Barrand leads the way in spite of injury

France-born Aberdeen runner Ginie Barrand overcame a persistent calf problem to win the Kinord 10km women’s title for the second time in three years at Dinnet on Saturday.

The Metro Aberdeen club runner completed the course in 41 min 27 sec, three seconds quicker than her 2016 winning time.

Only eight men in the capacity field of 150 were faster.

The Great Aberdeen 10km champion, who recently won the Brighton 10 mile road race, has been bothered by a calf injury for a couple of months, but didn’t let that deter her.

She said: “I felt it when I was warming up but it seemed fine during the race.

“However, I’ve had to miss a lot of training sessions over the last couple of weeks because of it and I certainly suffered because of that.

“Conditions were good.

“There was a bit of a head wind on the opening half but underfoot it was dry and not slippery at all.

“So long as my calf is fine I now plan to go back to France in November for a half marathon. Hopefully I’ll be fine by then.”

Marie Baxter (JS Kintore Running Club) finished second and was first in the over-40 age group in 42:20, while Sara Henry (Deeside Runners) recorded 45:10 to take third position for the second year in a row.

Nicola Redgwell won the over-50 award when finishing seventh in 50:36.

She also led Garioch Road Runners to the women’s team prize with backing from Daisy Summersgill (11th,51:39) and Maureen MacInnes ((12th,52:55).

“I now plan to go back to France for a half marathon”