WATCH: Beauly doctor claims women's title at Highland Cross for first time
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BEAULY junior doctor Catriona Graves powered her way to victory to claim the women's title at the Highland Cross for the first time in her career.
The Highland Hill Runners athlete, who is originally from Glasgow but now lives in Inverness, claimed victory in four hours and three minutes.
She was nine minutes ahead of Kirsty Skye Dickson from Edinburgh who finished in second place.
Graves (26) who works at Croyard Medical Practice, says the duathlon gave her the opportunity to combine her two loves of cycling and running.
She felt she had a good chance of claiming the women's title and was pleased to come out on top.
"This is the first time that I have done the race," she said.
"I like running and cycling and a last minute place came up with my friend so I decided I would give it a bash."
With temperatures in the mid-20's Graves admitted the conditions were a challenge, but she adapted to them better as the race progressed.
"I felt a bit faint on the run originally so I did take a lot of fluids, but I did feel a lot better on the bike as well as the second half of the run.
"I am better over longer distances as I do ease into it.
"I think the time is decent as that is what they have been in recent years.
"I thought it would be between me and my friend who I overtook during the cycle and I feel a bit bad about doing that."
WATCH: Edderton athlete Ross Gollan wins men's title.
