PSUK Marathon Championship 2024 Loch Ness Marathon, Inverness

Perfect conditions led to some excllenet results with a new course record being set by the overall winning man in 2hrs 17 minutes.

Athletes are transported to the start some 24 miles back along Loch Ness. At the start they are encouraged by a pipers band who set the scene of the iconic Scottish Marathon.

PSUK entered a total of 113 athltes from across the UK including particpants from PSNI, Wales, England and a big contingent from the local Scots. There was a record of entries in total for this years overall race with just over 5400 athltes running the marathon.

The course starts with a downhill section allowing particpants to be drawn into a false scense of security before hitting a nice uphill at 5 and 19 miles of memorable note. The rest of the course just undulated like the outline of the Loch Ness monster.

PSUK athltes were not preterbed and enjoyed the occasion lapping up the fantastic views and atmosphere. Many have this marathon on the “to do list” and it doesn't disappoint.

Rob Grantham, Cheshire [MV50] was our first runner and gave the front of the race a surprise as he came 5th overall in a time of 2.33.52. Ranked 20th in the UK in his age group this was an excellent result. 2 minutes behind was Lachlan Ives, Metropolitan [SM] in 2.35.40 and 2 minutes behind him in 3rd was Jack Pilkington, Cheshire [SM] in a PB of 2.37.58 putting Cheshire in a strong positon for the team award thus far. Police Scotlands first athlete across the line was another MV50 namely Craig Pirie in 2.49.02 in 5th place. He was followed closely by another MV50 Alex Daniels from D&C in a time of 2.51.56.

In 11th place and 1st in the Police womens race was Tara Malone, PSNI [FV45] in a time of 3.05.12. All times are given as gun times so each athltes is likely to have recorded a faster personal time depending on where they situated themselves on the start line. Very close behind was Jacqueline Wilson from Police Scotland [FV40] in a time of 2.06.33 and 3rd podium spot and 14th in the Police race went to Cara-Leanne, South Wales [FS] in 3.13.37. Hot on her heels was 4th place and 15th Louise Blizzard from Cheshire [FV45] in 3.14.20.

Then started the stream of all the remaining runners come over the line.Some PB's and some not so happy. But the spirits remained high tahd the comaraderie with everyone was amazing.

The sponsors Baxters provided hot hearty soup and roll alongside the usual race finishing banana and energy bars.

The evening presentation function took place at the British Legion Club in Inverness. ACC Emma Bond from Police Scotland attended and delighted us all with a humorous opening address but after a moment to remember our fallen colleagues on National Police Memorial day. Our gratitude is given to Police Scotland and that of ACC Bond for presenting the awards.

Finally those that still had the legs danced the night away……..

Results are as follows:

1st Woman, Tara Malone, PSNI, 3.05.12

2nd Woman, Jacqueline Wilson, Police Scotland 3.06.33

3rd Woman, Cara-Leanne Farley, South Wales 3.13.37

1st Man, Rob Grantham, Cheshire 2.33.52

2nd Man, Lachlan Ives, Met 2.35.40

3rd Man, Jack Pilkington, Cheshire 2.37.58

Overall Team: [First 3 to count, cumulative time] 1 second separated 1st and 2nd place.

1st Cheshire, 2nd Police Scotland, 3rd Met

Women's Team: 1st Police Scotland, 2nd North Wales, 3rd South Wales

Men's team: 1st Cheshire, 2nd Police Scotland, 3rd Met