Iain Manson scored his first win in the 115th Aberdeen Parkrun 5km on Saturday but the Hawick man had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Shetlander Emma Leask.
The bitingly cold wind made conditions difficult for the field of 158 runners and it was only over the final 400metres that Manson was able to break clear of Leask to win by 7sec in 18min 52sec.
Manson, who has been based in Aberdeen for more than three years, has competed in three previous Parkruns but never previously finished higher than sixth.
He said: “I’m pleased to win although it wasn’t my best time because of the conditions. I just enjoy doing these runs on a Saturday morning. I’m more of a mountain biker and I’ve done a few triathlons but the Parkruns are good fun.”
Leask, who won the international Islands Games 800m title at Bermuda in the summer, is using the Parkruns as part of her training for the indoor athletics season.
The Robert Gordon University student said: “The wind really got to me towards the end and I couldn’t quite keep up with the winner. But it’s good training for me.”
Michael Paddon was next home in the men’s division of the run, recording 19:02 to finish 12sec ahead of Metro Aberdeen’s Andrew Thompson.
Thompson was completing his 50th Parkrun event.
Veteran Alford runner Carolyn Milne, who has 21 Parkrun wins to her credit from 33 appearances, was second woman in 20:19, while Sarah Hodgkinson was third in 20:56.
The Parkrun 5km takes place every Saturday (9.30am) at Aberdeen beach promenade but additional events will be held on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, both starting at 10.30am.
North of Scotland cross-country, 10km and 10-mile champion Gordon Lennox (Forres Harriers) recorded 17min 9sec to record a clear win in the Inverness Parkrun 5km on Saturday.
It was his seventh win in nine appearances in the race.
Veteran Alec Keith (Inverness Harriers) was runner-up in 18:33, with Ryan Mckenzie (Muir of Ord JogScotland) third in 19:20.
Youngster Rachel Keith (Inverness Harriers) set a personal best 22:22 to lead home the women’s field, while Jodi Sharpe was second in 24:08 and Gillian Grant (Triathlon Scotland) third in 25:06.