Peter and Sara Henry celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary in style after the Deeside couple claimed the leading men’s and women’s prizes in the inaugural Tom’s Cairn 10km trail race at Finzean on Sunday.
Peter took the top award in the men’s division when completing the testing course around the Finzean estate in 40min 27sec.
The Deeside Runners club member had little margin for error, however, as he was chased home by a duo from the Cosmic Hillbashers. Rob Brookes finished 2sec behind, with Chris Hill a further 2sec further back in third.
Henry moved into the lead shortly after the Birse and Feughside Parish Church bell rang out to send the runners on their way along the tracks and trails.
He opened up a good lead before reaching the cairn where piper Alexander Keith, a primary six pupil at Finzean School, greeted the competitors.
Henry’s challengers closed down his advantage on the descent but he had enough in reserve to pull clear.
He said: “It was close at the end. I started fairly steadily, but as we went up the hill everyone seemed to fall away so I just pushed on.
“I had a reasonable lead at the top of the hill, maybe around 20sec, but lost a little bit on the way down at a road crossing as I had to let a car pass before I started running again.
“I was looking back and they were getting closer. I opened up again but coming through the trees towards the end I could hear Rob behind me.
“I think I had been cruising too much, but I was able to pick my pace up again and got there in the end.
“I was a bit disappointed to be outside 40min, but it’s a tough course and felt a little more than 10km.
“This is the first of a series of races for me as I’ve got the Cairn William hill run next week then the Morven and Benanchie race as well as the Illuminator Run at Aboyne at the end of October so things are going well.”
Brookes was not disappointed to settle for second position.
He said: “Peter led all the way and he had a good descent.
“It was good to chase him but he had that little bit extra.”
Third-placed Hill agreed, and said: “It seemed close but the reality was Peter led all the way and I think he had a little in reserve and was comfortable at the finish.”
Deeside athletes won the age group awards, with Dave Croll taking the over-50 prize in 45:19, Peter Martin lifting the over-60 award in 61:55 and Ben Preece securing the over-70 title in 64:35.