A coalman realised a burning ambition and provided a fitting winner in a race celebrating Fife’s mining heritage.
Jimmy McIntyre has tried in vain since 2008 to win the Scottish Coal Carrying Championship, twice coming second.
On his final attempt his well-practised coal-carrying technique and enhanced fitness regime paid off when he crossed the finish line first in Kelty’s famous endurance run, in which men run a kilometre carrying 50kg sacks of coal and women 25kg.
The 45-year-old, of Kirkcaldy, said: “It was the moment I have been waiting for. It was terrific and well worth the wait.
“I’ve had a couple of second places in recent years but I’ve always been pipped to the post by younger and faster guys. This was my last go.
“The organiser wanted me to win, he said it would be a fairytale ending if a coalman won the 21st anniversary race.”
Jimmy’s fitness level was at its peak, as he recently joined running clubs, Fife Athletic Club and Formidable Fifers.
His proud wife Claire, children Lewis, 17, and Sasha, 13, and lucky mascot Ted the West Highland terrier, were among the crowd to witness his victory as he came in 23 seconds ahead of second-placed Barry Paterson, of Rosyth.
The women’s race was very narrowly won by Julie Menzies, of Dunfermline, who beat Suzanne Gray, of Crossford, by a fraction of a second.
Pictures by David Wardle