CROWE FLIES TO IMPRESSIVE VICTORY IN HIGHLY COMPETITIVE INVERNESS HALF MARATHON

March 9, 2025

Jamie Crowe claimed his first Scottish half marathon title after storming to an impressive victory in one of the most competitive races in the 40 year history of today’s Inverness half marathon which attracted a record entry of 3355 participants.

The outcome was in doubt for much of the way as a large group of runners forced the pace through the Highland capital. But with less than one kilometre remaining, Crowe unleashed a devastating surge which gave him the breathing space he craved. However, he wasn’t  able to relax until the finish line was reached, with the fast finishing Sean Chalmers (Aberdeen AAC) and Ryan Thomson (Cambuslang Harriers) chasing him every step of the way..

Crowe was clocked at 1hr 5min 19secs with Chalmers just one second behind and Thomson a further two seconds further back in third position. The next four runners all broke the 66min barrier with Taha Ghafari (Shettleston Harriers) finishing fourth, 1:05:39, Eddie Narbett (Carnethy) fifth, 1:05:44, Lewis Rodgers (Fife AC) sixth,1:05:47, and Michael Feguson (Aberdeen AAC) seventh, 1:05:54. There has never previously been such a depth of quality since the race was first held in 1985.

Crowe said: “It was a great field but it quite tactical for a long way as there was a big group which went off relatively slowly. It got gradually faster and faster, but with 6k to go there was still about six of us in contention. When I made my move, about 1k from the end, I wanted it to be decisive. But, I actually think I went a bit too early because when we came onto the track at the finish I thought I had a bigger gap and I felt my legs beginning to go. I could hear Sean and Ryan behind me but, fortunately, I had a little bit left.”

Although this was the 29 year-old Dundee runner’s first national half marathon victory, he has previously won the Scottish cross country title on three occasions, as well as striking gold in the national 5k and 10k road championships and the national 5000m track championships.

He said: “I’ve been brought up in the sport to appreciate how important a Scottish title is, so I’m pleased to get the win today, against such a good field,

and especially after a disappointing run at national cross country last month. I wasn’t bothered about the time, I just wanted the title.”

Taha Ghafari took some consolation from missing out on an individual medal by leading Shettleston Harriers to team gold with backing from Ross Good (8^th, 1:07:58) and Jonathan Moore (14^th,1:09:05).

Shaun Cumming (East Sutherland AC) won the North District men’s title when finishing 11^th overall in 1:08:53, with the 2024 champion James Wilson (Moray Road Runners) having to settle for silver while Stuart Gardiner (Highland Hill Runners) collected the bronze

SCOTT TAKES WOMEN’S TITLE IN ANOTHER HIGH QUALITY RACE

Nancy Scott was in commanding form as she collected the Scottish women’s title with an assured performance which came after a busy spell of racing over the past month. The 25 year-old Edinburgh AC runner stopped the clock at 1:13:24 to finish ahead of Great Britain mountain running international Naomi Lang (Carnethy), who set a personal best 1:14:46, while Wallace Brogan (Shettleston Harriers) was the surprise package, slashing four minutes off her previous best to take bronze in 1:15:01.

Scott, who set a personal best time of 1:12:51 at the Barcelona half marathon in mid-February, before finishing second in the national 10k cross country championships at Falkirk the following week, showed few signs of fatigue as she eased to victory.

She said: “I’m happy with my time as I expected to be a bit slower and I was glad to be able to finish strongly. I took it quite conservatively early on as I knew the hills were coming, but they actually weren’t too bad. I just didn’t want to go too fast in case I blew up. I didn’t really know how close behind Naomi was, but from about 10 miles onwards I pushed along with a guy I was able to run with. Overall, I’m delighted. I’m going to take a bit of a break  from racing and my next big target will be the Scottish 5k at Silverknowes, Edinburgh in May.”

Scott picked up a second gold by leading her club to the national team title with backing from Kirsty Walker who finished fourth in 1:15:31 on her debut at this distance, while Lucy Naga completed the scoring when finishing 25^th in 1:26:02.

Catriona Fraser (Inverness Harriers) won the North District title in 1:21:56 when placing 11^th overall. Kirstie Rogan (Highland Hill Runners) was second in 1:24:28 while Muriel Macleod won the over-40’s title in 1:25:20.

PRIKULIS AND CAMERON TAKE HONOURS IN 5k

Fort William-based Latvian Denis Prikulis, 37, Latvian led the way home in the 5k which attracted a record field of 1500 runners. The Lochaber AC runner clocked 15:31 to finish six seconds ahead of 2024 winner Lachlan Thomas (Ross County) with Billy Sutherland (Ross County) third in 15:59.

Prikulis said: “I’m not really a 5k runner but I did two marathons in the winter then decided I needed to try change my routine to do some faster runs. That’s why I decided to come here. My big target is the Riga marathon later in the year as it’s my national championships and I’m aiming to be in the top three.”

Carolyn Cameron (Aberdeen AAC) won an equally competitive women’s race, clocking a personal best time of 17:44. She said: “That’s my best by four or five secs, so I’m pleased. The 25 year old PE teacher, who is gearing up for the track season, finished four seconds ahead of recently crowned Scottish under 13 cross country champion Millie Glass Park (Young Meldrum Harriers) while Emily Beastall (Inverness Harriers) was third in 18:25

Inverness Half Marathon Race Director Malcolm Sutherland was delighted with the day’s events. He said: “Wewere delighted to see a record turnout of runners for the 40^th anniversary of the event, and the athletes took full advantage of the conditions to produce some stunning performances. I don’t think we’ve ever seen so much strength in depth in both the men’s and women’s half marathons.”