Congratulations have been extended to Stornoway running club’s Ailyn Mackay following confirmation that she set a new course record at the Two Islands Half Marathon at the weekend.

Ailyn was among a contingent of runners from Stornoway Running and Athletics club (SRAC) who made the awkward journey to Uist for the event, given the absence of a car ferry on CalMac’s Leverburgh to Berneray route.

Ailyn ran the Berneray to Leverburgh course in 1:32, with fellow SRAC runner Coleen Monrad close behing in 1:34. Club chairman Donald ‘Caskie’ Macaskill took second male and the veteran 50 first place, crossing the line in 1:22.

Although a couple of other runners travelled the day before, Ailyn was among those who chose to take the passenger boat Pabbay Lass from the Leverburgh pontoons. As well as being a breezy crossing, that made for a longer-than-usual wait at the start.

Andrew Ross, one of the organisers of the Two Islands Half Marathon confirmed Ailyn’s new course record to welovestornoway.

He said: “Congratulations to her on achieving the fastest women’s time since the event was started back in 2011.”

More than 40 runners toed the line on Saturday, including eight from SRAC.

Organiser Andrew said the event had gone “really well” and thanked the Stornoway running club for their support.

He said: “Conditions were ideal. Not too hot. Didn’t rain. Midgies mostly weren’t too bad because there was a bit of a breeze.

“It was great that the Stornoway running club made the effort to come down, given all the difficulties with ferries and so on, so that was very much appreciated.

“They arrived here two hours before the start so they had to hang around. They went out of their way to attend, so much appreciated and thanks to everyone.”