Marathon: Fine running in Faroe

SHETLAND runner Karl Simpson took gold at the 8th Atlantic Airways Torshavn half marathon in Faroe last Sunday, four years since last winning the event in 2006.

The event took place on the roads of northern Torshavn in ideal running conditions, with an overcast sky and a cool, light breeze. An estimated 300 participants turned out for the three events taking place, including 50 in the marathon, 120 in the half marathon and well over 100 taking part in a shorter 5.5km route.

Simpson took an early lead in the half marathon that he maintained throughout to finish in a time of 1.19.43, setting a new event record by more than two minutes.  

Second and third placed Faroese runners, John Havn of Trestyi and Anton Hojgaard of Eysturoy finshed in 1.30.31 and 1.35.28 respectively.

Simpson won the event in 2006 when he last competed in Faroe although the time was around three minutes slower then, with wet and windy conditions on the day of the race.

In the women’s half marathon, Janet Davidge was the first Shetland runner home in 2.04.48, closely followed by Andrea Jeromson in 2.05.33 and Heidi Magnussen in 2.08.07.

Alexis Jamieson, Paul Clelland and Fraser Simpson all completed the 5.5km race.

Richard Ingrey and Ian Davidge took part in the full marathon distance, with Richard finishing in a time of 3.36.42, and second place out of 15 entrants in the men’s 40-49 age category.

Ian Davidge, competing in his first marathon event, finished in 4.04.04, placed eighth out of 14 entrants in the men’s over 50 age category.

The nine runners from Shetland travelled north aboard a direct charter flight from Atlantic Airways that had been arranged between Faroe and Shetland.

Also travelling on the flight were two local clay shooters, John Magnus Laurenson and Ross Work, who competed in shooting events in Faroe over the weekend.

Travelling down from Faroe were a number of archers and golfers who also competed in Shetland last weekend.

Runner Karl Simpson commented: “Going to Torshavn for competition was a refreshing change from going south.

“The event in Faroe was well organised and they have a lot of keen runners. If we had more regular travel links we could see more runners both going to Faroe and coming here for our events too, like the Simmer Dim marathon.”

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