ORGANISERS of an iconic West Fife athletics race have hailed the "brilliant" opportunity to run two events this year.

Having been unable to put it on in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, Pitreavie AAC brought its popular Forth Road Bridge 10K event back onto the athletics calendar in May – and held a second last month.

Runners from the host club, as well as others based in West Fife and beyond, including Carnegie Harriers, PH Racing and Jog Scotland Dunfermline, took on the challenging course that began in North Queensferry.

Participants, in fine, sunny weather, headed towards Ferrytoll Park and Ride before running across the bridge, after which they took advantage of a downhill stretch into South Queensferry before heading uphill once more to the top of the crossing back to Fife for the home leg.

Campbell Blair, race director, was delighted at hosting two races this year, commenting: "Having been unable to put on our flagship event for the last two years, we’ve been delighted to deliver two successful events in 2022.

"This is always a popular event, so to give around 800 people the opportunity to run across the iconic bridge this year has been brilliant. It requires a great team effort to put on the event but it’s all worthwhile when you see so many great performances, so many smiling faces, experience the camaraderie between marshals and runners and receive loads of positive feedback.

"We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back to our next event in 2023!"

More than 40 marshals, and many more volunteers, were on hand to support the race, which saw every finisher receive a medal and goody bag.

First across the finishing line was Edinburgh Athletics Club's Iain Whittaker, with the M40 age group runner coming home in a time of 34 minutes and 19 seconds, followed by senior runners Jack McKenna (35:38) and Graeme Quinn (36:01).

It was a double for PH Racing Club in the women's race, with F40 athletes Julie Menzies (40:58) and Judith Turner (42:56) taking home first and second place, followed by unattached athlete Kirsten Alexander, who was the third female in 42:58.