Presentation Evening & X/C Championship Results 2009
November 8th, 2009Gala Harriers staged its Presentation Night on Saturday at the Young Men’s Club and looked back on a year of successes and representational honours. As well as the annual presentations, the club marked the career of a remarkable former Gala man who achieved international athletic status and recognised the contributions of two local members.
A range of glittering prizes were awarded to various Harriers who had either won 2008/9 races, been selected to represent District or country or had been voted best athlete in a variety of categories.
Club President Tony Lunn and Men’s Captain Magnus Inglis presented the following trophies:
Ladhope Cross Country, 2008, 1st, 2nd and 3rd – Martin Clarke, Magnus Inglis and Rob McCrirrick.
Neil Potts Trophy, 2008, 1st, 2nd, 3rd –Gillian Duncan, Karen Renton, Eileen Nicol
Club 10k handicap 2009, 1st, 2nd, 3rd – Tommy Knox, Errol Kobus, Robert Marshall
Henderson Race, 2009, 1st, 2nd, 3rd – Derrick Brydon, Magnus inglis and Gerry Moss
Overall Handicap Champions – Gregor McAneny and Malky Gowans
W F Lindsay Trophy for 1st Harriers home in the National Cross Country race –Graeme Murdoch
Club Cross Country Champion, 2008, Ist, 2nd, 3rd – Graeme Murdoch, Damon Rodwell and Gregor McAneny.
Most improved senior: Billy McCulloch
Most improved junior: Rowan Marr
Representative honours for either District or National selection, 2008/9: (junior)Alice Haining, Rowan Marr, Kelly Sandilands, Demi Yorke (senior) Dianne Lauder, Katy Anderson.
Endeavour Cup, presented by Mrs J Nisbet, Galashiels for their contribution to the club: Graham Capper
The Borders Hall of Fame trophy which was awarded at last year’s Borders Sports Awards to James Curran, who had coached to Olympic level in the 1920s was presented to the Curran family.
And finally, Davy Darroch, Special Olympian was made an honorary member of the Harriers.
Tony Lunn thanked the Gala YM’s club for their support of the Harriers over the years in allowing them the use of their premises for events such as this and for their regular meetings and also to the Hainings for the superb catering on the night.
Earlier in the day, the club’s 2009 Cross Country Championship had been held in pleasant conditions, with 31 runners taking the scenic route over the hills from Boleside to Gala via Yair and the Southern Upland Way.
Winning the XC Championship again for the second year running was Graeme Murdoch in 37 minutes 34 seconds, with Fergus Johnston (40.13) and Dianne Lauder (40.57) in 2nd and 3rd positions.
The Neil Potts Handicap trophy run within the same race was won by David Hunter in 47.57, with Karen Renton (60.35) and Sheila McNab (54.07) in 2nd and 3rd. All results are shown here and some pictures of finishers within gallery:
harriers-2009-xc-handicap-final-results.pdf
Next outing for the Harriers is the first of the Borders Winter Cross Country series races at Norham on Sunday 15 November. Junior races start at 11.30, senior at 12 noon.
