Athletics: Houston gives Williams a real problem

Edinburgh University scientist Ross Houston, clubmate of Scottish Commonwealth Games 1500 metres runner Ali Hay, caused an upset when he defeated Delhi-bound Scottish marathon runner Martin Williams to win the new Kilomathon 26.2 kilometres road race from Ingliston yesterday.

Williams, winner of the inaugural Kilomathon in Derby this year in a time of 1:26.00, was the favourite to win the first Scottish race over this new distance in which runners crossed the Forth Bridge out and back.

But 30-year-old Houston, who just missed out on selection for the Delhi Marathon, came home in 1:26.49 over a hilly course to record probably his best victory to date. "It's really great to win this event and it's great preparation for a marathon - running over the Forth Bridge was a bonus," he said.

Falkirk Victoria Harrier Fiona Matheson took the women's race in 1:40.29.

Corstorphine's Dave Simpson was an excellent third in the Loch Ness Marathon in 2:26.16, the winner being Ethiopian Tomas Abyu in 2:20.50.