East District Cross Country League Race 3 – Broxburn
  Getting ready!!
A good number of Harriers both junior and senior made the journey to Broxburn to take part in East District cross country league race 3. The weather on the way up was heavy rain then on arrival the rain cleared and stayed off for the remainder of the day, but left behind a very wet and muddy course. First off for the club were the u13 girls on a 2.9km route. Connie Lothian crossed the line first for Harriers in a time of 15.17, 34th position, next in 38th position Carly Blaikie in 15.38 then Lucy Ash 16.04, 40th position.
Connie, Lucy and Carly – job done!

Next to run were u13 boys and Harriers had Fraser Clyne competing. Fraser completed his 2.9km route in 12.05, 19th position.

Fraser approaching the finish line!

The senior ladies then lined up for their 2 lap 5.8km route. Pam Paxton was first home in 30.12, 82nd position then Donna Inglis in 32.45, 97th position.

Joseph Tottman took part in the u15 boys 4.5km route finishing in 24.06, 41st position.

   Joseph approaching that puddle!

 The penultimate race was the u15/u17 girls/women race. Running a distance of 4.5 km Ishbel Inglis finished in 18th position with a time of 23.58 and Emma Grieve 27th position with a time of 27.05.

        Ishbel on the downhill!

       Emma on the move!    

Last race of the day was the senior men running a 3 lap distance of 8.7 km and Teviotdale had 5 runners competing. First in was Alan Inglis in 38.47, 135th position, followed by Alister Biggar in 40.32, 172nd position, Michael Yule was next in 41.53, 192nd position, then Alan Coltman in 47.33, 238th position and then Bill Knox, back in Scotland from the Phillipines for a short visit in 49.51, 247th position.

 Alan Inglis on final lap!

 Alister Biggar in the thick of things!

 Michael Yule heading for the descent!

 Alan Coltman pushing on!

 Bill enjoying the muddy conditions again!

Only the second running of this event and already proving very popular with a good turnout from Teviotdale Harriers among the 192 entries raising over £1000 for the Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Unit.

Selkirk Rugby Club providing parking and changing facilities with the challenging route of just over 13 miles starting just above the Corby Lynne car park using a muddy field to spread out the runners before joining a stony track for the first mile. A sharp turn off the track had us scrambling up a grassy hillside towards the first checkpoint on top of Peat Law before a run down over the heather and a more runnable climb up to the Three Brethren. By now most of the field had settled down into a familiar order and Craig Grieve, John Tullie and myself were running as a group as we set off along the Southern Upland Way with John usually making ground leaping the gates while most of us were clambering over the slippery stiles.

Despite the recent rain the course mainly provided good running with just the occasional muddy patch and Craig had forged ahead as we approached the turn at halfway and the descent of the Minchmoor Road. It’s always a great run down here and although narrow at times I managed to sneak by a couple of runners before being caught myself by a small group towards the bottom of the track. The final part of this descent was over a wet field before splashing through a burn where a waiting cameraman ensured there was to be no pussyfooting across it. Right after the burn a short muddy climb came as a shock after 3 miles of descent however the real sting in the tail was still to come. After making our way round the muddiest part of the course behind Broadmeadows we had the climb of Foulshiels Hill to negotiate on tired legs and this went a long way to sorting out the finishing order.

John proved the strongest over the top of the hill and opened up a lead over Craig and myself on the descent and continued to pull away down the stony path to the finish. The course had been marked out slightly shorter than last year’s snowy event leading to faster times than expected and records and pb’s tumbling. There was a great atmosphere back at the rugby club where after a hot shower we were served up with haggis, neeps and tatties and soup, all included in the entry fee.  All told a great event highly recommended, organised by Selkirk Fund Runners (full results and photos on their facebook page), thanks to all involved.

Harriers results:   27 John Tullie 1.51.24:  29 Keith Murray 1.52.08:  32 Craig Grieve 1.5250:  40 Kenny Short 1.55.14:  113 Rob Cranston 2.21.37:  147 Pauline McAdam 2.36.57:  161 Paul Lockie 2.48.35:  162 Mandy Short 2.48.39