The last two Saturdays I’ve headed off to run a couple of Hill Races at local shows which were new to myself and the other Harriers present. First up was the Yetholm Border Shepherds Show where also running for Teviotdale were Andy Goodair and Paul Lockie. This could possibly be the most spectator friendly race around with most of the 4 mile route visible from the showfield. The route takes in two hills returning to the start after the first smaller hill at which point the Junior Race finished while the Seniors carried on to the steeper climb of Staerough splashing through the river on the way there and back. Organised by Les Turnbull and Norham Running Club the race is only in the second year in this format and only attracted a small field but was very enjoyable and deserves to attract more runners in the future. The upside of the small field was that everybody got a prize and all three Harriers managed a top ten finish with myself 4th, Andy 5th and Paul in 10th.

Last Saturday it was a trip across the border with Rory Anderson for Alwinton Show, where prize money down to 10th place for all the races attracted much bigger fields than at Yetholm. Another good race for spectators this was a short sharp blast coming in at only 2.5 miles with the juniors going off earlier running the same course as the seniors, so a tough one for the kids. We had been pre-warned that it would be near impossible to get past anybody on the climb so had a fast first mile alongside the River Coquet before the short but steep climb up a narrow path through the bracken, a run along the top of the hill was followed by a dash back down through the bracken to the finish. Rory had a great run to finish 2nd while I managed to get in the money as well in 8th place. Two good races and with plenty going on at both shows I can definitely recommend them for an enjoyable day out in the future.

Although numbers were slightly down and despite a pre-race panic new organiser Paul Lockie and his team of helpers managed to put on a successful staging of this year’s Penchrise race on a dry but breezy day at Stobs yesterday. The new junior race saw three young Harriers taking on the 5km route and they aquitted themselves well alongside the seniors on the initial climb up past Barnes Loch until turning back at the first cattle grid and racing back down to the campsite. First back was Jai Patterson in a time of 25:50, with Maddison Hewitt first girl and Ishbel Inglis second.
After a steady start in the senior race a group of three pulled clear on the climb with most of the ascent into a stiff headwind and although the runners quickly worked up a sweat it was noticeable the clothing on the marshall’s increased with altitude until Craig and Hollie were barely recognisable under their layers on the top of Penchrise . As the group reached the summit Teviotdale’s Rory Anderson had established a narrow lead over Craig Freshwater of Westerlands with Moorfoot’s Darin Dougal close on their heels. A fast descent now aided by the wind saw Anderson stretch his lead to win in a time of 35:00, narrowly outside the course record, Freshwater held onto second place with Dougal third. First lady home and fifth overall was Jill Stephen of HBT with Pauline McAdam of Teviotdale second. Amongst a host of Teviotdale veterans claiming the age group prizes the evergreen Jim Pittillo was first V80 dipping under the hour mark once again.

Penchrise 2015 Results

Penchrise 2015 Juniors

Last Wednesday night, 1st July, Teviotdale Harriers’ junior section had the pleasure of joining local youngster Callum Murray for one mile, his 49th so far, as part of his personal challenge to run 100 miles in 100 days.  He is raising money for CCLASP who help children and teenagers suffering from cancer or leukaemia. They provide advice and support for their parents and help with vital transport.  They also organise annual fun outings to keep the children smiling, helping with holidays to Disneyland.  They also have holiday homes in Berwick, Seton Sands and Perthshire.

Callum was diagnosed with AML (acute myeloid leukaemia) in 2011 which completely devastated and changed his family’s life for ever.  His family appreciated the help and support from CCLASP who did everything they could to make Callum’s journey a little easier.  Callum left the Sick Kids Hospital in January 2012 and has never looked back, he plays every sport going and lives life to the full.  Callum now wants to give a little back to CCLASP for all the support over the years and we were delighted to join him for a run.

If you would like to donate or enquire about taking part in Callum’s challenge details are available on his ‘just-giving page’:  www.justgiving.com/Tracy-murray2/4.

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Thanks to Pamela Patterson for the photographs and to Lindsey Knox for helping me get them on to the website. Apologies for the delay.