11-05-2025
Gallery: The best images as 1,750 runners take part in Run Garioch
John Lenehan proved the man for the big occasion as he celebrated a fourth 10km win at Run Garioch.
The 40-year-old Irishman, representing Edinburgh AC, is no stranger to Run Garioch, having won the first two editions of the event and the 10th anniversary race in 2015.
In hot conditions Lenehan was first home in a time of 32min 33sec, 10 seconds ahead of last year's winner Aaron Odentz, with Fraser Mackenzie third in 33:41.
He said: 'It's nice to come back and win it for a fourth time today. It was tough out there in the heat but it's an honest course.
'Aaron ran a really good race and could have made it easy on himself by tucking in behind but credit to him, he ran side by side to the very end.
'I never felt comfortable so to come out on top in the end has made it a great day for me.'
Lenehan was quick to praise the organisers for helping grow Run Garioch into an event which attracted more than 1,700 runners on Sunday.
He said: 'It's been fantastic to be back and it's awesome to see how much the event has grown.
'Every year it seems to get better and when I look around and see the events for the kids and the big field taking part it's brilliant.
'I'm here with my cousin and his three-year-old and they've had a brilliant time. It's a great showcase for Inverurie and Aberdeenshire in general.'
Louise Mckenzie made it back-to-back titles in the women's event after retaining her title in a time of 37:32.
Nikki Kidd was second in 38:13 while 2022 winner Nicola MacDonald (Metro Aberdeen) was third in 38:26.
Mckenzie was delighted to better her time of 41:07 a year ago as she retained her title in style.
She said: 'It was really hot again but I was able to run a lot faster this year so I'm really pleased with that.
'I had to do that as I was up against a really tough field. They're really nice girls but I knew I had to get round quick against them.
'I went out fast at the start and hoped I'd hang on, and I've managed to do that, so I'm delighted.
'I've had a great year with a few PBs everywhere. Two years ago I was getting injured a lot but I feel as if I've had a good clear run on that front this year so hopefully it continues.'
Aaron Cardno enjoyed a happy homecoming as he won the half marathon title for the first time.
The 18-year-old from Inverurie is studying in Edinburgh and was understandably delighted to return and win his home event.
Cardno was first home in 1hr 14min 56sec with Scott Melville of Metro Aberdeen second in 1:17:19 while Insch Trail Running Club's Jonathan Gamble was third in 1:19:05.
Cardno joked: 'Whoever designed the course is a psychopath. It's a challenge for anyone.
'I've done parts of the course before, including the big hill which is just the worst, but I've never ran the full course, so to do it and win is brilliant.
'I'm Inverurie born and bred and it feels like this is an event everyone comes out for.
'I'm away in Edinburgh for university this year which is why it feels so special to come back. I feel like I'll have to come back now I've won.'
Women's half marathon winner Chelsea Cook was equally pleased to mark her first running in Run Garioch in style.
Cook was first home in 1:28:55 with Jessica Cairns second 1:30:49 and Kerry Berry of Jog Scotland Kintore third home in 1:34:04.
Orkney AC's Cook, who was second in the Run Balmoral Devil of Deeside Challenge two weeks ago, said: 'It was brilliant. The weather was amazing, there was plenty along the course which meant it wasn't too hot.
'It's my first run at Garioch but I'll definitely be back.
'It's been a funny year as I actually broke my toe last year when I was training for the Inverness half marathon.
'I've been on a bit of a comeback since then and feel as if I've only really come into form in the last month or two.
'I feel like it's been long awaited but I've worked really hard and it's finally starting to pay off now.
'I've got a few races this summer including the Stonehaven half marathon which is quite similar to this one in terms of the undulating nature of the course, so this has been great preparation for that.'
In the 5km, Harris Pagett was relieved his early error did not prove costly as he pipped defending champion Aaron Odentz to the title.
The Unsanctioned Athletics runner's time of 15:38 was enough to finish seven seconds clear of Odentz while half marathon winner Cardno was third in 15:53.
Pagett said: 'It was brutal out there as I took a wee wrong turn and said to myself 'all right, let's go.'
'It was way too early as I still had 4k to go at that point so the timing was not great and I had to burn it up all the way.
'Thankfully I felt Aaron drop off behind me which helped me relax a little.
'I work for Run4it and I won a ballot for a free entry so I'm here by complete chance, but it's been great.'
In the women's event, 12-year-old Millie Glass Park of Young Meldrum Runners showed why the age limit for the race has been reduced to allow 12-year-olds to enter as she claimed the 5km title in18:27.
Moira Davie of Forres Harriers was runner-up in 18:39 with Glass Park's clubmate Ava Smith coming home third in 18:41.
Glass Park said: 'This was my first year and it is a decent time for me so I'm happy.
'It was pretty hot out there and after the hills I was feeling pretty tired but I was able to finish strongly.'
