The sixth round in the ever-popular Borders Winter Cross Country series took Gala Harriers to the not-so-sunny seaside where Whitesands near Dunbar provided a fast, flat route following coastal trails and sandy shorelines under grey skies and cool temperatures.  33 junior Harriers consolidated their individual and team standings with spirited runs from all, especially those who held onto the top three in their age categories: Callum Tharme, the race winner in 13 minutes 31 seconds, with Jamie Logan (13.43) Andrew Hogg (13.52) Gregor Collins (14.44) Ruaridh Woodland-Broome (15.21) Katie Rourke (15.24) Rhiannon Fagan (16.16) Iain Houston (16.35) and Elena Hege (17.17) all finishing in 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their age groups and setting themselves up well for the final leg in two week’s time.

 

Gavin Bryson (26.33) led home the Gala challenge in the senior race which attracted 163 athletes, finishing in a grand 5th place overall and first in his category.  Strong runs came from every one of the 18 seniors competing, with Kirstin Maxwell (28.53) Fiona Dalgleish (30.41) Chrys Murphy (31.08) Rachel Fagan (32.36) and Eileen Maxwell (36.09) scoring highly in their age groups as they go into the final round.  (All results can be found on the Norham Running Club website.)

 

The previous weekend, Gala Harrier seniors had competed alongside their Team Borders junior counterparts at the East District Cross Country League at Broxburn and both ladies’, men’s and masters teams put in solid efforts to come in 6th, 5th and 4th respectively at the end of their 3 league meetings.  Kirstin Maxwell and Darrell Hastie were the first home for the Harriers in their events.  (All results on scottishathletics website.) And the habit of back-to-back competition goes on, with Fergus Johnston doubling up for his club in Broxburn and in the gruelling Feel the Burns hill race the following day, leading his clubmates home in 5th place in 1 hour 43 minutes.   Fiona Dalgleish put in a stunning performance as the first woman across the line in 2 hours 05. 53, with 15 other Harriers enjoying the crisp snowy conditions over the tough 14 mile hilly terrain. (All results on the Scottish Hill Running website.)