BARRA HALF MARATHON

(AND FUN RUN FOR FAMILIES)  ON 

7^TH JULY 2000 FUND RAISING FOR MACMILLAN FUNDS FOR THE WESTERN ISLES AND RAIGMORE APPEAL

           FIRST BARRATHON VOTED A HIT

The first Barra half-marathon, organised in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief, attracted a total of 39 entries from all over Scotland and as far south as Northumberland; most of whom had little or no idea of the challenge which lay ahead. As the runners gathered to register and limber up at Castlebay school the competitive seriousness of the half-marathon entrants mixed with the fun-filled anticipation of the 70 entrants for the 4 mile Fun Run which was taking place simultaneously, and the drizzly weather did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of either set of runners. The last of the fun runners had not long completed their course before the first of the half marathon competitors started arriving back. While the first fun runner, Ronnie MacNeil, arrived back in 26 minutes, the first of the half marathon runners, Simon Axon of the Hunters Bog Trotters Club, took 1hr. 21min. 06 sec. to complete the half marathon course. Within two and a half hours 28 male and 9 female runners had completed the course, voted the toughest but most pleasant by the visiting runners. A buffet lunch for all participants was followed by the awards ceremony, which ended with the arrival of the 3 local ladies, Mairi Campbell, Ippa Dempster and Margaret McGee, in perfect time to collect their combined award. The four local male competitors gave a good account of themselves with Eoin MacDonald (Ardmhor) completing the course in 13th place, with a time of 1:37:15. Alan Paterson (Nask) and Andy Campbell, (Horve) came in 23rd and 24th with a shared time of 1:50:16, while James Agnew took 31st place with a time of 2:15:54. Star of the Fun Run was 4 year old Mairi MacLean of Craigston who completed the 4 mile course pushing her twin dolls in their pram. Winners of the Fun Run were: Adult Male: 1 Ä James MacNeil, 2 Ä Magnus HunterAdult Female: 1 Ä Bridget A Ripley, 2 Ä Adele PageSec. Boys: 1 Ä Ronnie MacNeil 2 Ä Mark MacLean (1st & 2nd Overall)Sec. Girls: 1 - Annmarie Campbell 2 Ä Mhairi MacMichaelPrimary Boys: 1 - Alasdair Ewing 2 Ä Michael MacNeilPrimary Girls: 1 Ä Jennifer MacLennan 2 Ä Rhona MacMichael.The festivities continued into Saturday evening with a ceilidh dance in St Barr's Hall, where runners and their friends joined locals for an evening of music, song and dance along with a dram and a cup of tea. Thanks to Louis Shields of Euro Clean in Stornoway for the costumes for the parade.

  Here you can find an information how to travel and where to stay on Barra.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION and BOOKING FORM

 PLEASE CONTACT: 

Mrs. K. MACNEIL, 68 SEANN, TANGUASDALE, ISLE OF BARRA, WESTERN ISLES, SCOTLAND, HS9 5XD 

PHONE/FAX 01871 810 262

E-MAIL ronnie.m@virgin.net