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A huge turnout of local runners greeted the competitors at the 3rd Borders Winter cross country event of the series, held in Galashiels on Sunday, in chilly but bright conditions. Local dog walkers, looking forward to a peaceful Sunday morning walk in the policies and beyond, had to move over for almost 100 juniors and 140 seniors who tackled this tough but rewarding course.

Of the 95 juniors out, one third were from Gala Harriers, reflecting the new strengths and determination the young runners have learnt from their training sessions at Tweedbank this winter. At this, the halfway point in the series, all ran well for their club and with this volume of youngsters to report on, all names are recorded here, along with the top few placings, which will have an effect on final scores for both individuals and teams at the end of the series.

Storming home 3rd overall was Cameron Fair in 14 minutes and 13 seconds, putting himself into 2nd place in the male 14/15 year olds. Only slightly over half a minute behind him was the pack of gutsy under 11 boys, led home by David Bonnar, 8th in 14.53 and now lying in 1st place in his category, Ross Matthew in 15.03, lying 2nd and Rowan Marr in 15.06, lying 3rd, with Angus Beith and Cameron Gowans not far behind, all with runs which were a great credit to them.

The girls were not to be outdone and Hannah Jones was the second girl home overall in 16.28, also lying 2nd in her category, just beating Lucy Morris by 3 seconds, currently lying 3rd and just 10 seconds behind her was Charlotte Brown, all of whom ran a clever, well-judged race.

The sea of green and white Gala vests continued to surge through the finish line and good performances were recorded by all the junior squad, which consisted, of: Andrew McCrirrick, Emily Jones, Martha Douglas, Nicola Moffat, Kerri Sandilands, Keith Young, Gillian Sandie, Gillian Ingles, Shaun Rutherford, Kerry Bonnar, Claire White, Liam Howel, Katherine Arkley, Fraser Gowans, Hamish Rodwell, Rhona Gowans, Hannah McCrae, Jo Marr, Rebecca Nisbet, Rebecca Young and Emma Sinclair.

As the youngsters downed their nourishing hot soup, provided by BGH, 18 Gala seniors were battling with the longer course around the policies and into the fields beyond, along with almost 140 others from all over the Borders, Lothians and north Northumberland. The team competition is wide open this year and the club’s runners acquitted themselves well, with solid performances by all, including Damon Rodwell, first home for Gala in 26.37 and 10th overall, Neil Aitchison in 27.43 (lying 3rd in his category), Fiona Dalgleish in 31.03 (lying 1st in her category) and Sheila MacNab in 37.25, also lying 1st in hers. Also running consistently well for the club and reaching the soup kitchen at the finish were: Alan Goodson, Iain Bell, Malky Gowans, Robin Murray, Melanie Goodson, Allan Gordon, Tim Howel, Paul Morris, Eileen Nicol, Jane Chalmers, Dawn Grant, Anne Wier, Shelagh King, Louise Johnston and Susan Howel.

The club would like to thank and acknowledge the following for their help and support in planning and organising this race: John Scott of Hollybush Farm for access to his fields, Borders General Hospital catering department for the fantastic soup, Galashiels Swimming Pool, all officials, marshals and helpers on the day and Robin Murray, Tony Lunn and Gillian Duncan for co-ordinating it all.

The previous day, two Harriers who regularly exchange their vests for their police uniforms took the honours at the Scottish Police 3 mile race in Dalkeith. Dianne Lauder and Gillian Duncan took first and second places respectively in the womens’ race – many congratulations girls!

And there’s more!! Following their successes at recent events, five Gala Harriers have been selected to represent the East District at inter-district level in Edinburgh in January 08. They are, for the juniors: Hannah Jones, Victoria Douglas and Alice Haining and for the seniors, Kate Jenkins and Dianne Lauder. Again, many congratulations and good luck!

Posted on Monday, December 17th, 2007 at 7:40 am and is filed under News, Race Reports.
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