Isle of Harris 10K & Fun-Run
Saturday 29 April 2008

Although still in it’s infancy in comparison to some of the more well established events in the Hebridean athletics calendar, the annual Isle of Harris 10K has still managed to gain notoriety for being one of the most gruelling 10K courses in Scotland. It is with understandable trepidation that runners line-up at the start line in Scalpay, each of them only too well aware of the dubious honour levied upon the undulating 6.2mile stretch of road back towards the finish line in Tarbert.

In previous outings the weather has been kind to those who took part in this event but on Saturday 29th March the 47 runners who toed the line at Scalpay were greeted by a strong South Westerly Wind which would only serve to repel them in the opposite direction as they fought their way towards the finish line. There were those who optimistically surveyed the skies to the West, hoping that the weather conditions would relent but two minutes before the race got underway a ferocious thunder clap emanating from a thick black cloud suspended between Guilival & Ben Luskentyre confirmed that there would be no such relief in the weather. By now Tarbert was being bombarded by a vicious hail-stone shower as race starter Rebbeca Passmore got the race under-way and despatched the runners across the Scalpay Bridge.

A lead group quickly formed as the race got under way with SRAC runner Andrew “Kegs” Mackenzie leading the charge towards Kyles village in the company of SRAC veterans Gordon Macdonld & Ross Munro. Also in the lead pack was 16 year old Calum Smith from Tarbert. A debutant at 10K distance but still a still an extremely able young athlete with an abundance of Western Isles Titles and North District Medals to his name. Along with Calum, fellow Tarbert runner Alyson Campbell was sticking to her race plan as she kept up with the lead group maintaining sub 40 minute pace throughout.

The steep climb out of Glen Carragraich offered runners some protection from the ensuing wind but this brief rest bite was far outweighed by the punishing gradient of the hill. The severe wind blast which returned to greet runners at the summit was beginning to take it’s toll on the race leader Keg’s Mackenzie who was struggling to shake off Calum Smith in 2nd place. As the race passed through the half way point just before the Laxdale Lochs, Keg’s unexpectedly withdrew from the race. Calum Smith extended the distance between himself the rest of the pack. However as Calum made his break for freedom it quickly became apparent that he wasn’t going to have things all his own way as he was being rapidly pursued by Alyson Campbell who had by this time worked her way past the SRAC duo of Ross Munro & Gordon Macdonald.

By the time the race approached the final kilometre & entered into Tarbert Main Street. Local spectators were thrilled to see two Tarbert runners battling it out for 1st place. With Calum Smith still in the lead, he was very much aware that the gap behind him was closing rapidly and the continuous glances over his shoulder in order to gauge the proximity of Alyson Campbell would have only served to slow him down rather than create any advantage. Safe in the knowledge that that her close pursuit was causing significant anxiety to the race leader, Alyson put in a ferocious effort in a bid reign-in the Harris FC youngster with only 500m to go but in the end Calum was too strong and he held off to complete a magnificent victory in his first ever 10 kilometre race with an incredible time of 38:40. Alyson crossed the line 20 seconds behind Calum in a time of 39:00 in order to secure the women’s title, 1st local female and a new course record in a time which was over a minute faster than her attempt from the previous year. This was a fantastic performance from both Athlete’s which puts each of them in serious contention for the Western Isles Team scheduled to compete in the World Island Games in Aland next year.

The next runner across the line was Gordon Macdonald (SRAC) who had an excellent run in order to finish in 40:29 and claim the runner-up spot in the men’s race. Behind Gordon his team mate Ross Munro showed signs that he’s making excellent recovery from long-term injury when he finished in 41:55, taking 3rd place in the men’s race. Bragar veteran Donald Smith had a steady race throughout in order to secure the V40 male prize in a time of 42:21 while immediately behind him the small matter of 1st Harris Local was still to be decided. Harris FC team mates Davie Grant (Tarbert) & Iain Maclennan (Scalpay) were side by side as the pace quickened on the downhill towards the finish-line but it was Iain who just managed to edge ahead of Davie, completing the course in 43:07 only two seconds ahead of his team-mate. As well as being a superb individual performance from 16 year old Iain in his first attempt at a 10K, this was also an excellent performance from both footballers which secured the male-team prize for Harris FC.

The 2nd placed female across the line was Shona Morrison from Benbecula who finished in a time of 46:05. Shona like most runners found the weather conditions extremely demanding but she still managed a decent finishing time and deservedly secured a top three placing at this event for the third year in succession. 3rd female across the line was Christine Anderson (Penicuick Harriers) who put in an excellent performance to finish in a time of 47:31. The fastest female V40 runner was Agnes MacIver (SRAC) who finished in a time 55:37 in order to ensure that her trophy can take pride of place beside the male V40 trophy which her husband Howard secured the previous year. With only the ladies team prize yet to be decided in  was the Benbecula team of Shona Morrison, Mairi Matheson, Joan Macdonald & Gwen Evans secured the honours. The Benbecula ladies have been ever-present supporters of this event over the last few years so it was great to see them take home the prize.

  

Sport Harris would like to thank all those who helped out in hosting the Isle of Harris 10K. Andrew Morrison (Tarbert Coast-Guard) for providing 1st aid cover, all the marshals, time-keepers, race officials & other volunteers without whom it would not have been possible to stage this event. Most of all the race organisers would like to thank all those who braved the course & the severe weather conditions in order to take part in the race, thank you very much for your support.

Results

FUN RUN RESULTS