Gala Harriers taking the Fast Track to Success
June 9th, 2003Gala Harriers held the first of their track races last week and were overwhelmed by the number of junior runners who turned up to take part.
The Harriers have been encouraging juniors to come along and train at Tweedbank track for the last couple of years and the numbers attending the Thursday evening sessions has steadily grown.
There were 52 juniors taking part in the primary and secondary school age group races this year, with the primary juniors running 800 metres and the secondary juniors running 1500 metres.
Sandy Walker stormed round in the 1500 metres to record a time of 5.23, to comfortably win the boy’s race and he was followed in by Fraser Anderson, (5.31) who just held off the fast finishing Neil O’Docherty, (5.32).
In the girl’s 1500m, Sarah Mathers ran a very impressive 5.42 to finish 4th overall and first girl. Kirsty Thomson continues to improve her times and was second in a time of 6.10, with Ailsa O’Docherty, (6.22) taking third spot.
There were 35 primary juniors lined up at the start of the 800m race, which saw Greg Hunter out sprint Ben O’Docherty and Craig Paterson in a very exciting finish, to take first spot.
Alice Haining was clearly delighted with her winning performance as she crossed the line in front of Mirren Bailey and Hannah Gallagher in the girls race, to take her first Harriers gold medal.
The senior members of the Harriers had earlier competed in the 5000m track race, when 21 of them lined up at the start of the twelve and a half lap race.
Ron Logan continues to be the man to beat as he crossed the line in a time of 17.18 to win again, in front of an improving Mark Bryson, (17.28) and men’s vice captain Neil Aitchison, (17.58).
In the ladies race Leanne Haining ran strongly to record a respectable 19.58, with Angela Foss, (20.16) and Eileen Nichol, (21.09), taking 2nd and 3rd places.
