North Highland Harriers take part in tough Highland Cross event
Caithness athletes were well represented at the Highland Cross on Saturday, when participants in the 41st staging of the event endured hot conditions.
The annual duathlon sees runners and walkers travelling 20 miles from Morvich at Kintail in the west into Glen Affric, before a 30-mile cycle to the east coast at Beauly.
Sam Milton claimed overall victory at the 2025 Highland Cross, marking his first attempt at the challenge with a win.
The offshore worker from Hopeman crossed the line in a time of three hours 35 minutes and 57 seconds, over three minutes ahead of his nearest challenger as Kyle Greig from Alford took second place in 3.39.08.
The 2019 Highland Cross champion Peter Fenwick claimed third place in a time of 3.39.42.
Speaking after his victory, Milton (37) says he was delighted to take top honours in tough conditions in what was an unknown course for him.
“I didn’t really know what to expect, to be honest,” said Milton. “I have been building back up and have been doing a lot on the bike.
“I pushed a bit harder on the run than I intended to and on the bike I was in survival mode from the first pedal stroke.
“I had to keep on top of the hydration and nutrition early on. Credit to the volunteers at the stations because it was really warm.”
Milton hadn’t signed up for the event until 10 days before when he was encouraged to take part by one of his friends.
He has experience of taking part in duathlons and triathlons in the past, but predominantly takes part in running events.
He says that the Highland Cross had always been an event that he wanted to take part in and was delighted to mark his debut with victory.
He said: “I got a message from one of my friends to answer an SOS that a team member had left.
“It is an event which has always been on my radar as the multi sports side of it appeals to me.
“It was a sufferfest and my calves were cramping from the get go. But I saw it over the line.”
Sarah Hodgson powered her way to the women’s title, finishing in a time of four hours, five minutes and 26 seconds.
The 29-year-old, a trainee GP from Inverness, was almost six minutes ahead of Catriona Fraser from Alness who finished second in 4.11.00. Sally Wallis from Aboyne took third place, for the second consecutive year, in a time of 4.21.33.
Hodgson was also a last-minute entrant, stepping in for two-time defending champion Catriona Graves, who had to pull out of this year’s event due to injury.
Hodgson said: “It was a really nice day for it, it was a really good course with a good atmosphere.
“It was tough because there was a headwind the whole way that made part of the run and bike hard. But the sun was out so I can’t complain.
“Someone from the Highland Hill Runners said that I might be in with a chance, but the aim was just to enjoy it as it is a cool course to do.
“I just really enjoyed being able to take part.”
Among the Caithness contingent taking part were several members of the North Highland Harriers.
Selected Caithness results: Kenny MacGruer, 4.50.47; John Budge, 5.28.20; Lorna Stanger, 5.40.03; Ann Cummings, 6.11.44; Erin Robinson, 6.44.59; Martine Hughes, 7.26.26.
Some 752 competitors started the event, with 737 completing the course and 15 retirements.
