Over 2000 runners took part in Kilomathon on Sunday 29th March. The route showed Edinburgh at its very best, starting at the Ocean Terminal, with views over the Firth of Forth, before heading past the famous Royal Yacht Britannia and then on to the legendary home of Scottish Rugby, BT Murrayfield Stadium.
Bryan Mackie from Edinburgh Athletic Club raced to the finish line at Murrayfield Stadium in record breaking style, completing the 13.1K course in just 43 minutes and 41 seconds, setting a new course record.
The 36-year-old was thrilled to defend his title as well as smash his previous 13.1K record time of 44 minutes and 17 seconds set at Kilomathon last year.
“I’m so pleased with my result time. It’s a really challenging route and I’m really happy with my run. The conditions were good, it threatened yesterday to be really blowy but thankfully the wind died down so it made for a pleasurable running experience.
“I could feel John [Sharp] on my shoulder for the first two or three kilometres, as it twisting and turning every time I looked over my shoulder I could see him, so once I got onto the straight, I put my head down and pushed on towards BT Murrayfield.
“I’d like to congratulate all the runners who took part today whether running for charity, or for fitness. This event is so well organised making it perfect for runners of all levels and they were all out in force today.”
The Kilomathon events are metric equivalents of the marathon distances with Sunday’s races being a half Kilomathon of 13.1k, a quarter of 6.55k and a 2.62k race for junior runners.
Dorothy Mathie, 44, from Edinburgh, was the first woman home, completing the 13.1K in 53 minutes and 26 seconds.
“I’m really happy with my win, I didn’t expect it at all. The route is great – flat – and provides great views of Edinburgh. The finish is spectacular at Murrayfield Stadium too!”
Kilomathon also today featured a 6.55K race, won in 26 minutes by Adrian Lewis, 43, from Aberdare Valley Athletics Club. Katherine Thomson, 29, of Aberdeenshire was the first woman home in the 6.55K race in 33 minutes and 52 seconds.
Kilomathon is one of 30 events Thomson will complete this year. “To mark my 30th birthday later this year, I decided to challenge myself and do something special. Kilomathon is my fifth challenge and my first win. It is great event and has given me a boost of confidence for the rest of my challenges, including the Half Marathon at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival in May.”
Dozens of youngsters took part in the 2.62K Mini Kilomathon race today with Josh Abbott, 13, from Chirnside Chasers coming top of the juniors, finishing around 1 minute ahead of the rest of the field in just 8 minutes and 38 seconds. He said: “I am really happy with my run. It felt great crossing the finish line first – what a buzz!”
Definitely among the most scenic race series in the UK, the 13.1K race started at Ocean Terminal with panoramic views across the Firth of Forth before runners headed past the famous Royal Yacht Britannia, eventually reaching an unforgettable finish in the legendary home of Scottish rugby, BT Murrayfield Stadium.
Abi Beautyman, Kilomathon Event Manager, said: "It’s been a great day and it’s fantastic to have a new race record. We’d like to congratulate everyone that took part”.
Anyone wishing to pre-register to be first to know when entries open for Kilomathon 2016 can do so at www.kilomathon.com.