Borders Winter X/C: Peebles
January 7th, 2008Sunny Haylodge Park in Peebles on Sunday was the destination for the first cross country outing of the new year for Gala Harriers, except for those who had bravely crossed the hill from Lauder to Melrose on January 2nd in the annual Harrier/Lauderdale Limper social run.
Sunday was the 4th round of the Border Winter Cross Country Series which once again is attracting large numbers of runners from clubs right across the Lothians, Borders and Northumberland.
The juniors scampered round their parkland circuit in excellent times having obviously benefited from their Christmas carbo-loading. Again, Cameron Fair was first home for the club in an excellent 3rd place overall, in 9 minutes and 15 seconds, keeping his 2nd place in the M14/15 category. Only 2 places behind him was David Bonnar, currently lying 1st in his M11 category, in a superb 9.44. His clubmates and contenders for the 2nd and 3rd places in the same category packed nicely to take 10th, 11th and 12th places – Ross Matthews (10.25), Angus Beith (10.32) and Rowan Marr (10.44) all running very well, as were Cameron Gowans (11.20) Liam Howel (13,34) and Fraser Gowans (13 39).
For the girls, Martha Douglas romped home in 27th place overall in 11.55, currently placing her 3rd in the girls 12/13 group, closely followed by Gillian Sandie in 12.02, lying just one category place behind Martha. Also running well were Claire White (12.43), Katherine Arkley (12.58) Rhona Gowans (14.38) Jo Marr (15.48) Hannah Macrae (15.34) and Rebecca Allan (16.05).
The much longer senior race attracted 129 runners and it was Neil Aitchison who again came in first for the club, recording an excellent 27.07, with Eileen Nicol the first lady Harrier home in 34.37. Currently the club is lying in 5th place overall out of 17 participating clubs with 2 fixtures still remaining. To maintain that position there were strong runs from the men with: Alan Goodson (27.42) Martin Clarke (28.52) Alastair Laurie (29.40) Robin Murray (30.02) Malky Gowans (30.09) Jack Knox (30.39 and lying 2nd in the 60+ category) Allan Gordon (32.31) Tim Howel (32 31) a very creaky Graham Capper (32.36) Will McDermott (32.37) and Paul Morris (33.23). The women were also well represented and following Eileen Nicol home were: Pauline Ballantyne (35.48) Dawn Grant (36.45) Fiona Shepherd (36.50) Sheila MacNab (37.23 and lying 2nd in her 50+ category) Shelagh King (41.16) Louise Johnston (41.17) Susan Howel (43.53) and Anne Purves (54.55.)
Over the festive season, some Harriers had also slept off their Hogmanay excesses and taken to the coast with the annual 4 mile New Years Day race along the promenade at Portobello. Shaking off the cobwebs most effectively that day was Katy Anderson, who was only beaten into 4th place for the women by 3 internationalists. Well done Katy!!
