The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Newsom conquer s elements
Athletics: Shifting sands of Nai rn course not enough to stop Harrier winning
John Newsom’s strength running through sand proved to be the deciding factor in a highly-competitive tussle with Kenny Wilson in the North District Cross-Country League senior men’s race at Nairn.
The two-lap course offered a variety of running surfaces with narrow woodland trails and a gruelling stretch along the beach providing competitors with a demanding six-mile challenge.
Newsom was beaten by Moray’s Wilson in the opening match of the season at Keith in October but the Inverness Harriers club member is getting fitter every month as he continues his rehabilitation from a slipped disc and associated sciatic nerve problems last year.
He said: “I’m not quite
“I pushed on because I knew I was strong on the sand”
back to where I was a year ago but everything is heading in the right direction.”
Newsom, who completed the course in 34min 37sec, with Wilson runner-up in 35:15, was pleased with the outcome but concedes he was made to work hard for his victory.
He said: “Kenny led on the first lap and I was hanging on. He had a couple of yards on me at various points but by the time we started the second lap we were together again.
“At the start of the beach section for the second time I made my move and got a bit of a gap. I pushed on because I knew I was strong on the sand.
“When we got back into the woods Kenny held on much better so there’s no doubt all the damage was done on the beach.”
The result sets up the possibility of some interesting tussles over the remaining three fixtures of the campaign as Wilson bids to hold on to the title he won for the first time last season while Newsom aims to regain the top prize he won in the two years before that.
Brodie Castle 10km champion Donnie Macdonald (Inverness Harriers) finished third in 36:40, 12sec ahead of Gavin Bryson (Highland Hill Runners).
Sunny McGrath (Deveron Harriers) won the under-17 boys’ race in 24:28, with Hamish Hickey (Ross County) second in 24:57 and Ben Johnston (Inverness Harriers) third in 26:56.
Lucas Cairns ( Inverness Harriers) secured a 5sec victory from round one winner Danny Mc- Pake (Ross County) when completing the under-15 course in 15:11. Ben Cameron (Forres Harriers) was a further 13sec behind in third position.
Sam Coull (Ross County) consolidated his lead at the top of the under-13 division by clocking 13:06 to win by 13sec from Sam Burnett (Inverness Harriers) with Roy Taylor (Moray Road Runners) third in 13:22.
In the closest finish of the day, Thomas Reynolds (Moray Road Runners) won the under-11 boys’ race from William Cook (Gordonstoun) but both shared the same time of 6:36, while Rory Stainsby (Inverness Harriers) was third in 6:57.