Isle of Harris 10K & Fun Run
Saturday 28th March 2009

Link to Adrienne's Photos of the day

As far as 10 kilometre road races go, there are few courses which follow a more demanding route than that of the Isle of Harris 10K yet this didn't seem to deter the record number of entrants who took part in this years event. Fortunately the early morning strong winds and snow showers relented in good time for the runners as race starter Agnus Morrison dispatched them over the Scalpay Bridge, back towards the finish line in Tarbert.

Leading the charge out of Kyles Scalpay was veteran world 800m champion Alasdair Dunlop closely followed by a tightly packed group of 4 lead runners. Alastair was unexpectedly forced to give up the lead at the 3km mark after succumbing to an affliction which all runners are forced to endure at some point in their career, and untied shoelace. With Jonny Pritchard, Howard MacIver and Stuart MacIver now well into their 10mph race-pace, it took Alasdair until the 5km to catch up with the main group again. By now the race was proceeding down towards the Laxdale Lochs in Urgha and the two SRAC veterans Howie and Alastair began to put distance between themselves and the remainder of the field. It was at this same point that Harris runners Alison Campbell and Kyle Macleod chose to make their move as they quickened the pace in the final 4 km.

As the race neared the finish line in Tarbert Alastair was in the lead but a resilient Howie was determined to keep himself in contention for a sprint finish. By the time both athletes could see the finish line there was little between them but it was Alastair who held on to secure victory in a time of 38:54, 8 seconds ahead of Howie. It was a thrilling end to what was the most closely contested Harris 10K yet, hosting a good few runners who were capable of securing the title but in the end it was the experience of Alastair which persevered. One of those contenders was Glasgow man Jonny Pritchard who took 3rd place in fantastic time of 39:34. Jonny trains exceptionally hard at his running and did very well to see off the challenge from Stuart MacIver from Point who also had an excellent run in order to secure a sub-40-minute time.

It wasn’t long before the first local was coming through the finish line with Kyle Macleod (Tarbert) executing a text-book negative split run which profited him a further 6 places in the latter stages of the race as well as an outstanding finishing time of 40:13. Next across the line was the winning female, Alison Campbell (Tarbert) finishing in a quick time of 40:33 to secure the ladies title for the second year in a row. Behind Alison, SRAC runner Ross Munro secured the veteran prize in a time of 40:49 to book his place amongst the prize winners. By now runners where appearing from over the horizon with greater regularity, many of whom were representatives of the winning male team, Harris FC who’d turned out in force to support the event. Special mention she be made of 15 year old Malky Campbell (Tarbert) who was part that winning team, making his 10K debut with an outstanding time of 45:11. Rhoda Bamsey from Uig also had a superb run in order to take the 2nd female prize and in doing so, achieving a sub-45 minute time. The 3rd female to cross the line was Scalpay runner Fiona Toor who was the first lady home for the Tarbert Youth Fellowship team who were running to help raise money for their forthcoming trip to Nepal this summer and were rewarded with the ladies team prize for their efforts.

The female veteran prize was won by Guernsey athlete Penny Buckingham who completed the course in a time of 54:33. Penny represented Guernsey in the 2002 Commonwealth Games where she completed an incredible sub-3-hour marathon so it was no surprise to see her amongst the medals at the Harris 10K. Shortly behind Penny local runner Heather Pickard (Amhninnsuidhe) completed the course in a fantastic time of 55:12 to take home the 1st local female prize.

As with every race there are many untold stories of individual perseverance and achievement and the race organisers “Sport Harris” were delighted to see the event being so well attended. It’s always been intended for the Harris 10K to help encourage as many people as possible within the greater community of the Western Isles to take part in any way they can, so the organisers were delighted that a group of walkers chose to walk the route as well as with the young relay teams who shared the work-load amongst them from Scalpay to Tarbert. In thanking all those who took part in the event Sport Harris would also like to thank Sir E. Scott School, The local police, coastguard, Vanessa at Black Cat Studios and all the race officials without whom it would not be possible to host this event.

Click here to read a full report on the 2008 race

Click here to read a full report on the 2007 race

Click here to read a full report on the 2006 race