News - Sun 22nd Sep 2019 - Day 3: Louis swaps pipes for running shorts to win Loch Eilde Mor Race 10k - Salomon Skyline Scotland

Day 3: Louis swaps pipes for running shorts to win Loch Eilde Mor Race 10k

22nd Sep 2019

Salomon Skyline Scotland's young piper Louis MacMillan did a quick change into his running kit for the Loch Eilde Mor Race 10k – and came home victorious.

 

 

After piping off the runners in the Salomon Glencoe Skyline this morning and then once again picking up his pipes at the start of the Loch Eilde Mor Race 10k, there was a short pause in proceedings... while 17-year-old Louis MacMillan swapped kilt for running shorts.

 

Just 50 minutes and 27 seconds later, the youngster Tayvallich, Argyll & Bute, crossed the finish line of the 10k in first place.

 

Louis, who plays with the Mid Argyll Pipe Band and has been the volunteer piper throughout the Salomon Skyline Scotland event weekend, was almost 10 minutes ahead of the rest of the field of more than 100 athletes.

 

In second place was Steve Worsley, 56, of Inverness Harriers, in 1:00:01. He placed third in the Grey Mare’s Trail 5k yesterday.

 

Loch Eilde Mur Trail Race - Winner - Louis MacMillan - Copyright No Limits Photography

Louis MacMillan swapped kilt for running kit - and won the 10k trail race. Credit: No Limits Photography

 

Just behind Steve in third place in the challenging trail 10k with 475m of total ascent and a high point of 350m, was Scot Alistair Nash, 48, who runs with the Saltaire Striders in 1:01:40.

 

Louis, who is in 6th year at Lochgilphead High School, described the Loch Eilde Mor Race 10k as a “cool race”. He added: “It was a good challenge and fun. The climb up was steep and then the top section was crazy.

 

“I thought at first it would be fine but then there was a massive bog. I ended up waist deep in bog and I lost a shoe, which I had to stop to retrieve.

 

“Then came the run downhill on an enduro style singletrack and that was steep but I just keep going as fast as I could. I am pleased to win.”

 

Louis is an aspiring young runner. He won the C class at the inaugural Scottish Mountain Marathon this summer and also became the British Middle Distance Championship (UK Orienteering League) earlier this month.

 

The runner up in the 10k today was Steve, who is heading to the World Masters in Italy next week, enjoyed the “tough course”. He said: “It was a great route that was away from the bigger trails and mostly on singletrack.

 

“I was surprised but the legs felt great today and I am happy with second place. The first runner was very fast.”

 

Skye runner Sarah triumphs for the ladies

 

First home for the females was Sarah Attwood, 27, from the Isle of Skye. She finished in 1:07:11 and was 8th overall. Just behind was Juliette Linford, of Glasgow, in 1:07:56. In third place in the female race was Kirsty MacIntyre, also 26, of Ballachulish, in 1:13:32.

 

Sarah, who trains with Skye & Lochalsh Running Club, said: “It was a tougher course than I expected and there was a lot of bog. But I really enjoyed it, especially the views at the top.

 

“I thought that the second placed lady would catch me on the descent so I am surprised to win.”

 

Juliette, 26, who is a member of Glasgow Triathlon Club, said: “The climb at the start was hard and I just tried to push on with it.

 

“Sarah passed me on the downhill and she was flying. I couldn’t keep up. It was a great race.”

 

It was Kirsty’s first race. She said: “Someone told me that Skyline Scotland is a great event for a first race. They were right. I really enjoyed it.”

 

The Salomon Skyline Scotland trail race club shield was won by Ambleside AC. The team comprised runners Chloe Price, Adam Green and Kirsty Reade.

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