Livingstone and Crawford Praise Loch Ness Atmosphere After Securing Impressive Marathon Victories

Corstorphine’s Stuart Livingstone became the first Scottish men’s winner of the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon for nine years when he sped to victory in a personal best time of 2hr 32min 21secs.

The Edinburgh-based energy consultant, who was competing in his sixth marathon, slashed more than four minutes off his previous best, set at London in 2019, on a day when major road racing made a welcome return to the Highlands after an 18 month hiatus.

Welshman Geraint Williams was runner-up in 2:35:06 and Chris Poxton (Corstorphine AC) finished third overall, first in the over-40 age group, in 2:36:03. John Beveridge (Kinross) was first over-50,2:57:20, David Morrison (Metro Aberdeen) led home the over-60’s,3:23:03 and Highland-based Timothy Kirk (Kidderminster Harriers) was first over70,3:51:59.

Livingston said:”My training had gone well so I knew a good time was on, but winning was a bonus. It was only when I read a preview of the race, which suggested it could be wide open, that I felt I might have a chance.

“There was a group of five of us together for the first 10 miles, then me and the Welsh guy got away from the others. But at 15 miles I began to get a gap on him so I pushed on. It was only when we turned back towards the finish, at the river, that I could relax a bit when I saw the lead I had.

“It’s the first time I’ve done this race but it’s one I’ve always wanted to do. It’s the same day as the London marathon, but the experience couldn’t be more different. I was surprised by the level of support on the course, there was such a buzz. It was brilliant.

“To be honest I prefer running 10ks but now I might have to defend my title next year.”

Megan Crawford (Fife AC) admits she was surprised to win the women’s title for the third time in eight years with a come-from-behind victory.

The 32 year-old Edinburgh teacher, who also won in 2013 and 2015, was languishing well behind the leaders for the opening 10 miles but rallied to take top spot in 2:48:15.

She said: “I really wasn’t expecting much today so I’m really happy with how it has turned out.

“I had toilet troubles until about halfway but then settled down. I could see Shona McIntosh and Sheena Logan ahead of me and I just tried to keep working towards them.

“I caught Shona at about 19 miles then passed Sheena between 20 and 21 miles. After that I put my head down and just went for it.

“I had always planned to do an autumn marathon and this was the one for me. Obviously, there was also London today but I’d rather have the hills and scenery this race offers.

“I’ve been training in the Pentland Hills with some lovely long runs, so that set me up for this one.”

Crawford’s Fife clubmate Logan, who won here in 2018 and was third in 2019, finished second in 2:51:32.

McIntosh,who was second in 2007, and third in 2014, couldn’t complete her seven-year cycle with a gold, having to settle for third position in 2:52:01.

Fourth-placed Nicola MacDonald (Metro Aberdeen) set a PB 2:56:15 while fifth-placed Carolyn Hay (Redhill Road Runners) was first over-40 in  2:59:44. Ailsa Webster (Jogscotland Westhill) was first over-50, 3:21:54, and Susan Linklater (Shetland AAC) was the quickest over-60, 3:50:40.

CHALMERS AND KEITH  SCORE INVERNESS DOUBLE IN BAXTERS RIVER NESS 5K

Scotland cross country international Sean Chalmers dominated the Baxters River Ness 10k with a commanding performance in which he led from gun to tape.

The Inverness Harriers club member, who was runner-up when the event was last held two years ago, overcame blustery conditions to complete the course in 30min 15secs.

He said: “I realised it was very windy in the first 2k and I thought about tucking in, but felt the pace might be too slow. So, I decided to push on hard enough so that no-one would be able to sit in behind me.

“I opened up a 10m gap right away and from that point it was a solo run, which made it a hard graft. It was fine in the middle stages with the wind behind and I was able to push on, but when I turned back into the wind for the final stretch I realised I was spent. So, it was a case of settling for the win rather than chasing a fast.”

Max Abernethy also found himself alone for much of the way when achieving a personal best time of 30:58 for second position. The Fraserburgh runner, who was sixth two years ago, was delighted with the outcome.

He said:”Overall, the wind wasn’t as bad as I expected although it was really tough towards the end. But I’m very happy with second position and chuffed with the time as its a big PB.”

Ewan Davidson (Moray Road Runners) was third in 31:24 while Scotland 100k international Jason Kelly (Metro Aberdeen) showed good speed over what is for him a short distance to take fourth spot in 31:29. Donnie Macdonald (Inverness harriers) was first over-40, 11th overall, in 33:02 while Gareth Jenkins (Moray Road Runners) lifted the over-50’s prize in 34:33.

Great Britain junior international Megan Keith (Inverness Harriers) was an impressive winner of the women’s race. The Edinburgh University sports science student recorded 34:22, a time bettered by only 15 men.

The difficult conditions meant she was unable to take the course record of 33:46 set by Kenya’s Cathy Mutwa in 2006 but her time is still the second quickest in the 17-year history of the 10k.

She said:”It was a tough one today, especially as I’ve just come back from Fresher’s Week at the Uni. I wanted to start conservatively but after the first kilometre I got a bit isolated so I then probably went too fast to catch a group.

“I went through 5k at a decent clip but struggled towards the end when I was on my own again. I think I was on track for 34min until the final kilometre but I just couldn’t keep the momentum going into the wind.

“But, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Inverness crowd is just amazing. They really kept me going over the closing stages.”

Three-time previous winner Jenny Bannerman (Inverness Harriers) was runner-up in 36:27 with Michelle Slater (Moray Road Runners) taking third position, and first in the over-40 age group, in 40:18.

Jennifer Robertson (Peterhead AC) was fourth, second over-40, in 41:48 and Nicole Murray was fifth in 43:11. Rachel McCuaig (Nairn Road Runners) was first over-50 in 43:28.

WARSAME AND HEGGIE SPEED TO VICTORY IN BAXTERS RIVER NESS 5K

Aberdeen University medical student Mohamed Warsame finished ahead of a field of 1,000 runners to win the Baxters River Ness 5k. The 22 year-old, who comes from Glasgow, recorded a personal best time of 16min 33secs

He said: “I’m really happy with that as It has been a few years since I ran my best time. I decided to come here and it give it a go so I’m really happy with the result.”

Andrew Baird was runner-up in 17:35 with his Ross County clubmate Noah Carson taking third position in 17:42.

Dingwall Academy pupil Caitlyn Heggie was the first girl to finish, clocking a fine time of 18:37. The 15 year-old Ross County club member was delighted with her performance which sets her up for the coming cross country season.

She said: “I’ve never been under 19min before so I am very happy. I was so excited about doing this event as it has been so long since we’ve had any road races. I’ve run in this race for so many years and I’ve been collecting all the t-shirts. But this is obviously the best I’ve done. I’ve never been in the top three before.”

Lois Macrae (Inverness Harriers) was second in 19:37 while Flora Sutherland (Ross County AC) finished third in 20:15.