The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Farah an inspiration for McGrath and Andrew in London race
Sunny McGrath (Deveron Harriers) and Emily Andrew (Inverness Harriers) will follow in the footsteps of athletes such as fourtime Olympic Games gold medallist Mo Farah when they represent Scotland in the London mini-marathon next Sunday.
Banff Academy’s McGrath, winner of this winter’s Scottish schools cross-country title, will compete in the under-17 boys’ three-mile race while Millburn Academy’s Andrew is to run in the under-17 girls’ event.
Farah won the under-17 boys’ race 18 years ago when representing the London Borough of Hounslow. • Hamish Hickey won the Buckie 10km 24 hours after picking up a 5,000 metres bronze medal at the Scottish student championships. The Ross County athlete recorded 34min 03sec, 29sec ahead of James Wilson (Moray) with Mike Stewart (Keith) third in 35:09.
Metro Aberdeen’s Kayleigh Jarrett won the women’s title in 36:49 with clubmate Sarah Milne second in 42:37. Grace Whelan (Moray) was third in 43:04.
Kevin Ewing (Keith) won the over-40 men’s prize in 37:11 while his mother, Rhona, took the over-60 women’s award in 56:26. • Ewan Thorburn (Lochaber Athletic Club) retained the men’s title in the Aonach Mor uphill race, near Fort William, recording 27:46 for the 5km course.
His clubmate John Yells was second in 28:23 with Lake District runner Ricky Lightfoot third in 29:01. Lisette Walker (Lochaber) was first woman in 38:26 with Karen Lyon (Highland Hill Runners) second in 40:58 and Victoria Leiper (Shettleston) third in 41:21.
Alasdair Coupar (East Sutherland AC) won the Beinn Ratha hill race in 52:29 for the 12km course while Hannah Paterson (North Highland Harriers) was first woman in 73:09. • North Highland Harriers club member Kevin Cormack won the inaugural Thurso parkrun 5km which attracted 76 participants.
He completed the course in 17:41. Tim Cooke (Inverness Harriers) was second in 18:47 with Cormack’s clubmate Craig Banks third in 19:32. Rhiannon Kirk was first woman in 19:43 with her North Highland Harriers’ clubmates Hannah Paterson (22:50) and Sophie Dunnett (23:38) second and third respectively. • Hannah Mutch (Aberdeen AAC) took the women’s prize at Aberdeen in 19:24. Deeside’s Jamie Ross was first overall in 17:16. Meanwhile, Isaac Lennox led the way at Hazlehead in 18:24 while Julie Napier was first woman in 21:54.
• Scottish schools international Lucas Cairns (Inverness Harriers) was first at Inverness in 17:33 and Rhona Grant was top woman in 18:12 while, at Elgin, Jonathan Ward (Moray Road Runners) won in 18:00 and Roxana Lutic was first woman in 20:15.
• Gordon Lennox (Inverness Harriers) recorded his fastest time of 16:20 for top spot at Alness and Vikki Thompson (Haldon) was first woman in 19:37 while, at Aviemore, Stephen McDougall (Middlesbrough and Cleveland) was first in 17:22 with Megan Wright (Hunters Bog Trotters) top woman in 18:55.
• Tristan Glasse-Davies (18:51) took top spot at Ellon where Izzy Buckle (25:13) led the women home. Graeme Gardner (19:38) and Amy Muir (23:07) were first man and woman respectively at Stonehaven while Paul Neld (Bowland FR, 19:26) and Heather Marshall (Totley, 23:23) did likewise at Bressay.
“Ewan Thorburn (Lochaber) retained the men’s title”