Sean Chalmers makes history as he becomes first male Inverness Harriers athlete to win city's half marathon
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Maryburgh athlete Sean Chalmers made history as he became the first Inverness Harriers athlete to win the men's race at the Inverness Half Marathon.
The Aberdeen-based physical education teacher took the title on Sunday in a time of 66 minutes and 16 seconds to become the first Inverness Harrier to win the race since it was first staged in 1985.
But he was pushed all the way as he only claimed victory by three seconds with Shettleston's Peter Avent second in 66:19.
It was only as they approached the final 300m on the track at Queen’s Park stadium that Chalmers was finally able to break clear.
Cambuslang’s Fraser Stewart took third position in 66:40 while Moray’s Kenny
Wilson finished fourth in 66:48 on a day when 14 men completed the course in under 70 minutes making this one of the strongest in-depth turnouts in the 37 year history of the event.
Chalmers said: “It was certainly very competitive, there was a different leader on so many occasions.
"There was a group of about six of us for a while with Kenny Wilson taking on the pace.
"But at six miles I began to get the same tightness in my stomach that affected me at the Seville marathon three weeks ago and I thought I might have to call it a day. "But I so much wanted to be the first Inverness Harriers member to
win the title and that kept me going.”
“It was tough and I had to run harder than I had hoped as I have the Cardiff half
marathon later in the month.
"The course was hillier than I expected and the wind was brutal at times, but on a calmer day this is without doubt a fast course.”
Scottish masters cross country champion Ewan Cameron (Edinburgh AC) won the over-40’s prize when finishing 10th in 1:07:30. Corstorphine AAC won the men’s team award through the efforts of Dougie Selman (1:07:12), James Dunn (1:07:28) and Calum McKenzie (1:09:24).
