Teviotdale Harriers Club Champions were crowned on Saturday but the cream had to resolutely stay the course to rise to the top.

With six exciting and highly competitive races right across the age groups the standard of running was as impressive as the effort exerted.

Alongside the coveted titles of Club Champion a further six sealed handicap honours were available, thus ensuring everyone gave it their all to the line.

Rory Anderson, Michelle Short, Fraser Clyne, Thomas MacAskill, Irvine Welsh and Iona Jamieson etched their name in Harriers history but all six were pushed hard to earn their honour.

The first race on Championship day is the mass start involving the under13/11 boys alongside the under13/11 girls. Following on from their Langheugh dead heat, Thomas MacAskill and Conan Harper served up another cracker in the U13 race.

Approaching the turn around the half way point, Thomas had opened up a five metre advantage on Conan, not too far behind Irvine Welsh ran out purposefully to stamp his mark on the boys U11 race. With Iona Jamieson taking early control of the U11 girls, these three titles looked pretty secure.

Conan had other ideas however and worked hard to ease his way back into contention. Racing down the slippy ‘Spetch’ Conan battled to get back on terms, they sped over the ‘humpback bridge,’ turned left and Conan now found himself in the lead as they headed up the avenue towards the finish line at the museum.

Thomas found that little bit extra though as a tiring Conan could give no more and young MacAskill (5:43) crossed the line to take the title with Conan (5:46) only three seconds behind. Sam Allott (5:55) also had a fine run and was only a further nine seconds behind to take bronze. Robbie Welsh came out in top of the sealed handicap with Sam adding to his bronze with the handicap silver and Harrison Hughes third.

Irvine Welsh (6:06) claimed the U11 boys title with a tremendous run, followed home by a spirited Robert Wood (6:35) in second. Kyle Wright (6:49) also dug deep to secure a well-earned bronze. Meanwhile a mini battle had begun at the back of the pack as three of our youngest competitors fought for positions and unbeknown to them the sealed handicap title. Craig Watson, Glen Jamieson and Alfie Walker thanks to some determined running and plenty of encouragement secured the one, two, three.

Iona Jamieson (6:08) was the class act in the U11 girls race and built her lead around the entire route. Ava Hughes was as determined as ever and although not having her best run managed to take the silver. Lucy Allott raced right to the line to take bronze.  Lucy was rewarded for her run by claiming the sealed handicap with Ava having to settle for a second silver.

Following on from the high standard set by the Juniors, the Youths and the Seniors were next and they provided some equally competitive races.

A second mass start released two groups of runners as the Senior Men headed from the Museum up through the park whilst the uder15/17 Boys, Girls and Senior Ladies raced back down the avenue towards the park gates.

In the boys race Fraser Clyne (15:51) produced the goods to retain his title from Jamie Waugh (16:00). Fraser was relentless in his pursuit of the gold but Jamie gamely built into his run to chase Fraser home, only nine seconds behind. Euan Welsh (19:19) should be pleased with his run scooping the bronze and securing sealed handicap victory in the process, with Jamie second.

The Ladies and girls also delivered a competitive race with only 16 seconds separating the top two. Michelle Short (17:03) worked hard for her title, even recovering from a mid-race tumble, as last year’s champion Lauren Corbett (17:19) refused to back down but ultimately had to settle for silver. Young Lucy Ash (19:01) continues to develop into an impressive runner and claimed bronze. The sealed handicap was won by Donna Inglis with Kirsty Hughes second and Lauren Corbett third.

The Senior men set off at a frantic pace with Rory Anderson, Greg Walker and Bruce Hughes all showing their intentions from the start. After the ‘10k hill’ Rory nudged in front and slowly opened a small but significant gap. Once he hit the road at Borthaugh, Anderson (41:51) was not to be caught and increased his lead over the last two miles to complete an impressive Club Championship hat trick. Greg (42:42) also ran home strongly in second, extending his advantage over a hard working third placed Bruce (43:31). Paul Lockie ran well to take the sealed handicap with Alan Samuel second and Andy Goodair third.

Next competitively for the club is the Scottish Cross Country Championships at Callendar Park Falkirk on Saturday 25^thFebruary, where a strong team is expected to travel from Hawick.

Alex Corbett’s photos here

Results Championships 2017

GOLD MEDAL FOR JIM AT THE MASTERS

Saturday 28th January saw the Teviotdale Harriers head north to Dundee to compete in the Scottish Masters Cross Country Championships. The ten men and one woman squad with a combined age of over 550 years, along with a hearty bunch of spectators left a cold and misty Hawick early on Saturday morning to make their way to their venue at Camperdown Park, Dundee.

There are two races run on the day, the first being the combined race of Women over 40 and Men over 65 on a 2 lap, 6,000 metre course. Teviotdale had 3 runners in this event. Donna Inglis F50+ category, Frank Birch M70+ category and previous silver medalist at both the Scottish and British Masters Cross Country Championships, Jim Pittillo in the M80+ category.

Running in damp, misty, drizzly conditions, first home was Donna Inglis in a time of 36.04. Next was Jim Pittillo in a time of 38.18, well ahead of the competition to take not a silver medal this time, but the gold medal, much to the delight of all the team. Frank Birch on his first outing to the Masters, completed in 38.57. Well Done Jim!

Then it was the turn of the Men 45 – 65 years. With the temperature taking a dip and sleet beginning to fall, an amazing 295 competitors lined up for this race. Teviotdale fielded 8 competitors – Craig Grieve M45+, Alister Walker M60+, Andrew Goodair M45+, Alan Inglis M45+, Alister Biggar M45+, Alan Coltman M50+, Paul Lockie M50+. Running a 3 lap course covering 8,000m first home for the club was Craig Grieve in 32.38, next in was Alister Walker, 4th in the over 60 category with a time of 33.17, Andy Goodair followed in 33.38, then Alan Inglis in 34.57, Alister Biggar completed in 36.43, Alan Coltman in 41.45 and Paul Lockie in 42.09.

Dry clothes on, tent and banner taken down and packed away, all headed to the Ardler Centre for the presentation of medals. A loud cheer went up when Jim received his well earned gold medal. Celebrations began on the minibus home with various delights being shared out, then continued with a visit to Wetherspoons, Hawick for tea and some refreshments.

See Alex Corbett’s photos HERE

See Lauren Corbett’s photos HERE

The positive upward spiral Teviotdale Harriers are currently enjoying continued during the exciting Langheugh Races and annual social dominoes tournament on Saturday.

The Haddon and Turnbull sponsored event provided dead heats, wrong turns and a huge turnout for the senior men, all followed by an equally well supported get-together in the Cricket Club.

A sparkling crisp winter’s day awaited the runners and the many supporters who congregated at the towns Bandstand. The chill of the seasonal weather was soon forgotten as the first race of the day het up to a cracking climax.

The under 11/13 boys and girls set off on a course which had been altered due to ongoing works in Wilton Lodge Park.  Confusion arose after a handful of runners ventured upon the wrong route whilst others continued around the correct course.

Those who had ran the shorter route were given time to recover and offered a second chance to run the correct route later and credit to those youngsters who gave it their all for a second time.

The boys were battling for the Burnfoot Residents Association Trophy and what a battle it was.  Conan Harper started as back marker with Thomas MacAskill having a ten second advantage. This blossoming rivalry threw up another corker as they raced towards the line.

Both couldn’t have given anymore as they sprinted for victory, eventually crossing the line in a blanket finish. After a short deliberation, officials rightly declared a dead heat. Having a tremendous run in his own right Robert Wood took third. Credit also to the next Walker to step off the running conveyor belt as young Alfie Walker followed grandad Alastair and dad Greg and competed in his first Harriers race.

Racing for the Fire Brigade Cup, Iona Jamieson blazed home to take victory for the girls. Already a consistent performer, once Iona hit the front she was not to be caught. Ava Hughes finished 2nd and Sinead McHugh completed the podium.

Next to be called to their marks were the ladies and under 15/17 girls and boys. Competing for the Lodge 111 Trophy the ladies and under 15/17 girls provided a keenly contested race. Ultra-Distance runner Pam Paxton reclaimed a trophy she had won two years previous and for the fifth time in total by securing a hard earned victory. The battle was now on for the minor medals and it went right to the line as the determined Ann Aitken managed to dig deep and fend of the fast finishing Lucy Ash.

The under 15/17 boys were racing for their own Lodge 111 Trophy and back marker Fraser Clyne looked in fine form as he cruised around the course to take the honours. Jai Patterson ran on gamely to take silver.

On a day which popular consensus described as being the best Langheugh conditions for many a year, the last race of the day boasted its highest number of competitors since 1997. An impressive 20 senior men competed for the Langheugh Trophy, around what is surely one of the most testing cross country routes in Scotland.

A big thank you must be offered to Bruce Mactaggart for access to his land and a huge well done also to the members who had spent the morning taping out the 5.5 mile course.

A 20 minute gap between first away Frank Birch and scratch man Rory Anderson left runners with plenty of work to do to catch the man in front. Paul Lockie soon found himself first and led for the vast majority of the race as the back markers steadily made their way through the field.

Long-time leader Paul eventually succumbed as Bruce Hughes powered past to hit the front, a position he was not to relinquish as he finished strongly to claim the victory. Derek Scott had also managed to work his way through the front runners and claimed a well deserved 2^nd, with Jubilee Champ Scott Watson running on well for 3^rd.

With a great afternoon of running complete, an amazing 66 Harriers past and present, along with their friends and families enjoyed an evening of dominoes, chat and laughs in the Cricket Club. With 9 decades of competitors taking part, Barty Yule eventually claimed the title after beating Scott Watson in the final. Many thanks to Alex Corbett for organising what proved to be an excellent night, to finish of a fantastic day.

Next up on the hectic Harriers fixtures calendar is this Saturdays Scottish Masters Cross Country Championships in Dundee.

Alex Corbett’s Langheugh and dominoes pics here

Results LANGHEUGH TROPHY 2017