Crichton laps up Dunnet Forest win in North Highland Harriers’ trail running series
The latest outings in North Highland Harriers’ trail running series have seen athletes take on two different courses at Dunnet and John O’Groats.
The second run of the series at Dunnet Forest involved 2.25-mile laps of the forest in the darkness.
Sandy Christie and Leslie Mackay spent a lot of time ahead of the run setting up the course with glow lights to guide runners and add some razzle to the forest. After a briefing, runners lined up for a mass start.
The aim was to complete three laps along with a partner (or for some a dog). Any wind was reduced by the shelter of the forest and underfoot conditions were pleasantly dry.
Results: Stuart Crichton 59:25, Kenny and Conor MacGruer 60:22, John Budge and Russo 63:25, Michael Sutherland 63:25, Paul MacDonald 63:40, David Orr and Jarvis 63:55, Paul Steven 67:05, Ruth Akers-Pyper and Dean Bowman 72:28, Chris Parkinson 74:50, Sophie and Oonagh Dunnett 75:30, David Malcolm and Julieanne Leslie 76:40, Elizabeth Sutherland, Jodie Henderson and Michelle Macleod 77:20, Lorna Stanger and Fiona Bremner 85:20, Marion Budge and Suzie Anderson 89:04. Two laps: Stuart Akers-Pyper 48:35.
The third trail run was held at John O’Groats where the six-mile route follows the coastline east, then a climb up the road to Duncansby Head lighthouse. The route then continues along the cliff tops, past the stacks to a turning point then returns to Groats along a similar route.
The course was set out by Jayne Klimas and Simon Harrison the day before the run, when conditions were far from ideal. One runner was overheard quoting that the run “warmed their soul”. After the strong winds and rain the day before it was wonderful to do the route with fellow runners along the scenic route in pleasant, dry conditions.
• Cormack is fastest as North Highland Harriers’ trail-running series gets under way
The improved weather was a blessing as well as the boggy areas which were drier than expected. Runners left from the John O’Groats Brewery in three waves, 10 minutes apart with the slower runners going in the first start.
Despite the challenging terrain in parts, some pretty fast and impressive times were achieved. Greg Shearer was first male home, closely followed by Kevin Cormack. Many of the ladies chose to do a “social run” in pairs, but first home was Francesca Aub-Robinson with Pratiksha Peram one second behind.
Results: Greg Shearer 44:58, Kevin Cormack 45:50, Kenny MacGruer 47:07, Stuart Crichton 51:39, John Budge 53:37, Kevin Oag 54:58, Jonathan Kennedy 54:58, Paul Macdonald 55:52, Mark Thain 56:46. David Spencer 58:03, David James 1:00:10, Stuart Pyper 1:01:01, Chris Parkinson 1:02:26, Francesca Aub-Robinson 1:03:46, Pratiksha Peram 1:03:47, Nikki Gordon and Jodie Henderson 1:05:04, Amy Sutherland and Yvonne Richard 1:05:45, Lorna Stanger 1:07:10, Julieanne Leslie 1:07:17, Dean Bowman 1:07:48, Martine Hughes 1:11:41, Marion Budge 1:13:34, Jennifer Bremner 1:17:10.
The next trail run in the winter series is a seven-mile run at Broubster Forest on Sunday, December 8. Registration is required before the start time of 10am. A shorter course is also arranged for those who feel their training has not advanced enough to complete seven miles.
