The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
First win of Dailey’s fledgling career
Matthew Dailey claimed the first victory of his fledgling running career in the men’s 4km at the BA cross-country meeting at Lyne of Skene.
The 18-year-old JS Kintore club member, who took up the sport a little over 15 months ago, moved into an early lead which he never looked like relinquishing despite having to run more than a kilometre further than expected.
Dailey, who completed the route in 20min 54sec, finished well clear of Martin Bain (Moray Road Runners) who was second in 21:24, and third-placed Michael Fletcher (JS Kintore), 22:10.
He said: “It was a tough hilly course, mostly up and down, with very few flat sections where you could cruise along. But the underfoot conditions were perfect. It was good fun and I really enjoyed it although I think the course was well over 5km.
“I wanted to run here and do well because the JS Kintore club has done so much for me over the past year since I started running.
“It was definitely worthwhile coming here.
“It’s the first time I’ve won a race so I am really chuffed about that.”
Dailey is in his first year studying maths at Edinburgh University and feels he is has stepped up a gear since moving to the Scottish capital.
He said: “I am really benefiting from training with the guys at Edinburgh University as there is such a strong squad there.
“It’s very different from what I have been used to up here.
“I was at the head of the pack at Kintore but now I’m the guy at the back, but it’s good for me at this stage.”
“It’s the first time I’ve won a race so I am really chuffed”