Kingussie’s own hill race special for 2025
Kingussie’s annual Creag Bheag hill race was run this year in memory of a local legend, Peter Morris.
Previously of Barramore on Kingussie’s West Terrace, Peter died peacefully in Keswick Hospital in August at 101. He was a long-time custodian of the race and remained passionate about the event, requiring a set of results after each race to keep up to date.
He was also a runner of some note, remarkably still managing to run most days when weather and health allowed, even into his 100th year!
A very well respected character about town, Peter will be fondly remembered by many Kingussie folk for his huge enthusiasm and participation in other events such as the Kingussie Bikeathon and as a keen member of Kingussie Tennis Club, where he visited in 2016 to help celebrate the club’s centenary year.
It was very touching that Peter’s son John and his wife Karen travelled 500 miles north from near St Albans in order to start the race and to present the prizes.
John spoke kindly of the village and his father’s love for the area, which was greatly appreciated by all the competitors.
In Peter’s memory a beautiful new trophy, “The Peter Morris Cup” for 1st lady was introduced to the hill race on September 28. It was presented for the first time to Glenshero keeper, Kirstin Oakley.
The course loops 3.3 miles with a 1000ft of climb, on woodland paths and the long stone staircases that now adorn the hill.
The route has been changed slightly from recent years, to start through the woodlands on a wonderful new path created by the hard working local community development company, after extensive damage was caused during Storm Arwen in 2021.
The men’s race was won by DDJC local runner, Huw Oliver, in a new record time of 26.18, well clear of clubmates Al Anthony and Aaron Tregellis, in 2nd & 3rd places respectively. The ladies race was also won by a local DDJC runner, Kirstin Oakley, in 30.54, with Highland Hill Runner’s Diana MacDonald taking second, and DDJC runner Manouk Wilkinson in 3rd place.
Thanks went to the many marshals and timekeepers who made the even go ahead smoothly and safely.
Results (full results available from Scottish Hill Runners web page): Huw Oliver, DDJC, 26.18; Al Anthony, DDJC, 28.04; Aaron Tregellis, DDJC, 28.16; V40 Ed Watson, DDJC, 29.23; V50 Stewart Wilson, Highland HR, 32.26; V60 Bruce Smith, Lomond HR, 34.01
1.Kirstin Oakley, DDJC, 30.54; 2.Diana MacDonald, Highland HR, 32.27; 3. Manouk Wilkinson, DDJC, 33.42; V40 Helen Watson, DDJC, 38.49; Junior, Maisy Gorman, DDJC, 36.33.