The Carnegie man crossed the line in a time of 1.16.04 – seven seconds ahead of the Forres Harriers runner.

Despite predictions of rain and gales in the lead up to Sunday's race, the weather was kinder than forecast for the run, hailed as Britain's most beautiful half-marathon.

A total of 874 competitors completed the new-look 13.1 mile course which took them through the forests of Badaguish, around Loch Morlich, down the newly opened cycle path to Inverdruie and into Aviemore.

A good crowd gathered in front of the Four Seasons Hotel which was the finishing line for this year's race.

Cairngorm runner, Steve Wall, ran the whole way in Army combat uniform and boots carrying a 50lb pack to heighten awareness of 'Help for Heroes' a charity looking after soldiers, sailors and airmen injured in the line of duty while serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

His pack weighed the same as those carried by soldiers out on the combat lines.

He said: "The reaction I got from the crowds and other runners was worth it all and I hope I managed to raise some awareness of our boys in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"I was delighted to get round without walking and in a reasonable time – and even managed to cross the line before 180 other runners – but was more pleased at how well the rest of the club ran."

Captain Wall added: "Although it felt such a good idea at the time I am feeling it today. Of course, those serving their country also have to contend with the harsh conditions, hostile environment and searing heat, which was certainly not an issue for runners on Sunday."

The local running club, Cairngorm Runners, had a field of 19 entrants and, for most, it was their first attempt at the half marathon distance. First Cairngorm Runner home, and in 60th place overall, was Sandy Grigor, who ran his third Aviemore Half Marathon in 1.30.19.

Frances Bain put in an impressive performance to be first lady from the club home in a time of 1.49.17, closely followed by Annie Fraser (1.50.33).

Nigel Rollason, who was taking part for the second time, finished in 1.50.50 and said: "I am astounded to learn I have improved my time by a massive 23 minutes – all that effort with the running club has paid off."

Delighted runner Pauline Mitchell said after she crossed the line: "Although I have never run this distance before, I felt that I was able to keep going comfortably,"

Competitor Melissa Wall had to run the last six miles with a bad knee but still made it across the line. "I was so delighted to have completed 13 miles having only started running two years ago – and even though I was injured I still beat my predicted time," she said.

"Thanks should go to the team at Badaguish, all the volunteers who helped make it happen and ensured that we all enjoyed a fantastic day."

Tommy Lawrence raises his hands in victory after winning the Aviemore Half Marathon at the third attempt.

The top charity sponsors award went to Peter Buck from Seattle who raised £4,000 for the half-marathon's beneficary – The Speyside Trust, which provides respite care for people with disabilities.

Director Andrew MacKenzie said that they were well on their way to raising the target of £14,000 from this year's event and thanked all the local sponsors and volunteers.

He said: "This will help to fund up to 70 places for people with profound disabilities to enjoy an outdoor holiday at our respite care centre."

Mr MacKenzie added that there were still learning lessons about organising such a large-scale event and welcomed any comments from those who had taken part.

He said: "There were some issues raised like how can the same number of people drink 30% more water than last time and how many toilets we need to ensure that the event goes off as smoothly as possible."

He was delighted with the day overall, however, after fearing in the lead-up to Sunday that the half-marathon might have to be cancelled because of the stormy weather that had been forecast.

Results:

Individual overall: Men – Tommy Lawrence (Carnegie Harriers); Simon Pride (Forres Harriers); Raymond Hardie. Ladies – Sonia Armitage (Aberdeen AAC); Dr Lisa Finlay (Dumfries Running Club); Claire Thompson (Bellahouston Road Runners).

Individual veteran (age 40-49): Men – Simon Pride; Raymond Hardie; Paul Hart (Dumfries Running Club). Ladies – winner Sonia Armitage; Dr Gill Irvine (Aviemore); Hilary Mather (Giffnock North AAC).

Individual supervet (age 50-59): Men – Lewis Walker; Richard Davidson (Dundee Road Runners); William Haining. Ladies – Patricia Affleck; Judith Dobson (Kinross Road Runners); Margot Crosbie.

Individual vintage (age 60+): Men – Bob Brown (Perth Road Runners); John Parr; Tommy Lawlor (Carnegie Harriers). Ladies – Moira Hutchison; Joyce Mathers; Jane Askey (Fife AC).

Individual local: Men – James Thom; Geoff Simpson (Hunters Bog Trotters); Ian Stewart. Ladies – Dr Gill Irvine; Penny Lawson; Elspeth Grant.

Leading top fifty runners (gun times). 1.16.04, 562 Tommy Lawrence, Carnegie Harriers, male senior; 1.16.11, 196 Simon Pride, Forres Harriers, male vet; 1.16.28, 1222 Raymond Hardie, male vet; 1.16.36, 1072 Niku Millott, Metro Aberdeen Running Club, male senior; 1.16.41, 815 Paul Rogan, Forres Harriers, male senior; 1.18.24, 1241 Kyle Greig, Forres Harriers, male senior; 1.18.59, 15 Paul Hart, Dumfries Running Club, male vet; 1.19.28, 956 Alasdair Thomas, male vet; 1.21.35, 997 James Thom, male senior; 1.22.34, 861 Linton Scarborough, Perth Road Runners, male senior; 1.22.37, 868 Brian Macdonald, male vet; 1.22.40, 1300 Alistair Macdonald, Dundee Road Runners, male vet; 1.22.43, 1183 Patrick O'Kane, Hunter's Bog Trotters, male vet; 1.22.49; 818 Brian O'Donnell, Bellahouston Road Runners, male senior; 1.23.06, 628 Lewis Walker, male super vet; 1.23.39, 767 Geoff Simpson, Hunters Bog Trotters, male vet; 1.24.04, 976 Tom Muir, male senior; 1.24.05, 1272 Matthew Alexander, male senior; 1.24.16, 930 Donald Kerridge, male vet; 1.24.55, 702 Chris Brydie, male senior.

1.25.18, 63 Neil Muir, Perth Road Runners, male vet; 1.25.24, 882 David Chapman, male senior; 1.26.09, 191 Richard Davidson, Dundee Road Runners, male super vet; 1.26.10, 338 Alan Cummings, Lasswade AAC, male vet; 1.26.26, 1134 Greg Quinn, male vet; 1.26.32, 723 George Campbell, male vet; 1.26.33, 1172 Guy Harman, male senior; 1.26.34, 1250 David Jamieson, male vet; 1.26.41, 66 William Haining, Scottish Veterans Harriers Club, male super vet; 1.26.49, 602 David Edwards, male vet; 1.26.54, 1141 John Woods, male senior; 1.26.54, 1302 Sonia Armitage, Aberdeen AAC, female vet; 1.27.02, 968 Douglas Wood, Chapel Cheetahs, male vet; 1.27.27, 222 Graeme Campbell, Inverness Harriers, male vet; 1.27.31, 1012 Ross Nixon, male senior; 1.27.36,1205 Lisa Finlay, Dumfries Running Club, female senior; 1.27.46, 1212 Matthew McCullagh, male vet; 1.27.50, 866 Steve Paton, Pitreavie AAC male vet; 1.27.50, 1102 David Spencer, male vet; 1.27.52, 1057 Phil Tipping, Stornoway Running AC, male vet; 1.28.00, 1203 Alan Kerr, HarMeny Athletic Club, male super vet; 1.28.05, 482 Claire Thompson, Bellahouston Road Runners, female senior; 1.28.07, 324 Andrew Johns, Kinross Road Runners, male senior; 1.28.39, 1313 Emma Cordiner, female senior; 1.28.43, 678 Keri Weatherhogg, female senior; 1.28.51, 878 Ian Stewart, male senior; 1.28.51, 1055 Robert Kingdom, male vet; 1.28.58, 148 Andrew James, Carnegie Harriers, male vet; 1.29.13, 146 Andy McMahon, Stornoway Running AC, male vet. 1.29.21, 241 Gerard Harty, male senior.

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