North Highland Harriers among runners at 40th Inverness Half Marathon
Caithness runners took part in the Inverness Half Marathon on Sunday, with 17 members of North Highland Harriers completing the 13.1-mile course.
The 40th anniversary of the popular event saw well over 3000 sign up for the half marathon, as well as a further 1500 in the 5k race.
Mark Taylor was the first of the Harriers back in the half marathon, in a time of 1 hour, 21 minutes and 29 seconds. He was followed by Paul Macdonald in 1.33.12 and John Budge in 1.33.55.
Among the women, Lorna Stanger finished in 1.50.42, Michelle Macleod in 2.00.53 and Marion Budge in 2.03.49.
The half marathon, which includes the Scottish Half Marathon Championships, was won by Jamie Crowe from Central AC in a time of 1.05.19.
The 29-year-old Dundee athlete who is now the national champion said: “It was a great field with the guys that came up for the Scottish Championships.
“It was quite tactical as I went off really slow, some went off at the front and everyone was looking at each other. It gradually got faster and faster and the last six kilometres were really quick.
“I am not fussed about the time, I am just happy with the win against such a strong field.”
The women’s national champion is Nancy Scott from Edinburgh AC who crossed the line in a time of 1.13.24.
The 25-year-old from Edinburgh claimed the women’s title in what she described as perfect conditions – the sun was shining for most of the day.
“There was a group of us who were hanging back and I took it quite conservatively. A few of us broke away at around mile 10 so we left it quite late,” she said.
“I was conscious that I didn’t want to go too fast. I am happy with the time as I thought that I would be slower with the hills.”
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Malcolm Sutherland, CEO of Caledonian Concepts, organiser of the Inverness Half Marathon & 5K, said: “A huge congratulations to all our winners in this very special 40th anniversary edition of the Inverness Half Marathon & 5K.
“It is always inspiring to see so many runners of all abilities take part in this event and to be hosting the Scottish Half Marathon and North District Championships again in this milestone year is fantastic.”
North Highland Harriers results:
Mark Taylor 1.21.29; Paul Macdonald 1.33.12; John Budge 1.33.55; Sandy Christie 1.47.44; David Malcolm 1.49.33; Gary Angus 1.49.47; Lorna Stanger 1.50.42; Darren Malcolm 1.52.35; Alan Hughes 1.55.36; Michelle Macleod 2.00.53; Chris Parkinson 2.02.20; Marion Budge 2.03.49; Chloe Manson 2.04.07; Ayla Barr 2.07.51; Sandy Mackie 2.19.23; Carla Bartholomew 2.28.41; Jamie Law 2.56.59.
North District champions
The North District Championships were also held as part of the Inverness Half Marathon.
The regional champions for 2025 were Shaun Cumming from East Sutherland AC, who completed the half marathon in a time of 1.08.53, and Catriona Fraser from Inverness Harriers in a time of 1.21.56.
Taking the win in the 5k event were Denis Prikulis from Lochaber AC in a time of 15 minutes 31 seconds and Carolyn Cameron from Aberdeen AAC in a time of 17.44.
