JK 2026: Day 2 (Middle) Results

The 2026 Jan Kjellstrom International Festival managed to dodge the worst of Storm Dave to deliver a quality Middle distance race at Rannoch.

The area was used for the 2000 JK Long, but had lain fallow for 13 years, and it was pleasing to gain access once again to one of the UK's premier area. The going was tough, with an overnight dusting of snow adding a distinctly autunmal aspect to proceedings, and one early finisher was head to comment “the forest was lovely in a cold winter way, but some of the marshes are a bit special”.

South London duo Simon Harden and Ralph Street were able to call upon their Scandinavian experience to dominate the M21E World Ranking event, with Simon leading the course in 33.18 and Ralph 2^nd, 75 seconds back. EUOC's Euan Tryner overcame a strong finish from the chasing pack to take 3^rd place (35.20) with just 13 seconds between 3^rd and 6^th.

Scottish-based athletes were to the fore in the W21E race, as Niamh Hunter (AROS) claimed her first big race win since 2019 as she headed the field in 35.23, to keep EUOC duo Isobel Howard (37.00) and Imogen Pieters (37.22) in the minor places.

The top two from Friday's Sprint was the same for the M20E Middle race, as James Hammond (28.25) led home EUOC clubmate Michael Bishenden (31.53) and SHUOC's Matthew Birkinshaw got up for 3^rd in 33.03, while in W20E, Ruth Gooch (MAROC) showed her terrain power to take victory in 26.51, ahead of Daisy Rennie (WCOC – 28.57) and SO's Heather High (29.31).

The highlight of the M18E race was MOR's Finlay McLuckie beating all the M20s in the same field, as he was home safe in 28.14. Finn Selmer Duguid (TAY) was close behind in 28.25, and WCOC's Oliver Duncan was also prominent, 3^rd in 30.06.

W18E went right down to the wire, and FVO's Scarlett Kelly was eight seconds (30.30) faster home than SYO's Anna Todd for the win, with WCOC's Sophie Crawford completing the podium in 30.59. The Long race, with the overall JK titles up for grabs, is in the same area tomorrow.

Well done to all who competed at today's competition!

Middle Results