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(The Wikipedia entry for Fell Running, states: The Ramsay Round, also known as the Charlie Ramsay Round, is a long distance hill running challenge near Fort William, Scotland. The route is a circuit of 58 miles, taking in 24 summits with a total climb of around 28,500 feet. Ben Nevis, Great Britain‘s highest peak, is included in the route along with 22 other Munros. Originally, all 24 summits on the Ramsay Round were Munros, but Sgorr an Iubhair was declassified as a Munro in 1997. The route was devised by Charlie Ramsay as an extension to an existing 24-hour walking route, and first completed by Ramsay on 9 July 1978.

Charlie’s completion created Scotland’s Classic Mountain Marathon. The aim is for participants to complete the route, on foot, within 24 hours. Runners must start and finish at the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, and may run the route in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.)

These challenges were/are serious and the men to tackle them are all good, strong and clever men.   You can’t navigate the Ramsay Round, for example, without being able to read a map.   I once sat in on Bobby Shields and his brother Jim talking about a run over many miles of the Scottish Highlands and they were reading the maps as you or I would read a book.   No hesitation, contour lines taken as read, assumptions about the nature, steepness and an automatic, at times unspoken, spotting of the best line to take.    

One man who could run equally well on Road, and Hill was the great Donald Ritchie.    There is another very good article on the Ramsay Round at this link .

…

One of the lesser known tracks in Glasgow was called Stanalane.   There are many buildings, churches and houses known as ‘standalane’ because of their lonely position and it is possible that Stanalane Road in Thornliebank was named after one of those.   Thornliebank is part of  Greater Glasgow, 6 miles (10 km) south of Glasgow city centre, and just outside the city’s administrative boundaries and is now part of the East Renfrewshire local authority.   It was set in woods; quite scenic but it is now gone to make way for a new road into a new housing estate.   The track was home to the venerable West of Scotland Harriers – at one point contesting the position of Scotland’s number one club with a host of champions and championships to its name and many of its athletes represented Scotland internationally.   It was like other small tracks and sports venues where many an athlete started in the sport, learned his trade and is fondly remembered by all who used it.   Norrie Dallas of West of Scotland Harriers looks back nostalgically with this beautiful piece.

Stanalane – memories of one harrier’s spiritual home

My first thought. I don’t know much about Stanalane. And then.

I joined the West of Scotland Harriers’ Club in September 1962, prior to that I probably didn’t know Stanalane existed.The small park about 6-7 acres on two levels just south of Spiers Bridge at the start of the Stewarton Road, was looked after by Rouken Glen Park. The lower part was grassland with a wide winding cinder track leading up from the entrance to the back of the pavilion. The black cinder track, at the upper southerly end of the park, was about four lanes wide, although much wider on the long home straight and was D shaped with the pavilion being half way along the vertical leg of the D with two tight bends coming into and out of the home straight, two short straights and a long bend. I understand the track measured 441 yds. (but there are other versions of the weird distance). I was also told that it was laid out for pony trotting, but I doubt if that would be so because of the shape, which I think would be due to the configuration of the site. There was also a long jump pit and board at the far end and a shot circle, (no stop board), at the start of the home straight both outwith the track. In the centre was a cricket wicket that appeared well maintained during the season and was used for home matches by Thornliebank CC and occasionally by Weirs Recreation Second II.

Concrete steps led up from the lower end of the park to the track level. The pavilion, about 7.2 x 3m, was of brick construction to the concrete and granolithic floor level and above that timber framing clad in weatherboarding painted green and topped by a corrugated pitched roof. Timber steps the full width of the pavilion took us to decking and the two changing rooms. We always used the left-hand room which had a kitchenette with a sink, gas ring and a large gas geyser whose pilot light occasionally went out and when relit went on with a loud pop that shook the whole contraption. There was no heating or lighting of any kind. Along the gable wall was a hinged bench, closed in to the front, which gave storage space for cricket items. Behind the door and under the window there was a slatted massage table which I was told had come from a Clyde rowing club via Govanhill Baths and had been carried to Stanalane. In the back corner the glorious single shower welcomed muddy tired elated harriers who crammed in. All that was the Left Hand room, the Right Hand being similar but without the kitchenette or massage table. On my very first run with the club we also used the Right Hand room. At basement level there was a 3rd changing room with shower and was used by the Stanalane Stompers (see below) during the summer when there was a cricket match.

After winter runs which often ended in the gloaming, we were welcomed by Johnny Todd with a cup of tea and two tea biscuits which never tasted better. We paid about 4d or 6d. Johnny Todd (always Mr) and Bob Smith (always Captain re his BB connections), were both still running in the early 60s. Only once did Mr Todd refuse to let us run and that was due to very thick fog. 

The pavilion was normally opened for us by Donald Fletcher (always Donald). He was the only park keeper at Rouken Glen, and was always uniformed. Other employees would be mainly gardeners I presume. Donald lived in a stone-built cottage on Rouken Glen Rd next to a park entrance ‘til retirement and Woodfarm thereafter. Sometimes he would leave us to lock up, which allowed him to get round the Glen’s gates before it was pitch black. We left the keys under the large roller that was chained and padlocked to the balusters at the LH end of the step

The Stanalane Stompers were a fluid pack of runners from a number of clubs that met on a Saturday afternoon and ran over the roads south of Stanalane by the Barrhead waterworks, Neilston and beyond covering generally about 8 1/2 to 18 miles. Gordon Porteous, Emmet Farrell (both Maryhill Harriers) and Gavin Bell (Bellahouston Harriers) were the ringleaders but Andy Forbes of Victoria Park was also a semi regular face. We would all set off together leaving the park at the far end and break into two packs after about 1/2 a mile. The last 2 1/8 miles were a welcome downhill. The sun always shone at least for the summer runs (funny how you block out grotty weather) and it was weary runners that crowded into the single shower. When cricket matches were on it was nice to relax sitting on the steps in front of the pavilion to the sound of leather on willow. Inevitably after a few balls the players would come in for a tea prepared by the ladies. Civilized game this cricket.

One Saturday afternoon Danny Cowan of Maryhill Harriers and I took a number of the boys over a hillside field on the left of the Stewarton Road just beyond Deaconsbank golf course. We had never run there before, all our country trails being on the other side of the road. We were bowling along near the edge of the field when a Land Rover stopped on the other side of the fence and a well-dressed lady alighted and asked us very politely if we wouldn’t run over the field as she was concerned about damage to the fences due to their condition. We chatted and readily acceded, the field being pretty boring anyway. On cue, Danny rested his foot on the fence rail and it snapped. 

The following is a Stompers tale. Rab and George were two quite elderly runners; possibly Vicky Park. They sometimes came to Stanalane on a summer Saturday afternoon, and, always going out together after the pack had left, enjoyed a short slow-ish run together, usually being changed by the time we returned. One day I entered the park first, just in time to see George disappearing down the steps. The rest of the boys returned shortly and we realized that there was a set of extra clothes on a peg. “Must be Rab’s.” I said. I volunteered to see if I could find him and jogged up the Stewarton Road where I found him opposite the rugby club, making his way very slowly. “Hi Rab, you ok?” “Two left feet today,” he replied. “Aye, we all have runs like that sometimes.” “No, no,” he went on, “I really do have two left feet. I have two pairs of running shoes the same and in my haste to get out I grabbed two lefts, but just decided to have my run anyway.” We made our way back, one hobbling, the other mulling over the sanity of runners.

The last run from Stanalane was on Saturday 15th of January 1977, (no bugles no drums). The next week was the Western District CC at Loudon Castle, Galston and then it was Eastwood Baths. The lower park to the north is now a wooded bank at the roundabout to the east end of the Rouken Glen Road which is now re-aligned to take account of new houses and a new road layout. The flat southern end that was the site of the pavilion and track housed a new Deaconsbank Golf course club house with a driving range and is now the location of a David Lloyd sports centre.

Stanalane was everything it should be for a cross country runner or a road-runner; rural, picturesque and with basic facilities that just mirrored the sport. What more could you ask? If you stand there on a still and peaceful autumn evening you might just hear a distant pop. The geyser’s gone out again!

Norrie Dallas

Still in two relationships – one to my lovely wife and the other, the West of Scotland Harriers.

***

Hamish Telfer, a friend of Norrie’s has his own memories of the track and describes the venue as he remembers it.

There had been marathons held in and around Edinburgh before the 1980’s with some having been run in connection with the Edinburgh Highland Games, the SAAA Marathon Championship had been held from Meadowbank,  and before that from Falkirk to Edinburgh, but the races held during the years of the ‘marathon boom’ in the 1980’s were different and not just because of the size of the fields.   Colin Youngson has compiled this list of the races held at that time.

1982   

5/09/1982 EDINBURGH Marathon  ENG 7 SCO 23 NED 25 1 Dave Ellis (ENG/Birchfield) 2:21:09, Bill Cain (ENG/Saltwell) 2.21.20, 3 Lindsay Robertson 2:21:43, 8 Sandy Keith 2:30:39, 12 Craig Ross 2:34:00. This included an International Match, with Lindsay Robertson, Sandy Keith and Craig Ross representing Scotland.

[As well as (like Craig Ross) running International Marathons for Scotland, Sandy Keith and Lindsay Robertson ran several for Great Britain.] 

1983

                                                                                                                                  1983 results

In 1983 there were three very good marathons for Lindsay Robertson of Edinburgh AC: in Barcelona, London and Edinburgh where he won in 2:21:36.

Lindsay Robertson, a Scottish and GB International Marathoner, wrote: “In 1982 I ran my first marathon in June in the AAA at Gateshead. Edinburgh, in September was my second marathon. I had already sent in an application form for the race when I was selected for a three-man Scottish Team for it, consisting of Sandy Keith, Craig Ross and myself.

One funny thing I recall was that there was a Dutch team in 1982. A day or two before the race we were driven over the course. The Dutch were in the car behind and signalled to us to stop. This was on Lauriston Farm Road, I think, which is a big hill. They emerged from their car looking unhappy and one said they would have big problems. They had been told that the Edinburgh Marathon was on a flat course!

I was 3rd in 1982 and first in 1983 and 1984. I didn’t run it in ‘85 because of the European Cup Marathon (running for a GB team) and not in 1986 because of the Commonwealth Games Marathon (selected for Scotland but sadly, due to injury, could not start). I think 1986 was the last time the Edinburgh Marathon was run before being ‘resurrected’ in its current format.

Someone told me that in 1985, as the leading pack went past somewhere, someone shouted ‘Come on Lindsay, you’ll win!’ Someone else called out ‘It’ll be a bloody miracle if he does. He isn’t running this year!’’

                                                                 Left to right: Ian Elliot, Alec Robertson, Lindsay Robertson, with Dave Ellis hidden behind

1984 was a good year for Lindsay Robertson, the hard-training, clean-living runner from Edinburgh Athletic Club. He started the year by finishing an excellent 6th in the hilly and very competitive International Barcelona Marathon. His time was 2.16.15. A winning performance in the Edinburgh Waverley Market Marathon reduced his personal best to 2.15.55, with Evan Cameron, a 1983 Scottish International cross-country runner, in second place breaking the 2.20 barrier in 2.19.34.

“September 2nd.   EDINBURGH MARATHON.   Lindsay Robertson, Edinburgh Athletic Club, the defending champion and home favourite set a course record and a personal best in winning this year’s Edinburgh Marathon in a time of 2:15:55 (his winning time last year was 2:21:35.   A field of 3,597 runners lined up outside Meadowbank Stadium at 8:30 am on Sunday morning, with light rain making the conditions perfect for the runners.   As the race got underway, a group of four runners were immediately to the fore.   The group contained Lindsay Robertson (EAC), Evan Cameron (Edinburgh SH), Alec Robertson (ESH) and the winner of the first Edinburgh Marathon in 1982, Dave Ellis of Birchfield Harriers.   By the time they had run two miles, this group was 100 yards clear of the next runner with the rest of the field starting to settle into their pace.   As the runners reached Princes Street they were being caught by Brian Emmerson of Teviotdale Harriers.   However, soon after catching the group he was again dropped and they continued to push on.   Lindsay Robertson at this point was doing most of the front running and it was good to see the Scotland squad in a 1,2 and 3 position with Dave Ellis still with the group but not looking very comfortable.   By halfway, Lindsay Robertson and Evan Cameron had broken away from Alec Robertson and Ellis.   It looked certain that one of these two would be the winner as they sped through 16 miles with most of the field quite far behind.   Robertson, still doing most of the front running, started to pull away from Cameron as they ran along Cramond sea front and by 19 miles he had opened a gap on Cameron.   Looking stronger all the time, Robertson pulled further away from Cameron and entered Meadowbank Stadium to a huge roar from the crowd as he sprinted down the finishing straight like a 1500m runner and clocked 2:15:55.   There was a wait of over three and a half minutes for Cameron whose time (2:19:34) was still inside the course record.   Bill Venus of Exeter Harriers pulled through strongly to take third place.   Lindsay Robertson, on winning, is now faced with a dilemma: whether to take advantage of his first place prize, a full expenses paid trip to the New York Marathon, when he is earmarked to compete for Britain in an international event in Czechoslovakia around the same date.” 

                              1984: Lindsay Robertson leads from his Scotland team-mates Evan Cameron and Alec Robertson. Dave Ellis of England follows.

Alec Robertson remembers: “I ran the Edinburgh Marathon in 1983, 1984 and 1985. It was a well-organised event. In 1983 I finished fourth in 2.28.45; 1984 16^th in 2.31, having suffered a stitch; and in 1985 11^th in 2.28.10.

In 1984 I was part of the Scottish team (with Lindsay and Evan) and we received complete International kit: vest, shorts, tracksuit and even shoes!” Unfortunately, England did not send a complete team, so Scotland won unopposed.”

1985 1/09/1985 EDINBURGH Marathon  SCO 3  WAL 8  IRL 11 ENG 14  1 Mike Carroll (SCO) 2:18:47 2 Scott McDonald 2:22:01, 10 Murray McNaught 2:27:54. Once more, this included an International Match, with Mike Carroll, Scott McDonald and Murray McNaught running for Scotland. Third finisher was Mick McGeoch (Wales) 2.22.58; fourth Tommy Hughes (Ireland) 2.24.24; fifth Steve Brown (Wales) 2.25.10; sixth Ian Bloomfield (England) 2.25.16.

The ‘Glasgow Herald’ of 2nd September, 1985 had this report in the ‘Results in Brief’ section: “Only 2000 runners finished the Edinburgh Waverley Market Marathon out of a total of 3300 entries.   The winner was Mike Carroll, a 27-year-old production engineer from Annan and District AC, in 2:18:41.   In 61st place overall was the man who the Commonwealth Games gold over the same classic distance in Edinburgh in 1970, Ron Hill, who recorded 2:48:15.   The first woman home was Heather McDuff of Edinburgh AC.”   

                                                                   Left to right: Evan Cameron of Edinburgh Southern Harriers and Mike Carroll 

                                                                                                                          Victory for Mike Carroll

                                                     Left to right: Tommy Hughes (Ireland), Murray McNaught (Scotland), Steve Brown (Wales), Mick McGeoch (Wales, number 16), Scott McDonald (Scotland, number 10). Scott McDonald went on to finish second and ensure a Scottish team victory in the International contest. In 2020 Tommy Hughes from Northern Ireland became M60 Marathon World Record holder, adding to his previous M55 World Record. Thanks to Graham MacIndoe for the race photos.

1986 The 1986 SAAA Marathon was part of the Edinburgh Marathon which followed a tortuous route from outside Meadowbank, up to the Royal Mile, down Lothian Road, right along Princes Street and back to the start. Then it continued to Seafield, Cramond and back to Seafield before climbing up to the start/finish.

This race was to be the battle of the veterans – Donald Macgregor, the favourite, and Brian Carty of Shettleston Harriers. The latter, a steadily improving, strong-looking man, had finished second in the Scottish Veterans Cross-country Championships, although he much preferred road racing. Brian remembered that he was wary of going too fast, too soon, on a hilly course, so he stayed with the second pack some distance behind the group of six leaders. As far as he could see, Don Macgregor was playing ‘cat and mouse’ with them. Eventually Donald went off into a clear lead, until Brian came through and caught him at Cramond (17 miles).

Carty’s coach, Hugh Mitchell, had advised him, ‘When you catch someone up, talk to them – it shows that you’re fresh.’ So Brian asked how Donald was feeling, and shortly afterwards began to draw away. He finished very strongly indeed, while Donald faded. Although he felt good all the way, he was a lone figure, especially through Seafield, because of the lack of spectators. Only at the finish was there applause, as Brian Carty won the Edinburgh Marathon and the Scottish Marathon Championship in 2.23.42, a personal best, with Donald second in 2.27.30 and Robert Marshall, who much, much later became a British Masters M65 Cross-Country Champion, third in 2.27.59.

                                         Brian Carty becomes 1986 Scottish Marathon Champion. He later represented Scotland in an International Marathon

Brian’s training was not unlike Hugh Mitchell’s twenty years previously. Overcoming initial reluctance, he gradually built up to a very strenuous regime indeed. On weekdays he might run thrice: twelve or fourteen miles to work at British Leyland; four miles fartlek at lunchtime; and another ten to twelve miles home. He remembered many hard sessions in the Bathgate hills. In total he might run 120 or even 150 miles per week. So his 1986 triumph was hard-earned indeed.

Donald Macgregor had less happy memories of the event! He wrote that he was quite fit, having done 2.22.05 in London, followed by six weeks of moderate mileage. Since he had done ‘the diet’ for London, it didn’t work properly for this race because the gap between the two events was too brief. Donald lamented that the Edinburgh Marathon was “the least convincing city marathon because the Edinburghers didn’t really give a damn, whereas in Dundee, Glasgow and to some extent Aberdeen you got a lot of interested spectators. Edinburgh is always associated in my mind with a picture of a woman wheeling a pram past us – in the opposite direction, I hasten to add – and seeking to ignore our unpleasant existence.”

“However, the organisers offered to put up our family in the George Hotel. That was great, but for some reason I sweated a lot and couldn’t sleep. At last the fulfilment (not for the first time) of Jim Alder’s nightmare: ‘Due for a bad un.’ The course started through the centre of Edinburgh for once before heading out west – I recall passing through the dreaded Granton area again – and finished climactically in a side-street next to Meadowbank, to make sure not too many of the genteel folk would see us. The ‘bad un’ started after 11 very boring miles of cruising along in the lead wondering how long it was going to be before someone came up to my shoulder. Then I began to feel weak at the knees. Brian Carty appeared, and ran away from me for a popular and well-deserved win, but one he told me he had not expected. I crawled in (2.27.30), and unfortunately my father and stepmother had come in person to see me run for the one and only time. I looked like an escapee from some 15th Century Durer woodcut (one of the victims of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse) as I was led away to the shelter of the stadium shower room. I am unlikely to be doing another SAAA Marathon unless paid heavily to take part.”

The two Donalds: Macgregor (1965-1986) and Ritchie (1967-1988), hold the record for years between first and last medal in the event – 21 years, no less.

Fraser Clyne, the top-class British International marathon runner and sports journalist and historian, wrote: “The Black Isle Marathon (the first one in the Highlands) took place in November 1980, starting at Culbokie and finishing at Fortrose Academy. It was organised by Stashu Geurtsen, a visiting sports psychologist from Sonoma University, California. David Blanchard (Black Isle AC) was also involved from the start. Eleven runners, including one woman, Linda Lamb, competed. The event grew in popularity with a peak of 142 taking part in 1985.

Half marathon and 10K races were added in 1986 and it became the Black Isle Festival of Running. David Watt of the Ross-shire Journal took over the organisational reins, then Black Isle AC did a magnificent job of managing it, with Ray Cameron in charge.

The 10K was popular because it was mainly downhill, propelling most runners to personal best times – and may have been short as well.

I ran the Black Isle Marathon just once, in 1991 when I used it as a training run prior to competing in the California International marathon three weeks later. I finished in 2.27.18, 10 minutes ahead of Mike McHale.

List of winners attached.”

MARATHON                                                                                                                        How many ran

[Lynda Bain (nee Stott), Trudi Thomson, Don Ritchie, Sam Graves, Rod Bell, Charlie McIntyre, John Duffy, Fraser Clyne and Andy Stirling all ran international marathons or ultra-marathons for Scotland. Ginny Pollard represented GB at Triathlon.]

 HALF MARATHON

10 KM

                                                                              On the far right, Linda Lamb looks over at the other (all male) competitors.

Linda Lamb recalls: “I used to run hill races like Fyrish, Ben Lomond and Ben Nevis – really enjoyed the downhills! Then I ran in the North Cross-Country League for Inverness Harriers. There was no Senior Women’s race, so we competed against the 16-year-old girls. Stashu and his friends encouraged some of us who jogged on Saturdays to train for longer races – and that was why I took part in the first Black Isle Marathon in 1980.

The long uphill after Cromarty (at about 17 miles) seemed very hard but, despite feeling tired, I enjoyed heading down towards the finish at Fortrose. There I was, trying to jog, when Stashu actually walked past me and finished less than a minute in front! During the next few years, I finished the Caithness Marathon from Thurso three times – and won a prize for finishing first Woman there on one occasion.”

 Anne Mitchell (Innis’s wife) remembers helping at the first Black Isle Marathon in 1980. Providing water was still a bit novel and they quickly ran out of plastic cups so retrieved discarded ones for reuse – which was noticed by at least one of the competitors!

Donald Ritchie, the truly legendary, World Record-breaking ultra-marathon runner, took part in the Black Isle Marathon several times. Here are some excerpts from his excellent autobiography ‘The Stubborn Scotsman’.

“In the Black Isle Marathon on 24th of October 1981, I finished 2nd in 2-33-38, which was pleasing as I had a head cold. Dave Geddes won in 2-29-58, with Innis Mitchell 3rd in 2-43-18. My right hamstring problem recurred the following week, which restricted me to 38 miles.”

Lynda Bain recalled: “Long time ago! It was my second marathon, just after the Aberdeen one and my first year of running. I hadn’t intended to do it but had enjoyed Aberdeen so much that I thought I would squeeze one more in before winter. It was small and friendly. Howard Lovell kindly gave me a lift up to it and we drove round the course when we arrived the night before. I seem to remember one large hill at the far end of the course!”

Innis Mitchell recalled: “Anne tried the 1981 marathon that I was in and kept going to about 20 miles. Just a bit further than Ian Spence who was my PE teacher at Aberdeen Academy. You may remember him Prop forward for Gordonians and picked for “Possibles” (the second team in the trial game they used to have to choose the Scottish National Rugby team). Despite being a big man, he had completed a marathon earlier that year – Aberdeen?

My own run was disappointing. Ran with Donald for first 12 miles or so. Developed a strained calf muscle from running on the camber of the narrow roads and limped the second half which is the hard part. I should have dropped out – was injured for weeks after. I remember promising myself that as soon as I was passed and lost my 3rd place I would stop – but no one caught me!

The Black Isle was organized/inspired by a small group of American runners who visited the area annually for a time. They were very nice people but of that era – rather evangelical about running. My sister Linda (Lamb) knew them better than me.” (Innis Mitchell, an Aberdonian, was Scottish Schoolboys over-17 Cross-Country Champion in 1966 and gained full blues at both Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities.)

Don Ritchie: “In the Black Isle marathon, on the 23rd of October 1982, in good weather, I set the pace from early in the race and had Craig Ross for company. I led until Cromarty, but on the long hill out of Cromarty I let Craig lead for about four miles while I gathered myself for an effort to win. At about 21 miles I increased my pace and got away from Craig. I felt quite tired over the last one and a half miles. My time of 2-24-28 was a new course record by exactly 5 minutes, and 30 seconds and I had run 7-10 faster than last year. During the race I had only one glucose drink at 10 miles. Craig Ross finished in 2-25-18 ahead of Ian Graves, 2-27-44. Alastair Wood was 5th in 2-36-07.”

                                Mick Francis (wearing spectacles) in the centre. Alastair Wood (white vest, red stripes) extreme left.

Mick Francis wrote: “Start of the 1982 Black Isle Marathon. I was just 24 years old. I ran a PB that day: 2 hours 40 minutes 34 seconds. Must have been the short shorts that helped. My friend, mentor and training partner Don Ritchie smashed it that day with 2.24. Then from memory we partied all night, drinking Don’s home brew. Happy days!”

Don Ritchie: “In the 4th edition of the Black Isle marathon on the 22nd of October 1983, only Ian (or Sam) Graves came with me and we passed 5 miles in 26-54, 10 miles in 53-46 and halfway in 1-10-16. At about a mile before Cromarty I established a lead of 50 metres, but on the steep hill out of Cromarty I slowed and Ian closed on me. I let him pass and ran behind him, up the long hill to the top of the ridge, to recover. We passed 20 miles in 1-52-09 and I got away from Ian after that and I was pleased to win in 2-26-07. Ian finished in 2-27-19, with Frank Harper next in 2-32-30.”

Don Ritchie: “On Saturday the 1st of November 1986, although I had a head cold, I decided to run in the Black Isle Marathon. I picked up Jim McDowell in Elgin and drove to Fortrose where, after registering and changing, we boarded the buses to take us to the start in Culbokie. There were 116 starters on this cold morning with a north wind blowing. We were sent on our way by a phone call from a lady in Wick, via Moray Firth Radio transmission.

The initial pace was comfortable and quite adequate as two runners from Cumbernauld AC set the pace, which tended to fluctuate quite a lot. One of the Cumbernauld runners, John Duffy, increased the pace a little and pulled away and Charlie Noble chased after him, but both slowed and dropped back. I started to set the pace at about 4 miles, kept it steady and had John Duffy for company. He asked me if I had run in the Glasgow marathon, and on hearing that I had, he informed me that he had also run there and finished with 2-29-00. He seemed quite strong and at about 9 miles I began to feel a little tired and my chest was hurting a little. I thought that he would probably win this race, but I was going to hang on for as long as I could. We passed half way in 1-12-48, which was quite satisfactory and I appeared to be running more comfortably by then. My confidence increased and as we approached Cromarty, John made a short stop to tie a loose shoelace. He caught up soon afterwards and we ran through Cromarty together and also up the long hill after Cromarty. With about 7 miles remaining I increased the pace and gradually pulled away from him as the course levelled off and then the gradual downhill began. I checked my mile time between six miles and five miles to go and was pleased to see 5-24. I maintained this pace most of the way to the finish. I was very pleased to win this marathon again and my time of 2-28-38 was satisfactory in view of my cold. John Duffy was 2nd with 2-32-58 and Mick Francis 3rd in 2-33-41.”

Brian Grassom of Sri Chinmoy A C was running and it was good to see him again, but unfortunately he was unable to finish. Being a member of the Scottish Marathon Club, he had brought with him the ‘J. F. Walker Memorial Trophy’, which had been awarded to me this year, for my lengthy contribution to the sport of marathon and ultra-running in Scotland. This was presented at the beginning of the awards ceremony. The whole day went very well and was a credit to Ray Cameron and his team of helpers.”

BLACK ISLE 1986. Article by David Carter in the December edition of Scotland’s Runner.

“Three sets of runners at three different points on the Black Isle peninsula waited chittering as a keen wind nipped in from the sea. It was the morning after Hallowe’en Close by, Moray Firth Radio’s usual Saturday request programme blazed away, volume full up, The runners chafed. and chafed doubly as the disc jockey chuntered on Then came sudden concentration and the forward lean, as runners tensed for the start. A simultaneous countdown came from three sets of speakers, a starting gun fired in the studio in Inverness and the 1986 Scot JCB Black Isle People’s Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k Road Race – even the title makes you breathless – was underway.

Just 30.04 minutes later, Ross Arbuckle of Keith and District AC was crossing the finishing line at Fortrose to win the 10k event, having eased himself away in the final stages from a hard competitive group of runners. Only 22 seconds separated Arbuckle at the finish from Graham Milne of Peterhead, who finished fifth.

Meanwhile the leading half marathoners had turned at Cromarty, pulled up the steep climb out of the village, and were on the highest point of the course. Willie Miller of Caithness AC and Danny Bow of Nairn and District leading the way.

There were two leaders also in the marathon – veteran Don Ritchie of Forres Harriers and 22-year-old John Duffy of Cumbernauld – who now faced a long stretch as they skirted the southern side of the Cromarty Firth before turning for home, at Cromarty itself, 17 miles completed.

Miller was to pull away from Bow and finish over two minutes ahead in I.11.18 but the marathon Itself was providing the real duel of the day Only at about 20 miles did Ritchie finally get away from Duffy to come home, in his distinctive cantering style, in 2.28.38, with Duffy following, four minutes behind.

 Words do not spill from the lips of Don Ritchie as copiously as they do from those of his fellow world record holder Sebastian Coe But he dld have a comment to make on young Duffy. Two words: “Tough guy”, he said. as he trotted away after the finish It was praise indeed and Duffy, 33rd In the Glasgow Marathon in 2 29, should be pleased.

The organiser. Ray Cameron of· Black Isle AAC, was also pleased when I phoned him on the Monday after the race He was pleased with the performance of his team’s youngsters. whom he had accompanied to Aberdeen for the Hydrasun meet on Sunday.

That’s typical of the Black Isle Club. With 200 members, 120 of them youngsters, they were awarded £1000 by Minolta, no strings attached. The money is going into coaching the kids with a weekend’s training in Ireland the highlight.

Ray a 32 -year-old worker with the Forestry Commission, won’t be organising the Black Isle Three-in-One next year. Having organised five events this year he is stepping down, but fully expects the event to be double in size in 1987 And with 150 doing the 10k, another 150 doing the half, and 100 doing the full marathon this year, that’ll be some achievement.

Ray hopes instead to concentrate on his own running, as well as coaching. With a marathon personal best of 2.33. he’s hoping to go under 2.30 in London 1987.

Runners don’t have much time to enjoy scenery or wildlife – like the swans on the Cromarty Firth that day – or the history and architecture of London. Runners don’t even think much during a race as they concentrate everything on their performance. But Ray must allow himself the satisfaction, at the London Marathon, of thinking “You’ve organised a good race here, Brasher man. but I remember one day in November I organised three … on the same day … and at the same time.” 

[Ray Cameron was a real live wire and a very good coach.   He was one of the men behind the sponsorship of Black Isle AAC by Northern Office Territories as well as by Minolta – the club name became NOT Minolta Black Isle AAC.] 

Don Ritchie: “Two easy weeks (after completing an Italian ultramarathon 254 km in length!) I decided to run in the Black Isle Marathon on the 31st of October 1987. Although I got excited in the normal way for this race, as soon as we got underway I was conscious of feeling it difficult to run even at the modest pace of the leaders. Charlie Noble increased the speed and a Shettleston runner and then Mick Francis followed him. This left a group of 6 of us and one of the group commented that I must have had a ‘long one’ last week, to which I replied ‘two weeks ago’ but did not elaborate.

I was determined to do my best and tried to run a bit faster. On any uphill gradient I found the group surging past me and had to make more effort to keep in touch as the group pulled back Mick and John Duffy of Shettleston. On a long straight I managed to increase my tempo and reduced the group to Charlie McIntyre, John Duffy and me, with Charlie Noble about 40 yards ahead. Approaching 9 miles, Duffy made a move and said later that he got fed up waiting for someone to pick up the pace. I was soon struggling and passed 10 miles with Charlie McIntyre in 57 minutes and tried to shelter behind Charlie as the course turned into the wind, but he slowed to a walk and beckoned me to lead. I thought that I might as well try to keep the pace respectable as Charlie Noble and Duffy were pulling away.

Approaching Jemimaville, two runners caught us and McIntyre fell behind as I tried to go with them. They pulled away easily and I observed that one was from Dundee Hawkhill Harriers (DHH) but did not recognize the other vest. As we neared Cromarty, I could still see Duffy, the DHH man and his companion and Charlie Noble about 40 metres ahead of me. On the hill out of Cromarty I gradually pulled Charlie back and then had a rest behind him, before pushing on again with 7 miles remaining.

I had pain in my left quads, but it was not too bad – my problem was lack of strength. Obviously, I had not recovered from the race in Sardinia, as I had struggled with training in the two weeks since then. The remaining miles passed quite quickly and the one-mile to go marker was soon reached before I finished 4th and 1st Vet in 2-42-31, which was my slowest marathon for many years, but I was pleased just to have finished. Rod Bell (DHH) won in 2-35-18, from John Duffy (Shettleston) 2-36-07, with David Murray (Falkirk) 3rd in 2-36-28.” Shettleston Harriers won the team prize.

The Aberdeen Press and Journal reported: “First Woman and leading Veteran was Margaret Robertson of Dundee Road Runners, in a course record time of 3.08.48 while, for the host club Minolta Black Isle AC, Elizabeth Wilby took 35 minutes off her best with to finish second in 3.26.55.

The organisers were disappointed at the total entry for the three races and fun run, which was less than 500 – well below their 700 target. “I am particularly disappointed at the poor turnout of local runners,” said the club secretary Ray Cameron, “This was a well-sponsored, well-organised event and I had expected that far more people from the local area would have come out and run.”

Willie Miller of Caithness AAC comfortably retained his half-marathon title in 1.11.26, well clear of Callum Martin of Inverness Harriers (1.13.45). Liz McLardy won the women’s race for Black Isle in a course record of 1.28.43, from Linda Glasgow of Giffnock (1.30.50) and Kath Butler of Aberdeen (1.31.45).

Edward Gillespie of Carnethy was top male veteran (1.18.43), while Chris Pamphilon of Dingwall was top female veteran (1.41.55). Inverness Harriers won the men’s team award while Moray Road Runners won the women’s.

In the 10K, Chris Hall of Aberdeen took the honours in a course record of 29.20 from Bruce Chinnick of Forres Harriers (29.37) and Colin Youngson, Aberdeen, who also took the veteran’s prize in 30.02. Aberdeen AAC, with three runners in the top four, were clear winners of the team contest.

Inverness Harrier Julie Wilson won he women’s race in 35.50 (course record), well clear of Mandy Boyd of Forres Harriers (37.14) and Commonwealth Games hurdler Moira McBeath from Thurso (40.10). Kath Willox of Inverness was first veteran and Forres Harriers took the team award.”

(To illustrate Fraser Clyne’s introductory comment about the Black Isle 10km race being popular since it was downhill – and possibly short distance as well, in third place but well behind Chris Hall (one of Aberdeen AAC’s two Welsh International fliers – the other being Simon Axon) was Colin Youngson, four days after his 40^th Birthday. He finished in 30.02 – which was confirmed later to be the fastest 10 km time of 1987 by any British Veteran runner. Youngson protests that, despite all that downhill, this was actually a decent run, since he was battling a headwind that day!)

Don Ritchie: “Two weeks later on the 29th of October 1988 in the Black Isle Marathon. I was very keyed up and started quickly, but not as fast as Charlie Noble, who shot off into a good lead. After some time, I was joined by someone I did not recognize. He was running strongly and ominously chatty.

Izzy, George, Claire and Anna were driving round the course supporting me. After Izzy gave me a drink, I threw the empty bottle for Claire to catch! This worked well and I consumed planned drinks of 200ml of ‘Dioralite’ at 7, 10, 13, 16, 19 and 22 miles.

We caught Charlie at about 8 miles and then ran as a group of three until about 11 miles, when he faded. The two of us passed the halfway point in 1-13-26 but, going into Cromarty, I began to feel the strain of the pace and by the waterfront I was struggling, but positioned myself behind him as we left Cromarty and headed up the initially steep climb. My strength had gone and I lumbered up the hill as my companion pulled away. I steadily lost ground to him and by the top of the hill I was down to third place, having been caught and passed by a small chap from Fife AC, who I later found out was Tom McCredie. I tried to increase my stride length when I reached the level ground, but seemed to be making no impression on the two ahead. Yet gradually I began to close, and then caught McCredie soon after Rosemarkie and the leader was not far ahead by then. However, there was not enough distance left in which to catch him so I had to settle for second place. My knee had not bothered me, thankfully, but a lack of training background showed in my weakness on the hills. The Forres Harriers team won the team race with 2nd, 5th and 16th. I learned that the winner was Mike Ryan of Dundee Hawkhill Harriers (DHH), who finished in 2-34-30, ahead of me in 2-34-56 and Tom McCredie (Fife AC) 2-45-10. I had no ill effect from my knee, except increased discomfort and an ache for a few hours after the race.”

From Scotland’s Runner, January 1990

“The tenth Black Isle Marathon was won by Charlie McIntyre of Fraserburgh Running club in the time of 2.34.13, thirty seconds ahead of John MacKay of Hunter’s Bog Trotters, writes Ray Cameron. Third was Andy Stirling of Falkirk Victoria Harriers in 2.36.27.

The Marathon, the flagship of the Black Isle Festival of Running on November 4^th 1989, attracted over 90 runners from throughout Scotland and two runners from London, with Harry Martin of Blackheath Harriers making the long journey north to complete his 130^th marathon.

The race for the top women’s prize was also very close with Gillian Hanlon of Dundee Road Runners, second in last year’s race, going one better this time to record a time of 3.18.09 to beat her clubmate Toni Respinger (3.18.56) narrowly.

The men’s team prize went to Shettleston Harriers with Dundee Road Runners taking the women’s team trophy.”

Don Ritchie: “On Saturday the 3rd of November 1990, early in the morning, Izzy and I drove to Grandma Tait’s in Inverness, where we had a cup of tea and watched ‘Trans World Sports’ for the feature on me, which pleased both Izzy and myself. Following this we drove to Fortrose on the Black Isle for the Festival of Running. Izzy was to run in the 10Km, her first race for some years. She was using this run to raise funds for Leukaemia research.

I ran in the marathon, making a cautious start, as my legs were still painful (from running for Great Britain in the IAU 100Km World Cup, Duluth, USA on 27 October 1990). Mick Francis was to give me my drinks along the route and I had prepared drinks for: 7, 12, 17 and 21 miles. The initial pace was fine, but John Duffy of Shettleston Harriers began to pick up the pace and opened up a 50 metres gap. Mitchell McCredie then began to pull away, while I hesitated. At about 5 miles I began to chase McCredie and I caught him after some time. This effort, however, weakened me and soon I began to struggle and lose contact with him. I then maintained a comfortable steady pace and at around 15 miles I could just see McCredie in the distance. By 20 miles I was closing in on him and approaching 23 miles he was slowing dramatically and actually stopped to spend a penny. He was reduced to a walk soon after this and he retired once I passed him. He was having trouble with his calf muscle again. I finished a distant second, but I was pleased to feel so much better than the previous Saturday. Izzy completed the 10Km without difficulty and was keen to participate in more and longer races.  John Duffy won in 2-31-16 and I finished in 2-37-55.”

Don Ritchie: “On Saturday the 2nd of November, 1991 (a week after winning the British 24-hour Track Championship) Izzy and I travelled to Fortrose for the Black Isle ‘Festival of Running’ half marathon and marathon respectively. Izzy completed the half marathon in 2-28-53, which was probably a superior performance to her Lochaber run, because of the more demanding course at the Black Isle.

Not surprisingly, I felt tired in the marathon, and the chasing group, trailing Fraser Clyne, dropped me after about three miles. Then I regained contact and gradually this group broke up, but on the hill out of Cromarty I could not keep up and began drifting further behind. Mick Francis caught me and I was able to get some help running into the wind as he pushed on. I took over near the top of the climb and was surprised to see John Duffy in trouble, so we caught and passed him. I then set off in pursuit of the two runners ahead and gradually caught one, but the other was safe. My legs were rather tired and I was pleased to reach the finish. I was quite satisfied with my 4th place in 2-45-45. Forres Harriers were 2nd team.

Fraser Clyne won in 2-27-18, which meant that my course record of 2-24-28 in 1982, survived. Mick McHale was 2nd in 2-37-21, with R Milton 3rd in 2-45-07.”

Don Ritchie: “On Saturday the 31st of October 1992, 2 weeks after the ‘Spanish adventure’ Barcelona to Madrid stage race, rather optimistically, I decided to run in the Black Isle marathon. The initial pace was modest so I decided to tag onto the leaders, Andy Stirling and two Carnegie lads. By 5 miles Andy and I were clear, but then he increased his effort and moved away, and my left leg problem at the top of the quads began to play up, so I eased back and let him go. After Cromarty on the long hill there was an increasingly strong headwind blowing. I managed to cope with this and with about 4 miles remaining I was able to increase my pace again. I was pleased with this run. Andy Stirling (Bo’ness) won in 2-36-15 and I finished 2nd in 2-42-08, with Jim Douglas (Carnegie) 3rd in 2-45-58.”

                                                                                                              1993: The Last Black Isle Marathon

The Loch Rannoch Marathon was run round one of the most beautiful lochs in the country and the trail could not have been more simple – a lap of the loch.   But as for the trail, there are some who said afterwards that they couldn’t find the downhill bits.   It was nevertheless one of the more popular races on the marathon calendar – as testified by the fact that it a was a long-running long run!   It’s not far from Pitlochry and the triangular shape of Schiehallion dominates the skyline: it was used in the nineteenth century to estimate the weight of the world.  End to end with Loch Tummel, it is prime tourist territory.   The story of the races was tracked down by Colin Youngson and it is the latest in his series on the Scottish marathons. 

The first Race Director of the Loch Rannoch Marathon was Andrew ‘Bill’ Hillier.

In ‘Bill’s Bio’ he wrote: “In 1977, I headed up to Scotland, and spent nine happy years teaching at Rannoch School, in the picturesque Highlands. Had neglected my fitness but, in the early 80s, became caught up in the running craze. Completed 8 marathons, including London, and became the first race director of the Loch Rannoch Marathon. In 1986 I migrated to Western Australia and have retired there.”

 One Loch Rannoch Marathon runner commented: “If you like your marathons to be scenic, then this is the one for you. With a loop at either end, you basically just run round the loch. If you want your marathon to be flat, then this is not the one for you. I heard the route called ‘undulating’ but that is a fairly mild description, I would suggest. In fact, there is an elevation gain of 631 feet!”

Loch Rannoch Marathon 26/6/1982

Sam Graves (Fife AC) 2.28.07

Davie Wyper (Bellahouston H) 2.30.02

Martin Craven (ESH – first Veteran) third

Leslie Watson (London Olympiades AC), the Glasgow-born physiotherapist, finished first Woman in the fast time of 2.51.04.

Loch Rannoch Marathon 16/6/1983

George Reynolds (Aberdeen AAC) won in 2.24.09

Lynda Bain (Aberdeen AAC) was First Woman in a course record of 2.48.04. Leslie Watson finished second in 3.01.00.

(Lynda ran an International marathon for Great Britain and broke the Scottish Women’s record with 2.33.38 in the 1985 London Marathon.)

Don Ritchie wrote: “In the Loch Rannoch marathon, on the 16th of June, I was quite pleased to finish 5th of the 435 runners who completed the course. The antibiotics course that I had begun on Monday, prescribed to clear my bronchitis, did not seem to have any adverse effect. I went with the leaders and I felt quite comfortable as we ran out into a headwind. Our group of eight reduced to four on a steep hill at the top of the loch. Soon after this I began to struggle when George Reynolds increased the pace. I dropped back and Ian Graves caught me. I felt very weak but continued as best as I could. Later, Dave Wyper caught me, but I managed to recover and pull away again. George Reynolds ran very well to win his ‘Local’ marathon in 2-24-09 ahead of Rod Stone, 2-25-23, Don Macgregor, 2-26-51 and Ian Graves, 2-27-18. My finishing time was 2-28-something.”

(George Reynolds, originally from Kinloch Rannoch, where the Loch Rannoch Marathon started and finished, was for some time based at RAF Kinloss, near Forres in Moray.   His career highlights included being part of the record-breaking Aberdeen AAC team in the 1982 John o’Groats to Land’s End ten-man relay and winning the 1984 Scottish Marathon Championship when running for Scotland in the Home Countries International match.) 

Loch Rannoch Marathon 23/6/1984

Davie Wyper (Bellahouston H) 2.26.52, such a consistent marathon man, won the most picturesque Scottish marathon in almost perfect conditions.

S Harper (Clackmannan RR) 2.27.24

Sam Graves (Fife AC) 2.28.13

613 ran

Loch Rannoch Marathon 22/6/1985

Former Olympic Marathon runner, Donald Macgregor (Fife AC) finished first a new course record of 2.25.00, winning a week’s time-share holiday. Elgin schoolteacher Ian Moncur (Forres Harriers) recorded 2.28.52, and former winner Sam Graves (Fife AC) 2.30.52.

Ann Bates (Central Region AC), first woman in last year’s Edinburgh Marathon, won in 3.3.15, just 15 seconds in front of Carolyn Morrat (Fife AC).  

Loch Rannoch Marathon 1986 29/6

Terry Mitchell (Fife) 2.30.35

Martin Coyne (Falkirk) 2.32.13

Shel Cowles (Oxford AC) 2.33.28

Veteran: Davie Wyper (Bellahouston) 2.38.11

First Woman: M. Greave (Angus) 3.24.05

(Terry Mitchell was a prominent Scottish International athlete on cross-country and road; he also ran for GB in foreign marathons. In 1988, Shel Cowles showed excellence by winning M40 British Veteran Championship titles on track (10,000 metres) and road (Half Marathon).

Terry Mitchell leading Shel Cowles (and Martin Coyne) in the 1986 Loch Rannoch Marathon

Loch Rannoch Marathon 28/6/1987

Martin Coyne (FVH) 2.29.13

Mike McHale (Pitreavie) 2.35.08

Mike Ryan (Dundee HH) 2.35.23

First Woman: Margaret Oliver (Aberdeen AAC) 3.10.53

Martin Coyne wins 1985 Edinburgh to North Berwick Road Race; Photo by Graham McIndoe.

Loch Rannoch Marathon 12/6/1988

Rod Stone (H.E.L.P.) 2.34.10

Rod Bell (DHH) 2.35.54

Mike McHale (Pitreavie) 2.40.19

First Woman: F Gray (Belgrave) 3.02.23

(Rod Stone, based in Scotland, was a Northern Ireland Marathon International Athlete. Rod Bell ran International Marathons for Scotland.)

Loch Rannoch Marathon 25/6/1989

S McCallum (Central Region) 2.37.04

Mike McHale (Pitreavie) 2.39.57

Ray Hubbard (Glasgow) 2.43.02)

First Woman: Sue Rodgers (Dundee RR)

Loch Rannoch Marathon 10/6/90

Ray Hubbard (SHC) 2.30.21

J Baird (H.E.L.P.) 2.34.21

A Cunningham (H.E.L.P.) 2.37.46

First Woman: Morag Taggart (Pitreavie) 3.14.17

Loch Rannoch Marathon 23/6/91

Allan Adams (Dumbarton: M45 Veteran) 2.31.37

Ray Hubbard (Ayr) 2.34.31

B Halliday 2.35.29

First Woman: H Stewart (Lisburn NI) 3.23.37

Allan Adams remembered: “I won the Kirkudbright Half Marathon in 68 minutes or so about two weeks before Loch Rannoch, knew I was fit and promptly entered the marathon. Ray Hubbard hung on to me for most of the race – in fact I did not get away from him until I ‘dug in’ at 21 miles. The closing stages are very undulating (a real rollercoaster) and energy-sapping but I was pleased to record a good time on a testing course.”

                                                                                                                       Just after the start in 1991

                                                                                                                                 Allan and Ray

                                                                                                            Allan heads towards the finish

                                                                                               Allan Adams and friend relax afterwards

Loch Rannoch Marathon 21/6/92

Peter Fox (DHH) 2.31.55

G Lightwood (EAC) 2.32.54

M Greally (Pitreavie) 2.37.50

(Peter Fox was a Scottish cross-country International athlete.)

First Woman: Trudi Thomson (Pitreavie) 3.15.10

H Stewart (Lisburn NI) 3. 22.23

E Walls (St Albans – Veteran) 3.31.22

(Trudi Thomson was a legendary Scottish and British ultra-marathon International runner.)

Loch Rannoch Marathon 20/6/93

Jim Douglas (Carnegie) 2.37.09

Brian Howie (ESH – Veteran) 2.40.28

A Duncan (S Liv) 2.41.29

First Woman: Trudi Thomson (Pitreavie) 3.05.44

Linda Trahan (Garioch) 3.20.05

Carol Cadger (Perth – W35) 3.20.58

(Carol Cadger was a Scottish ultra-marathon International runner.)

Loch Rannoch hosted the 1994 Scottish Marathon Championship on the 19^th of June. With the familiar shape of Schiehallion providing a dramatic backdrop to a course which involved two loops around the loch, the scenery was impressive. A warm June day with a strong westerly wind made sure life would be tough for the 154 finishers. Fraser Clyne (Metro Aberdeen RC) turned up hoping to emulate Joe McGhee by winning the title three years in a row but the presence in the field of Terry Mitchell (Fife AC), also seeking a third championship win, ensured this would not be easily achieved.

Mitchell set the early pace along with Peterhead AAC’s Alan Reid while Clyne was happy to tag alongside. The refreshment stations caused the leaders some concern as the cups were filled with suspiciously discoloured water. Speculation centred upon whether this was the natural peaty colour of the local tap water or, of more concern, had the cups been filled directly from the nearby loch?
Whatever, Reid dropped out shortly before the ten-mile mark – but not because of anything he had consumed. A calf injury flared up, leaving the North District man no option but to pull out. Mitchell and Clyne continued onwards through the halfway point together. Suddenly, however, Clyne opened a 100m lead on an uphill stretch at the head of the loch. Any thoughts the Aberdeen man might have entertained that the race was won were quickly dispelled, as Mitchell came storming back a mile or so later. The rejuvenated Fifer brushed quickly past the defending champion and began to pull away. By 19 miles Terry enjoyed a lead of over 200m and Fraser looked beaten. The race, however, still had another dramatic turn to take. Clyne rallied once again as the course twisted through the grounds of Rannoch School. ‘I sensed that Terry was no longer going away from me and that I might still have a chance,’ Clyne said afterwards.

Between 20 and 23 miles, Clyne hunted down his rival and with two miles remaining the two men were again locked together in an exciting dogfight. ‘As soon as I caught Terry, I got a terrible attack of stomach cramp and thought I’d blown it,’ Clyne recalled. ‘I gained some comfort, however, by looking at Terry and realising he was suffering more than me.’ Fraser Clyne summoned up one final effort (finishing time 2.23.08) which gained him an eventual hard-earned winning margin of 38 seconds. It was a course record and the result meant that he had emulated Joe McGhee’s record of three wins in a row. Terry Mitchell recorded 2.23.46. Spectators had to wait over 14 minutes until the bronze medallist came into view when Jim Douglas of FMC Carnegie Harriers edged home in 2.38.16, 11 seconds clear of 48 year-old Pitreavie man Archie Duncan.

Janis Gjelseth of Shettleston Ladies took the 1994 Scottish Women’s Marathon title in 2.58.37 with Jan Thomson of FMC Carnegie Harriers second in 3.07.34 and Diane Harvey of Tipton third in 3.18.29.

Loch Rannoch Marathon 18/6/1995

Simon Lund (Wigan Phoenix) 2.30.First Woman: Eleanor Robinson 2.55.

(Eleanor Robinson was a legendary English ultra-distance runner, twice winner of the I.A.U. 100km title. During a very long career, she held nearly 40 world records in a range of events from 30 miles to the 6 Day Race and won six world titles.)

Simon Lund, a fine young English ultra-distance runner who won the 36-miles Two Bridges Race in 1994 and 1996, wrote: “I had finished first in a 100km race four weeks before and continued training more than 100 miles per week, targeting the classic Enschede Marathon in Holland. Then I lost my passport as well as the cost of flights and hotel. Changing the race target, I phoned Trudi Thomson and asked if asked if, for the night before the Loch Rannoch Marathon, I could have a spare bed in her Dunfermline home. Eleanor and her husband Nigel drove me from there to Kinloch Rannoch.

I struggled to hang on to the lead group throughout the race (halfway in 1.16) but used ‘ultra-tenacity’ to catch the leaders finally in the 23^rd mile. A short patch through the grounds of the school there provided a good opportunity to surge and get away, hiding the damage round a few tight bends. Customary collapse at the finish. Sorry that I cannot recall who was second or third, although I do remember being warned before the start that the favourite was a new M40 who had recently run 4.09 for 1500m.

Drinks afterwards with Pitreavie AC sparring partners from the Two Bridges, including Ken/Archie Duncan and Peter Baxter. Then the race presentation by two teachers at the school, who had been housemates five years previously down in Cheshire! Then Eleanor’s homemade food on the journey back to Dunfermline, followed by more beers with Iain, Trudi’s husband, and my first viewing of ‘Pulp Fiction’. Incredible serendipity, coincidences and circumstances that just make you believe in fate!? Definitely one of many outstanding memories of running. Every dog has his day!”

This was the last Loch Rannoch Marathon until a new version started in 2015.

Start of the Lochaber Marathon 1983: all well-known marathon runners.

The marathon boom of the 1980’s is known as a phenomenon but the real extent of the involvement in the event by the Scots is seldom understood.   The photograph above has many good marathon runners but there may not be an internationalist among them!   Athletes travelled from all over Scotland to run in a race where the weather was unpredictable and the interest of the selectors was slight.   There were marathons organised and supported from Caithness in the north of Scotland all the way down to Galloway.   The benefits to the individual were many – health, confidence and travel to parts of their own country that they would not usually visit.   There were also benefits for the sport at national level – the event had never had so many fast runners over the distance – hundreds under 2:30 for the event – and this transferred to the international team and results in the event.   On this page, Colin Youngson looks at four of the smaller races of the time.   By the way, they weren’t running the event for money or for glamorous prizes – Bobby Young in the photograph below shows what graft he got from the race – 

Fraser Clyne contributed the following three invaluable lists of 14 different Scottish marathons that took place in 1983, 1984 and 1984. To those can be added the Isle of Benbecula Marathon. Results are incomplete. If anyone has other memories, photos, newspaper reports or extra statistics, please email: cjyoungson@btinternet.com and they may be added to this post or the individual posts on Dundee, Lochaber, Motherwell, Loch Rannoch, Inverclyde, Moray, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

1983 list

                                                                                                CAITHNESS MARATHON (JULY)

Linda Lamb ran it three times and was First Woman once. It seemed unusual to have prizes available for women. The weather could be too hot. The route involved two laps from and to Thurso. Up the back road to Halkirk then mainly downhill to Thurso, and repeat. Overall, this was a hilly course. Hilly.

Only half marathon 13/7/86; 29/5/88; 28/5/89

“The Caithness Marathon, the most northerly one on the mainland, ran for several years then, in 1986, changed to a half marathon, which still takes place.” Caithness AC website.

2016 New Year Honours: “Marathon runner Sandy Gunn, from Thurso, has been recognised for his work as a coach. Sandy helped form Caithness AAC a number of years ago and his British Empire Medal award is a fitting tribute for unstinting work.”

CAITHNESS MARATHON JULY 1981

This inaugural event was won in 2.35.23. Probably, Linda Lamb finished First Woman, just as she had in the first Black Isle Marathon in 1980. 

CAITHNESS MARATHON 18/7/1982

Don Ritchie wrote: “On Saturday, the 17th of July, I drove up to Thurso to stay overnight with Sandy Gunn and his wife before the marathon that Sandy had organised.

On Sunday morning I received a shock when I realized that I had forgotten to pack my Karhu racing shoes, so I had to run the Thurso marathon in an old pair of Brooks Vantage trainers. Brian Turnbull and Sandy Keith went into the lead and I and several others followed closely. The pace felt easy and I was worried that we were going to run slowly all the way. By 6 miles some had dropped off and there were 4 of us left and shortly after this we were three. Sandy Keith and John Boulton (an Englishman from Weymouth) and I passed half way in 1-14-25 and I decided that it was time to increase the pace to see what I could do. Sandy dropped back but the Englishman came with me – thankfully he began to drop after 15 miles. From then on it was just a case of trying to keep a decent pace going.

My feet were quite badly cut up by the old shoes, but I was pleased to win and although my time of 2-30-53 was not very good it was 4-30 inside the course record. I found the race easy and had no problem with lack of energy, only lack of speed. John Boulton was second in 2-33-35 and R. Allemano 3rd in 2-48-11. First woman was Priscilla Welch from Shetland (in 11th place in 3-04-05) who at that time was stationed at Saxa Vord with her army husband. She would eventually go on to represent Great Britain in the marathon at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, finishing 6th, a few months before her 40th birthday.”

CAITHNESS MARATHON 17/7/1983 (Thurso)                                    

Don Ritchie wrote: “In the Caithness marathon from Thurso, on the 17th of July, Dave Clark and Paul Kenney set a brisk pace and once I had joined them I began to feel uncomfortable, so after 1.5 miles I decided to drop back. I joined the second group of: Sandy Keith, Brian Turnbull, Willie Miller and Steve Cassells. Sandy dropped back by 7miles, as did Steve, so Willie, Brian and I passed 10 miles in a slow 56-42, and soon after this I began to drop and reached halfway in 1-14-28. John Boulton, who had been second to me the previous year, passed me soon after halfway.  Willie dropped out at about 16 miles and I passed Brian at about 18.5 miles, despite running quite slowly.  I finished 4th in a slow 2-37-04. Dave Clark (Verlea AC) ran very well setting a course record of 2-20-34, ahead of Paul Kenney (Inverness Harriers) 2-23-48 and John Boulton 2-34-55.

(Dave Clark went to Aberdeen University but lived in the Oxford area afterwards. He ran International Marathons for Scotland and Great Britain. 1983 started with third place (2:19:14) in Hong Kong on 22nd January, won by Jim Dingwall in 2:15:48, followed by 45th (2:16:06) in London on 17th April.   Then on 29th May, fifth (2:18:19) in Geneva; on 3rd July a win in (2:21:51) in the Pennine marathon for which the prize was a trip with entry to the New York marathon.   Only two weeks later he won the Caithness marathon in 2:20:34.   Dave Clark was three months short of his fortieth birthday!   Not content to rest he finished seventh (2:24:27) in the Adidas British Marathon in Bolton on 21st August.   His veteran adventure was about to begin.   He would prove to be a true ‘Master’, winning a World Veteran title over 25km; and winning the Masters division in big city marathons: New York and Boston, as well as second M40 twice in London.)

CAITHNESS MARATHON 15/7/1984

55 ran

Don Ritchie (Forres Harriers) wrote: “On the 6th of July 1984 I reached 40 years and entered the Veteran ranks, well before they were labelled ‘Masters’. My first race in this new category was the Elgin Highland Games 10 miles road race on the 7th of July, where I finished 4th behind Simon Axon, Peter Wilson and Mike McCulloch. The following afternoon in the Macduff half marathon, after a gentle start I worked through to finish 3rd of the 96 finishers. The weather was again very hot, with the temperature reaching 82°F. Calum Murray won in 1-10-26 from Mike McCulloch 1-14-07 and I finished in 1-16-09. It was a new experience to be offered ‘Vet prizes’ in these 2 events.

The following weekend I resisted the temptation to run the Forres Highland Games 11.25 miles road race and instead, with Izzy, I drove up to Thurso for the Caithness Marathon, scheduled for Sunday the 15th of July and checked into the same hotel as last year.

I started the marathon cautiously, and the pace felt fine, but perhaps on the slow side. I passed 5 miles in 28-24 with Dave Taylor and then started to increase the pace. At Halkirk we had to face quite a strong headwind, so I was glad when Dave took the lead from about 9 miles to 10 miles, which we passed in 57-41. At about 11 miles Robin Thomas caught us and took the lead, but on the run down to Thurso, towards the end of the first lap, I increased the pace and Robin dropped back. Dave and I passed halfway in 1-14-28. Dave was starting to struggle on a hill so I increased my pace and pulled away at about 14 miles. I passed 15 miles in 1-26-16 and 20 miles in 1-54-28. The next section into the wind with a few stiff climbs was difficult but the miles rolled by quite quickly. I tried to stride out over the last mile, but could not increase my pace much. It was good to win this race again, although my time of 2-31-25 was rather poor. Izzy gave me my drinks: ‘Mineral plus six’ by Wander at 5 miles and every 2 miles after that and she was very encouraging. Robin Thomas (Hunter’s Bog Trotters) was 2nd in 2-34-07, with his HBT team-mate Dave Taylor 3rd in 2-35-45.”

CAITHNESS MARATHON 1985

Robin Thomas (HBT) 2.36.00                                          

First Woman: Pam Volwerk (Lochaber AC)

BENBECULA MARATHON

BENBECULA MARATHON (sometimes with a half marathon too)

17/5/86 J McKinley (Troon Tortoises AC) 3.01.19 (record)

First Woman: C Ronan (Army) 3.30.12

3/5/87

R Redpath (Livingston and District) 2.47.32 (record)

Ray Hubbard (Glasgow) 2.54.37

B Eldridge 2.59.55

First Woman: C Rohan (WRAC) 3.47.41

24/6/89

Steve Marsland 2.45.02 (record).

Doug Cowie (RAF) won the Half Marathon and remembered: “I had two visits to Benbecula (was second in the 1990 Half). I went there with RAF Benson, which at that time was the Queens Flight.
I was a member of a Service team called the Milocarians.  Also running for that team were a couple of runners from RAF Benson, hence my invite.
The RAF and Army were there for the firing ranges, aircraft target practice.
The Half Marathon was one lap of the island, very exposed and around 10 miles you passed Stinky Bay…….the further out the tide was the stronger the stink! The Marathon was of course two laps.
The races were on Saturday, followed by a social at The Dark Island Hotel but it all closed down at 11.30 p.m. We simply retired back to base then and continued!
On Sunday, after a run, we could only go sightseeing. Because of the Outer Hebrides location, nothing was open on a Sunday.
The taxi driver apologised for the smell in his car when taking us to the hotel, since his last fare had been three sheep.  You couldn’t make it up! A VERY sociable weekend! The race was secondary.”

Benbecula Run 9/5/90

Marathon: W Reilly (RAF) 2.59.14

Isle of Benbecula Marathon 8/6/91

S Jeffrey 2.43.32 (record)

Benbecula Marathon 5/6/93

R Tulley (Kilbarchan) 2.57.09

(as usual, more runners completed the Half Marathon)

GALLOWAY MARATHON

GALLOWAY MARATHON 1983 (in June?)

Campbell Joss 2.33.12

 GALLOWAY MARATHON 1984

Gerry Fairley (Kilbarchan) 2.32.52

First Woman: S Catteral 3.03.14

377 ran

 GALLOWAY MILK MARATHON 28 April 1985

Peter Haworth 2.27.10

First Woman: Eileen Masson 3.10.35

GALLOWAY MARATHON 27 April 1986 

Peter Haworth 2.31.33

Anne Pendlebury 3.06.34

GALLOWAY SEALINK MARATHON June 1987

Dave Wilson (Liverpool Pembroke AC) 2.29.30

Dave, an English International Marathon runner, described the course as tough and hilly – but he enjoyed these challenges. Andy Stirling (Falkirk) finished second.

                                                                                                                   Dave Wilson approaching the finish

                                                                                                                     Dave with the winner’s trophies

 GALLOWAY SEALINK MARATHON 5/6/1988

David Fairweather (Cambuslang Harriers – Veteran) 2.32.06

First Woman: Liz McCrae (Galloway Harriers) 3.23.30

                                                                             Davie Fairweather at the Dumfries Marathon prizegiving

Davie Fairweather remembered: “Although I had several disastrous marathons, where I hit the wall, I did manage to win one marathon from the front, without any problems. Early in 1988 I decided to run the last Galloway Marathon scheduled for 5^th June, and my preparations went without a hitch.

When we moved from Carluke to Uddingston in June 1987, Bob Lennon persuaded me to change Clubs from Law & District AAC to Cambuslang Harriers. I’d been thinking of returning to Shettleston Harriers, that I’d joined in 1970 when I crossed the border to Scotland, but Bob was very persuasive, and he became my personal coach and mentor for many years. This article is a tribute in his memory, as he sadly passed away about 10 years ago.

I’d trained and raced hard with Dougie Frame, Jim Thomson, Hugh Forgie (sadly missed after fighting illness bravely for many years), Billy Dickson, Jim Rowley et al in Law & District AAC, but I moved up to a new level every Tuesday night for the weekly 8 miles Hampden Circuit with Cambuslang Harriers. Trying to keep up with Eddie Stewart, Alec Gilmour, Eddie McIvor, Barney Gough, Charlie Thompson et al was harder than most races! I was running road or cross-country races just about every other week throughout the 87/88 winter and then started building up mileage, including the weekly Hampden Circuit and a daily 6 mile run in my lunch break at work, with road races including 51.46 in the Tom Scott 10 in April. On 5^th May I finished 16 sec behind Rod Stone in the 22 miles Edinburgh to North Berwick race in 2.04.23; 15^th May I was 3^rd Vet (73.15) in the Luddon ½ marathon; then I finished my preparations on 29^th May with a warm down in the Motherwell Half Marathon, where I was 2^nd vet in 73.48. I’d been averaging 80 miles weekly until the Luddon and then gradually winding down in preparation for Galloway!

Bob came with me and my family on the drive to Newton Stewart and he’d been psyching me up all the way there. I saw on the start-list that my main rivals Dave Wilson and Andy Stirling weren’t running and, although it was quite a strong field, I felt very confident before the start. As we set off I thought the pace was too slow, and everyone was watching me and kicking my heels. I didn’t want to be tripped, as I had been by Martin Coyne in the North Berwick Race, so I broke away after just 3 miles, up the hill out of Minnigaff.  I felt good as I went along the very scenic undulating roads past  Boreland and a circuitous route back to the A714 near Clachaneasy. It was warm and calm and I was just enjoying the run and even singing to myself!  I went through 10 miles in 57.38, 15 miles in 1:26 and 20 miles in 1:55. My wife Theresa drove round the course with Bob and our girls.  He handed me a drink at about 20 miles and he struggled to run alongside to pass it to me. He told me I had a big lead and should just relax and not burn myself out.  I just kept going, and finished in 2.32.06, almost 5 minutes in front of Colin Kinnear from Dumfries – and broke the Vets’ course record by 13 minutes!

1 David Fairweather (Cambuslang Harriers – Veteran) 2:32.06

2 Colin Kinnear (Dumfries RC) 2.37.01

3 Peter McDonald (Lancaster & Morecambe AC) 2.38.17

First Woman:

Liz McCrae (Galloway Harriers) 3.23.30

190 ran.

DUMFRIES MARATHON 12/10/1986

Dave Wilson (Liverpool PembrokeAC) 2.27.24

Second: Davie Fairweather (Cambuslang H) 2.28.15

First Woman: Kay Dodson (Law and District AC) 3.11.24

                                                                                   Dave Wilson winning the 1986 Dumfries Marathon

                                                                                            Kay Dodson crossing the line in the 1986 Dumfries Marathon

Kay Dodson wrote: “Three weeks after the Glasgow Marathon (where I recorded 3.03) on Sunday, October 12^th, I ran the Dumfries Marathon just for fun, surprising myself by winning the women’ s race in 3.11.24 in a spectacular sprint finish. Carolyn Brown (Dumfries Running Club) finished just seconds behind, with Kate Todd (Loudon Road Runners) less than a minute behind Carolyn. 70 seconds separated the first three women according to the official record. I never expected to have to finish a marathon with a sprint finish but I had done it! It was my fifth marathon win.”

Davie Fairweather wrote: “I had a ding-dong race with Dave Wilson in the 1986 Dumfries Marathon. We ran miles together and had agreed to cross the line together, but I faded on the very last hill before the finish and told him to go on alone.”

                                                                                                                    Dave Wilson on the podium

DUMFRIES MARATHON 26 March 1995

Richard Davidson 2.45.52

First Woman: M. McPhail 3.21.13

EASTER ROSS MARATHON

 EASTER ROSS PEOPLE’S MARATHON 1983

Mike McCulloch (Forres Harriers)2.48.25

EASTER ROSS PEOPLE’S MARATHON 1984

Graham Flatters (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers) 2.48

First Woman: E Wilby 3.45.20

40 ran

EASTER ROSS PEOPLE’S MARATHON 1985

Ray Cameron (Black Isle AC) 2.42.41

EASTER ROSS MARATHON 3/5/1986

Mick Francis (Forres Harriers) 2.33.41 (record)

Ray Cameron (Black Isle AC) 2.35.43

J Oman (Wick) 2.40.17

(Mick Francis was a Scottish and British ultra-marathon International runner.)

First Woman: Pam Volwerk (Lochaber AC) 3.24.00

.

…

The Marathon Boom had really exploded in Scotland by now. At least eleven races were available in the eighties: Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh, SAAA, Inverclyde, Lochaber, Black Isle, Caithness, Moray and Loch Rannoch. Those were the days!

This was a very friendly, generous, well-organised event, with prizes sponsored by a wide range of local folk. There were awards for: first 12 finishers, first three females, three teams, first visitor, first local, youngest finisher, Lochaber AC members, first husband and wife – plus a tremendous amount of veteran prizes in every five year age group including W35, 40 and 45, plus M40. 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65.

The out and back route usually started with a short detour round some waterside streets, then cut back over Nevis Bridge, Lochy Bridge, Caol, then out along the A830 (Mallaig road) past Loch Eil, crossing the Caledonian Canal, passing Corpach, a Pulp Mill and Fassfern, before turning back around the 14-mile mark and returning to Fort William by the same way, before a sharp right turn into the finish near the Bus Station. It was definitely a flat course, but the wind coming off the loch often seemed to blow in your face both ways, which meant that no runner achieved a sub-2.20 time at the Lochaber Marathon. On the return journey especially, fine Highland scenery might be appreciated by the less-exhausted runners, with snow-topped Ben Nevis looming behind Fort William.

1984: Colin Martin (Dumbarton AAC) won the inaugural Lochaber Peoples Marathon at Fort William (in late April). He defeated a good field of over 300 competitors to establish a course record of 2.28.36. Walter Ryder (Morpeth Harriers), who kept up with Colin until the 14 miles mark, finished second and won the Veterans’ prize in 2.32.47. Third was Roger Boswell (Lochaber) in 2.36.54. First Woman home was Lesley Kirkwood (Livingston) in 3.26.55. Christine Taylor (Glasgow) was second in 3.40.10 and Gay Anderson (Lochaber) third.

(Colin Martin was an excellent athlete with a wide range of ability who could cover events from 400m to cross-country to marathon, including the steeplechase. In 1973 and 1974, he ran for Scotland against Northern Ireland in two 11-mile road races.)

Allan Adams (Dumbarton AAC) recalls: “I had been recovering from an injury and was not race-fit, but decided to attempt the first six miles. Although a snowstorm developed, I was surprised to keep up with the pack, carried on, at 14 miles turned back (rounding three tyres and two cold marshals), and was still third at 21 miles, when I hit a very hard ‘wall’ and was completely out of blood sugar, yet managed to ‘walk’ the last five miles to finish around the 3 hour mark.”

1985: Kay Dodson (Law and District) wrote: “Lochaber was always my favourite marathon. I loved the flat course along by Loch Eil and the organisation and local enthusiasm was second to none. I particularly remember the 1985 race. I had trained hard over the winter and was hoping I might break 3.10. I was delighted to run 3.08.44 (a course record) and to be first in the women’s race. However, it was the weather that I remember best. It was very cold with a bitter wind and snowed for much of the race. My lasting memory is of a marshal clearing the snow off the 20-mile marker. The marshals and volunteers at the drink stations were the real heroes of the day. They must have been frozen but were cheerful as ever – but that was typical of the local enthusiasm for the event. Brian and our two children helped at one of the drink stations and they assured me it was very cold.  I also remember meeting the legendary Eddie Campbell that day who was running in his Green Flash plimsolls. He wasn’t one for fancy running shoes. What a great guy Eddie was. I am pretty sure that Helen Morton (Irvine AC) was second woman but I don’t know who was third.

The men’s race was won for the second successive time by Colin Martin (Dumbarton) in a new course record of 2.26.58. Second was Brian Carty (Shettleston – 2.29.06) and third Allan Adams (Dumbarton – 2.29.36).   For a story of the race, see the photographs below, courtesy of Graham MacIndoe.

                                                                                                       1985 Start. Alec Robertson Number 35 on the left.

                                                                                                                 1985: Brian Carty asks for a warmer top!

                                                                            Brian Carty warmer and happier. Colin Martin behind, Allan Adams next.

Second woman: Helen Morton, battling the snow and trying to chase Kay Dodson

Colin Martin recalls: “It was very cold with snow and sleet the whole race. I was part of a pack of seven runners until the turn at 14 miles, then ran together with Brian Carty until 17 miles. I passed the leader Alec Robertson (Edinburgh Southern Harriers) at 20 miles, then continued on my own until the finish. With help from Peter Walsh in 15^th place, Dumbarton won the team race.”

                                                                              Colin Martin heading for victory in the 1985 Lochaber Marathon

Allan Adams remembers that Brian Carty was a hundred yards in front of him when Brian missed the right turn near the finish and let Allan through to claim second place. However, Allan thought this was unfair to Brian, so the organisers agreed to switch them round in the results and at the prize-giving.

Alec Robertson texted: “I gained quite a lead but, running back towards Fort William into the snow and wind, I just froze – and had to drop out after they passed me at 20 miles. I even asked one of the drink stations if they had a cup of tea for me!”

                                                                      Alec being encouraged by his Dad (Hamish, a good marathon man in the 1950s)

1986: Allan Adams (Dumbarton) improved the course record to 2.26.36 after a battle with Brian Carty (Shettleston – 2.27.38). Third man home was Tom Walker (Calderglen) in 2.29.30. Fourth Alec Robertson (ESH – 2.32.35); fifth Jim Farquhar (Aberdeen AAC – 2.35.26) and sixth Mark Thomas (Aberdeen AAC – 2.35.44). First Woman was Pam Volwerk (Lochaber – 3.37.08) from Janet MacLugash (Banavie) and Dorothy Anderson (Caol).

Allan Adams recalls: “This was a sunny day with the temperature in the high 70s – a real change from the snow and sleet of 1985. I felt in good shape, since I had been training at 100 miles per week average for eleven weeks. From the start, Brian Carty, Thomas Walker and myself went into the lead. We dropped Walker by halfway and the race was between the two of us.

I felt strong about 23 miles, probably due to the ‘pre-marathon diet’ kicking in. (I used to eat only protein for three days and then only carbohydrate for the next three – plenty of pasta, glucose and Mars Bars!) I pulled away into a lead of a minute and set a new course record.”

1987:

                                                                     Lochaber Marathon 1987 start

On 26th April 1987, the Lochaber Marathon featured a duel between two SAAA Marathon winners. Colin Youngson (Aberdeen AAC), who had won the Scottish Championship in 1975, 1981 and 1982 but was now finding the distance increasingly difficult, set out over-confidently, building up a two-minute lead by ten miles into what he thought was a headwind. However, after the turn he discovered that there was another headwind to struggle into on the way back, and also that Brian Carty (Shettleston H, the 1986 Scottish Marathon Champion) was pulling him in steadily. When Brian caught up at 22 miles, Colin assumed he was ‘dead and buried’ but Brian, true to form, started chatting pleasantly! Too knackered to respond in more than grunts, Colin dropped in behind for a bit of shelter. Just before 25 miles, he had recovered enough to make a last-ditch effort, ran very hard for half a mile and hung on desperately to the finish. Eighteen seconds later (2.26.33), a fresh Brian, such a genuinely nice guy, rolled in to congratulate Youngson who was panting helplessly against a wall. Colin’s 2.26.15 was a course record until Fraser Clyne won Lochaber in 1994. Brian finished first Veteran. Aberdeen AAC won the team prize, due to support for the winner from John ‘Alf Tupper’ Mackay (third in 2.37.13) and Mark ‘Zoot’ Thomas (fourth in 2.41.14). Fifth and second Veteran was the redoubtable John Maitland (Lochaber AC – 2.44.18).

                                          Lochaber Marathon 1987 finish: a very tired winning man

Patricia Mee (Altrincham and District) broke the record in 1987 with 3.07.15. Second was Betty Hall (unattached – 3.09.10), third Kay Dodson (Law and District – 3.13.34) and fourth Julie Harvey (Glasgow AC – 3.23.20).

                                                           Kay Dodson with Betty Hall behind, closing in steadily

Organiser Eddie Campbell, the legendary Ben Nevis runner, presented umpteen prizes, including clocks, engraved glasses and a £50 Boots token.

The 1987 start line photo shows Colin Youngson very keen to get going while others are still chatting casually. The other photo (left to right) features Kay Dodson, Patricia Mee and Betty Hall.

                                                               Brian Carty wins the 1986 Scottish Marathon Championship in Edinburgh

1988: This was the year when the Men’s SAAA Marathon travelled to Fort William as part of the Lochaber race. Colin Martin, a Scottish Road-Running International in the seventies, had become a veteran the previous year. He and his Dumbarton training friend/rival Allan Adams (the 1989 British Veterans M45 Marathon champion at the Flying Fox event in Stone, Staffordshire, when he had also beaten all the M40 runners) had been doing 90 to 100 miles per week, with Tuesdays and Thursdays devoted to 400, 800 or even mile repetitions with Lachie Stewart and his promising son, Glen. Colin’s Saturday session might be 22 miles on the road, with Sundays an hour and a half over country trails. Lochaber made an excellent target, since it also hosted the Scottish Veterans and SAAA events.

Kay Dodson added: “I remember the weekend very well. It was a Scottish Veteran Harriers Club weekend away organised by Danny and Molly Wilmoth for the Vets marathon championship. We all went up from Glasgow on a bus on the Friday and stayed in a hotel in Fort William. Some went to run the marathon and others to run the 5-mile Glen Nevis race on the Saturday and some did both. As ever, it was a very successful weekend with runners and partners enjoying the home-grown Saturday evening entertainment. No wonder we didn’t run very good times. There were masses of prizes and I seem to remember going home with several, though I can’t now remember what they all were. Again, fantastic organisation and hospitality from the Lochaber folk.” 

                                                                                  Colin Martin winning the 1985 Loch Rannoch Marathon

Colin Martin recalls: “This was a dry day with a very cold wind against the runners on the way back. I managed to finish 17 seconds clear to become Scottish AAA Marathon Champion – and won the Scottish Vets title too.”

Don Ritchie, the legendary ultra-distance runner, wrote that on 24th April “a group of six runners formed by the time we left the town. I increased the pace and by the turn there were three of us left. At about 18 miles I managed to drop the Pitreavie runner McNeill, but Colin Martin stuck behind me.” Colin remembers that over the next few miles, both athletes made attempts to get rid of the other, to no avail. Shortly after the right turn at Corpach, on a stiff little climb starting at a garage, Colin burst away and held a narrow lead to the end. It was a very gruelling race indeed. The result was: first Colin Martin (Dumbarton AAC – 2.30.09); second Donald Ritchie (Forres Harriers – 2.30.26); third Bill McNeill (Pitreavie – 2.36.39). Colin Martin went on to represent Scotland in the Nuremberg Marathon in June 1988.

Julie Harvey (Glasgow AC) won the Women’s race in 3.08.13, beating Kay Dodson (Law and District 3.19.11) and Sheila Cluley (Forfar).

Winter Olympian Mike Dixon prepares to start the 1988 race, while bearded, white-haired Eddie Campbell stands on the left of the start line. Lochaber AC’s John Maitland Senior (number 349) features in both photos.

1989: A report by Michael McQuaid read: “The prolific Colin Youngson (Aberdeen AAC) led the way as veterans showed their younger rivals a clean pair of heels in the Lochaber People’s Marathon at Fort William on April 23^rd. The event again incorporated the national veterans’ marathon championship and the over 40s showed great staying power to fill the first five places overall. Youngson, who retained the national veterans’ cross-country title in February, always appeared in control, but Dumbarton’s Allan Adams dug in well to finish 29 seconds behind. Mike McHale of Pitreavie was third (2.31.30), followed by fellow veterans Robert Wood of Dundee Roadrunners (2.35.33) and Robert Young of Clydesdale (2.36.15). Another Clydesdaler, John Hanratty, salvaged some pride for the youngsters, finishing sixth in 2.37.19.”

Colin Youngson gave the inside story, when he wrote: “The race started into a cold headwind, so I dithered at the back of a leading bunch of seven. A few minor aches (right hip, backs of legs). The turn was just before 14 miles (just under 82 minutes). With the wind behind us, the speed suddenly went up by a minute per mile at least! However, I could only gain an uncomfortable 50 yards on Allan Adams (Dumbarton AAC) – I kept passing his wife, who was cheering him on, then overtaking in her car, and each time I tried not to look stressed! 20 miles was passed in 1.54.55. It was a bit of a struggle towards the finish, and probably we both cracked up at the same rate but did not slow down drastically. First half 77 minutes/second half 72? My time was 2.29.40 and Allan ran 2.30.09. I was glad to win but the process was painful: I could not establish a safe lead; and Allan must have been frustrated to try so hard but not succeed in closing the gap. We were very well matched!”

I was amazed to receive ten prizes (including M40 Scottish Veteran Marathon Champion) from the great Eddie Campbell. The race memento coffee cups were especially good. A special event.” (In October 1989, at the Flying Fox Marathon near Stone, Staffs, Allan Adams became M45 British Vets Marathon Champion – a title Colin won at the same venue in October 1993).

Elizabeth Walls (St Albans Striders) finished First Lady in 3.00.59 (a course record), from Renee Murray (Giffnock North 3.01.53) and Julie Harvey (Glasgow – 3.07.29). 147 runners started and only four failed to finish. 40 broke three hours – a very respectable percentage.

1990: Don Ritchie wrote: “On Sunday morning the 22^nd of April, I set off for Fort William and picked up Mick Francis and Dennis Murphy in Forres to complete our Forres Harriers team for the Lochaber Marathon. I started cautiously and then moved through with Mick to join the lead group of six as we chased a runner from Edinburgh AC. This continued until about 10.5 miles when I increased the pace, which broke up the group. A runner from Alnwick Harriers, David Henderson, and I pulled away from the rest, passing 13 miles in 1.16.34. At the turn we began to close on the leader but I could not maintain my pace. Henderson moved away and a runner from Falkirk Victoria caught and passed me.

By then the sun was shining and conditions became quite warm. The early leader was caught and passed by each of us in turn, and then the Falkirk runner began to fade, so I passed him at about 19 miles. I gradually pulled back the leader and by Lochy Bridge I had reduced the gap to 20 metres. I caught him soon after this and ran on for a particularly sweet win. I was extremely pleased to win a marathon again, even though my time of 2.34.01 was not outstanding.

David Henderson from Alnwick was second in 2.36.14 and Colin McLennan (Edinburgh SPC) third in 2.39.05. Forres Harriers won the team race!”

Elizabeth Walls (St Albans) won the Women’s race in 3.09.45, from Toni Respinger (Dundee RR) and Jacqui Thorn (Mid Cheshire).

1991: Don Ritchie wrote: On the 22^nd of April, I picked up Mick Francis and Donald Gunn and drove to Fort William for the Lochaber Marathon. There was a good entry of 167 starters and the initial pace felt fine, but after a couple of miles I had to speed up to maintain contact with the leaders. We passed 10 miles in 57.06 and at the turn there were 11 in the group as the pace began to quicken. Three fell behind, leaving 8 of us to fight it out. I began to struggle at around 14.5 miles and had to let the group go but, as it began to break up, I began to catch some. I was 7^th and at 20 miles reached in 1.54.45. I passed Neil Martin and then Henderson from Alnwick Harriers, who had been second the previous year. By Banavie I caught and passed the fourth runner and was now concentrating on pulling in the third, caught him at about 25 miles and got past quite easily. The second runner was in sight and I was gaining on him but the finish intervened before I could catch him. I was very pleased at how well I ran over the last seven miles. My drinks of 330ml of Enduro Booster did not show up at 10.5 miles or at 16.5 miles as required but both were offered at 18 miles, so I took one. I think that this helped me run well in the closing stages.

My time (2.30.40) was an improvement of 3.21 on my winning time in 1990. Forres Harriers won the team race again. Jim Cooper (Springburn Harriers) ran well to win in 2.28.34 from Les Atkinson (Alnwick Harriers – 2.29.47).”

The Women’s race was won by E. Reid (City of Glasgow) in 3.20.27, from P. White of Preston and C. Louiwan (North London).

1992: Colin Youngson (Aberdeen AAC) wrote: “After the first mile, Davie Fairweather (Law and District M45) shot off. A group of six pursued cautiously at six-minute-mile pace. Organised pace sharing cut back on Davie’s two-minute lead. There was a swirling side-wind. Peter Faulds (Falkirk) broke away at ten miles. I decided to hang on to George Reynolds (Forres H) the Scottish Marathon champion back in 1984. The turn was reached before 14 miles, but a headwind persisted, so I continued to shelter behind George. Peter caught Davie at 15 miles; we did so at 19 miles; and then overtook Peter at 21.

Poor George, who had done all the work, started slowing. At 23 we discussed finishing together but he was weakening. I drifted away at 24. There was a tough headwind during the last two miles, so I felt very tired at 25 but made it to the finish, in a qualifying time for next year’s London Marathon, when I would be 45.

I won in 2.36.23; George ran 2.37.06; with Don Ritchie (Forres Harriers) third in 2.38.43. Mick Francis (Forres Harriers – 6^th in 2.41.52) ensured that his team finished first.

The Prizegiving was as amazing as ever: I was Scottish Veteran Marathon Champion again, and received four cups and a shield for First Vet, First Visitor, First Gent (!) etc. This was my tenth and last marathon victory between 1973 and 1992. The four-hour drive home seemed like hard work.”

Julie Armstrong (Giffnock North) finished First Lady in 3.06.37, from Aileen Reid (East Kilbride) and Suzanna Bennett (Metro Aberdeen).

                                                                               Donald, Colin and George after the 1992 Lochaber Marathon

1993: Jim Rodgers (East Hull – 2.33.52) won clearly from Bob Wood (Dundee RR – 2.36.35) and Bobby Young (Clydesdale – 2.38.57). First Woman was Ann Lippit (North London – 3.04.24) from Kate Todd (Kilmarnock) and Linda Trahan (Garioch).

1994: Fraser Clyne emailed “I was training for my first 100k due to be held in London on 8th May. So I planned to do two 50k races and a marathon in 5 weeks.
On March 19th I won the Pitreavie 50k in 3:03:43, on April 3rd I won the Speyside Way 50k in 3:02:07 and on April 24th I won Lochaber.
I don’t recall much about the race other than taking the lead inside the first mile and running solo the whole way. I wanted to keep to a comfortable pace as I was keen to keep going with my 100k preparations. 
The 100K didn’t go well. I dropped out after 79K but six weeks later I fought off Terry Mitchell to win the Scottish marathon title at Loch Rannoch in 2:23:08 (Terry was second in 2:23:46).”

Fraser (a very successful GB and Scottish International marathoner) set a new course record at Lochaber with 2.25.17. Second was Andy Stirling (Bo’ness Runners – 2.36.45) and third John Durnin (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers – 2.37.00).

First Woman was Trudi Thomson (Pitreavie) who set a new course record of 2.52.12. Kate Todd (Kilmarnock) was second and Susan Low third. (Trudi Thomson was an outstanding Scottish marathon and GB International ultra-marathon runner who, not long after Lochaber, achieved a brilliant silver medal in the 1994 IAU 100km Championships in Japan.)

1995: In 1995 at Lochaber, John Duffy (born in 1955) a powerful runner (previously representing Spango Valley but now Shettleston Harriers) seized the opportunity to grab his first Scottish Marathon title. Duffy was pressed hard in the first half of the race by Alan Reid (Peterhead), the 29-year-old Banff-based athlete, who was rated one of the best distance runners in the North of Scotland. (Later on, Alan ran for GB over 100km; and won the British title at that distance.) Reid had made his marathon debut as a teenager in the Easter Ross race many years earlier. His only other attempt at the distance ended in failure at Loch Rannoch when he was forced to drop out with injury – and now he was hoping it would be a case of third time lucky. Duffy, however, proved too strong in the second half of the contest and gradually eased home in 2.31.19. Reid suffered badly in the closing stages and was in danger of failing to get a medal of any description until he rallied to record 2.35.52 and overhaul Richard Davidson (Dundee 2.35.59) and Davie Fairweather (Law) – just ten seconds separated these three at the end.

Margaret McLaren became Fife AC’s first-ever Scottish Women’s Marathon Champion when she recorded 3.07.17 to get the better of Susan Low (3.09.57) and Corina Cramer (Perth 3.15.45).

1996: John Duffy (Shettleston) retained his Lochaber title in 2.29.03. He was well clear of Brian Howie (Edinburgh Southern Harriers – 2.38.53) and Simon Pride (Keith – 2.40.24). First Woman was renowned International hill-runner Helene Diamantides (Westerlands – 3.04.22), from Margaret McLaren (Fife) and Susan Low (Coasters).

1997: Local Scottish International hill-runner David Rodgers (Lochaber) won in 2.35.40, from Nicol Maltman (Teviotdale Harriers – 2.36.11) and Allan Stewart (Moray – 2.38.13). First Woman home was defending champion Helene Diamantides (Westerlands – 3.04.22, from Margaret McLaren (Fife) and Maggie Creber (City of Edinburgh).

1998: Mike Girvan (Warrington – 2.30.46) won, from Fraser Clyne (Metro Aberdeen – 2.33.46) who was first Veteran. Third was Nicol Maltman (Teviotdale – 2.36.43).

Clare Pauzers (Herne Hill) created a very good new course record of 2.50.12. Second was M. Wooldridge (Newquay) and third Kate Todd (Kilmarnock).

1999: Simon Pride (Keith) improved considerably to reduce the course record to 2.24.24, in front of Nicol Maltman (Teviotdale – 2.31.51) and Clyde Marwick (Shettleston – 2.43.42). First Woman was Carol Cadger (Perth) in 3.13.30, from Sandra Marwick and Averil Dudek (Perth).

                                                                                            The Lochaber Marathon prize table overflows as usual!

2000: David Rodgers (Lochaber) won for the second time in 2.28.53, from consistent Nicol Maltman (Teviotdale – 2.38.40) and Alan Reid (Peterhead – 2.40.32). First Woman was Dawn Scott (Lochaber – 3.3.13.34) from Carol Cadger (Perth – 3.15.17) and C. Kaiser (Valley Striders).

2001: For the third time, David Rodgers (Lochaber) won his local marathon, this time in 2.32.20. Alan Reid (Peterhead) was second in 2.34.07 and Frank Harper (Carnegie) third in 2.39.05. Kate Jenkins of Carnethy Hill Runners finished first Woman in 3.03.20, in front of Elaine Calder and Carol Cadger (Perth). (Both Elaine and Carol ran International ultra-marathons for Scotland.)

2002: The Scottish Marathon Championship was held on 28th April, at the Lochaber Marathon in Fort William. Female gold medallist was Dawn Scott, twice silver medallist in the Scottish Hill Running Championship, from the local club Lochaber AC. Her time was 3.09.45. Second was Elaine Calder from Strathaven Striders (3.12.04) and third Debbie MacDonald from Hunter’s Bog Trotters (3.20.51.)

Jamie Reid (Law and District AC) secured his first Scottish Marathon title, recording a very good new course record of 2.21.46. Some distance behind was silver medallist Brian Fieldsend (Inverness Harriers – 2.35.02) and third-placed Martin Ferguson (EAC – 2.36.20). (In 2003, on 31st August in the Elgin Moray Marathon in Elgin, over a much slower course, Jamie Reid retained his Scottish title in 2:34:08, still three minutes ahead of his closest rival James Snodgrass (Kilbarchan AAC – 2.37.20), with Andreas Merdes (Lothian RC 2.39.58) third. In 2007, also in Elgin, Jamie Reid (Cambuslang – 2.33.11) won his third Scottish Marathon title, gaining revenge on Simon Pride (Forres H – 2.33.46). Bronze medallist was David Gardiner (Kirkintilloch – 2.38.07).)

                                                                                                                              Jamie Reid

2003: The First Woman to finish the Lochaber Marathon was the indefatigable Kate Jenkins of Carnethy Hill Runners. Despite the marathon not being her best event, Kate recorded 3.05.44, with Dhvala Stott (Sri Chinmoy) second in 3.08.48 and Denise Muir (Kilbarchan) third.

Kate ran an incredible amount of races on all surfaces, for Gala Harriers, Carnethy Hill Runners and HBT. Between 1997 and 2012 she was Scottish Marathon Champion four times and won the Moray Marathon twelve times! In addition, she was Scottish Hill Running Champion in 1999 and 2001; and first Woman in the West Highland Way Race five times: 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2006. (She also won the 2004 Lairig Ghru Hill Race, which was 28 miles long, accompanied by Ben, the First Dog!)

Kate Jenkins en route to winning the 2006 West Highland Way Race

In 2003, John Duffy (Shettleston Harriers) won the Lochaber Marathon in 2.41.22, from Jason Smith (Aviemore – 2.43.22) and V. Caravaggio (Italy – 2.45.03). Please note that this John Duffy was born in 1964 and a different runner from the Lochaber winner in 1995 and 1996.

2004: Simon Pride (Metro Aberdeen RC) was back to form, winning his third Scottish Marathon title with considerable ease. The event was held as part of the Lochaber Marathon once again, on 25th April, and Simon ran right away to secure gold in 2.21.21; with Andreas Merdes second in 2.37.50 and John Duffy (Shettleston H) third in 2.44.32. Second Lochaber finisher was actually Stewart Gregory (Holme Pierrepoint – 2.35.59) who was not eligible for a silver medal.

                                                                                          The start of the 2004 Lochaber Marathon

Fraser Clyne reported in the Aberdeen Press and Journal: “Simon Pride (Metro Aberdeen) won his third Scottish title when breaking the course record to win the 21^st Lochaber Marathon ahead of a record field of 306 at Fort William yesterday. The 36-year-old British ultra-distance international, who is training for next month’s European 100km championship in Italy, recorded 2.21.21 to knock 25 seconds off the previous mark, set by Cambuslang’s Jamie Reid two years ago.

Pride admitted, however, that he wouldn’t have run so quickly had it not been for the efforts of pacemaker Steven Wylie. “He sheltered me from the breeze on the outward half of the course, which was a great help and he kept going until about the 15-mile point,” Simon said. “I knew I could get the record, although there was a bit of uncertainty near the end because I didn’t see the last mile marker and I wasn’t sure how far there was to go.”

Pride hopes his victory in the Lochaber race will prove to be a lucky omen, as his last success at Lochaber was in 1999 just a few weeks before he went on to win the World 100km title in France. Pride also led Metro Aberdeen to the team prize from Duncan Wood (11^th) and Nir Oren (53^rd).”

Scottish Women’s Marathon Champion was Janet Laing (Portobello AC – 3.12.09), from Elaine Calder (Strathaven S – 3.3.18.44) and Maggie Creber (Carnethy HRC – 3.19.14). Kath Charnock of Wigan (3.11.41) actually finished first Woman at Lochaber, but was a non-counter in the Scottish Championship.

2005: John Duffy (Shettleston – 2.42.15), the victor in 2003, won the Lochaber Marathon for the second time. Second was Mark Bendall (Horsforth – 2.44.00) and third Robert Wilson (Greenock – 2.51.12)

First Woman home was Fiona Matheson (Falkirk Victoria Harriers – 2.57.37) who was well clear of Amanda O’Leary (Bourneville – 3.08.53) and Gillian Godfree (Lothian).

(Fiona Matheson became a fantastic, widely-admired Masters athlete, winning Scottish Senior titles and, in various Masters age-groups, breaking World records and winning not only Scottish and British but European and World titles.)

2006: Simon Pride (Forres Harriers) won his third Lochaber Marathon in 2.27.57, from Ruairidh Campbell (Arbroath Footers – 2.30.57) and Robert Gilroy (Cambuslang Harriers – 2.33.39).

First Woman, retaining her title, was Fiona Matheson (Falkirk Victoria Harriers – 2.56.17) from Sue Bruce (Tewkesbury – 3.00.58) and Marietta van der Linden (City of Edinburgh).

2007: Ruairidh Campbell (Arbroath Footers) won the Lochaber Marathon in 2.35.30, from David Gardiner (Kirkintilloch Olympians – 2.42.27) and GB ultra-marathon International Jez Bragg (2.43.04).

Adela Salt (Trentham) won Women’s contest in 2.53.08, from Lucy Colquhoun (City of Edinburgh – 2.59.48) and Julie Carter (Cumberland).

2008: At the Lochaber Marathon, near Fort William, first Woman home was Rebecca Johnson (Glasgow – 3.05.18); in front of the Scottish Women’s Marathon Champion Louise Beveridge (Metro Aberdeen RC – 3.13.38); and Kate Jenkins (Gala Harriers – 3.15.35). (Since Rebecca was not a member of Scottish Athletics, she did not qualify for the Scottish gold medal.)

The Lochaber Marathon and Scottish Men’s Marathon title was won by Stuart Kerr (Kirkintilloch Olympians – 2.34.01); in front of Keith Buchan (Fraserburgh AAC – 2.43.12); and Paul Hart (Dumfries RC – 2.45.10). Stuart’s personal best marathon time seems to have been 2.29.53, set in 2012.

2009: Niku Millott (Metro Aberdeen RC) won the Lochaber Marathon in 2.43.08. (He had also finished first in the 2008 Moray Marathon at Elgin.) Second was Paul Roarty (Fife – 2.45.57) and third Steven Reid (Fife – 2.46.32).

First Woman was Katie Teague (3.03.11), from Lynnette Porter (Bitton – 3.07.55) and Elaine Whyte (Fraserburgh).

2010: Stuart Kerr (Kirkintilloch) won Lochaber again, this time in 2.31.43, after a race-long contest with Kerry-Liam Wilson (Cambuslang – 2.32.04) and Robert Gilroy (Cambuslang – 2.34.26).

Kerry-Liam Wilson recalls: “This was a good battle at the front. All three of us took the lead at some point, with only a few metres between us. Around mile 22/23 Robert dropped off. 

Stuart nipped away within the last mile to victory. He did sit in and let Robert and myself do most of the work, but certainly got it tactically right. That race was a 25.5 mile run then he sprinted off and left me!”

(Kerry-Liam Wilson has been an absolutely outstanding Masters runner at M40 and M45, and is looking forward to continuing this success in the M50 category. He has won umpteen Scottish and British Masters titles on every surface, as well as medals in European and World Masters Championships. In the Senior Scottish Marathon Championships, he has won one silver and two bronze medals. In early 2019 at Perth, he became Senior Scottish 50 km Champion.)

First Woman was Pamela Tosh (Aberdeen AAC – 2.59.13), followed by Gail Murdoch (Carnegie Harriers – 3.07.56) and Katie McIntosh of Westerlands AC.

                                                                         Left to right: Robert Gilroy, Stuart Kerr and Kerry-Liam Wilson

                                                                                        Kerry-Liam and Stuart after the presentation

2011:

                                                                Robert Gilroy, who was Scottish Marathon champion in Edinburgh 2005

Robert Gilroy (Cambuslang Harriers) won the Lochaber Marathon in 2.35.44 from his team-mate Kerry-Liam Wilson (2.37.56) and Roger Van Gompel (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers – 2.45.34).

Female winner was Sarah Jarvis (Bingley) in a fine 2.51.33, from Erica Christie (3.17.26) and Melanie Henderson (Portobello).

(Robert Gilroy was a very hard training, high mileage runner who won the 2005 Scottish Marathon title in Edinburgh; as well as the Scottish 10 Miles Championship in 2014. He won Scottish and/or British Veteran/Masters titles on cross-country, track and road. His marathon PB was 2.26.22.)

He emailed: “I loved doing the Lochaber Marathon – what a great race, with its out and back course. There were not many spectators but that didn’t bother me, because I trained on my own anyway. (Running to work, during lunchtime and then running back home from work too.) To be placed and then to win in Lochaber gave me quite a buzz!

My Mum and Dad were at all my races and that’s why I always raced well and won often –  because my two greatest supporters were there.

In 2011 when I won it, beating Kerry by over two minutes, I was so happy, because the two of us were well clear. It was a great tussle before I put the foot down and was glad to reach the finish line first.”

Kerry-Liam Wilson wrote: “This was the race when I found out that warm weather, Lucozade and I are not a good combination. Stomach pain was incredible. Robert would go ahead. Then I’d go in front, and he was actually leaning against a fence during the last mile, when I hobbled past, only for him to pick himself up and overtake just before the football pitch section. Both suffered that day and he was just stronger in the end. 

If anyone else had been close, he would easily have strolled past us. However, we were clear of the field. I won the SVHC M40 marathon title that day. Small consolation.” 

 2012: Dan Gay (Hunter’s Bogtrotters) won in 2.38.22, closely followed by Stuart Kerr (Kirkintilloch – 2.38.48) and Roger Van Gompel (Dundee HH – 2.38.51).

Megan Wright (also HBT) won the Women’s race in 2.57.33, well clear of Rhona Anderson (Dunbar – 3.09.50) and Gail Murdoch (Carnegie Harriers).

2013: Robert Gilroy (Cambuslang) won in 2.33.19, from Steven Reid (Fife – 2.48.09) and Neil MacLachlan (Pitreavie – 2.55.20).

Robert Gilroy emailed: “In 2013 I won the race again, taking over two minutes off my time. I always remember that one, because at halfway you turn round and start heading all the way back towards the finish – and I looked across the road and could not believe that a woman was in second place – obviously, I didn’t know Joasia Zakrzewski at the time! What a run by that girl, a really nice person. I enjoyed speaking to her after the race.

The Lochaber Marathon was a great event and it was a really good weekend away. I loved the race and the scenery too. If you were cruising in the race, like I was in 2013, you could really appreciate the scenery!”

First Woman home, in second place overall, smashing the course record, was Joasia Zakrzewski (Dumfries RC) in 2.45.55. Second Woman was Kim Fawke (Telford) in another fine time – 2.49.13. Third was Rhona Anderson (Dunbar – 3.08.32).

(At the 2014 IAU World 100km Championships, Scottish International runner Ellie Greenwood (who lived in Canada) won individual gold, setting a new Scottish record of 7.30.48. Along with Joasia Zakrzewski (a Scottish Marathon International, living in Dumfries), Jo Meek and Emily Gelder, Great Britain won the team title as well.)

2014: Roger Van Gompel (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers) won the Lochaber Marathon in 2.40.46, from ultra-distance runner Andrew Murray (2.42.29) and David Houston (Glasgow University – 2.45.21).

First Woman was Donna Finlayson (Victoria Park Glasgow) in 3.11.32, from Kathy Henly (Portobello) and Pam McCrossan (Clydesdale Harriers).

Sadly, this was the last Lochaber Marathon, after a distinguished history of 31 consecutive years. Lochaber AC’s Dugie MacDonald had been heavily involved in organising the event, which was first held in 1984, and had hosted the Scottish Marathon Championships on a number of occasions.

He said, “The club was becoming increasingly concerned about traffic difficulties. We have always had a very good team organising the marathon, but health and safety issues were becoming a worry to everyone and we felt it just wouldn’t be possible to continue. If someone else is interested in taking it over, we would be delighted.”

In 2020, Dugie MacDonald recalled: “I took on the race as convenor in 1993 and retired in 2014 with a lot of lovely memories. It was a lot of hard work but I had a good team of helpers, the pleasure I got from meeting so many wonderful people made the job worthwhile – and it made the club financially sound. Since moving to Milton Keynes, I have taken up bowling, have managed to win a club tournament this year and am really enjoying it.” 

(Subsequently, from 2015, a Fort William Marathon took place in July. The entry information read “The race will take you on an incredible 26-mile journey (mainly along trails rather than tarmac) in the shadow of the UK’s highest mountain Ben Nevis. You will run along part of the iconic Great Glen Way, Thomas Telford’s Caledonian Canal and Neptune’s Staircase. This marathon will test your endurance and strength and reward you with stunning views of the Scottish Highlands. This marathon is not simply about the time but about the journey you will take too ….” M40 veteran Ruairidh Campbell (Arbroath Footers) won in 2.48.58. (He had won the original Lochaber Marathon in 2007.)

This popular, well-organised event continued in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, by which time it seems to have been renamed The Fort William Trail Running Festival.)

Every club had a handbook that included club rules and regulations, past successes as a club and covered track & field athletics as well as cross-country running in general terms.   In addition most clubs had a winter fixture list that dealt solely with the winter season, listing that season’s fixtures as well as trophy winners down through the years and members of the winter committees.   This one is the Victoria Park winter card for members to have in their pocket as a kind of seasonal vade mecum for season 1965-66.   Note the lists of club champions – most impressive is maybe an understatement!

Apart from the sporting achievements there are several who are, or were, known nationally or even internationally for their work away from athletics – eg Craig Sharp who was a world renowned physiologist,  and  Alan Dunbar, journalist.

We are also fortunate enough to have Hugh Barrow’s booklet for season 1958-59.   A wee bit the worse for wear but it is over 60 years old!  Note too that several very good club men appeared on the committee in both years.