Ross athletes ranked as favourites to win Inverness Campus 5k
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Ross-shire athletes Catriona Fraser and Sean Chalmers are the favourites to win at the Inverness Campus 5k on Friday.
Maryburgh athlete Chalmers, who is Scottish 10K champion after winning his Scottish title at Kilmarnock last month, is moving down distance from his more recent successes to make his debut at this fourth running of the Inverness race.
He faces competition from former Ross County athlete Hamish Hickey, who now runs for Central Athletic Club.
Also in the field in Shettleston Harrier Lachlan Oates who recently relocated to Lossiemouth while the brothers Kenny and James Wilson of Moray Road Runners.
In the women’s race, Ardross athlete Fraser who won the Nairn 10k earlier this year, is expected to be the favourite to claim victory on Friday.
Three races will take place at the Inverness Campus 5k.
The 3k junior race will start at 6.30pm.
The 5k open race for athletes expected to finish after 18 minutes and 30 seconds is at 7pm.
The 5k elite race for athletes who can run under 18 minutes and 30 seconds will start at 7.30pm.
Event organiser Ross Cairns said despite the event is going from strength to strength since first being held in 2018. “The Campus 5K already has a great reputation as one of the fastest 5Ks in Scotland and a history of attracting leading runners,” he said.
“Depth in road racing is still recovering after the pandemic but we still have a lot of leading men running although this year’s women’s race isn’t as strong as before.
“We are very pleased to be putting this on again and look forward to an excellent night of racing.”
Last year, the men’s event was won by Jamie Crowe from Central Athletics Club in a time of 14 minutes and two seconds to set a new course record for the event.
Kenny Wilson of Moray Road Runners and Hamish Hickey of Central Athletics Club finished joint second in a time of 14 minutes and 20 seconds.
Morag Millar took the women’s title for the first time crossing the line in 15.55 beating the previous course record held by Mhairi Maclennan who set 16.39 in 2018.
She was well clear of Zoe Bates who finished second in a time of 17.21and Kirstie Rogan of Moray Road Runners who was third in 18.14.
