Emma, 17, takes the honours in senior women’s contest

Emma Dunnett ( East Sutherland AC) became one of the youngest athletes to win aNorth of Scotland cross-country league senior women’s race when she took top spot in the opening round of this season’s competition at Thurso on Saturday.

The 17-year-old Thurso High School pupil completed the course in 26min 21sec to finish 46sec ahead ofMoiraDavie (ForresHarriers) with Roma Shepherd (Inverness Harriers) a further six seconds behind in third position.

Emmasaid: “Iwashappy with my performance as this was my first senior cross- country race over four miles. The course and underfoot conditions were tough but I enjoyed getting back into cross-country again.

“This is the first of three years I’ll have in the under20 age group and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to test out the UK standard in this category.

“There are a number of talented Scottish under20s and I’m keen to race against them before they move up to the seniors.”

“I’m happy as this wasmy first senior race over four miles”

Dunnett was one of five East Sutherland clubmembers to enjoy success with Liam Barnsby and Eoghann Gollan being the respective winners of the under-15 and under-13 boys’ races while, in the girls’ league, Catriona Gordon led the way with a narrow win over Rhiannon Kirk (CaithnessAAC) in the under-15s and Constance Nankivell topped the bill in the under-13s competition.

East Sutherland also won six of the age group team competitions.

Aberdeen- based Kyle Greig got off to a winning start in his bid to defend the men’s league title by finishing well ahead of his Forres Harriers clubmates, Eric Kinjanjui, Robbie PatersonandGordonLennox. Ben Cameron was the other Forres winner when he led theway inthe under11 boys’ contest.

Finlay MacLennan (Inverness Harriers) won the under-17 boys’ race while his clubmate Heather Campbell took top place in the under-17 girls’ event.

Portlethen runner Ron Gauld scored a clearcut victory inyesterday’sCrimond 10km road race when posting 35min 54sec to finish 73sec ahead. Lisa Stephen was first woman when recording 44:42 to defeat her clubmate Gillian Cardno-Strachan by 26sec.

Forbes Reid (Metro Aberdeen) led home a field of 118 runners to win the Aberdeen Parkrun 5km race while Gemma Cormack was the leading woman as the series celebrated its first anniversary on Saturday.

Terry Forest took top spot in the Inverness Parkrun in which Morag MacPherson was first woman.