Congratulations to the 158 runners who completed this year’s race – what many competitors described as one of the toughest road races in Scotland!

Despite the need to change the course due to the thick ice on sections, the ‘out and back’ course brought much approval from those runners who arrived expecting a challenge.

Stuart Kerr from the organising club, Kirkintilloch Olympians, showed his ability to navigate the climbs to complete the 12.5k route in 42.34 minutes, nearly two minutes faster than his previous best time. For Stuart Campbell in second, running for Arbroath & District, the journey proved well worthwhile, clocking a time of 43.22 to finish more than one minute ahead of local athlete, Louis O’Hare.

Even further travelled Jennifer Emsley, Arran Road Runners, conquered the course well to finish in 21st place overall and the first female finisher. Having run the day before at the National Cross Country championships, Jen performance was all the more creditable. Pamela McCrossan (Clydesdale Harriers) was second female 40 seconds behind with Alison Kerr in third in 54.10 minutes.

In the team competition, the local athletes took first places in both male and female categories, with Scott Lawrie getting special mention as the third member of Olympians male team, and the first junior runner – an impressive 5th place overall.

For the majority of the runners however the task was to beat their previous best times on this course. Many achieved this enjoying the ideal sunny but cold conditions.

Race organiser Robert Rogerson and the team of marshals from the Olympians ensured that all the runners finished safely, and thanks to other Olympians in the school, hot coffee and tea with backing was much appreciated by the runners as they picked up a goody bag.

The full prize list for individuals was:

First maleStuart Kerr

Second maleStuart Campbell

Third maleLouis O’Hare

Fourth maleDavid Hughes

Fifth maleScott Lawrie (first junior)

First femaleJennifer Emsley

Second femalePamela McCrossan

Third femaleSusan Addison

Fourth femaleHazel Downie

Fifth femaleFiona Dawson

1st male vet 40Gary Mitchell

2nd male vet 40Gerry Craig

3rd male vet 40Colin McNair

1st female vet 35Alison Kerr

2nd female vet 35Annmarie McCaffrey

3rd female vet 35Marina McCallum

1st male vet 50Hugh Laverty

1st male vet 60Frank Murphy

1st female vet 45Marie McChord

1st female vet 55Maggie Hendry