Ginie Barrand showed outstanding form when winning the top women’s prize for the second year in a row at the Lumphanan Detox 10km.
The Metro Aberdeen runner skipped round the testing Deeside course in 36min 15secs, a time bettered by only five men in a field of 420 runners.
It’s also the second fastest time recorded by a woman in the 17-year history of the race, bettered only by Nicola Gauld’s record 35:44 set in 2013.
Barrand, who is gearing up for April’s London marathon, said: “I knew what the record was, but I didn’t look at my watch during the race as I was running as fast as I could.
“I am really happy as it’s more than 90 seconds faster than I recorded last year when the conditions underfoot were much better. It’s also my second fastest 10km behind the 35:44 I did at Inverness in October. I’m certainly in better shape than last year, I’m a bit stronger.”
Emma Watt (JS Kintore) recorded 40:39 to take second position, with Sally Wallis (Deeside Runners) winning the over-40 prize when finishing third overall for the second year in a row in 40:52.
Watt said: “That’s the hardest 10km I’ve run. I was faster than last year but I fell on the farm track.
“I had a battle with Sally as she passed me on the track but I got past her again on the road towards the end and I made sure I had a bit of a sprint finish as I was so determined to keep second position.”
Aberdeen AAC’s Veronique Oldham, the 2011 race winner, finished fourth but first in the over-50 age group in 42:16.
