A glorious Sunday morning in Tweedbank was the setting for a very popular Gala Harriers 10k and 3K fun run.

Upon arrival, you knew that the turn out must have been pretty good as more entry forms were hastily being printed out for those entering on the day.  As the inflatable start/finish arch neared maximum rigidness, runners, joggers, mums, dads, kids and even ex Scotland Rugby Internationalists all went through their warm up process and privately prepared for the starters call.

The Harriers were represented by six Juniors in the 3k and six Seniors in the 10k.  It’s very important to go and represent at these local events and give your backing to clubs who put so much into their communities.  Teviotdale Harriers certainly done this, with the dynamic dozen dashing around the paths of Tweedbank.

“Five minutes folks,” came the cry and like a moth to a flame, all 3k runners began congregating towards the giant inflatable.  85 competitors stepped forward and with the crowd joining in the count down, the time was now.  The whistle blew and off they ventured on a 3k route around the picturesque village, including a loop around the popular Gunknowe Loch.

Home runner Gregor Collins finished 1^st (8:32), with Ewan Christie 2^nd (9:07).  Harriers up and coming Junior runner Thomas MacAskill finished well in 3^rd (9:27).  Other finishers for Teviotdale were Iona Jamieson (10:05) who ran superbly to finish 2^nd Lady and 12^th overall.  Harrison Hughes 23^rd (11:20), Boyd Hughes 27^th (11:49), Ava Hughes 37^th (12:35) and Glen Jamieson 44^th (13:06).

With the organisers kindly providing a vaguely familiar friend, known as sunshine, the thermometer began to soar as 10k competitors finished their pre-race prep.  Again, “five minutes folks,” followed by a brief oral recce of the route.  Then the 10k runners were away.  A sharp 200m loosener around the tartan track and competitors set off into the Tweedbank Industrial Estate.

The two lap course provided flat long straights with great opportunities for anyone hoping to record a decent time, to do just that.

Not long after the 3km sign, runners turned right into the welcome shade of a tree-lined path.  This impressive part of the course opened up with a slight downhill and flattened out again towards the Loch.  Passing the 4km marker, runners headed up through a housing scheme (the only notable uphill on the route) which again flattened out.  This carried runners along to the half way point and start of the second lap where refreshments were available and gratefully accepted as the heat built and built.

After completing the second lap, runners turned right into the Tweedbank Sports Complex and finished with a 300m ‘dash’ around the track to the line.

The speedily provided results of the 72 runners in the 10k, saw David Limmer from Portobello Running Club take the honours in 33:49.  Gav Bryson running for Edinburgh Athletic Club finished 2^nd (34:31), with Marcus D’Agrosa, Gala Harriers 3^rd (34:47).  First home for Teviotdale Harriers was Greg Walker 4th (35:55).  Followed by Bruce Hughes 7^th (36:52), Michael Yule 26^th (43:54), Alan Samuel 41^st (48:09), and Kirsty Hughes 60^th (53:34).  With Greg, Bruce and Kirsty all improving their personal bests.  Unfortunately Rory Anderson did not finish.

Well Organised, well marshalled, well sign posted, well done Gala.  See you on Sunday August 28th for the Hawick 10k.

Alex Corbetts 10k Pictures HERE

Bruce’s Gala 10k Blog HERE

Time Trial 2 – Wednesday 20th April 2016

The second time trial of the year was run on a fantastic sunny evening with all sorts of records and personal bests being broken. Absolutely brilliant to take part in and to watch. So much hard effort put in by all.

In the juniors we had the most runners ever with 61 kids taking part and 39 recording personal bests. Special mention must go to Jamie Waugh who smashed his own course record knocking 20 seconds of his previous best.

In the seniors it was also a record turnout and 16 adults took part recording 9 personal bests.

Big thank you to timekeepers, recorders, marshals etc.

Results are 2016 TT 2

Historical results:

TT Master Juniors

TT Master Seniors

Also, courtesy of Bruce Hughes a picture of everybody before the start.

On Saturday 9^th of April, four members of Teviotdale Harriers made their way to historic Winton House near Tranent, to take part in the Winton 10k, 5k trail run and 3.5k fun run.

Bruce and Kirsty Hughes tackled the idyllic 10k route, whilst Boyd and Ava Hughes set off around the impressive 3.5k fun run.

Just under 600 runners/joggers/walkers turned up to race/jog/amble through some of East Lothian’s most beautiful countryside.  The impressive category A listed building was the setting from where entrants assembled and on the sound of the hooter started their afternoon’s activities.

Staggered starts meant 10k runners were away first and with the sun shining brightly Bruce and Kirsty took off to take on the trail.  After an initial 1km of road, competitors began the roaming, twisting and meandering route which followed private tracks or footpath networks within the Estate.

Well marshalled and comprehensively signed posted, there was nothing to do but appreciate the charm and allure of the serene path…if the on setting tiredness allowed.  Don’t be fooled by the poetic description though, for this course was a testing examination of any competent runner.

The 91 participants set off next in the 5k, followed by the 263 fun runners heading around the 3.5k loop.  This would be Boyd and Ava’s turn to head out into the unspoiled Winton woods.  Initially heading in different directions, all participants eventually merged to follow the same route back.

This provided Bruce and Kirsty the tricky task of negotiating buggies, dogs and walkers, happily meeting their own challenges of the day.  Zig-zagging through the last third of the race, eventually led to a split and the 10k runners branched right to head over the final section of the course.  The concluding climb to the finish tested all runners but it was worth it as your ‘biscuit medal’ was there waiting you.

The 10k was won by James Waldie (33:42) with Stuart Livingstone (34:44) and Oleg Chepelin (35:00) making up the top three.  Of the 242 runners Bruce came home 5th in a time of 37:22 and Kirsty finished the race 146^th in a time off 56:02.  Boyd placed 55^th (20:11) in the fun run with his sister Ava 56th with the exact same time (20:11).

Times and places were not important though as Winton proved to be a welcoming, atmospheric and well organised event.  All ages and abilities turned out to take part in their own special way, contributing to a special day.  Goodie bags with water, fruit, pens and vouchers were also a winning touch.

Report by Bruce Hughes

Photographs by Harrison Hughes