NDCC - Round the Castles Series (3) - House of Dunn, Montrose - 08/03/08

A bright but sharp day saw the last of the Round the Castles fixtures at House of Dunn, near Montrose. With placings on the day and overall series placings from the three fixtures over the winter still to be decided, there was anticipation amongst the athletes who travelled from Caithness AAC.

Seven local athletes competed on what was an undulating course combining tracks, grass parks and road sections. All of the courses were at the maximum distances for the age groups which suited most of the athletes.

Caithness were looking to take the Under 13 girls team award and did not disappoint with an excellent team effort, taking 3rd, 4th and 5th placings on the day. Emma Dunnett finished 3rd behind Aberdeen AAC athletes, Kate Murdoch and Eilidh Prise which was enough to give her second in the overall standings.

Jade Currie and Oonagh Dunnett had a fantastic race with their positions changing several times as the race unfolded. Jade took fourth position ahead of Oonagh in a spectacular sprint finish which split the girls by only 7 seconds in the final placings with Jade in fourth and Oonagh in fifth place.

Rob Murdoch in the Under 13 boys used his female team mates to good effect in the combined Under 13 race and came home just 2 seconds behind Oonagh to take 6th place at Dunn and 4th overall in the series.

Duncan Paterson in the Under 15 boys race went into the final race with a 1.25 minute lead on his competitors and knew he had to not let a gap open up between himself and the Deeside athlete who was vying for overall victory. Duncan let the race unfold keeping a weather eye on his fellow competitors. He finished fourth but more importantly was only one minute down on the lead runner which still gave him a convincing 25 second advantage and so he took the overall title for the Under 15 boys.

Graeme Taylor led the Under 17 Men's race from start to finish and at no point did he look threatened. He finished the race ahead and gave himself a clear 1.40minute advantage in the overall placings collecting gold medal for the second year running.

In the Veteran Woman's race, Sophie Dunnett left it to the last race to realise her form finishing in third place in the race and fourth overall in the series.

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