Top Scots get ready for Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run
Scotland’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medallist Robbie Simpson will test his speed by competing in the 10K at this Sunday’s Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run which has attracted more than 5,500 runners and a host of other top Scottish runners to the Granite City.
Since returning from Australia the 26 year-old Banchory runner has spent much of his time training and racing on the Swiss mountain running circuit where he has enjoyed considerable success, winning four of the five races he tackled, including the Zermatt alpine marathon. His only defeat came a fortnight ago when losing out to legendary Spanish endurance athlete Kilian Jornet in the classic 31km Sierre-Zinal race.
Simpson won the half marathon at last year’s inaugural Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run but has decided to step down to the 10K on this occasion because he wants a sharper, shorter challenge ahead of his next mountain running competition.
He said: “I am going back to Switzerland for the Jungfrau marathon in early September so I feel it’s better for me to do the 10K at Aberdeen as I’ll recover more quickly from that than from a half marathon. So, I am really looking forward to a good competitive race.
“There was a great atmosphere last year with huge numbers of spectators all around the course, but particularly at the finish on Union Street, and hopefully it will be the same again. It’s brilliant to be able to compete in a city centre race and I’m sure it will be enjoyable.”
Simpson can expect a strong challenge from Kenny Wilson who won the 10K last year and will mount a strong defence of the title. The Moray athlete has been in good form this year, setting PBs for 5k, 10k and the half marathon.
Scotland international Fiona Brian is among the favourites to win the top women’s prize for the second year in a row although she faces a strong challenge from her Metro Aberdeen clubmates Claire Bruce and Kayleigh Jarrett.
Scottish cross-country champion Kris Jones, who recently returned from Latvia where he represented Great Britain in the world orienteering championships, is the top entrant for the half marathon.
The Dundee-based Swansea Harrier, who has a PB of 64min 58secs set when finishing second behind Robbie Simpson at Inverness in March, hopes to represent Wales in the Commonwealth half marathon at Cardiff in October and sees the Aberdeen race as a perfect opportunity to sharpen his form.
He said: “My focus recently was the world orienteering championships where I finished 10th in the sprint distance race and helped the GB team take sixth place in a couple of relays. I was hoping for a medal, but it didn’t quite come together. It was close but there are fine margins at that level.
“I feel I am in decent shape. I ran a 5,000m personal best of 13:45.25 on the track in June but the Aberdeen run will be my longest race for a while so it will be interesting to see how it goes. I don’t think I’ve done my best at this distance yet, but at the moment I’m just looking for a good hard run."
For more information about the Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run visit the event website.
