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I was standing close to the third green at Ladhope when I heard the distinctive
shout of FOUR, I automatically ducked down, but nothing
landed near me. Looking round I saw a group of Gala Harriers warming up
before their Border Telegraph Ladhope Hill Race started. One of the new
members to the club was heard to say again, Do I have to run
round this FOUR times? You’ve got to be kidding me!”

It’s a typical reaction when the four laps, five-mile course is described
to anyone who hasn’t run in the race before, but the Ladhope race is no
joke. Ann Laurie had the top handicap this year and set off in determined
fashion at the start. She was followed over the next twenty minutes by
another 28 harriers, all similarly determined to take the trophy off last
year’s winner, Ruth McCann. Club president Graham Capper was running the
race for the first time in many years, having been consistently and mysteriously
struck down with Ladhopeitis the night before this event. It looked like
he was struck down again, when there was no sign of him at his allotted
start time but fortunately a weak bladder was his only problem and a ‘relieved’
Graham was able to start the race a minute late. This was obviously the
spur he needed as he galloped through the field of runners in front of
him to finish 9th overall.

Selkirk youngster Gary Alexander has only moved up into the senior ranks
this year and has shown some excellent form so far with commendable finishes
in the club cross-country championships as well as the East District league.
Ladhope was to be his first but in all likely-hood not his last victory
on Saturday. Even with a tough handicap Gary made short work of the runners
in front of him and had caught everyone by the end of the third lap. Having
put in such a hard effort he even had time to stop, have a breather and
take in the view half way round the last lap before taking on the last
climb and the muddy and slippy decent to the finish.

Past champion Graeme Jones was running so well, he had started thinking
where about in his house would be a suitable spot for the Ladhope Shield
to go. His dreams were dashed just after he jumped the Ladhope burn for
the umpteenth time on the penultimate lap when Gary caught him and skipped
away up the hill in front of him. Graeme never gave up and continued to
work his way through the last few runners in front of him to finish a
very respectable second. Ron Logan knew what he had to do to win on Saturday,
he had to overtake everyone in the race, some of them twice! Showing typical
determination Ron worked his way steadily through the pack and managed
to overtake Ann Laurie, for the second time, just before the finish line
to snatch third place from her. It was a great effort from Ron and hard
luck to Ann who had run so well.

Posted on Saturday, December 7th, 2002 at 11:07 pm and is filed under Race Reports.
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