Club La Santa International Running Challenge 2025
Attracting runners from across the globe, the 36th edition of Club La Santa’s International Running Challenge saw 24 Harriers fly out for a week of sun, fun and plenty of runs. The Challenge sees participants take on a 10k Road Race, a hilly 13k Trail Race, a 5k Beach Race and a Half Marathon. Racing these over 4 consecutive days would be challenging in any conditions, but with temperatures often above 25°, it is no surprise that only 251 of the 392 participants managed to complete the full series.
Race 1 After witnessing some spectacular pyrotechnics during the previous evening’s Night Run, it was the Harriers who would supply the fireworks during the 10k Road Race. First over the line in the famous blue and yellow was Steven Campbell, in 36.59 – a strong time given the brutal heat and windy uphill stretches. An under the weather Shaun Lyon (38.39) was next across the line, sneaking home ahead of a great run from Mick McLoone (38.45), which would see him bag first place in the M60-64 category. Another age category winner would follow, with International Running Champion Sam McVicar crossing the line in an excellent 41.14 (1st M55-59). Following Sam was David Thomson (41.20), who ran well for a 10k PB despite the challenging conditions. Next home was William Taylor (45.18) – a tough day at the office, but better runs would follow for William as the week progressed. Despite an off-road pit stop Ferrari would be proud of, Alan O’Rourke crossed the line in an excellent course PB of 45.23. Harriers were now appearing thick and fast, with Ross Neilson (45.38), Aaron Fullarton (45.56) and John Stevenson (45.57) all following shortly after. Jim Cuffe (47.04) and Graham McGrattan (47.26) battled hard for age category bragging rights, with little also separating Robin McAuslan (48.30) and Chris Cameron (48.37). Stephen Reid (51.04) and Kenny Scott (1.00.45) also ran well, with the temperature only rising as the clock ticked on.
Raising suspicions that she’s not a natural ginger, Liz Heywood was the first female Harrier across the line in an excellent 53.15. Our previous and current Vice Captains Cheryl Thomas (54.22) and Jill Turner (55.54) also ran well, whilst Lauren Boyce (59.33) was pleased to break 60 minutes on her comeback from a foot injury. The importance of each second in these runs from the ladies would become clear as the week went on. Jennifer Rooney – delighted to make the start line after suffering a build-up ravaged by illness – ran sensibly but well for a time of 1.00.32. Everyone at the club wishes Jennifer well as she prepares for another operation next week. Last – but by no means least – Harrier over the finish line was the evergreen Charlotte McKay (67.53). A great run from Charlotte saw her join Mick and Sam as our 3rd age category winner on the day, taking home the F70-74 crown.
Race 2 The second race in the series, a 13k Trail Race, sees volcanic ridges providing participants with a challenging set of climbs and descents. Liz Heywood (1.19.26) backed up a strong first day with another excellent run, followed closely again by Cheryl Thomas (1.20.00) and Jill Turner (1.23.20). Lauren Boyce (1.33.17) also ran well, whilst Charlotte McKay (1.43.49) would repeat her success from the previous day to again take home the F70-74 crown.
For the men, Steven Campbell ran well again to finish first Harrier home in a time of 55.26. Next across the line was David Thomson (1.02.19), whilst William Taylor (1.05.26) held off the challenge of Graham McGrattan (1.05.33). Graham’s excellent run did however see him take home 1st place in the M65-69 category, replicating his success in the same race last year. Another strong run from Alan O’Rourke saw him cross the line in 1.06.40. Next Harrier over the line was John Stevenson (1.11.09), followed in by Ross Neilson (1.13.01), who helped club mate Jim Cuffe (1.13.11) cross the finish line after a tough battle with the heat. The brutal nature of the series was becoming evident – Sam McVicar, struggling with a knee injury from early on, finished in 1.13.34. Robin McAuslan, one of several who would also battle illness across the week, returned home in 1.15.37, followed by Stephen Reid (1.19.21) and Kenny Scott (1.35.36).
Race 3 Tuesday saw the team take a trip to the seaside, but the buckets and spades would be left at home for this one. Despite the shorter distance, this 5k Beach Race has proved far from easy in previous years, with the sand providing a challenging terrain from which to generate momentum. Stevie Campbell (20.04) was again first Harrier home, followed by Mick McLoone (21.07). Following shortly after were Sam McVicar (21.22) and William Taylor (21.36), who was beginning to find his groove. Next home was David Thomson (22.41), who helped Alan O’Rourke (23.27) towards another strong run. More blue and yellow vests followed quickly, with John Stevenson (23.30), Ross Neilson (23.43), Chris Cameron (23.41) and Graham McGrattan (23.50) all running well – Graham again taking home another M65-69 crown. Aaron Fullarton (24.40) ran sensibly to manage his ongoing injury issues, and was followed home by Robin McAuslan (25.06) and Stephen Reid (25.21). Jim Cuffe was another to err on the side of caution on the day (26.39), whilst Kenny Scott (33.29) enjoyed another solid outing.
For the ladies, Liz Heywood (28.59) returned home first, followed by Jill Turner (29.50). Jennifer Rooney (30.46) was happy to be able to complete her second race of the week, whilst Cheryl Thomas (31.18) and Lauren Boyce (31.18) ran with one eye on Wednesday’s Half Marathon. Charlotte McKay (33.33) proved just as dominant over the shorter distance, again taking home first place in the F70-74 category.
Race 4 The series finale sees participants take on a picturesque Half Marathon through the hills of Tinajo. Despite having a downhill elevation profile, the undulating nature of the course and variable underfoot conditions keep runners on their toes. Going into the fourth and final race, individuals and teams alike know that much is still up for grabs. Inspired by conditions more akin to Scotland, a fantastic battle would unfold between GGH’s leading ladies. In the end, Cheryl Thomas (2.04.14) edged out birthday girl Jill Turner (2.05.24) and Liz Heywood (2.06.04), all three running brilliantly given their previous exertions. Lauren Boyce (2.13.14) completed her week’s racing with another great run, whilst Charlotte McKay (2.51.55) would complete a clean sweep of age category victories and take home the overall F70-74 crown. Completing all four races over consecutive days is an immense achievement for any runner let alone one in the 70-74 age category – Charlotte attributed her success to her newfound love of kayaking.
On the men’s side, Steven Campbell (1.27.06) delivered another strong run to again cross the line as first Harrier. In his best run of the series, William Taylor (1.33.33) held off Sam McVicar (1.33.48), who became a 2-time International Running Champion by taking home victory in the M55-59 category. David Thomson (1.36.20) was happy to make it to the end of the challenge with one hamstring still intact, whilst John Stevenson (1.41.01) went out hard on his way to his best run of the week. Ross Neilson (1.45.40) was chaffed, sorry, chuffed to bits to see the end of this one, whilst an under the weather Alan O’Rourke (1.46.41) struggled to get going, before rising like a phoenix in time for that evening’s karaoke. Graham McGrattan was next over the line, his time of 1.48.29 just enough to edge out his nearest rival in the battle for the overall M65-69 age category title. This was the closest of the overall awards by a distance, with a 4-day tussle eventually decided by a matter of seconds. Having taken home the same crown last year, all eyes will be on Graham as he chases a three-peat in 2026. In another tight battle, Robin McAuslan (1.56.39) finished just ahead of Stephen Reid (1.57.06), whilst Kenny Scott (2.12.02) was delighted to have a much-improved run versus last year’s race.
Our individual winners wouldn’t be the only Harriers recognised come the end of the series though, with the Ladies A Team (Cheryl Thomas, Jill Turner and Lauren Boyce) taking home 3rd place in the overall female team competition. This was only made possible by all 3 runners completing all 4 races, and, given this was each of the girl’s first experience of this unique challenge, a place on the podium represented an outstanding achievement.
- End of series classification: 13th Steven Campbell – total time 3.19.35 43rd David Thomson – 3.42.35 49th William Taylor – 3.45.50 52nd Sam McVicar – 3.49.52 (2nd M55-59) 66th John Stevenson – 4.01.29 67th Alan O’Rourke – 4.02.05 71st Graham McGrattan – 4.05.11 (1st M65-69) 78th Ross Neilson – 4.07.51 94th Robin Mcauslan – 4.25.41 105th Stephen Reid – 4.32.40 143rd Kenny Scott – 5.21.59 46th Liz Heywood – 4.47.31 48th Cheryl Thomas – 4.49.40 50th Jill Turner – 4.54.14 (2nd F25-29) 60th Lauren Boyce – 5.17.08 (3rd F25-29) 89th Charlotte McKay – 6.16.56 (1st F70-74)
Thanks to David Thomson for the exhaustive report!