The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Kelly to defend at Ballater despite impact of marathon
Metro Aberdeen’s Jason Kelly will defend his title in Sunday’s Ballater 10-mile race, although he’s not sure if he has fully recovered from taking third in last month’s Lairig Ghru mountain marathon.
Kelly has the fastest 10-mile time of those entered so far, having clocked a PB of 54:04 when finishing 10th in this year’s Scottish championships at Motherwell. He is also the quickest half marathon runner in the field.
With entries being accepted on the day it is always possible that other challengers will emerge but at the moment the biggest threat to Kelly’s hopes appears to come from his clubmate Sam Milton. Milton has recovered from serious injury problems and is heading into top form.
He won the inaugural St Cyrus 10km in June then scored an emphatic victory in the Stonehaven half marathon at the beginning of this month.
Claire Bruce is favourite to win the women’s race although her Metro clubmate Ali Matthews should put in a strong challenge.
Matthews was runner-up last year and has been in good form lately, having won the Chapelton of Elsick 10km in a women’s record time.
Marie Baxter, the Bristow 15-mile trail race winner at Balmoral in April, will be another podium contender.
The JS Kintore club member has a best time of 64:59 set at Lossiemouth in 2018 but hasn’t competed in the Ballater race since finishing fifth in 2016.
Stonehaven Running Club’s Ann Gallon, third last year, should be among the leaders along with Emma Watt (JS Kintore), Lynsay Hay (Banchory) and Emma Barr.