The Sri Chinmoy 5km race at Sliverknowes, Edinburgh, lived up to its name as “the fast one” with another amazing show of the strength in the depth of the Scottish club scene.
A fresh breeze coming off the Firth of Forth may have affected the times this year a little, but there was no doubting the usual commitment shown by over 500 club runners from throughout Scotland for the traditional Friday night event.
At the sharp end GB Cross Country international, Scott Stirling, improved on his second place from last year to record an excellent 14:17 (gun time ). He was comfortably clear of Edinburgh University’s Finlay Ross-Davie and Fife AC’s Ben Sandilands. In a photo finish Ross-Davie was given the nod by the officials for 2nd place although they both recorded the same time of 14:25.
In the women’s race, there was a victory for Steph Pennycook, who went sub 16 to record 15:55 (15:52 chip time). The Fife AC athlete is only the second female to go below the 16:00 barrier on the course and narrowly missed Morag Millar’s course record of 15:53 gun time (15:49 chip) ) from 2019. Millar finished second this year in 16:09 with Cambuslang Harrier Stefanie Tucker in third with 16:18.
Throughout the field, as is usual with this event, the strength in depth told with 26 men going under 15 minutes, and 12 women going under 17 minutes. In total there were 186 runners under 17 minutes and 394 breaking 20 minutes.
Special mentions to Fiona and Grant Matheson who claimed a family double by winning Gold and Silver respectively in the Masters V60 category.
Also to Sandra Branney, former GB marathon International and multiple age group record holder who had turned 70 three days before the race. She recorded 21:51 gun time (21:43 chip). If confirmed, this betters the listed GB time for 5km currently held by Yuko Gordon who ran 21:53 in January 2022.
For category and gender results click here to go to Perfect Timing:
