Athletics: Frank fights to the finish.

Byline: FRASER CLYNE

KEITH distance runner Frankie Barton has set his sights on the British championship after winning the City of Aberdeen Baker Hughes 10KThe 49-year-old outsprinted Fife's Scottish junior international Graham Bee to win the Granite City race in 31min 54sec.

There was a record field of 2386 in the race and Barton said: 'I am really chuffed with that performance. think Graham tried to break me early on because he went off like a rocket. But knew if I could stay with him until the closing stages I'd be able to take him.'

Barton took top spot with just two seconds to spare - the closest winning margin in the 19-year history of the event.

He added: 'I'll take a short break before going for the British 5K title at Harrow next month.'

Elgin's Jane Barker also has her eye on national honours after completing a hat-trick of wins in the Aberdeen race.

The Moray Road Runner demolished her opponents with a time of 37:39.

Now she's heading for this weekend's Scottish half- marathon championships at Dunfermline.

Barker said: 'This performance has given my confidence a boost and I'll be hoping to get a medal in Dunfermline.'

Barker was first in the veteran age division - second overall - in the national race last year