New and familiar medallists at Lindsays Masters XC in Aberdeen

Saturday 5th February 2022

Our Masters M40 race podium – gold medallist Ewan Cameron is joined by Central AC duo Ross Houston and Scott Brember (photo by Pete Bracegirdle)

Results link on our Event section page

Report by Fraser Clyne

Ewan Cameron picked up his first national title when striking gold in the Lindsays Masters XC  M40 race at Aberdeen’s Balgownie playing fields on Saturday.

The 41 year-old Edinburgh AC member grasped the initiative at the top of the first hill on the three-lap 8k course and was never put under any pressure from that point on as he went on to win in 26:20.

‘At the top of the first hill I was with a few others who looked strong on the climb,’ said Ewan.

‘But I’m good at downhills so I tried for a gap and got it. Then I knew I had to keep it going. There was no turning back. Fortunately I managed to hold onto that lead.’

Apart from a couple of parkruns this was Cameron’s first race since a 2:19:41 performance in December’s Valencia marathon.

‘I was a runner when I was young but gave it up for 17 years,’ he revealed.

‘I got back into it about five years ago when my wife entered me for the Edinburgh marathon which I completed in about 3:36.

‘My dad is from Stirling but I moved up to Edinburgh last year after living in London and other places.

‘We have a baby due in a couple of months so once I’ve learned about being a dad I’ll maybe target another marathon at the back end of the year.

‘I feel I can still improve, but who knows? I’m intrigued to find out.’

Ross Houston (Central AC) the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games runner, was second in 26:31 with his clubmate Scott Brember picking up the M45 title when finishing third in 27:06

Fifth placed Andrew Davis led PH Racing Club to the team title.

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Our Masters M65 podium is topped by Alastair Walker with Tony Martin of Fife AC second and Brian Urquhart of Fraserburgh third (photo by Pete Bracegirdle)

Teviotdale’s Alastair Walker won the M65 title when leading the field home in the 6k which was combined with the women’s race. I

It’s possibly the first time a male runner has won the combined race.

The Borderer was competing a week after setting a world M65 indoor 3000m record of 9:59.02.

‘I’m really pleased to win, especially after getting the 3k record last week,’ said Alastair.

‘I was pushed hard by the women though, but it was good to have that competition.  I’m going to run in the indoor 1500m championships next week, although that’s way below my distance

‘ But it’s all good preparation for the summer where I’m aiming for the 5k and 10k at the World Masters championships.’

Fiona Matheson, who also set a world 60m indoor 3000m record seven days earlier, won the W60 title in 25:15.

Metro Aberdeen’s Les Nicol celebrated his 86th birthday on race day by winning M85 gold.

Les Nicol, on his 86th birthday, on his way to gold at Aberdeen (photo supplied by Quintin Chalmers)

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Michelle Sandison’s long journey paid off as she is joined by Lesley Bell and Carol Parsons (photo by Pete Bracegirdle)

Michelle Sandison won the W40 title  despite enduring a stormy marathon sea journey from her home on the Shetland island of Whalsay.

The 41 year-old, who represents Springburn Harriers, completed the testing 6k course in 23:23 to strike gold at the end of a competitive race in which five seconds separated the first three finishers.

Lesley Bell, who won the W45 prize, led Garscube Harriers to the team title when finishing second in 23:04, while Carol Parsons (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers) was third in 23:07.

‘I left the island I live on at 2pm on Friday and the ferry got into Aberdeen at 7am on Saturday,’ said Michelle.

‘Between Shetland and Orkney I was lying flat on the deck holding on, it was so rough. Not the ideal preparations, but it was worth it to get this win.

‘I didn’t look at the start list beforehand as I thought ignorance would be bliss, although when we lined up and I saw the other girls I knew it would be tough.’

Sandison used her experience of running on the hilly windswept roads of Whalsay to help her conquor the roller coaster elements of the Balgownie course.

This was Sandison’s first race since finishing eighth overall, but first in her age group at the West District championships in December.

She said: ‘I wasn’t happy with that performance so I decided to take the pressure off myself and joined a friend’s training group in Lerwick.

‘I feel I really benefitted from running with them rather than doing all my training alone. It has helped having company again. Now I’m now looking forward to the Lindsays National XC  at Falkirk later in the month.

‘Thankfully I am part of the Shetland Athlete Travel Award scheme and want to thank Shetland Islands Council and sportscotland for helping fund my travel to these championship events.’

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Tags: Aberdeen, Lindsays Masters XC, Masters athletics