Portree’s Hugh makes it four wins in a row
PORTREE’S Hugh Campbell was first – with a time of 36:27 – to cross the line of a new course in the Dunvegan Castle 10K.
The four times winner of the event and five times winner of the Skye half-marathon came in more than four minutes ahead of runner-up Pedro Berredo from Brazil (40:40). Dunvegan’s Iain Allan finished with a time of 42:53, just pipping Joseph Lewa of Staffin (43:23) to the third spot.
On Saturday April 29, the day started off with a junior fun run, won by Ross MacLeod. Runner-up was Daniel Warby and third across the line was Lexy MacLeod.
Some 62 runners marched behind young piper Malin Lewis to the start line.
At noon, they tackled the new mixed terrain course which began at Dunvegan Castle, leading towards an off-road trail ascending upwards to the summit of the first hill. Once at the trail, the race dropped down to join the main road and a fast downhill 5k ending through Dunvegan village and back to the castle.
Hugh said: ‘This is the first time this course has been set and it was really hard going. It’s a slower course with quite an ascent.
‘Once we hit the turning point before 5k we had a strong headwind for the next mile which I probably lost 40 seconds on. I was hoping for around 34 minutes but, given the hillier new course and conditions, I was happy with 36 minutes.’
‘I was using the race as a fitness indicator and also a bounce race for next month’s Skye Half Marathon where I will be defending the title I won last year. I am pleased with how my preparations are going and I am now moving on to training 70 miles a week for the next five weeks.’
Directing the race for the first time was Dunvegan man Graham Watt. He said: ‘ We had runners from as far away as Brazil, Norway, England and the east coast of Scotland taking part. The event was to raise charity funds for the local community minibus, used by various groups and pensioners. I am very pleased with how the event went and am confident this can grow into a well-established running event on the athletics calendars.’
The Dunvegan 10K is sponsored by Dunvegan Castle, Therapy Studio, Old School Restaurant, Kennys Garage, Skyeskins, Skyetime, Brae Fasach Gallery and Café and Skye Botanics.