‘A bit surreal’ as Pallister enjoys unexpected win

Jamie Pallister won the inaugural Moray Coastal Trail 50-mile race between Forres and Cullen, but it took a few moments before he could fully savour the experience as he believed he’d finished in second position.

The Ellon athlete was unaware that the long-time leader, Penicuik’s Adam Gray, took a wrong turn near the end and failed to make up the lost ground.

Pallister was bemused by the rapturous welcome he received as he completed the course in 6hr 51min 46secs, with Gray eventually taking second spot in 6:59:14.

Fife runner James Crozier was third, first over-50, in 7:06:52, while Andrew Smith was fourth in 7:08:57.

Pallister said: “I got to the end and everyone was screaming and shouting for me. They were holding the finish banner and I thought it was weird they were doing that for second place.

“Then they said I’d won. I wasn’t expecting that and it was a bit surreal. It’s the first race I’ve won.

“Beforehand I was hoping for being in the top five, but I never expected to win. It hasn’t really sunk in yet.”

Shetland’s Charlotte Black emerged triumphant at the end of an intriguing women’s race in which the lead changed hands a number of times over the latter stages.

The former Scotland 100k champion used her vast experience to edge home two mins ahead of Banchory’s Chloe Sangster, completing the course in 7:17:45 – a time bettered by only six men.

Jacqueline MacIntyre (Carnegie Harriers) was third woman overall, first in the 40-49 age group, in 7:28:21, with Michelle Green (Moray Road Runners) fourth in 8:07:02.

It was Black’s first race since the Inverness half marathon in March 2020, so she was pleased with the outcome.

She said: “I enjoyed the race as it has been so long since I did one. It’s also the first time I’ve been off the island for a long time.

“It was a good battle. There wasn’t ever much between us.

“I think I led until about 14 miles to go when Chloe caught up with me. I stumbled and fell at that point, but she stopped to make sure I was alright.

“She then got away from me for a while, but I caught up and we were close together for the next 10 miles or so.

“Sometimes she was ahead, sometimes I was ahead. But I just managed to pull away over the final four miles, although I could never relax.

“Every time I glanced back I could see her. When someone is hot on your heels, the old competitiveness comes out.”

Black enjoyed the occasion and plans to return for another of the Moray ultras later in the year.

She said: “I’ve no other races planned in the near future, but I’ve an entry for the Dava Way 50k in November.”

FIRST VICTORY: But Jamie Pallister thought he’d come second at Moray 50-miler.