In Inverness men’s captain Michael Sweeny was first home from the club with an impressive 1.25, closely followed by Charlie Crooks with 1.25.22. Not to be outdone, Charlie’s wife Helen finished in 1.38. Rebecca Parry is reaping the benefits of recent speed work and came home as first HAAC woman in 1.32.

Gail Thomas is no stranger to long distance, but does prefer warmer climates to race in, ran a steady 1.50 followed by Carole Barrie and Sybil Kennedy in 1.53. Liz McHard is never scared of a challenge and made light work of the course, coming in at 2.03.

Closer to home HAAC runners were all over the podiums at the Loch Katrine Running Festival. The notorious hilly course is building a reputation as a ‘must do’ in the running calendar and HAAC was well represented in the 10km, half and marathon distances.

It may be the shorter of the courses but there is nothing easy about the Loch Katrine 10km, although Becky Parry made it look easy as she stormed over the finish line in 42 minutes taking not only first female but an impressive fifth overall.

Carole Barrie took an equally impressive sixth in her age group with a confident run in 51 minutes. The podium was red and yellow again in the half marathon with Debbie Savage and Becky Beale taking first and second ladies in 1.37 and 1.38.

Jan Fellows took first female vet in 1.53, closely followed by Gail Thomas in 1.54. Caroline Johnston continued her impressive spree of half marathons with a solid run of 1.58. Two HAAC runners were tough enough to take on the ultimate challenge of the day — the full 26.2 miles of hilly lochside terrain.

Joseph Palmer certainly chose a tough course for his debut marathon, not that you would known this from his time of 3.43.34. Hot on his heels was Karen Wallace who just missed out on the podium but came in as fourth female in 3.43.50. Ellen MvVey also just missed the podium while taking an impressive fourth female vet in 4.38.

Michelle Heatherington continued her tradition of galloping over longer distances with ease as she ran a steady and confident race over 33 miles to claim third female vet at the D33 Ultra. Not to be outdone her equally talented daughter Maddie smashed her 5km personal best at the recent Clydebank 5km with 18.42 confirming that she is a name to look out for in the future.