Simpson flies north to win Torshavn half-marathon

Local runner Karl Simpson won gold at the eighth Atlantic Airways Torshavn half-marathon in Faroe on Sunday, four years since last winning the event in 2006.

The event took place on the roads of northern Torshavn in ideal run­ning conditions, with an overc­ast sky and a cool, light breeze. An estimated 300 participants turned out for the three events taking place, including 50 entrants in the full marathon, 120 in the half-marathon and well over 100 in a shorter 5.5km route.

Simpson took an early lead in the half-marathon which he main­tained throughout to finish in a time of 1:19:43, setting a new event record by over two minutes. Second and third-placed Faroese runners, Henry Olsen and Regin Zacharia­sen, both of Bragdid Athletics Club, finished in 1:21:48 and 1:23:23 respectively.

Simpson won the event in 2006 when he last competed in Faroe, although the time was around three minutes slower then, with wet and windy and conditions on the day of the race.

In the women’s half-marathon Janet Davidge was the first Shet­land runner home in 2:04:48, closely followed by Andrea Jerom­son in 2:05:33 and Heidi Magnus­sen in 2:08:07. Alexis Jamieson, Paul Clelland and Fraser Simpson all completed the 5.5km race.

Richard Ingrey and Ian Davidge took part in the full marathon, with Ingrey finishing in a time of 3:36:42, and second place out of 15 entrants in the men’s 40-49 age category. Davidge, competing in his first marathon finshed in 4:04:04, placing him eighth out of 14 in the men’s over 50 age group.

The nine runners from Shetland travelled north on a direct charter flight from Atlantic Airways which had been arranged between Faroe and Shetland. Also travelling were two local clay shooters, John Mag­nus Laurenson and Ross Work, who competed in shooting events in Faroe over the weekend. Travelling down from Faroe were a number of archers and golfers who also competed in Shetland last week­end.

Simpson said: “Going to Torsh­avn for competition was a refresh­ing change from going south. The event in Faroe was well organised and they have a lot of keen runners.

“If we had more regular travel links we could see more runners both going to Faroe and coming here for our events too, like the Simmer Dim Mara­thon.”