Victory in Forres secures title for Gollan

Ross Gollan secured the North District cross country league senior men’s title for the first time when winning the sixth and final race of the season at Forres.

The East Sutherland club member finished well ahead of Moray Road Runners duo Ewan Davidson and James Wilson who in turn helped their club win the team award for the first time in 15 years.

Stuart Gardiner (Inverness Harriers) won the under-20s prize.

Gemma Cormack won the senior women’s race and the league by getting the better of her Inverness Harriers clubmates Catriona Fraser and Emily Andrew. Andrew also won the under-20s gold and her club took the team prize.

Alyth Gollan clinched the under-17 girls’ title with Katie Meek (Inverness Harriers) topping the under-13s table.

Hugh Burnett (Inverness Harriers) pipped Archie Smith (Nairn) for the under-11 boys’ award while Bruce Evans (Forres) clinched the under-15s title and Andrew Baird (Ross County) was crowned under-13 champion.

Lucas Cairns (under-15 boys) and his sister Anna (under-17 girls) had already secured their respective titles before the final fixture, as had Lois MacRae, of Lochaber, who was unbeaten throughout the season.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen’s Alexander Chepelin defeated a field of 500 runners to win the 50th anniversary Carnethy hill race at Penicuik.

The GB orienteering international, who also won in 2019, completed the six-mile course, which includes 2,500ft of climbing, in 53min 17sec.

He finished 51 seconds ahead of Eoin Lennon with Alasdair McLeod taking third position in 54:35.