Edderton athlete Ross Gollan says his father was the inspiration behind winning Highland Cross 2022
Ross Gollan says his father was his inspiration to becoming champion at Highland Cross 2022.
The Edderton athlete won the 50-mile running and cycling duathlon at his first attempt when he crossed the line in a time of three hours 21 minutes and 20 seconds.
He was two minutes ahead of John Newsom from Nairn who crossed the line in a time of 3.23.27 with Gordon Lennox from Ardross third in 3.25.43.
Gollan (25) who represents Scotland at hill running, followed in his dad's Ian's footsteps, who finished third in the race in 1989 and competed in four Highland Cross races in total.
Gollan says he wanted to win the race for his dad and was pleased he did so on Saturday.
"My dad took part in the race four times in the 1980's and 1990's, he never quite won it, the best he did was third," said Gollan.
"I had his time in the back of my mind, it was good to see him on the course supporting me which was the inspiration behind me competing.
"It is also a great charity event, with the money they have raised for Highland charities."
Gollan says it was a tough 20-mile run followed by a 30-mile cycle from Kintail to Beauly.
But overall, he was pleased with his performance to secure the title.
"The first 15 miles of the run were to be expected, I was pushing on the hills and the infamous yellow brick road caught me out as usual," he said.
"Even though the temperatures were cooler, the fact that the wind was blowing in the heat made it tough and cramp was a problem. "When I got into the bike section, everyone was in the same boat with cramp.
"I spent the first five miles trying to get fuel on board and knuckle down to maintain a gap and sneaking around the corner so the person behind couldn't see me.
"Then it was a case of grinding it out over the last few hills to the finish.
"Considering the state I was in after the run, and having a good start with the bike, I am happy with the time."
Gollan's winning time was eight minutes behind the course record set by Keith Murray who won with a time of 3.13.31 in 1993.
Gollan says he would like to come back and claim the record for himself.
"I might come back and give the record a crack one day."