Border’s XC Series Race 2 Dunbar

Report by Paul Lockie

Thirteen Teviotdale Harriers travelled to Dunbar to compete in the second Border’s XC race of the season at beautiful White Sands beach.

In the Children’s race 5 junior Harriers were among the 112 youngsters  at the start who raced along the sandy beach into a strong headwind, before turning and running back along the beach and climbing up on to a track which followed the coast , with a tricky dip through an old and now grassy quarry to turn at the lighthouses and face the strong wind again.Fraser Clyne was first Harrier  home on the 2.2 mile course in 13 min 3s, under 2 s behind the overall winner, and winning the 14-15 yr old boys category.Next home was Conan Harper, 4th in his 12-13 category in an overall time of 15:10.The next white and maroon vest across the finish was worn by 10 yr old Irvine Welsh who put in a great performance to finish in 15:31, 17th overall in the race, and in 6th place in his hotly contested  10-11 yr old category.Thomas Macaskill  was only 20 secs behind in a very respectable 15 m 51 s, 22nd overall and 7th in his 12-13 category.Maisie Ballantyne pulled out great effort not only battling the windy  course but recovering from illness  to finish 19 m 54s in 5th place in her 12-13 yr old category.

 

Around noon 220 adults set off to follow an  initially similar route as the junior race but continuing along the coast beyond the lighthouse to drop down onto a second beach before turning and following a path trough the links grass back through the quarry to the same finish as the junior route.Rory Anderson in good form was first Harrier home on the 4.2 mile route in 25 min 50s  in7th place overall .Next  was Iain Williams in28:59 in 11th in the M40 category.Wearing bib number 747 , no jumbo but certainly a hill running jet Keith Murray crossed the line in 31:25  and 10th in the M50 category.Derek Scott finished in 32:07 in 72nd place overall.Brian Harper was 28th in the M40 category finishing in 34:08 Over 13 minutes after the race winner crossed the line Paul Lockie completed in 36:51  in 129th place overall.First female home was new Harriers member Jade McHugh in 40:58 and just over 2 minutes later Lisa Welsh crossed the finish at 43:09.

Well done to all 13 , who each gave determined efforts representing their club . Thanks must go the  fellow Teviotdale  supporters who’s encouragement helped propel the maroon and white vests towards the finish. Grateful thanks also to the Race Organisers, Marshall’s and Helpers, who all contributed to a great race day in the Borders XC race series.