TOUGHRACE BUTROBBIE DAZZLESIN ILLUMINATOR

GBmountainrunnersetsnewcourserecord

Robbie Simpson dazzled his opponents with a sparkling recordbreaking win in the Illuminator head torch run through Deeside’s Glen Tanar Estate on Saturday evening.

The Great Britain mountain running international sped along the darkened trails through the Caledonian forest, completing the 15-mile route from Aboyne and back in 1hr 34min 16sec to shave a little under two minutes off the course record set by Metro Aberdeen’s Sam Milton in 2017.

The Banchory athlete admitted it was a tougher challenge than expected and he was, arguably, upstaged by his girlfriend Ginie Barrand, who smashed the women’s record for the race when recording 1:55:56 to erase Steph Provan’s 2018 mark of 1:58:29.

Simpson said: “It was a good race but tough. I found it difficult to work out how fast I was running at different points. I started really quick but then tried to settle into a steady pace. I felt good for the first 8km but then had stomach problems. I just think I’m not used to running this hard for so long at this time of night.

“I was able to recover again and pushed on until near the end when I had to weave past runners in the 8km and 15km races, as parts of the course were quite narrow at that stage.

“It takes a lot more concentration than daytime running. You have to make sure you are interpreting the ground correctly and aren’t going to trip. I was able to run the climbs well and get up a good pace on flatter sections – but I didn’t want to take risks on the downhills.”

Barrand, who had finished fourth in this race a few years ago, was equally satisfied with her night’s work. It was an impressive performance and her time was bettered by only five men from 381 finishers.

She said: “Robbie decided to run because he has always wanted to try it. Also, the race he planned to do in France last week was cancelled and he wanted to make up for missing that. So, I decided I might as well run as well.

“The last time I did the Illuminator, I wasn’t really training too seriously, so I was better prepared this time.

“It’s a hard race. You have to concentrate all the time and you can’t let your mind wander.

“It’s a mental and physical test.”

Banchory’s Lynsey Hay was second in 2:01:47, with Emma Murray third in 2:09:15

Allan Christie was second behind Simpson in the men’s race, recording 1:49:25, while Nicolas Lompuech took third in 1:49:54.

WINNERS: Robbie Simpson and Ginie Barrand show off their prizes