Course Record
Male - Bruce Chinnock 1990 - 65mins 11 Seconds
Female - Lyn Harding 1990 - 75mins 19Secs
The History of Nairn Half Marathon. By Danny Bow
I always found it surprising that Nairn Games did not have a road race when it was a main event in many other Highland Games in the North of Scotland, Forres having a 11.25mlles race, Elgin a 10mlle race and Drumnadrochit 15.5 miles ....... .On my behalf, the chairman of Nairn District Amateur Athletic Club, Mr David Brown approached the Nairn Games committee asking if they would consider including a road race at the games. In 1983, the Nairn Games, saw the inauguration of a 12.5 mile road race with 9 competitors! The winner being Mike McCulluch of Forres Harriers. Unfortunately, I did not take part that year as I was keen to see a successful event which would hopefully be continued in years to come. It was a very low budget event with help from the Bow family (Liz, Daniel and Susan); buying sponges from a local chemist and being the backup/sweep in my own car.
With the future advent of half-marathons and marathons in the 1980's the Games committee asked if the race could be extended to a half marathon. This was achieved the following year by lengthening the
course, including the run out to the swimming pool and the loop between 6 and 7 miles. This was the
start of the true Nairn Half Marathon. In 1984, 58 finishers, with Mike McCulluch winning again!
The event has gone on from strength to strength with record number of finishers in 1987 of 153. This was a great achievement and I was fortunate to continue organising and participate. I actually managed to win it in 1986!
The Nairn half Marathon has a capacity of 250 and now sells out in the weeks running up to the event each year.
