BORDERS cross country runners battled muddy conditions as well as some of the best athletes in the country when they competed in Alloa last weekend, writes Jeni Brus.

Gala Harriers athletes and youngsters competing as part of the successful Team Borders franchise were among local runners who braved the damp conditions to take part in the East District Cross Country Championships last Saturday.

With some tremendous runs throughout all the age groups, the Team Borders U13 girls fared particularly well, finishing as 3rd team overall following strong runs from E. Carrick-Anderson (11th, 12.51), E. Minto (13th, 12.54) and C. McGorum (18th, 13.04).

In the U17 men, Gala Harrier Faisal Khursheed had a superb run to come second to Edinburgh A.C.’s F. Carcas (21.26), crossing the line in a time of 22.01. His brother Yousuf Khursheed came in 11th in a time of 23.35. Their performances resulted in the Team Borders U17 mens team coming 6th overall.

The U11 Team Borders girls came 13th overall with H. Hobbs coming 12th (7.32) and K. McGregor 54th in a time of 8.57.

The U11 boys were 5th overall with B. Allan finishing 12th (6.54) and team mates A. Carlyle and T. Hilton crossing the line in 22nd and 26th position respectively, both clocking a time of 7.08.

Team Borders was represented by one athlete, Daniel Ross, in the U13 boys category. He ran well to come 50th in a time of 13.28 with his performance resulting in the team coming 20th overall.

However, the U15 girls/U17 women were strongly represented with eight athletes competing. First to cross the line for Team Borders was M. Wallace (16th, 16.32), followed by K. Rourke (24th), Z. Pflug (36th), E. Heger (37th), K. Wilkinson (51st), L. Jack (52nd), S. Davenport (53rd) and R. Fagan (65th).

Their performances resulted in their team coming 8th overall.

The Under 15 boys team also secured 8th overall with C. Angus first home for Team Borders (15th, 15.12), followed by L. Tharme (18th) and J. McDonald (59th).

The Gala Harriers Senior/U20 women ran strongly with Kirstin Maxwell finishing in 10th place (26.01), followed by Fiona Dalgleish in 18th position, Rachel Fagan (39th) and Eileen Maxwell (61st). This resulted in the Harriers team coming 6th overall.

Six Gala Harriers competed in the Senior/U20 men category. Darrell Hastie led his team home in a time of 32.07 with a superb 12th placing overall in a field of 253 runners.

Graeme Murdoch was next (55th), followed by Fergus Johnston (62nd), Gary Trewartha (74th), Bob Johnson (118th) and Derrick Brydon (203rd).

The last East District cross country fixture will take place in Broxburn on January 14.