New Inverness Half Marathon female course record set after 16 years
Thousands of runners took to the streets of Inverness today as part of the Inverness Half Marathon and 5K.
Fraser Stewart and Natasha Phillips have won the Inverness Half Marathon and Scottish Half Marathon Championships 2023.
Fraser Stewart from Cambuslang Harriers finished the 13.1 mile course in a time of 01:05:24, while Natasha Phillips from Dundee Hawkhill Harriers finished in 01:11:56.
Natasha Phillips also set a new female Inverness Half Marathon course record, previously set by Cathy Mutwa in 2007 (01:13:21).
Taking place as part of the Inverness Half Marathon for the first time was the Scottish Half Marathon Championships, which is open to scottishathletics members.
The North District Championships, which is open to scottishathletics members in the north of Scotland, were also held as part of the event.
Kenny Wilson and Catriona Fraser took the win in times of 01:07:29 and 01:21:49 respectively.
Winning the Inverness 5K, which took place alongside the Half Marathon, were Lachlan Thomas of Ross County Athletics Club in a time of 16:11 and Lois Macrae of Inverness Harriers in 18:06.
This year’s event attracted over 3,600 runners to the Half Marathon and 5K from across Scotland and the UK.
20% of entrants were running their first half marathon, while 38% of 5K runners were from schools and youth/sports clubs.
Commenting on the event, Malcolm Sutherland, Event Director, said:
“As the first time hosting the Scottish Half Marathon Championships, as well as hosting the North District Championships again, this year’s Inverness Half Marathon was extra special.
“It was great to see so many people – of all abilities – taking part in the Half Marathon and 5K, and to see so many people out supporting them and cheering them on, even in the rain!
“It’s this Highland hospitality that keeps the runners going and makes the event so memorable.
“Thank you to all our sponsors and partners, as well as the local communities along the route, for all their support.
“A special mention must also go to our amazing team of 300 volunteers who worked hard to ensure the day ran smoothly.
“Congratulations to the winners and everyone who took part.
“We look forward to welcoming you back next year!”
Mike Johnston, convenor of the scottishathletics Road Running and Cross Country Commission, said:
“Thanks to the Inverness Half Marathon for hosting the Scottish Half Marathon Championships and North District Championships this year.
“It’s been a great event and a good opportunity for our elite and club runners to test themselves on the Inverness course.
“Congratulations to Fraser and Natasha – we hope all the runners, coaches and spectators involved today have had a successful and enjoyable race.”
Many runners used the event to fundraise for charity.
The official charities for the 2023 event are SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health), Alzheimer Scotland, Highland Hospice and Mikeysline.
Inverness Half Marathon winners were presented with their prizes by the Provost of Inverness, Councillor Glynis Sinclair, who said:
“Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who took part today.
“It’s been great to see the buzz around Inverness this weekend and I hope even more people are inspired to take part next year!”
Early-bird entry for the 2024 Inverness Half Marathon and 5K, which takes place on 10th March, is now open at: www.invernesshalfmarathon.co.uk
