A minute less – what Wilson wants
REIGNING Northern Scot 10k series champ Kenny Wilson kicked off the defence of his title with another victory last Sunday.
The Speyside ace won the Nairn 10k in style, clocking exactly 32 minutes to finish more than a minute ahead of arch-rival Gordon Lennox (Inverness Harriers).
It was 26-year-old Wilson’s first-ever win at Nairn and his best time there, but the Moray Road Runners is targeting even better performances this year.
“It was a lot quicker than I expected to do in this race,” he said. “I was more targeting 32.20 or 32.30 so it was well under what I normally do at Nairn, and the first time I’ve won there.”
Ex-Forres Harrier Lennox finished second in 33.08 with Glasgow University athlete Alastair Thurlbeck third.
Reigning Scot series ladies’ champ Jenny Bannerman (Inverness Harriers) also opened her defence with a comfortable victory in 35.43, more than six minutes ahead of her nearest rival.
But Wilson revealed how he may not be able to successfully defend his Scot series this year, as there is a clash of races on the weekend of the final race, the Benromach Forres 10k.
“The Benromach could be a struggle for me as it is the day after the Edinburgh 5k, which I’m planning to run on the Friday evening,” he said.
“I was really hoping to retain the Northern Scot title but I’ll decide nearer the time and maybe even see how I feel after the Friday.
The Edinburgh event doubles up as the Scottish 5k championships and Wilson is keen to test himself at the shorter distance, hoping for a time of around 15 minutes.
The Knockando-based distillery worker also wants to do longer distances, with plans to compete in 10-mile and half marathon events.
On the 10k front, he will race at the next two Scot series events at Elgin on March 27 and Buckie on April 17, though the Forres 10k on May 7 remains a doubt.
Wilson feels he is closing the gap on regular north 10k winner John Newsom (Inverness Harriers), who has pipped him to the finish line on numerous occasions.
The Moray athlete is confident he will beat his personal best time of 31.57 this season – he was just three seconds off last weekend – and believes breaking the 31-minute barrier is not beyond his capabilities.
Longer term, he would love to beat the elusive 30 minute mark which only the elite Scottish runners can hope to crack.
“When you reach that standard you know you can compete against the best in the country,” he said. “There’s a bit of a gap between north runners and the top guys in the south but we’re working hard to close that gap.
“My target this year is to manage 31 flat if I can, maybe even to squeeze under it by the autumn.
“The cross-country season was good and my training programme (with coaches Carol and George Sim) has been going really well, so I know I’m going into the road season in good shape.”
Wilson often clocks up 70 miles training six days a week over a variety of distances, and his dedication is really paying off as his performances continue to excel.
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