The final one of this season’s Borders Cross Country Races was held in a mudfest at Galashiels last Sunday. The Borders series likes to boast it is ‘real’ cross-country and that was definitely true for this race. It had everything cross-country should – mainly lots and lots of mud (it was also cold and drizzly) ! But also thrown in were 5 stream crossings, one of which had a rope across, stiles, steep hills and slippy descents, forest paths and fields. All within 4 miles. This race didn’t count for the overall series, but was just for fun (!) and so that people would turn up for the series prize-giving which was held afterwards. However, the Carnethy crew obviously loved the conditions as we did rather well. Hollie Hindley was 1st woman, Rosalind Heron 3rd woman and Claire Jellema 5th woman – special mention to Claire who had made some amazing cookies for club members in the shape and colour of Carnethy vests, complete with race numbers – they looked almost too good to eat, but they were too delicious not to eat ! Back to the leading men, who ran as a pack, finishing nearly together : 3rd (Iain Gilmore), 4th (Jack Trevail), 5th (Rob Owen), 6th (Andrew Lamont) and 7th (Andy Macrae) – all within about 30 seconds! Andrew Lamont was 1st O/40 and Andy Macrae 1st O/50. Among other Carnethies was Harry Gilmore, who was 3rd O/60, and Robin Sloan, 3rd O/70.
In the overall series, our winners were Hollie Hindley who was first female (and first Senior Woman) and Andy Macrae first O/50. Other podium positions were Carole fortune (2nd O/60), Hilary Spenceley (3rd O/60), Rosalind Heron (3rd Senior Woman), Harry Gilmore (3rd O/60) and Robin Sloan (3rd O/70).
Race results: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=345173
Series results: https://www.webscorer.com/seriesresult?seriesid=334566
Andy Spenceley