2026 JK Middle dodges the worst of Storm Dave
The 2026 Jan Kjellstrom International Festival managed to dodge the worst of Storm Dave to deliver a quality Middle distance race at Rannoch, with Scottish-based athletes coming away in 30 overnight medal positions, right across the classes.
The Junior girls were to the fore, as Ingrid Edenbrandt (ESOC) leads W10A in 14.12,with clubmate Kirstin Tinsley 2nd (19.02), and Freya Carter (INVOC) is placed 2nd in W12A (30.04). W14A also has two Scots at the top, as FVO’s Hannah Inman leads overnight in 19.45, from Emma Daley (ESOC – 25.21). Carl Selmer Duguid (TAY) is in provisional bronze medal place in M14A, after a run of 24.41, and INVOC athletes hold 3rd in both under 16 classes, through Cora Comisso (24.14) and Henrik Borrowman (24.53).
Five of the six World Ranking courses were won by Scots-based athletes, as Finlay McLuckie (MOR) headed all athletes on his course, including the M20s to come home in 28.14 for an overnight lead ahead of Finn Selmer Duguid (TAY) by 11 seconds. It’s the same 1-2 as yesterday for EUOC, as James Hammond leads M20E in 28.25, from Michael Bishenden (31.53) and in M21E, Euan Tryner (EUOC) has 3rd place currently in 35.20.
There were wins on the day for Scarlett Kelly (FVO) in W18E (30.30) and Ruth Gooch (MAROC) in W20E (26.51) while W21E had an all-Scots podium for the second day, with Niamh Hunter (AROS) on top in 35.23, with EUOC duo Isobel Howard (37.10) and Imogen Pieters (37.22) also well placed.
The Veteran classes also saw a number of local athletes well placed, as Will Hensman (FVO) was 2nd in M45L (36.05), a placing also taken by Eddie Harwood (MOR) in M70 (37.24) and Dave McQuillen was 3rd in M80L (43.02) in the colours of SOLWAY.
The womens’ competitions had an array of Scottish talent on show, and STAG’s Alison Campbell was 3rd in W35L (52.38), and Kirsten Strain (AROS) went one better in W40L (36.09). W45L had two Scots in the first three, as Claire Ward (INT) won the race in 34.23, and Jo Stevenson (ESOC) was 3rd (36.16).
FVO trio Sarah Rollins (W50L – 36.02), Kirsty Bryan-Jones (W55L – 37.59) and Vicky Thornton (W65L – 34.35) are all 2nd overnight in their class, as is ESOC’s Mary Williams in W75L (34.19) and Alison Cunningham (FVO) holds the overnight lead in W60L, after a time of 32.41.
Photo Credit: Wendy Carlyle