There is only 3 weeks to go to the Caithness Half Marathon. Registration is from 11.30 – 12.30 in Watten Primary School with the race starting at 1.00.

All details for the race can be found under the Caithness Half menu item.  

NHH were out in force at Brora 10k on Sunday 22 July, with over 25 of us turning out to support the race on a very warm and humid day. NHH featured heavily in the prizes with Greg Shearer taking 2nd place in 35.17, Kevin Cormack was 1st Veteran in 37.14 (Kevin also came second at the Stromness 10k the previous day), David Spencer was 1st Super-vet in 40.32, Hannah Patterson was 2nd lady in 45.33 and Rhoda Kennedy was 3rd lady in 48.12. Congratulations to the prize winners and all the NHH runners.

We also had some of the NHH talent of the future running in the 5k and 3k – special mention to Amy Sutherland’s eldest Josh who got a prize in the 5k race.

 

The 10^th Castle of Mey running festival did not disappoint with record numbers of people taking part in the three events across the afternoon.  The glorious weather in Caithness attracted spectators of all ages and saw a fantastic atmosphere at the Castle to welcome all those taking part. 

First off was the 5K Mey Meander which saw 74 walkers heading out from the Castle towards the shore, round towards Scarfskerry and then up onto the main road to finish coming down the drive of the Castle.  The inclusion of this event in a programme otherwise dominated by running, makes sure that there truly is something for everyone and the age range this year proved this to be the case.

The Mey Mile fun run attracted a record 217 children with additional adults trying to keep up with their young charges.  Many of the young runners were out to enjoy the encouragement of the crowds but for some the race was on.  First home in the Primary Schools was Eve Miller and Finlay Gunn, with Rachel May and Jack Wadell taking the Secondary School titles.

The 10^th Castle of Mey 10K saw 333 runners take part in what was warm conditions for running.  This did not stop runners producing excellent performances and many recorded personal best times or improved on what they expected to achieve.  North Highland Harriers (NHH) who organise the event, had provided pace runners who assisted runners to reach their time goals at 50, 55, 60 and 65 minutes as well as providing a buddy runner for those running at a more leisurely pace. 

To the delight of the local crowd and after years of participating in this event, the first runner home taking the Senior Men’s title was Kevin Cormack, NHH in a time of 35.17min.  The race between Kevin and the 2^nd placed Mike Stewart, Keith & District AAC saw the lead changing hands several times with Mike finishing in a time of 35.31min.  Kevin used his local knowledge and held back until the Castle drive where he opened up and then stretched out a convincing lead on Mike.  Both runners although picking up Senior prices are more used to competing in the Master Over 50 category but such was the strength of their runs that they saw off all of the younger runners.  

3^rd Senior home on the day was another visit, Peter Fraser, Inverness Harriers in 37.38min, one of few athletes to travel from the Highland capital but it saw him scoop one of the top prizes on the day. The onto the Master Over 40 age group which is always extremely competitive.  1^st home this year was Davie Macleod in a time of 38.22min, one of a large contingent of Orkney athletes who came over for the day.  2^nd runner was Alistair Skelton in 39.04min following a run out at the Stirling Marathon four weeks ago, with local Dave Stockan, NHH coming home in 3^rd place in 40.33min, another runner who has recently participated this time in the London Marathon.  

Master Over 50 title went to Dave Spencer who along with seven other runners has completed all 10 of the Castle of Mey events.  Dave who runs for NHH finished in a time of 39.45min. 

In the women’s race there was a clear win for Rhona Grant, Highland Hill Runners in a time of 38.09min finishing 5^th overall in the race.  The next two runners home saw local University students returning home to race and it was the old rivalry of the Unis, Edinburgh versus Glasgow.  This time Edinburgh University Hares and Hounds runner, Rhiannon Kirk came out on top in a time of 40.22min, closely followed by Laura Stewart of Glasgow University Hares and Hounds in 40.40min.  

In the Masters category it was a strong run by Shoana Blackadder which saw her take the win in 43.03min, with Lorna Stanger, NHH 2^nd in 45.40min and Marianne Wilson, NHH taking 3^rd spot in 46.27min, another NHH runners who recently completed the London Marathon.  The 1^st Master Over 50 saw a frequent attender at this race, Ruth Spence from Orkney take the honours in a time of 50.52min.

Prizes for 1^st Local runners out with the main prize lists went to two NHH members, Hannah Paterson in 44.42min and Kenny MacGruer in 38.38min. 

The Female and Male team prizes for the Scottish Athletics affiliated clubs were scooped by North Highland Harriers with the Female team comprising of Hannah Paterson, Lorna Stanger, Marianne Wilson and Amy Sutherland where as the men’s team runners were Kevin Cormack, Kenny MacGruer, David Spencer and Darren Sutherland.  

The final prize of the day went to the first team made up of non-running club affiliated runners and this year saw the trophy heading over the water to Orkney Running Group, Marcus Shearer, Ailsa Curnow, Ian Sutcliffe and Erika Clarkson.  The recently formed club were over the moon with their win.

A massive thanks from North Highland Harriers to all of the sponsors, volunteers, runners, walkers and spectators who made the event such a success.  Until next year.  

This year’s prize winners at the Castle of Mey 10k were:

Male
Kevin Cormack, North Highland Harriers
Mike Stewart, Keith and District AAC
Peter Fraser, Inverness Harriers

Female
Rhona Grant, Highland Hill Runners
Rhiannon Kirk, Edinburgh University Hares and Hounds
Laura Stewart, Glasgow University Hares and Hounds

Male Masters
Davie Macleod, Orkney Athletic Club
Alastair Skelton
David Stockan, North Highland Harriers

Female Masters
Shona Blackadder
Lorna Stanger, North Highland Harriers
Marianne Wilson, North Highland Harriers

Male over 50s Masters
David Spencer, North Highland Harriers

Female over 50s Masters
Ruth Spence

Local Male
Kenny MacGruger, North Highland Harriers

Local Female
Hannah Paterson, North Highland Harriers

Male Team
North Highland Harriers – Kevin Cormack, Kenny MacGruger, David Spencer, Darren Sutherland

Female Team
North Highland Harriers – Lorna Stanger, Marianne Wilson, Hannah Paterson, Any Sutherland

Non-affiliated Team
Orkney Running Club – Marcus Shearer, Ian Sutcliffe, Alisa Curnow, Susan Foubister

This Sunday is NHH’s flagship event, the Castle of Mey 10k. All race numbers are now available on the website, and please read carefully all the race information prior to Sunday.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Castle of Mey 10k on Sunday.

The Castle of Mey 10k now has 349 runners entered, get your entries in asap as we have a race limit!

This coming Saturday, NHH are delighted to host the Beinn Ratha Hill Race. Registration / entry is on the day, 1.00pm – 2.00pm at Reay golf club, with the race starting at 2.30pm from Beinn Ratha Terrace in Reay.

Any queries please contact us at northhighlandharriers@gmail.com

Sunday just past was the Wildcat Trail which includes a run up Ben Braggie, results can be found here. A massive thanks to Coby and the team for hosting this trail.

Langwell trail run joined the trail series on Sunday 18 March, a fantastic addition with beautiful views and killer hills, you can find the results here. Huge thanks to Ryan, Simon and Michael for organising it.

Well done to all the runners at the Bettyhill Heaven and Hell trail run, you will find your results here. Massive thanks to Sandy and Les for organising.