Castle of Mey 10K
Emma Dunnet with the winners trophy

Blue skies and warm temperatures greeted runners at this year’s Castle of Mey 10K. Two hundred and ninety-four runners participated in the second year of this race which is hosted by North Highland Harriers. 
The most northerly 10k in the British mainland is not an easy option with off-road sections and more hills than you care to count, but if you do fancy a wee trip up to Caithness, you need to get your entry in early; this year’s race sold out in 72 hours.

There was a change to the start/finish area from last year which saw runners using the front of the picturesque 14th century castle which is a holiday home of Prince Charles.
The course route takes runners away from the Castle on two different loops which means that spectators can get a glimpse of runners in the distance during various points of the race.  Along with the ongoing comparing from a local Highland Councillor meant that spectators were well informed as to the position of the runners throughout the race with updated information from the lead and sweep vehicles and marshalling points along the way.
The Lord Lieutenant of Caithness Anne Dunnet, got the 10k underway as runners headed towards the shoreline where they could pick out Orkney and Stroma islands with ease.  The 10K course then took runners along the coast before turning inland past farms and fields surrounding the Castle. After an out and back section which saw great camaraderie between the runners, they turned uphill (again) and headed towards the main road to John O’Groats.  A short section on the main road with Northern Constabulary out in force saw the runners climbing (some more) before the last 2k which was all downhill back in towards the Castle grounds.

The local club North Highland Harriers were out in force with the male race being won by Andrew Douglas in an impressive time of 31.51min (normally runs under first claim Inverclyde AC). 
The first female was Emma Dunnett, 15, who although from Caithness, runs for Edinburgh AC and completed the course in 40.18min, just 22 seconds outside of her pb set in BUPA 2 weeks earlier.
Both runners broke the previous course records by more than 3 and 2 minutes respectively and not to be out done Emma’s sister, Oonagh, also running for EAC finished 3rd lady in 42.20min, again just outside her pb.  So strange sights for the locals seeing Edinbugh AC vests in the north but makes a change from reading about the girls exploits for the ‘The Capital Athletics Club’ in the local paper.
(Sophie Dunnet)

FUN RUN RESULTS
Boys – 1st Daniel Kirk, 2nd Scott Gunn, 3rd Stuart Kirk
Girls – 1st Rona Forbes, 2nd Stacy Webster, 3rd Jess Manson

10K Results
Female – 1st Emma Dunnett 40.18min, 2nd Carolyn Milne 40.42min, 3rd Oonagh Dunnett 42.20min
Female Vet – 1st Joan Henry 43.10min, 2nd Sharon McCafferty 47.18min, 3rd Kate Roach 47.54min
Male – 1st Andrew Douglas 31.51min, 2nd Matthew Sutherlend 34.55min, 3rd Jack Trevelyan 36.01min
Male Vet – 1st Alan Wise  37.52min, 2nd Kevin Cormack 38.15min, 3rd Michael Sutherland 39.06min
Locals – 1st Female Joanne Groves 47.17min, 1st Male Austin Hughes 37.26min
Kilted runner – 1st Female Tamara Hicks 63.32min,  1st Male Ruard Erridge 40.40min
Teams – 1st Female North Highland Harriers – Joan Henry, Sharon McCafferty, Joanna Groves and Martine Hughes
1st Male North Highland Harriers – Andrew Douglas, Ewen Mackay, David Spencer, Gary Angus