The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Provan hoping to be in running for fourth title
Scotland international Steph Provan hopes to be on the starting line for tomorrow’s Clachnaben hill race, near Strachan, with the aim of winning the women’s title for a fourth straight year.
The Deeside athlete set a record time of 1hr 17min 40sec 12 months ago for the testing course which includes 690 metres of climbing over a distance of 13.6km. Her rivals include Fetteresso Forest marathon champion Lauren Kedar (Cosmic Hillbashers) and veteran Aberdeen runner Veronique Oldham (Cosmic Hillbashers), the winner in 2011.
Aberdeen’s orienteering international Alexander Chepelin is unable to defend the men’s title as he is working in Norway.
German athlete Swaid Worms (Aberdeen University), who was second in the Illuminator night race last October, should be a contender for the title and Potarch night race winner Felix Wilson (Deeside Runners) should also be in contention. Entries will be taken on the day prior to the noon start.
James Wilson is among the favourites to win the Buckie 10km on Sunday. The Moray Road Runners club member won the Miltonduff 10km last month and a repeat of the form he showed that day could be enough to give him another victory.
Great Britain crosscountry and mountain running international Anna Macfadyen (Forres Harriers) is not defending the women’s title as she is on holiday.
Shelly Duncan (Peterhead AC) and Sarah Milne (Metro Aberdeen), who were first and second respectively in last month’s Run Garioch 10km, will do battle again. Scottish junior international Grace Whelan (Moray Road Runners) should also be well placed.
Entries will be taken on the day prior to the 2pm start. There’s also a junior run at 1pm.