Late burst secures Strachan River Ness 10k men's title
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CAMERON Strachan’s late burst proved to be the difference as he secured his first River Ness 10k title to deny victory for Inverness Harriers’ Sean Chalmers.
The Metro Aberdeen runner was behind Chalmers with less than 400 metres to go but managed to overtake him to win the race by nine seconds.
Strachan (28) crossed the line in a time of 30:31 with Chalmers claiming silver in 30:40 with James Donald of Dundee Hawkhill Runners in third place one second later.
Strachan did not get off to the best of starts but was pleased he pulled it back to win a close competition.
“It is the first time that I have competed in the race and it wasn’t as easy as everyone made it out it would be.
“The three of us ran the race together the whole way.
“At three kilometres I was at the back.
“But slowly I managed to work my way up to them and then got to them around about five kilometres.
“We ran together until the nine kilometre mark.
“Sean tried to make a move so I needed to pick up the pace.
“I ran with James and with 800 metres to go I felt like I was getting away from him.
“I timed it well and I came up behind Sean with 400 metres to go.
“Sean went at around 1500 metres to go.
“So maybe he died a wee bit and that was just as well for me.”
It was Strachan’s first race since competing at the Scottish Championships in Stirling last month where he recorded his 10k personal best of 30:11.
However he has aspirations of going even faster over the distance.
“I am looking to get under 30 minutes for 10 kilometres.
“I’ve got a cross country season coming up so I’ll have to try and not run myself into the ground.”
Chalmers recorded a personal best time of 30:40 to finish in second place.
Despite not winning he was not too downhearted about the result.
“I maybe broke away too early and I didn’t have the legs at the end,” he said.
“The race was still up and down but I am still absolutely delighted with how the race went and it is a personal best.”
