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Burns Day dawned with a frosting of snow but Harriers headed south to Norham for the 5th of the Borders Winter Cross Country series, where the course is described as “soggy, unless frozen, muddy steeply banked valley with several stream crossings and (hopefully) ploughed fields.”

A lovely prospect for the ten Gala juniors who started in the field of 60 overall, but all of whom came home in one piece with some grand results, in this the penultimate event of the 6 race programme.

Always strong and leading the Harriers home was Cameron Fair, finishing first in his category and 3rd overall in 12 minutes 56 seconds. Just two places behind him was Rowan Marr in an excellent 13.12, just pipped into second in his category but looking like a real medal hope in the final event.

Hannah Jones was the first girl home for the Harriers and first in her category in 14.13, with sister Emily just a handful of seconds behind in 14.28 and 3rd in the same category. Kerry Sandilands came storming in in 15.01, with Lucy Henderson-Morris and Martha Douglas almost finishing together in 15.17 and 15.18, just 7 seconds ahead of young Alison Brown in 15.25, who came 2nd in the 11 year old girls. Liam Howel and Jo Marr completed the junior Harriers team of 10 and ran well in 20.06 and 20.42 respectively.

15 Gala seniors were led home by Graeme Murdoch, making a rare but welcome appearance in this series and he romped home 6th overall and 3rd in his category in a time of 27.49.

The ever-so-slightly older ladies managed to pick up 2 x 2nd in category and 1x 3rd in the shape of Gillian Duncan in 35.08, Leanne Haining in 36.02 and Jane Chalmers in 40.25.

Others running well on the taxing course were: Rob McCrirrick, 31.36; Malky Gowans, 34.08; Tim Howel, 38.07; Billy McCulloch, 38.21; Paul Morris, 38.52; Fiona Shepherd, 40.54; Dawn Grant, 44.54; Gina Allen returning after her ankle injury in the Peebles leg of the series in 46.54; Shelagh King, 48.26; Susan Howel, 52.35 and Anne Purves in 53.44. Several runners, especially juniors are poised for top placings in the final leg of the series to be held at Spittal on 15th February.

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Last week’s report had included the first day of the indoor event at Kelvin hall, Glasgow but three young Harriers were also running on the second day.

In the Under 15 girls’ 200 m, Martha Douglas came an excellent 3rd in her heat in 29.2 and just missed out on a medal in the final, running an impressive 29.03. Older sister Emily was competing over the same distance in the U17 girls, coming a superb 2nd in her heat in 27.5 and 5th in the final in 27.73. Fastest on the day for the Harriers was Sophie Elder who won her U17 200m heat in 27.6 and picked up the bronze medal in the final in a well run 27.30.

Posted on Monday, January 26th, 2009 at 9:53 am and is filed under News, Race Results.
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