Thurso athlete Angela Davidson makes history by becoming first women's champion of Loch Ness 24
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THURSO athlete Angela Davidson made history as she became the first women's champion of Loch Ness 24.
The Scrabster Coastguard volunteer recorded the top women's time and was fourth overall as she completed 24 laps in 24 hours three minutes and 19 seconds.
The event saw over 500 runners tackle a seven-kilometre course, with those completing the most laps in 24 hours crowned the winners in various categories.
Davidson (48) who also works as a customer insight manager for BT, ran 168 kilometres to claim the title.
She said running the same course over and over again for such a long time period was challenging, but was delighted that she came out on top.
"Doing lapped races is different than taking part in a race which involves you just going from A to B," she said.
"Lapped races just involve you going round and round the same course again and again.
"I had Covid earlier in the year and missed one of my races I wanted to compete in, so I thought that I would give this one a go as it was close to home.
"It was a matter of going into it and just take whatever happens.
"I wasn't aware of the time I was doing during the race as I didn't want to put any pressure on myself, I just wanted to keep running.
"I wasn't sure that I had won the race until minutes before the end so it was a nice surprise to find out when I crossed the finishing line."
Davidson is no stranger to competing in long distance running having competed in the West Highland Way and the Moray Way 100 Mile Ultra in the past.
But she says claiming victory in Loch Ness 24 has been the highlight of her running career.
"This has probably been my best performance so far in my running career.
"I have had decent finishes before and won the Tyndrum 24 women's race two and a half year.
"This was a bigger race and attracted more attention from runners.
"There was a lot more competition in this event, so this was probably the best win for me."
