Arlene smashes the record

A long-standing Shetland road running record was smashed earlier this month by Arlene Bristow when she competed in the Arbroath Smokies Ladies Only 10 Mile Race.

Bristow comfortably led the large field of over 300 runners for the first third of the race, but unfortunately a chronic injury which has hampered her training saw her pace drop off slightly in the hilly middle section, where the eventual winner grabbed the opportunity to take the lead.

However, Bristow held her position, and despite a near disaster when she was forced to stop to take directions having lost the way, she finished strongly in second place in 64 minutes and 46 seconds.

Her time lowers the old record of one hour 22 minutes and 26 seconds by 17 minutes and 43 seconds.

Meanwhile, Shetland athletes performed well in the Inverness Half Marathon at the weekend.

Charlotte Black, who was using the race as a build up to the Lochaber Marathon next month, recorded a personal best of 1.33.35 which earned her 13th in the senior female category.

Being an experienced marathon runner, this was only Charlotte’s second try at the half-marathon distance.

Karen Fraser also recorded a PB with a time of 1.34.22 which gave her fourth in the veteran female category. Her husband Maurice finished in yet another great PB with a time of 1.33.16.

Mark Georgeson, running for Oxfam in his first ever half marathon, crossed the line in 1.35.34.

Karl Simpson was placed 10th overall in the race but was unable to beat his PB, finished in 1.15.56.

Next month sees the running calendar begin to build up with the aforementioned Lochaber Marathon as well as the Balmoral Races taking place.