Drizzle and rain showers helped cool down over 200 runners as they pounded the roads
around Stornoway in the Autoparts Stornoway Half Marathon on Saturday.
The event is organised by Stornoway Running and Athletics Club which has chosen the
RNLI its charity partner as it celebrates its 40th anniversary.
The race which also includes a stretch through the scenic Lews Castle Grounds attracts
visitors from overseas, island exiles and local residents.
Winner of this year’s milestone competition was Fritz Van de Kamp of Salt Lake City,
Utah, with a time of 1 hour, 14 minutes, 59 seconds, nearly three minutes ahead of
runner-up, Gordon Lennox of East Sutherland. Andrew Joyce was awarded third prize.
Ailyn Mackay of Lewis, is the woman’s champion, crossing the finishing line in 1
hour 33 minutes and 50 seconds. The 22-year-old was also the first local female home.
In addition, she was a member of the Stornoway Running Club female team - along with
Diane Morrison of Ness, and Alison Macleod - which won top prize in their team section.
The Stornoway half marathon is a “great, a great event, said Fritz Van de Kamp.
“Community events like this are typically better than the big races. And, it's neat
that so many people stuck around for the awards event and buffet, sticking around
for the social aspects is becoming less common where I’m from.”
Organisation of the race was “really good - so many supporters on the course, and
for a half marathon having four or five water stops is great. There were marshals
directing traffic and runners. It was as well organised as any race I've ever been
to.”
Before heading back stateside, Mr Van de Kamp is planning to take his family sightseeing
around Lewis and Harris
He said: “We're here on vacation for a week and a half. This is actually my second
time here and my wife's been here four times. We keep coming back, because we like
it a lot. And, this is a first time our three-year-old son - who is named Harris
after the Isle of Harris - has left the country of the United States.”
Ninety competitors completed the 10K run which saw Rory Muir of Cambuslang clinch
the top men’s spot with time of 32.26. Mared Owen was the next across the line which
also makes her the woman’s champion.
Winner of the Mini Marathon held on the same day was Abbie Stewart who set a new
course record with her time of 10 minutes and 18 seconds. She also receives the fastest
girl title.
Meanwhile, James Bain broke the previous boys record, reaching the finish line 10.38.
Results:
Half Marathon
1. Fritz Van de Kamp, USA, winner of men’s race; 2. Gordon Lennox, Sutherland; 3.
Andrew Joyce, local; 4. Euan Gilmour, local; 5. Daniel Macaulay, local; 6. Alisdair
Macleod, local.
Female winners: 1. Ailyn Mackay, Lewis, 1st Female, 1st Local Female, 1st Team Female;
2. Rachel Breslin; 3. Monika Maitles.
Local female winners: 1. Ailyn Mackay; 2. Alison Macleod, Lewis; 3. Diane Morrison,
Lewis.
Winning woman’s team: Ailyn Mackay, Alison Macleod & Diane Morrison.
Winning men’s team: Euan Gilmour, Brian Scally & Jonathon Pritchard.
Male veteran runners: 40+ Owen Davies; 50+ Brian Scally, local; 60+ Ivor Normand,
Edinburgh; 70+ Peter Wilson.
Female veteran winners: 40+ Diane Morrison, Lewis; 50+ Kathmar Dow, Cambuslang;
60+ Penny Barron, Horsham Joggers.
10k run
Men’s 10k: 1. Rory Muir, Cambuslang 2. Murdo Maciver, Lewis 3. Ruairidh Smith,
Lewis.
Women’s 10k:1. Mared Owen 2. Catriona Bain, Lewis 3. Holly Smith, Glasgow.
Male veterans 40+: Howard Maciver, Lewis; Female veterans 40+: Angela Ferguson; 1st
Local Female: Anna MacInnes: 1st Local Male: Howard Maciver, Lewis.
Winners at Stornoway Half Marathon’s 40th anniversary race
25 May 2025
Andrew Joyce was third to cross the finish line
Howard Maciver (left) is the men’s veteran champ in the 10k run while previous regular
participant, Ivor Normand, of Edinburgh secured the title 60+ Veteran title on his
return for the anniversary event.
