Internationals set for campus 5K showdown in Inverness on Friday night
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SEVERAL international athletes will join a high-quality field for the annual Inverness Campus 5K Road Races on Friday night.
The entry of over 170 is the biggest in the competition’s history, with the event holding an extra attraction this year by incorporating the inaugural Scottish Athletics North District 5K championship.
“We are really encouraged to see so many athletes of all abilities enter,” organiser Ross Cairns said. “The Inverness Campus 5K is now established as one of Scotland’s top events over this distance, but we are also pleased to welcome athletes from right across the ability range.”
The leading male contenders are Stephen Addison of Corstorphine, Elgin-based Shettleston Harrier Lachlan Oates and Kenny Wilson of Moray Road Runners, with the latter two eligible to contest the North District Championship.
Michael Ferguson of Aberdeen could also figure prominently in the open contest.
The leading contender from the home club, Inverness Harriers, could be Lucas Cairns who also looks like a front-runner for the under 20 district title. Another prominent Inverness finisher could be Angus Smith.
Mhairi Maclennan of Inverness and Commonwealth Youth Games bound Amy Teasdale from Kilbarchan look to be the ones to beat in the women’s field.
Other leading contenders include Caitlyn Heggie of Ross County and Eve MacKinnon of Cambuslang.
Mhairi is eligible to contest the North District Championship where leading entries also include Jenny Bannerman and Catriona Fraser.
This year, a contest for teams of three has been introduced, with Corstorphine’s men and Inverness Harriers’ women – whose squad could include three former Campus winners, MacLennan, Fraser and Bannerman – possibly the ones to beat in a very strong field.
There are two races, with athletes expecting to clock over 18 minutes starting at 7pm before the faster pool at 7.40pm.
Race HQ is the Inverness Campus Life Science Innovation Centre which opens at 5.30pm.
Spectators are welcome, with car-sharing encouraged and parking available only in designated areas until 6.30 pm.
