Dingwall Academy pupil Caitlyn Heggie is crowned Scottish Schools 3000 metres champion
Caitlyn Heggie continued her outstanding form in 2022 when she was crowned Scottish Schools 3000 metres champion.
The Dingwall Academy pupil proved too good for the chasing pack to claim gold in 10 minutes 34.20 seconds.
The 15-year-old has strengthened her reputation as one of the top athletes for her age group in the country.
So far this season, she has won silver at the Scottish Under-17 3000 Metres Championship and bronze at the Scottish Cross Country Championship.
She won the Inverness 5k in March and represented Scotland at the Schools International Athletics Board (SIAB) Cross Country International in Wales.
But she says winning Scottish Schools gold topped everything she has achieved so far.
“I would say it is the biggest win of my career,” she said.
“I have finished second and third in a few national races, but winning this makes this the best result for me so far.
“It was a tactical race as nobody wanted to take the lead early on. With three laps left, one of the girls kicked so I went with her as did another runner.
“I stayed with them with 800 metres to go until I kicked it and won by two seconds.”
Heggie got into athletics inspired by a friend at a young age.
It was quickly noticed she had a talent for running.
But it wasn't until she was training during the lockdown period she believed in her potential.
"When I was in primary school, one of the girls in my class went to an athletics club and I wanted to join.
"I was never previously into running, but I also started to do ParkRun with my Mum.
"A coach from Ross County saw me and said I would be good at endurance running.
"Over lockdown it was my way of escape and I came up with training plans for running and have gone on from there."
Heggie is now being considered for the Scotland Schools International Athletics Board squad to compete in Ireland later this year.
She said she would love to represent Scotland again.
"I had a lot of pride wearing that Scotland shirt and it is something I want more of.
"I am concentrating on the 3000 metres for SIAB and then take it easier before moving into cross country training this year."