WATCH: Athlete says winning River Ness 10k in Inverness best moment of his career
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Max Abernethy scored what he believes to be the biggest victory of his career so far when taking top spot in the Baxters River Ness 10k.
The Fraserburgh Athletics Club athlete sprinted home in a personal best time of 30 minutes 10 seconds to finish 21 seconds ahead of Alastair Marshall (Central AC) with the 2022 winner, Lachlan Oates (Shettleston Harriers), third in 30:46.
He said: “I’ve done this race quite a few times, but never been able to win it until now.
"But, I think I’ve run a personal best time every year I’ve been here and today I knocked more than 40 seconds off my previous best.
"It’s definitely my biggest win and I’m absolutely delighted.”
The Fraserburgh runner was content to allow Oates to set the early pace before taking control of proceedings.
He said: “Lachlan went hard from the start and I just sat in for the first mile or so.
I took a turn at the front when we ran into the wind, then I pushed on when we hit a downhill section and kept it going.
"Ally Marshall came with me and Lachlan dropped back.
"Ally and I were together from then until we got to the bridge with about a mile to go when I got away.
"But I thought he was right behind me all the way so I just kept going as hard as possible.
"I’d have liked to get under 30 minutes, but that’ll come eventually. I’ll definitely be back again to defend my title.”
Abernethy will now turn his thoughts to the cross country season with an outing in the Scottish short course championships at Lanark later this month topping his agenda.
A return to the Armagh 5k in February, where set a personal best time this year, is also in his plans.
Claire Bruce won the River Ness 10k women's title.
