11 year-old from New Deer dominates the distance running scene in the north-east

At just 11-years of age, Hayleigh Reid from New Deer has been dominating the local running scene throughout the whole of 2023.

Hayleigh a member of YoungMeldrum Runners has remarkably won almost every one of her races this year as well as achieving a very impressive sub 20 minutes at 5K.

One of the youngest in her age group didn’t stop Hayleigh from winning her 2K race at Run Garioch, then again winning at the Longside Junior Mile, the Meldrum Mile, the Dunecht Dash 2K and also first place in the 5K under 18s the same day.

Hayleigh continued her winning streak with first places at the Peterhead Marinathon 3K, the Mel’s Mile on Union St. in Aberdeen, Room to Run in Huntly, the Monymusk Muddy Run, the Fyvie Castle 1600m, the Gathimba Edwards Safari Series 1K at Hazelhead and the Middleton Trust 3K in Ellon.

Hayleigh was placed second in the adults 5K in Daviot and 3rd in the adults 5K in Inverness where she achieved her first sub 20 minute run, an incredible time for her age and most recently first place in the adults 5K race in Turriff last weekend.

Hayleigh trains twice weekly at YoungMeldrum Runners as well as doing longer runs with her dad Michael and attends Park Runs many weekends.

Hayleigh’s coach Mark Wylie BEM said: “She has a great work ethic and her hard work at training and determination is certainly paying off”.

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