Ultra special: Henry lands gold to lead Scotland men to ACP 100k glory in Leicester

Monday 5th May 2025

Report by Adrian Stott

Scotland’s Henry Hart ran an exceptional race to win the British 100km Championship at the annual Anglo-Celtic Plate Home Countries International, held at Mallory Park near Leicester.

And Henry, from Belgrave Harriers, also led the Scotland men’s team to the team title on a great weekend for our ultra runners.

Jacqueline Wilson placed fourth in the women’s championship and took the Scottish title while leading the Scotland women’s team to the silver medals.

The course was a 4.872-kilometre loop with some undulations on each lap. Runners ran a part lap, then 20 circuits of the motor racing course.

England’s Rob Payne was the early leader, with Hart content at that stage to follow in a small pack behind.

Hart emerged from the chasing group to take the lead from Payne around 40 miles and was never headed. Increasing his pace slightly, Hart stayed strong to the end, running negative splits to record 6:37:18, moving him to tenth athlete on the British 100 km all-time list and fourth on the Scottish all-time list.

On the undulating Mallory Park course, which was variously described as challenging and tough by the runners, it was an excellent time.

Hart, who lives in London, came into the race having recorded PBs at the Marathon (2:18:45) and 50km (2:50:33) in recent months.

A further indication that 100km, at an elite level, continues to attract competent marathon runners looking to challenge themselves over longer distances.

England’s Shaun Dixon took second in 6:56:13, with Ireland’s Ciaran McGonigle third in 6:59:44. The 2022 British champion, Jarlath McKenna ,was in fourth, with 7:06:07, and took third in the GB Championships.

The Men’s team competition decided on the cumulative time of each nation’s first three finishers, was not decided until the final hour. Scotland’s first three runners stayed strong to hold off England, with Ireland in third.

Photo with thanks to Jason Kelly

In the women’s race, a strong England team took a clean sweep of the podium, with Scotland’s Jacqueline Wilson finishing fourth to claim the Scottish title.

In the early stages, the England trio of Steph McCall, Katie Young and Belinda Houghton were running together, with Kelsey Price and Northern Ireland’s Karen Wilton a few seconds back.

It was Price who proved the stronger in the second half of the race, to take the title in 7:44:21, five minutes ahead of Houghton in 7:49:57. Katie Young gave England a clean sweep of the podium, taking the third spot in 8:05:47.

This gave England’s Women a clear win in the team competition. Scotland were second and Ireland third.

Chloe Sangster made the long journey from Aberdeen to take part in the open race and was rewarded with the silver medal in the Scottish Championships. Danni Callaghan of Falkirk Victoria Harriers took third.

Men’s Scottish Championship results

1. Henry Hart (Belgrave Harriers) Scotland. 6:37:18
2. Joe Beaton (Tavistock) Scotland 7:08:49
3. Michael Deason  V40 (Shettleston) Scotland 7:38:17

Other Scottish placings:

15th. Adam Gray V40 (Penicuik) Scotland 7:55:55

18th. Dave Andrews V40 (Metro Aberdeen) Northern Ireland  8:09:01

21st. Dave Shaw Scotland  8:43:24

Scottish Masters Champions

1 Deason; 2 Gray; 3 Andrews

Women Sal Championships

1. Jaqueline Wilson V40  (Unattached) Scotland  8:18:45
2. Chloe Sangster (Metro Aberdeen) 8:56:14
3. Danni Callaghan (Falkirk Victoria Harriers) Scotland 9:12:24
4. Joanna Wilson (Metro Aberdeen) Scotland 9:22:48

Overall Men’s Results

1. Henry Hart (Belgrave Harriers) Scotland 6:37:182.
2. Shaun Dixon (South West Vets AC ) England 6:56:13
3. Ciaran McGonigle (Letterkenny) Ireland 6:59:44
4. Jarlath McKenna (Tyne Bridge) Northern Ireland 7:06:07
5. Joe Beaton (Tavistock) Scotland 7:08:49
6. Gary Marshall (South West Vets AC) 7:11:02

Overall Women’s Results.

1. Kelsey Price (RunHead AC) England 7:44:21
2. Belinda Houghton (Fylde Coast) England 7:49:57
3. Katie Young (Fulham RC) England 8:05:47
4. Jaqueline Wilson (Unattached) Scotland 8:18:45
5. Steph McCall (Clapham Chasers) England 8:26:39
6. Jennifer Wood (Paddock Wood AC) England 8:49:56

Anglo Celtic Plate Team Compettion

Men

1. Scotland
2. England
3. Ireland

Women

1. England
2. Scotland
3. Ireland

Scottish MV60 record for Neil Kelly.

In the open 50km race, Neil Kelly of Metro Aberdeen set what we belive to be a new Scottish MV60 record for 50km. His time of 3:49:36 (TBC) bettering the 3:54:26 recorded by Shettleston’s John Duffy at Perth in 2024.

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Tags: Anglo-Celtic Plate 100k, Henry Hart, Ultra running

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