IT was a golden day for two Borders athletics teams on Saturday at the East of Scotland Cross Country Championships in Livingston. Gala Harriers women yet again claimed the masters title with Kate Jenkins, Jennifer Forbes and Anya Campbell all finishing inside the top ten. At the other end of the age range Moorfoots Under 15s Girls also reached the top of the team podium with Mairi Wallace, Charlotte Clare and Beth Hobbs also crossing the finishing line inside the first ten places. Gala’s Dianne Lauder was the highest finisher in the Senior Women’s race. The Hawick-based policewoman finished sixth behind Rachel Haines of Hunter Bog Trotters. With the Masters competing in the same race, Kate Jenkins finished 40th, Jennifer Forbes was 45th and Anya Campbell crossed the line in 47th to claim the veteran team gold. A total of 107 women completed the course.
In the men’s race, which had 257 starters, Darrell Hastie from Gala Harriers was the highest placed local finisher, crossing the line in 19th behind Central’s Andrew Butchart.
In the Girls Under 15s race, Gala Harriers also collected a team bronze behind the Morrofoot athletes. Mairi Wallace led the Peebles-based team home in 4th with Charlotte Clare putting in her best ever performance to come 7th. Beth Hobbs completed the Moorfoot trio with a 9th place finish. Molly Falconer also ran well for Moorfoot to cross the line in 15th place. Elena Heger in 16th, Rhiannon Fagan in 20th and 24th-placed Katy Wilkinson earned Gala Harriers their place on the podium.
In the Under 13 Boys race, Ethan Elder from Peebles finished fifth with Gregor Collins of Gala Harriers two places further back in eighth. Yousef Khursheed was the first Borders athlete home in the Under 15 Boys, crossing the line in 12th. His Gala Harrier team-mate James Logan was two places further back in 14th.
In the Under17s Girls, Fiona Grant of Moorfoot finished 17th and Ishbel Inglis of Teviotdale Harriers was 20th.
Highest local in the U20 men’s race over eight kilometres was Gavin Bryson in 5th. Thomas Otton from Gala Harriers finished 10th, Kobe Stevens of the Moorfoot club had a fine run for 13th, just ahead of West Linton’s Dominic O’Hare and Lucas Cheskin of Peebles..