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Gala Harriers hosted the re-scheduled 5th leg of the Borders Winter Cross Country series on Sunday and the weather conditions could not have been more different from those in mid January when it had to be postponed because of the snow and ice. This time it was cool, dull and windless which offered perfect overhead conditions - but the depth of recent snow and rain had left the ground underfoot as muddy as you will ever get in an off-road winter race. Nothing daunted, 66 juniors and 144 seniors nevertheless turned up at Gala Swimming Pool as the series moves towards its climax in Peebles with the honours for all the various categories as keenly contested as ever.

The junior boys’ race saw the host club return some excellent performances, with Rowan Marr in a superb 2nd place and Cameron Gowans in 13th with a storming finish. Brother Fraser completed the Gala trio in fine style. For the girls, Lucy Henderson-Morris in a very impressive10th overall and 2nd girl and Kerry Sandilands returning from injury as 3rd girl home go into the final round in 2nd position in their respective female age categories. Good runs from Hannah and Emily Jones, Martha Douglas and Jo Arres ensured that the white and green vests were prominent in the top half. (With the race clock suffering from seasonal affected disorder some of the junior results are provisional for which our apologies.)

It was fully operational by the time the seniors set off in increasingly muddy conditions and by the time almost 150 seniors had finished, afternoon dogwalkers would have been regretting their choice of route. A record 24 Harriers completed the 5 mile course, agreed by all to be the hardest and certainly the longest route of the 6 events.

First home for Gala was Fergus Johnston in a grand 13th place in 33 minutes and 37 seconds with Gregor McAneny a fine second in 36.11. The indefatiguable Bob Marshall was third Gala man home in 36.50, holding onto pole position in his 60+ age group. Bringing the Gala girls home first was a gutsy Alice Haining in 37.24, with Mum Leanne 2nd Harrier in a well run 42.34 and Andrea Pogson 3rd in 42.54, placing her an impressive Ist in the 50+age group. Many other fine but muddy performances came from: Martin Clarke (37.46) Alastair Laurie (38.25) Tony Westbury (39.02) Billy McCulloch (39.04) Malky Gowans (39.38) Dave Nightingale (40.10) Scott Forsyth (40.57) Colin McCall (41.10) David Hunter (41.48) Ian Wilson (42.06) Fiona Shepherd (43.12) Jennifer Forbes (43.28) Alison Wilson (44.12) Gerry Moss (45.00) Billy McBain (45.15) Jackie Law (45.18) Dawn Grant (46.48) and Nicola Porterfield (47.55).

Thanks must go to Robin Murray, Graham Capper and Paul Morris for course layout, to all marshalls and helpers and to Borders General Hospital catering department for the heartwarming soup.

The next fixture for the Harriers is the National Cross Country Championships at Falkirk’s Callendar Park on Saturday 20th February.

Posted on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 9:01 am and is filed under News, Race Reports, Race Results.
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