Sport / Sporting round-up 15 January
A DISTANCE runner from Shetland has finished as joint second female in “one of Britain’s most brutal endurance races”.
Charlotte Black was the joint second woman across the finish line in the gruelling 108-mile long Montane Winter Spine Challenger South race.
The endurance test is a non-stop trek along the iconic Pennine Way, with runners starting in Edale in Derbyshire and having 60 hours to get to the finish at Hawes in North Yorkshire.
Black completed the race in a time of 44 hours, 19 minutes and 15 seconds – making her the 12th finisher overall – and crossed the line with competitor Alison Love.
Just 71 runners managed to complete the course, which has a total elevation gain of almost 5,500 metres.
Organisers Montane said the race is “a physically and psychologically demanding route that requires concentration, good physical fitness, resolve and respect”.
“This becomes even more demanding with the full intensity and ferocity of the British Winter in deep snow, storm force winds and driving rain.
“This is a notoriously difficult event”.
ATHLETES from the isles helped two teams from the North of Scotland collect two bronze medals at an event in Glasgow last weekend.
Four athletes from Shetland took part in Scottish Athletics cross-country championships at Alexandra Park, battling a snow and ice covered course to do so.
Reeta Moncrieff finished 23rd out of 53 girls in the under-15s race, making her the second athlete from the North of Scotland team across the finishing line.
That helped her team to claim third place, and a bronze medal.
In the senior women’s race Layla Todd finished fifth overall – out of 66 competitors – making her the first runner from team North across the line.
Whalsay runner Michelle Sandison, who was running for Scotland West, was 23rd overall and Katie Bristow was in 33rd place.
Todd and Bristow’s finishes helped team North to third place once more, and another bronze medal.
FOOTBALLER George Robesten has been recalled from his loan at Brora Rangers by parent club Ross County.
The Staggies said they had exercised an option to recall Robesten, who formerly played for Scalloway FC, along with team-mate Andrew MacLeod.
Robesten will re-join the club, but cannot take part in their Scottish Cup fourth round tie against Livingston this weekend.
That is because he is cup-tied, having played against the same opponent for Brora in the previous round.
ORKNEY is beginning the countdown to the 2025 Island Games, with this week marking just six months to go until the 20th games.
Around 2,000 athletes from 24 island groups will descend on Orkney from 12 to 18 July, competing across 12 sports including archery, bowls, football, gymnastics and swimming.
Over 800 volunteers have also signed up to take on vital roles in Orkney, which will become the smallest island group to host the games.
TV presenter Lorraine Kelly is to present the opening ceremony for the games, with organisers Orkney 2025 saying the event would leave a “lasting legacy” on the isles.
Kelly – a regular visitor to Orkney and games ambassador – said she was “thrilled” to be asked to open the 2025 games.
“Orkney is a very special place to me and I’ve been visiting every year for the last 40 years, so this is an incredibly exciting opportunity,” she said.
“Orkney 2025 really is a great opportunity to share with the world just how special the islands are.”
Highlights throughout the week will include the triathlon in Stromness, cycling road races through the west mainland, and the half marathon in Kirkwall.
Games director Kirsty Talbot said they “couldn’t be more excited” to welcome athletes to Orkney in July.
“The games will not only showcase the incredible talent of island athletes but also leave a lasting legacy for Orkney,” she said.
“From newly developed sports clubs to improved facilities, this event is a catalyst for growth and participation in sports across the islands.
“We are truly looking forward to seeing how this landmark occasion will inspire future generations and highlight Orkney’s unique sense of community and spirit.”
TWO records were broken at the first swimming meet of 2025, with plenty of new personal bests also set.
Westside Sharks swimmer Lockie Bullough broke the 13-14 age group record in the 100m backstroke at the Golden Coach pentaqua on Sunday at the Clickimin.
And Stella Okroj also broke the 10 year age group record for the same stroke.
Swimmers from all across the isles took part in the event, with Shetland ACSC (Hurricanes) praising their athletes after they set 48 new personal bests between them.
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