Isle of Harris 10K & Fun-Run
Saturday 1st April 2006

Start near Scalpay Bridge

A total of 44 runners took part in the inaugural Isle of Harris 10K which took place on Saturday the 1st April in near-perfect weather conditions although no-one was fooled into thinking that the favorable weather would make this in any way an easy run. With the race starting at the old fish factory road in Scalpay and finishing at Tarbert School, the frequent up-hill climbs dotted throughout the course make this race one of the toughest 10K routes that many are ever likely to encounter.

As race starter Jim Warnock set the runners off along the Scalpay Bridge, a breakaway group of four lead runners quickly established within the 1st kilometer. Iain MacCorquodale and Iain (Paco) Macdonald (both from North Uist) and SRAC runners, Ross Munro and Andrew (Kegs) MacKenzie had already distanced themselves from the rest of the field as they came through the village of Kyles. Behind the lead group, Eilidh MacKenzie went into an early lead in the woman’s category, closely followed by her SRAC team-mate Chirsty Macleod. As the field passed through the 4k mark, Iain MacCorquodale had already established a lead of over 500 meters and Paco Macdonald  managed to put 80 meters between himself and Andrew-Kegs who was now in 3rd spot, just ahead of Ross Munro.

The water-stop shortly after the 4K point allowed runners to take on fluids in order to prepare them for the steep climb out of Glen Carragraich which is arguably the hardest climb on the course. Once out of Carragraich, runners found themselves at the halfway point at the top of Urgha and with a clear view Tarbert in the distance ahead of them. It was at this point that Shona Morrison from Benbecula began working her way through the field in order to move into 3rd position in the woman’s category as she made the descent from Urgha towards the Lacasdale Lochs.

By the time the race leaders passed through the 6K point to begin a continuous uphill kilometer towards the 7K mark, Iain MacCorquodale had built up a comfortable lead, maintaining a sub-35 minute pace throughout. When Iain’s team-mate Paco Macdonald tackled the final climb out of Urgha Beag at the 8K point, he had lengthened the gap between himself and Andrew Kegs and it was going to be hard to catch him with only 2K’s to go. By this point, the runners were on the home straight to Tarbert as they pushed towards Sunnyhill and it wasn’t long before Iain MacCorquodale powered through Tarbert Main St and past the finish line in a time of 34m 35s. This was an easy win for the 3 times World Island games medalist who chose not to force the pace too much for this race. Iain would have been delighted when Paco Macdonald came home behind him in a time of 38:02 in order to secure 2nd spot and a North Uist one-two. This was a superb run from the youngster to finish ahead of Andrew Kegs who finished in 3rd place with a time of 38:51, thirty two seconds ahead of Ross.

1st female across the lime was Scottish Junior International runner Eilidh MacKenzie (SRAC) in a time of  42:41 in order to secure yet another 1st place in a Western Isles event. Before the 2nd female could cross the line, there was the small matter of 1st Harris local to be dealt with and Adam Johnston and Donald Ewan Mackinnon were busy battling it out in the final kilometer of the race. It was the young undergraduate from Scalpay, Donald Ewen who managed to cross the line first with a brilliant time of 43:57, only eighteen seconds ahead of his former PE teacher Adam Johnston who secured a top-ten placing. Shortly behind the two Harris-men, Chirsty Macleod (SRAC) crossed the line in 46:02 in order to secure the prize for 2nd female. Taking 3rd spot in the woman’s race was Shona Morrison (Benbecula) who registered a finishing time of 47:42. This was another brilliant run from Shona who is in top form just now and she will definitely be a serious contender for prizes during the forthcoming Heb-3 Half-marathon races this summer. The 1st Harris female across the line was Rebecca Passmore from Rodel who finished in a time of 58:35. Becca is part of the recently formed South Harris Jogging Group and this was a superb effort on such a demanding course.

The race organizers, Sport Harris would like to thank all the runners who supported this race, particularly those who traveled from the Uists & Benbecula in order to attend the event. Sport Harris would also like to thank the police, coastguard & marshals who ensured safety of all those taking part in both the 10K & Fun-run. Thanks also to Tarbert Sports Centre for allowing the runners to use their facilities and to Seonag MacLean for providing the tea and refreshments after the event.