Melvich and Wick trail runs set North Highland Harriers off on the right foot
North Highland Harriers have started off 2025 with two trail runs at Melvich and near Wick.
The first trail run of the year was held at Melvich. Runners left from a snowy Caithness and were surprised to see no snow at Melvich, however it was still very cold with temperatures a very chilly -4C.
The trail comprises 3.5-mile loops of varying terrain along a very scenic route. Runners start at the village and descend down the road to the beach. The first part of the beach is rocky followed by energy-sapping soft sand.
The tide at the time of the run was high which made the run along the beach more challenging. The return to the start is uphill to complete the loop along rough tracks then onto the main road.
Runners could choose how many loops they wished to complete with the maximum being three. Taking the lead early on and winning by a substantial margin was Darren Sutherland who completed three laps in 1 hour, 27 minutes and 39 seconds.
First female was Jayne Klimas who ran two tough laps in an impressive time of 1.15:55.
Organiser Hugh Mackay had laid on a spread of soup, hot dogs and cakes for after the run which was appreciated by all those who took part.
Results – 3 laps – Darren Sutherland 1:27:39, Ryan Sutherland 1:41:04, Ian Walker 1:41:14, David Macdonald 1:41:58, John Budge 1:42:57, James Kelman 1:44:14, Johnny Wilkin 1:45:47, David Spencer 1:50:02, Sandy Christie and Kevin Oag 1:50:24, Harry Steen 1:50:28, Simon Harrison 1:51:18, Paul Macdonald 1:52:41. 2 laps – Willie Miller 1:14:20, Jayne Klimas 1:15:55, Jonathan Kennedy 1:16:34, Sarah Brooks 1:29:25, Martine Hughes 1:32:23, Julieanne Leslie 1:32:41, Phil Cartwright and Francesc Aub-Robinson 1:38:22, Ruth Akers 1:41:01. 1 lap – Mandy MacIntyre 57.33, Les Mackay 57.34.
The second run was an evening run at Newton Croft near Wick. The 1.1-mile outer loop of the forest was lit with glow sticks attached to the trees to mark the route, making sure no-one got lost in the dark. Runners commented that it was an impressive sight especially as the night was very still and the sky full of stars.
Despite the glow sticks, headtorches were still used in the interests of safety. There was a mass start and it was up to the individual runner to complete as many loops as they wished up to a maximum of five. The first runner to complete the five loops was Kenny MacGruer in 39.36.
Behind him was a tussle for second place with Grant Anderson finishing in 41.50, with Ryan Sutherland one second behind and Michael Sutherland seven seconds behind Ryan. Following the run, refreshments were served in the croft.
Results – 5 loops – Kenny MacGruer 39.36, Grant Anderson 41.50, Ryan Sutherland 41.51, Michael Sutherland 41.58, Sandy Christie 46.08, Willie Miller 46.25, Graeme Morgan 47.17, Simon Harrison 48.56. 4 loops – James Kelman and Paul Steven 40.47, Lorna Stanger 42.15, Paul MacDonald 43.58, Martine Hughes 46.28. 3 loops – Francesca Aub-Robinson 35.20, Marion Budge, Suzie Anderson, Elizabeth Sutherland and Jodie Henderson 39.36. 2 loops – Les Mackay 27.33.
• The next trail run will be the traditional Beach and Bark run on Sunday, February 2, at 10am from the Castletown Heritage Centre. The route is along Dunnet Beach to the visitor centre, then through Dunnet Forest for about two miles, returning to the Heritage Centre along the beach.
This route guarantees wet feet due to the many burns and rivers that have to be crossed. Registration takes place from 9.30am for NHH members.