PICTURES: Record entry for Clashmach Hill Race as Insch Trail Runners' Euan Wilson beats more than 100 to finish line
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A record entry of 102 runners scaled the heights to tackle Saturday's Clashmach Hill Race.
Starting and finishing at Huntly mart, the event heads out to a trig point at the top of Clashmach Hill then back again, climbing some 375 metres and covering an overall distance of 375 metres.
With the nearby Insch Trail Runners Club and Garioch Roadrunners from Inverurie both having the race listed as one of their club championship events, it helped boost numbers greatly to the delight of race organiser Phil Dawson.
The Insch club's good entry paid off as one of their athletes, Euan Wilson won the race in a time of 24:20.
Some 85 seconds back in second place was local runner Logan Duncan, a member of the British Nordic Skiers, with Insch Trail runner, Rasmus Ipsen in third in 26:04.
First female over the line was Ellen Paton of Dark Peak Fell Runners in a time of 27:54, while Moray Road Runners' Beth Urquhart was second in 28:41 and Amy Muir of Stonehaven Running Club third in 28:52.
One of the most impressive runs of the day came from Elgin youngster Zander Anderson (14), who came fourth overall in a time of 26:06 to claim the junior male prize ahead of 13-year-old Alfie Perrin in 27:06 (10th overall) and Huntly 14-year-old Calum Rogers third junior in 29:53.
Another Huntly teenager won the junior female race as Louisa Milne (13) claimed top prize, while a stunning run from 11-year-old Freya Anderson, also from Huntly, second second place in her category in 43:39.
Thrilled by the big turn-out, Dawson said: "The weather stayed in our favour once again, we have always been blessed with fine weather on race day.
"One runner from Montrose had returned for her third year of the race and most agreed that it was one of the friendliest atmospheres for a race that they had experienced.
"All the runners and marshals enjoyed a cuppa and bacon roll after the race at the Market Cafe.which was included in their race entry fee."
The race, which was sponsored by Trust The Boiler Installation Specialists of Portsoy, returned to the running calendar in 2017 after a 25-year break.
