Whalsay runners raise £1,625 for Crohns & Colitis UK

An impressive 115 runners took part in running events in Whalsay yesterday, raising money for the charity Crohns & Colitis UK.

Among those taking part were Teresa and Magnus Sandison, whose son George, 24, is currently recovering from surgery for ulcerated colitis.

The couple are also planning to do the Great North Run in Newcastle next Sunday.

The Whalsay runs all finished at the leisure centre and four distances were covered: a 10k run right around the Isle; a 5k run from Huxter; a one-mile run around the Symbister loop; and a mile-run for young bairns and toddlers around the Hillhead loop.

Most of those taking part were from Whalsay but there were also several, most with Whalsay connections, who made the trip into the isle for the event.

The 10k run was won by John William Simpson in a time of 46 minutes 44 seconds, followed home by John Arthur Simpson (52:51) and Kirsten Jeromson (55:48).

The 5k run saw Ewan Polson finish first in 24:14, Lianne Jamieson second in 25:17 and Ewan Irvine third in 25:18. They were all youngsters who did “really good”, Teresa said.

Taking first place in the one-mile loop was Annie Mowat (9:12), just ahead of William Anderson (9:13) and Mackie Reid (9:51).

The event has so far raised £1,625 and Teresa said she wanted to thank everyone who got involved.

“It was braaly windy and a tough course I suppose but it went really good,” she said. “George is really doing well now and I’d like to thank everybody for helping us raise this money.”