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Runners are taking to virtual racing during lockdown


By Staff Reporter

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Runners in the Highlands are exploiting modern technology in a novel means of continuing to compete whilst strictly observing social distancing rules.

Stephen Mackay
Stephen Mackay

Virtual Racing allows competitors using their Garmin GPS devices to time themselves over pre-determined race distances which they cover alone at maximum effort during their permitted daily exercise periods.

These are then uploaded on to the Strava online monitoring site and shared within a WhatsApp group for comparison.

Athletes who have been piloting the idea locally include several of the area’s leading distance runners. Recent lack of direct contact is now being made up for by the new scheme which made its debut in a virtual 5k on Saturday.

The fastest time came from British 1500 metre finalist Stephen MacKay who recorded 14 minutes and 58 seconds on an out and back route on Dores and Island Banks roads.

The runner-up was former Highland Cross winner Gordon Lennox who ran 16:38 in Easter Ross.

Jenny Bannerman was the top woman and third overall.

She clocked 16:49 on a route from Torbreck to Holm Dell and back.

There was an intense battle for third male and fourth overall with John Newsom, just back from injury, running 17:03, just pipping Graham Bee (17:06) and Stuart Gardiner (17:07).

Peter Fraser clocked 18:06, Wayne Dashper (18:19) and Tom McWilliam recorded 18:44.

He was two seconds clear of second woman Catriona Fraser (18:46) while Geoff Main recorded 19:49 running in Nairn.

Today, runners will be timing themselves over a 1km stretch.

This Saturday, Highland athletes they will be taking up the challenge of 10 miles in an event which will have the extra challenge of handicaps being added in.


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