In 2016, 2019 and now 2021, Natalie and I competed in the Scottish Half, one of Scotland's most famous and popular half marathons, on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The Scottish Half also includes the Scottish 10K, which invites you to chase fast 10-kilometre times on a flat turnaround course.

Having already competed in the 2019 Scottish 10K starting and finishing at Race Course Musselburgh over ten kilometres, Natalie and I were on the start line together this time - along with a host of other equally ambitious runners. It was immediately clear that top favourite Peter Avent and our friend James Dunn would decide the first two places between them. I quickly found myself in the race for bronze with 7-8 other runners. After a brisk first half, the group had already shrunk noticeably, and more runners were to fall back in the second five kilometres. In a thrilling duel with Dave Richardson from Alwick Harriers, I managed to prevail in the end and run into third place in 32:43 minutes. Within the following 62 seconds, another nine runners finished, leaving the twelfth-placed runner to finish in a still fast time of 33:45 minutes, an impressive reflection of the high standard of the Scottish 10K 2021.

It was a little less close for Natalie. She was also unable to keep up with the first two runners on the day, Beth Garland and Jennifer Wetton, former winner of the Loch Ness Marathon. With a committed race, Natalie (37:25 minutes) eventually finished third too, making our bronze day truly feel like a gold day.