completing a half marathon wearing a kilt at the Great Aberdeen Rxun in August, finished second overall, first over-40, in 1:16:36.
“I havenever wonabigevent before. It’smy fastesttimefora halfmarathon”
He said: “I’m happy enough with that as I haven’t really been training for this distance. It was certainly easier than doing it with a kilt. My next big goal is to get ready for the Manchester marathon in April, so I’ll have to knuckle down over the winter.”
Dyce half marathon champion Tom Roche