Runners smash records at Middleton Trust races
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The Middleton Trust returned with their popular fun run event on Sunday.
With four races accommodating different ages and abilities, there was something for everyone.
The charity was set up in memory of local committed sportsman Alan Middleton, and all of the money raised by events like these is then used to assist in the development of sporting talent in young people under 18 in the Ellon area.
The children’s race (600m) was won by Steven Whitehouse-Millar, followed closely by Sofia Tairney.
The junior race (3k) was won by Jordan Cruickshank, with Jessica Needs the fastest female.
The 5k race was won by Rhys Crawford, with Chloe Gray the fastest female.
Finally the 10k race was won by Jordan Cruickshank, with Jenny Stanning the fastest female.
Commenting on the event's success, chairman Ean Mackie said: "Once again the Middleton Trust 3k Fun Run, 5k and 10k races benefited from having good weather for the event.
"This was rearranged as the original date was cancelled as a mark of respect to our late Queen.
"If the event had gone ahead on the original date then only 188 runners were due to appear but the new date attracted no fewer than 346 runners to sign up. "51 runners unfortunately failed to appear on the day but we understand this is quite normal.
"One runner who had a day to remember was 19 year old Jordan Cruickshank of Aberdeen Metro Running Club who competed in all three races winning two and being second in the other.
"The day got off to a quiet start with the 600m race for u-7's and although 18 had entered only 12 turned out.
"The winner was Steven Whitehouse-Millar from Inverurie.
"The 5k that followed probably proved to be the most competitive of the day with Rhys Crawford, of Aberdeen AAC, winning in 16.19 minutes, just edging home ahead of Jordan Cruickshank by six seconds.
"In doing so Rhys broke Jonathan Cordiner, of Kayleigh Wee Stars, record for the distance by 33 seconds - in fact both first and second runners beat the record.
"First lady home was Chloe Gray, of Aberdeen Metro, in 18.58 minutes which also broke the record by 57 seconds.
"In second place was Louise MacKenzie, in a time of 19.13 minutes.
"The 3k event that followed was celebrating it's 25th anniversary and this became the first of Jordan Cruickshank's victories of the day in a time of 9.51minutes.
"The first lady home in this event was Jessica Needs, of Peterhead AC, in a time of 11.47 minutes, just ahead of Emily Taylor, Aberdeen AC in 11.55 minutes and Julie Hendry, Aberdeen Metro RC, in third place with a time of 12.09 minutes - a mere 22 seconds between all three runners.
"The family winners in this event were mother and son combination of Alex and Julie Hendry, from Aberdeen.
"The school shield for schools with a roll over 150 was won by Auchterellon Primary School, represented by Riley Wetherly, Sophie Wetherly and Indigo Murray, while the shield for school roles under 150 pupils was won for the first time by Foveran Primary School, represented by James McLaughlin, Isabelle Smith and Oliver Smith.
"The final event of the day, the 10k race, had attracted 150 entrants but only 130 turned up on the day.
"This became Jordan Cruickshak's second victory of the day in 33.50 minutes, beating 2019's time by 44 seconds to create a new record while in second place was Colin McRae, of Moray Road Runners, in 35.30 minutes and William Wilson, of Turriff Running Club, in third exactly one minute behind.
"First lady over the line was Jenny Stanning, of Aberdeen, in 42.15 minutes closely followed by Vicki MacFarlane, of JM Taylor, in 43.05 minutes and Vivienne Bruce, also of JM Taylor, in close third in a time of 43.39 minutes.
"The first Jog Scotland person home in a time of 50.07 minutes was Fiona Naylor, and she teamed up with Sally Davies and Mark Innes Brown to win the Jog team shield for their Bridge Of Don Club.
"The 10k local shield was won by JM Taylor's team of Vicki MacFarlane, Vivienne Bruce and Barry Reid.
"The winners of some shields will be announced at a later date due to a lack of clarity around which club or team the winners represent.
"So another event ended successfully but would not have done so without the sponsorship provided by local accountants JM Taylor and the band of volunteer groups who assisted along the way...to them the Trust are deeply indebted.
"They were the Boys' Brigade (for provision of tent and stewarding), the local Cadets (who controlled the stewarding) and the Rotary who provided assistance with the setting up and later stewarding.
"A word of thanks is also due to the two young pipers Lewis and Ellie who entertained during the break between races and to our announcer on the day Doug Winchester."
The winners were as follows:
600m:
Overall - 1 Steven Whitehouse-Millar (3.37).
3k Race:
Overall - 1 Jordan Cruickshank (9.49); 2 Harris Callander (9.53) and 3 Kyle Gibson (10.42).
Lady - 1 Jessica Needs (11.47).
Under Seven Boy - No entries.
Under Nine Boy - Lochlan Royan (13.29).
Under 11 Boy - Rory Fotheringham (13.44).
Under 13 Boy - Nathan Thow (11.59).
Under 15 Boy - Harris Callander.
Over 17 Male - Jordan Cruickshank.
Under Seven Girl - Isla Thomson (23.58).
Under Nine Girl - Alisha Whitehouse Millar (16.24).
Under 11 Girl - Hayleigh Reid (12.31).
Under 13 Girl - Emily Taylor (11.57).
Under 15 Girl - Jessica Needs.
Under 17 girl - Alyssa Goodbrand (12.19).
Over 17 Female - Julie Hendry (12.12).
Family - 1 Alex and Julie Hendry (24.17) and 2 Sam and Billy Brooks (24.51).
School Shield (roll over 150) - Auchterellon Primary School.
School Shield (roll under 150) - Foveran Primary School.
Team shields - TBC.
5k Race:
Male - 1 Rhys Crawford (16.19); 2 Jordan Cruickshank (16.25) and 3 John Bonner (16.53).
Female - 1 Chloe Gray (18.58), Louise McKenzie (19.13) and 3 Jessica Needs (19.59).
Under 40 Male - Rhys Crawford.
Under 40 Female - Chloe Gray.
Veteran Male - John Bonner.
Veteran Female - Susan Strachan (22.08).
Super Veteran Male - Bryan Mills (21.17).
Super Vet Female - Morag McKenzie (26.58).
10k Race:
Male - 1 Jordan Cruickshank (33.45); 2 Colin McRae (35.30) and 3 Tom Roche (35.55).
Female - Jenny Stanning (42.15); 2 Vicki MacFarlane (43.05) and 3 Vivienne Bruce (43.39).
Veteran Male - Tom Roche.
Veteran Lady - Ruth Howie (47.46).
Super Veteran Male - Paul Mills (40.51).
Super Veteran Lady - Denise Burnett (49.10).
Jog Scotland individual - Fiona Naylor (50.07).
Jog Scotland team - Bridge of Don.
Local team - JM Taylor.
