Fiona Baker, Race Director
Monday 27th March 2023
Under a miraculously rainless sky, Race Dunvegan made a welcome return to Dunvegan Castle for the first time since 2019.115 runners turned out on Saturday 25th March to take on the part forest trail, part road course as they were piped to the start line by Alan Mackenzie and members of the Skye Pipe Band just back from their successful trip to Arizona for the Phoenix Scottish Highland Games and Tattoo.
Thankfully a few dry days previously made the trail run firmer under foot for the series of races. The traditional 10k across this terrain makes it difficult to achieve any personal bests, but with 69 runners in the 10k field, Dean Whiteford made a swift finish in a really respectable time of 37:20:08, closely followed by Alex Jamieson with a time of 37:48:04 and Paul Parker, relatively new to running, with a time of 41:09:00. In the women’s category first place was taken by Shannon MacLeod with a time of 49:27:07, followed by Maria Gordon and Ruth Harrison with just two seconds between them, finishing in 49:50:06 and 49:57:08 respectively.
A smaller field of 17 runners turned out for the 5k with Joshua Turner leading the field with a time of 24:10:04 for the men's category, and Eidlidh MacLean for the women in 29:53:05.This year saw the introduction of a new Walking 5k with Kathryn MacLeod striding in at a time of 1:01:30:3.
Great to see so many turn out for the Fun Run, a 2 mile trail through the beautiful gardens at Dunvegan Castle and a really competitive race with excellent sportsmanship. Uilleam Manwaring Spencer [aged 13yrs] was first overall winner with a time of 10:55:04, pipping Matthew Clancey [aged 12yrs] at the post with his time of 11:01:05, closely followed by Hamish Turner [11yrs] with a time of 11:05:00. First in for the ladies was Anne Noble with a time of 13:54:0.
Running Clubs had a strong representation not unsurprisingly from Skye & Lochalsh RC with almost 40% or runners local to the Skye. Joining them were Shetland AAC, Lauderdale Limpers from the borders, Lochaber AC and Bellahouston Runners. Competitors travelled from all over the UK from Bristol, Gloucestershire, Lanarkshire, Perthshire, Aberdeen and the East and West Highlands area.Good to see this Skye Event back in the sports calendar after a break of three years and looking forward to seeing it grow for 2024.
A great family day all round hosted by Hugh MacLeod and the Dunvegan Estate, and an enjoyable morning with thanks to all the marshalls and volunteers who turned out to help keep runners safe on the road. Goodie bags were sponsored by Isle of Skye Candle Company and Isle of Skye Fudge Company, with winners receiving entry tickets to the Castle during the season, Race Dunvegan t-shirts as well as Dunvegan Castle t-shirts for the Fun Runners. MacLeod’s Tables put on an excellent lunch as it gears up for opening to the public on 1st April. Race Dunvegan also raised £230 in donations and match funding for Dunvegan Primary School towards their Polycrub and Orchard.
Next Skye Events to get training for are the Half Marathon & 10k on Saturday 10th June, and bringing all the drama Skye can throw at it, a first ever Triathlon & 10k on 26th August at Staffin in partnership with Staffin Community Hall.
10k Men's Winners
Dean Whiteford 1st - 37:20:08
Alex Jamieson 2nd - 37:48:4
Paul Parker 3rd - 41:09:0
10k Ladies Winners
Shannon MacLeod 10k Winner female - 49:27:7
Marina Gordon 49:50:06
Ruth Harrison 49:57:08
5k Men's Winners
Joshua Turner 24:10:4
Andrew Topping 30:19:8
Charles Gorrie 38:36:9
5k Ladies Winners
Eilidh MacLean 29:53:5
Jessica Jackson 32:22:2
Seona Edgar 33:22:3
Fun Run Winners
Uilleam Manwaring Spencer 10:55:04 [aged 13]
Matthew Clancey 11:01:05 [aged 12]
Hamish Turner 11:05:0 [11yrs]
Ist Lady: Anne Noble 13:54:00
5k Walk
Kathryn MacLeod 1:01:30:3