Catriona and James win North District Hill Champs titles at Glenshee

Thursday 7th August 2025

Women’s medallists at the North District Hill Champs (photo via Angela Mudge)

Report by James Espie

The Glenshee 9 race hosted the scottishathletics North District Hill Champs last Sunday.

Combined with a Scottish Hill Runners championship and in fine conditions a stellar field set off for 20 mountainous miles across the Munros of the Glenshee ski centre.

In the North District competition, Catriona Graves (Highland Hill Runners) took the honours ahead of Sally Wallace and C-J Irvine, both Deeside.

Sally also took the W40 prize with Angela Mudge (Ochils) taking the W50 prize.

For the men, early leader Fergus Roberts (HHR) fell foul of some post Celtman fatigue and slipped to second behind James Espie (Deeside) with Jon Gamble (Insch Trail Runners) taking third.

Ewan Wilson and Andrew Radcliff, both Insch Trail Runners, took the M40 and M50 prizes respectively. The ever-present Alan Smith of Deeside was first M60.

In the team competition both Deeside and Highland Hill Runners had two strong women’s finishers, but each lacked a third SA registered counter, so the team prize was not awarded.

The Deeside three of James Espie, Fergus Wood and Alan Smith took the men’s team win over a Insch Trail runners.

Thank you to Al Hubbard for hosting the 2025 North District Hill Champs; Braemar Mountain rescue for safety cover on the hill and to Pro-Tay for the results.

This championship marks a changing of the guard in the North as James Espie steps down as district rep after five years in post.

Thank you very much to all the athletes who have competed for the North and in the North District Hill Champs events. As always, thanks to the race organisers who have hosted us over the last five years. The post will be ably filled by Ross Gollan of East Sutherland AC.