On the roads: details on Great Scottish Run and Loch Ness Marathon

Sunday 1st October 2023

Natasha Phillips and Jamie Crowe cross the finish line in Glasgow to win the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run (photos by Bobby Gavin)

Results

Jamie Crowe and Natasha Phillips savoured success at the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run – then set their sights on the cross country.

And both winners could have the Euro Cross firmly in their sights as they spoke about the trial races in Liverpool at the end of November as a target.

Crowe has represented GB and NI in cross country already while Phillips – who continued her remarkable 2023 on the roads in Glasgow – was at the European Juniors in August for 5000m on the track.

Jamie won the title which Callum Hawkins claimed a year ago with a sub 65-minute clocking by ten seconds. Tom Martyn of Corstorphine AAC was second in 66:59 and Central AC’s Alastair Hay was third in 67:25.

Natasha for her part was well clear of the rest in the Women’s as she came home in 72:13 on a day when windy conditions probably made fast times difficult.

Inverclyde athlete Nynke Mulholland-Stummer was second in 79:30 and Shona McIntosh of Hunters Bog Trotters took third in 80:36.

Photos on Facebook by Bobby Gavin

There were 10k wins for Lewis Hannigan of Kilbarchan AAC and visiting English athlete, Lily Partridge.

Lewis clocked 31:27 to win from his Kilbarchan AAC team-mate, Fraser Gilmour (31:44). Lily was at 33:08 with Josie Wren-Golder of Corstorphine AAC taking second place in 36:14 and Jill Cox of Greenock Glenpark Harriers third in 37:53.

Over the same distance, there were wheelchair race wins for Sean Frame and Melanie Woods. Sean clocked 25:09 and Melanie was at 29:37.

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Photo via Loch Ness Marathon

Moray Pryde caused a major upset when powering to an impressive victory in the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon in 2:22.04.

The 28-year-old Lothian RC member from Broxburn,wasn’t quoted among the pre-race favourites but scythed a remarkable nine minutes off his previous best time to take the top prize.

Pryde started cautiously then worked his way through the field, catching long-time leader Tom Charles (Chorlton Harriers) just before the 23-mile mark.

Moray then picked up the pace and sprinted home looking as fresh as he did in the opening stages. Charles had to settle for second position in 2:24:05 while Inverness athlete Shaun Cumming (Highland Hill runners) took third spot in 2:30:35.

‘I’m quite new to running but I’ve done six marathons now,’ said Moray,

‘My first one was here in 2019 when I ran 2:51:04 then I improved to 2:40:43 last year. My best time before today was 2:31:48 at London in April, so I’m definitely heading the right way. I must credit my coach, Owen Williams, who has got me organised.

‘I’m now training regularly, rather than casually, and that has made a big difference.My aim today was to be in the top five and get under 2:30, so I’ve done much better than expected.’

Melissah Gibson loves to run marathons and celebrated completing her 90^th outing over the distance with a fine victory in the women’s division.

The Ealing Eagles club member missed her PB by only three seconds when clocking 2:43:45, which is the third quickest time in the 21 year history of the race.

Edinburgh-based Irish runner Doireann Hughes secured a lifetime best of 2:56:03 when finishing second. It was only her third marathon and this was by far her best.

Banchory’s Rosa Donaldson (Glasgow University), who held second position for the first 18 miles, struggled badly over the later stages but battled bravely to hold onto third spot in 3:02:40.

With thanks to Fraser Clyne

?Congratulations to our 2023 Baxters River Ness 10K champions ?

Max Abernethy, #FraserburghRunningClub in a time of 30:10 and Claire Bruce @MetroAberdeenRC in 34:46.#baxters10k #riverness10k pic.twitter.com/bSX30B0Ozt

— Loch Ness Marathon (@nessmarathon) October 1, 2023