Rob Carson pulls off a surprise win at Jed

The whispers started drifting in by mid-week. Rob Carson of Kinglassie was excelling himself in training and could well be a potential winner of the Jedforest 110 metres Handicap at Jedburgh Border Games and its £800 first prize, sponsored by Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Simclar International Ltd. Early Saturday afternoon after he had pulled off a top heat win in 11.32 seconds, the whispers turned to a shout. At the end of the day it was a mighty roar that echoed around a sun bathed Riverside Park, and the message was crystal clear. Carson had lived up to the pre games stories.

The flying Fifer simply did it all, competing off a mark of 7½ metres, the 25 year old poultry farm worker looked the part throughout. After an electrifying run, he then produced the goods when racing home to a cross-tie victory in a splendid time of 11.24 seconds. More was to come however from Carson. Facing all Border opposition in the final in Kelso pair Steve Wichary (1½ metres) and Mark Crighton (8 metres) plus Hawick's Keith Suddon (6 metres) the man from Fife hit fulol stride right from the gun, and showing style and purpose duly burned his way down the track to emerge a clear cut victor in 11.25 seconds. The other placings going to Crighton and Wichery. Coached by Stuart Hogg of Kirkcaldy, a shrewd connoisseur of the sprinting game, Carson apart from reaching the final of the 90 metres Handicap at the New Year, before withdrawing through an injury, has not exactly left his mark on the professional racing circuit until Saturday was delighted about his triumph and said, "That's the first time I've won something and it's a great feeling. It's not just about winning the £800 though. To win the Jedburgh Sprint is something special, and this has given me as big a thrill as anything." Apart from the top prize going to the Kingdom of Fife, the rest of the day belonged to Jedburgh who celebrated its festive activities in style by producing no fewer than five victories on the card. In the Jedburgh Woollen Mill 800 metres Handicap17 year old Colin Strother hit the high spots. The youngest ever runner to win this event, Strother not only won but won well, and delighted the home crowd in the process. A youngster with tremendous potential, Strother showed his mettle during his heat by showing good judgement and a sprinting finish when coming from behind to win in 1 minute 55.34 seconds. The Chico Woods trained runner then did it all again in the final Brian Whitelaw from Edinburgh (65 metres) headed the field at the start of the last lap. With Strother hot on his tail, a race was on however, and thats just the way it turned out to be. Tucking himself right in behind the capital man, the Jedburgh teenager who was running from a handicap of 67½ metres, then made his move in accelerating ahead on reaching the sweeping home straight. From then on there was no holding him back, and he in turn raced on to gain an impressive win with another stunning finish in 1 minute 54.85 seconds. Fellow Jedburgh runner James Clamp (60 metres) finished strongly to gain second place, with Whitburn's Mark Colligan (47½ metres) coming in third. Having his first season as a senior, after coming up through the Youths ranks, this was a great top notch win for Jedburgh Grammar School pupil Strother, who commented after his win. "Brian Whitelaw made the running from the start, and really stretched the field. I had to keep in touch with him, and felt I was in with a chance on the last lap, and after taking the lead, I felt I could pull it off as my finish is one of my better points."
Coach Brian 'Chico' Woods was not to be outdone by coming out on top of the Veterans 90 metres Handicap. After emerging an impressive and popular winner in his heat in 9.67 seconds from a mark of 13 metres, Jedburgh man Woods then repeated the winning act by romping home in an improved time of 9.35 seconds to lift the Veterans title for the third time. The other placings went to Josh Watson of Penrith (21½ metres) and Billy Edgar of Hawick (13 metres). Jedforest rugby player Kevin Amos chalked up his second Handicap victory in taking the 90 metres sprint. A winner of the Oxton Games sprint earlier on in the term. Amos showed he had something to offer when winning his heat well from an 8 metre handicap. The final proved to be no different for Amos who has improved steadily under the wing of coach Charlie Russell when he again hit top form in a close finish to win from Brian Woods of Jedburgh and Kevin McAllister of Cramlington in 9.55 seconds. British 100 metres champion Keith Douglas also put victory Jedburgh's way in gaining a win in the L. S. Starrett Ltd 110 metres Invitation Handicap. The talented Jedburgh runner's win was somewhat shrouded in controversy though, for what was certainly a close finish. He appeared to have been edged out of matters by Bruce Scott of Earlston and David McAllister of Cramlington. Following a long delay, Douglas was surprisingly given the decision by the judges however, with Scott and McAllister being placed second and third respectively. Running from scratch, Douglas who is coming into good form, checked up a winning time of 11.73 seconds. In the morning events, up and comming John Clark (65 metres) started the ball rolling for Jedburgh, giving an excellent show to win the Jedburgh Unionist Club Youths 400 metres Handicap from David Laidlaw of Hawick (45 metres) and Robbie Oliver of Ayton (50 metres) in 54.38 seconds. Dave Wilkinson of Edinburgh (47½ metres) continued his recent run of good form in taking the honours in the Jedforest Hotel 1500 metres Handicap. Local runner Billy Jenkins (70 metres) appeared to be in with a chance of victory Jedburgh's way when he headed the pack a lap from the finish, following some positive running from his 70 metres mark. Wilkinson, however then took the initiative in edging ahead, and looked to have done the necessary as he hit the the home run. It was far from over though, for Alex Corbett of Hawick (95 metres) then put in a surging challenge, but although closing the gap, he failed to overtake Wilkinson who held on to win in 4 minutes 8.4 seconds. Corbrtt gained second place and R. Jaffray of Selkirk third. The Lodge St John Youths 1500 metres Handicap also produced an exciting finish. Kelso's Wayne McIntosh (95 metres) was out in front two hundres metres from home, only to be overtaken by Barry Little of Innerleithen (75 metres) as they headed towards the final bend. McIntosh still had something to offer though and came rallying back, but Little was having none of it and shrugged off the challenge from the back with a gritty finish to break the tape in 4 minutes 24.46 seconds. McIntosh clinched second position and Neil Beaumont of Peebles (35 minutes) was third. Strong running John Nairn of Kelso gave a good account of himself in taking pride of place in the D. E. Fencing 200 metres Youths Handicap. Going from a handicap of 9 metres, Nairn looked the part when taking his heat in 24.96 seconds. He then got his act together in the final, romping in to a fine win in 24.27 seconds from Martin Baillie of Hawick (9 metres) and Euan Hastie of Selkirk (12 metres).
Twelve year old runner Stacey Richie of Innerleithen (19½ metres) stole the show in the M & M Joinery 90 metres Youths Handicap. Having her first season on the professional circuit caught the eye by winning her heat in the fast time of 10.42 seconds and in the final she excelled herself even more when racing to victory in 10.25 seconds which was the heat time of the event. In a race for special Borders athletes in which all competitors were cheered and applauded all the way round the track, Stuart Mabon of Peebles received a big ovation, winning from Michael Whiteford of Innerleithen, Russell Malloy of Hawick, Ronald Young of Jedburgh, John Gray of Selkirk, Steven George of Selkirk and Delipe Beddie of Galashiels. Wayne McIntosh of Kelso (50 metres) showed up well in winning the J. B. Young Youths 800 metres Handicap, while in the Grant's Bakery 90 metres Youths Handicap (Confined to Jedburgh) victory went to Mark Home (19 metres) in 10.12 seconds. Bonchester farmer Willie Donald, a former distance competitor of note on the professional scene came briefly out of retirement to win the Arten Race round the Town, with W. Whitaker (15 metres) gaining first place in the Exchange Bar 60 metres Handicap for men over 50 Years.
A vote of thanks was given after the Jedburgh Games on behalf of the President and Committee who would like to thank all the sponsors, donors and members of the public who attended and supported the Fancy Dress Parade and the Games. Also a thanks to Jedforest RFC for the use of Riverside Park and other facilities.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxJohn Slorance

Sprint Bogey Hits Suddon Once More

After being disappointed in being edged out of his cross-tie in the 100 metres Handicap at Walkerburn Games recently, Bernard McGurk of Lochgelly relayed the message, "Well, it will have to be the Jedburgh Games Sprint for me now." He proved to be a man of his word, for at Jedburgh Games on Saturday, he did just that by pulling out the stops to win the Jedforest 110 metres Sprint Handicap in sterling style, collecting the £1000 first prize with a silver medal into the bargain.

Twenty two year old McGurk had the look of a prospective winner right from the start by making himself betting favourite when blitzing home to victory in 11.37 seconds, which was to be the fastest heat time of the day. Competing off a handicap of 10 metres, the Fife runner then hit the winning trail again by breaking the tape during his cross-tie in 11.40 seconds through another example of sprinting at its best. More, however, was to come from the former, for come the final lining up against Keith Thomson of Kelso (7 metres) Colin Kerr of Walkerburn (8½ metres) and Keith Suddon of Hawick (5½ metres) he excelled himself even further. Getting into full motion right from the sound of starter Allan Laidlaw's gun, McGurk immediately began to blaze his way down the Riverside Park track. By the eighty metre mark he found he had a race on his hands as Suddon, a well fancied local, began to power in with a fine challenge from the back. McGurk still had plenty to offer, and with his sights set on victory, he romped on to take the honours in a splendid time of 11.17 seconds. Suddon came in a close second with Kerr third. The Hawick rugby winger obviously disappointed to become runner up once again, having appeared in the finals at Selkirk and Walkerburn, told the Southern, "It's a bit sickening being second as I was in with a chance having started so well. This was my third consecutive appearance in the Jed final, so I thought it would be third time lucky, but unfotunately it wasn't to be." After being congratulated by his brother Patrick, who had also run in the sprint handicap, a jubilant Bernard McGurk told us, "It's been a great day for me. I felt I had a good chance before I came as I've been running quite well throughout the season." Hawick teenager Ian Turnbull, who is blossoming into a runner of the highest calibre, also gave a first class account of himself in taking pride of place in the Jedburgh Woollen Mill 800 metres Handicap. With an 800 metres handicap success at Selkirk Games, as well as a 200 metres handicap triumph at Cowdenbeath Games already under his belt this season, which is his first season as a senior, 18 year old Turnbull first of all showed what he had to offer in an impressive heat win of 1 minute 53.56 seconds from his 60 metre mark. In the final Edinburgh's Brian Whitelaw (65 metres), who had also looked the part when winning his heat, headed the field from the start, and indeed when the bell sounded for the last lap was still the man in front. By then, however, Turnbull, followed by Maxwell Colligan of Whitburn (47½ metres) was right in touch with matters and two hundred metres from home, edged ahead. Whitelaw in turn began to battle back but Turnbull, winner of no fewer than 31 events when competing as a youth, wasn't letting this one go and kicked on to win in 1 minute 53.86 seconds The other placings went to Whitelaw and Colligan. The in-form Brian McManus of Lochgelly (40 metres) continued on his way by notching up victory in the Jedforest Hotel 1500 metres Handicap. A previous victor this term at Chirnside, Peebles and Walkerburn, McManus showed he still had loads to offer with a show which was second to none. John Donald of Hawick (135 metres) set the early pace with Tommy Ireland of Langholm (100 metres) nestling in second place. Showing a marked improvement from recent outings, Ireland then hit the front position and continued to look good. McManus and back marker Ian Archibald of Edinburgh (scratch) had now moved up well from their position in the rear and it looked like anyones race. McManus, however, turned out to be the man to watch, for with precision timing he moved up not one but two gears to accelerate ahead. This move completely wiped out the challenge of Archibald and although Ireland was still giving everything, he had the race as good as won, and stretching his legs, McManus strode on to gain victory in 4 minutes and 0.1 seconds. Ireland finished a game second and Archibald third. New face Phil Jones of Newcastle produced the goods to the full to win the Tavern 90 metres Handicap in impressive style. Facing Hawick pair Brian Falconer (8 metres) and Malcolm Elliot (7 metres) Douglas Donald of Oakham (6 metres) Jocky Turnbull of Galashiels (7½ metres) and David Esamal of Penicuik (5½ metres) Jones found himself up against good competition in the final, but he duly showed that he had what it takes in pulling off his first handicap win with a scorching run to gain first place in 9.9 seconds.
Innerleithen coach Alan Lindsay had a day to remember in seeing three of his stable get into the winning frame.Fourteen year old schoolgirl Kath McDonald was first to put victory the Lindsay camp's way by pulling out the trump card in the M. M. Joinery 90 metres Youths Handicap. Making her first appearance on the track, Kath buzzed to a good win in her heat in 10.54 seconds and then repeated the winning with a cross-tie triumph in 10.23 seconds. A very impressive looking runner, McDonald in turn did the business once more in the final with another eye catching display to win from M. Creaby of Foresthall (19 metres) and Charlie Cochrane of Earlston (7 metres). Promising David Coyle (135 metres) was next to come out on top in taking the Lodge St John Youths 1500 metres Handicap with a great run from start to finish. Neil Beaumont of Peebles (scratch) and Gary Brathan of Langholm (65 metres) emerged second and third respectively with the watch recording a winning time of 4 minutes 22 seconds. Bob Hamilton (18½ metres) then completed the Lindsay school's joy day in winning the Veteran's 90 metres Handicap. Although beaten in his heat by Brian 'Chhico' Woods of Jedburgh (13½ metres), Hamilton gained a place in the final by coming second. Next time out, however, Hamilton hit top form to win well with a first rate run in 9.54 seconds. Woods came in second and Alex Steede, also of Jedburgh (13 metres) third. Class was the name of the game in the D. E. Fencing Youths 200 metres Handicap, when Colin Walker of Bonnyrig (6 metres) took the honours through a top notch display of running. one of the best young runners appearing on the youth's scene at the moment. 14 year old Walker scorched to a heat victory in 24.78 seconds and in the final he starred again with another storming run to win in 23.85 seconds from David Walker of Hawick (7 metres) and Stuart Couperthwaite of Langholm (8 metres). Jedforest 1988 sprint winner Alan Crawford of Annan tasted victory on the Riverside track again when coming out on top in the L. S. Starrett Invitation 110 metres Handicap from his 6 metres mark in 11.42 seconds. David Esarnal of Penicuik (6½ metres) and Keth Douglas of Jedburgh (scratch) ran into the other placings. In a 150 metres Special Race for special athletes, which was sponsored by Jedburgh Round Table, James Dallas of Galashiels emerged a convincing winner. Stuart Mabon of was second and Russell Malloy of Hawick third. Also competing in this event were John Gray of Selkirk, Delipe Bell of Galashiels, Steven George and Ronald Young of Jedburgh and Michael Whiteford of Innerleithen.
In the Games morning events Jan Clark of Jedburgh (16 metres) gave an excellent account of herself to win the 90 metres Youths Handicap (Confined to Scottish Borders) while Adam Lees (21 metres) gained first place in the Grants Bakery Youths 90 metres Handicap (Confined to Jedburgh). Barry Little of Innerleithen and Stuart Couperwaite of Langholm gained victories in the Youths 800 and Youths 400 metres Handicaps, while Jim Rose triumphed in the 60 metres Handicap for Men over 50 Years. The Round the Town Race was won by Derek McLaughlan. The Jedburgh Border Games Committee would like to thank sponsors, helpers, caterers and everyone who contributed to the success of the 1991 event. Also Jedforest RFC for the use of Riverside Park.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxJohn Slorance

Geoff Keene's Joy in Jed Sprint

The broad smile on Geoff Keene's face late on Saturday afternoon at a rain swept Jedburgh Games told its own story. It was the smile of a winner for the 21 year old Selkirk athlete had just produced his best ever show on the professional running track winning the Jedforest 110 metres Handicap and its £1000 first prize. It was a victory that was richly deserved, for on a day that had been marred by almost continual drizzling rain, Keene brightened matters up with a first class display of sprinting.

Knocking at the door of a handicap win ever since the season began, Keene showed that he was set to break through the barrier right from his opening run. Appearing in th fourteenth heat off a mark of 5 metres, the Gala rugby wing three quarter gave the Riverside Park crowd something to talk about, surging home in the fastest heat win of the afternoon in 11.60 seconds. Keene had now put his cards well and truly on the table, and come the cross-ties he pulled another ace from the pack, breezing into a very comfortable victory in 11.70 seconds. Coached throughout his running days by his fathere Billy, a one time winner of the Innerleithen Games sprint, Keene still had another hand to play though. Getting down on his marks in the final, along with local hope Brian 'Chico' Woods of Jedburgh (14½ metres), Scott Brodie of Edinburgh (4 metres) and Ian Falconer of Earlston (4 metres) Keene, whose grandfather Jacky Walker won the Peebles Games Sprint Handicap on no fewer than three occasions, as well as being placed third in the Jedsprint 46 years ago duly did the business once more. At the 90 metre mark though, it looked as if front runner Woods was set to make an upset, but Keene then showed what he really had to offer with an explosive finish that had him soar in to break the tape in 11.52 seconds. Former Scottish amateur internationalist Brodie finished strongly to gain second place with Woods gaining third place and Falconer fourth. Following his victory in the Simclar Intrnational / Mainetti Tools Special event, Keene told us, "I've started to get my running together since Peebles. I felt good when winning my heat and cross-tie, but I had a lot of chasing to do in the final to catch Chico." Jedburgh's

	Jedburgh's James Clamp in the number 2 bib clinches victory in the Jedburgh Woollen Mill sponsored 800 metres handicap over Paul Bellingham of Cramlington and Brian McManus of Glenrothes. Emerging from the back, Clamp stepped up a gear on reaching the home straight to win in a time of 1 minute 59.37 seconds

own James Clamp emerged one of the most popular winners of the meeting when he pulled out the stops to take the Jedburgh Woollen Mill 800 metres Handicap. In front of his home crowd, Clamp showed what the had to offer in his heat, emerging a clear cut victor on 2 minutes 0.72 seconds from a 35 metre handicap. The best of Clamp was still to come though, for in the final he really came into his own. Angus Miller of Kelso (60 metres) led at the bell, with Paul Bellingham of Cramlington (57½ metres) tucked in behind him. Bellingham then edged ahead, but by this time Clamp had come in well from the back and was right on the Englishman's tail. A member of the John Steede school, Clamp in turn made his final move on the home straight by shooting into full throttle to overhaul Bellingham with a powerhouse finish to take the honours in 1 minute 59.37 seconds. The other placings went to Bellingham and Brian McManus of Glenrothes (17½ metres). Clamp was overjoyed with his victory. "I'm really delighted to have won this one, as winning at Jedburgh means a lot to me. The crowd helped me a lot in the home straight. Icould hear them cheering me on and this gave me a great lift." In the Grants Bakery Youths 90 metres Handicap (Confined to Jedburgh) Adam Lees (17 metres) also put victory the way of the Steede stable, coming out on top in the final in 9.93 seconds from Wayne Scott (17 metres) and Charlie Cochrane (5 metres).
The Steede camp's success story did not stop here, however, for pocket dynamo Simon Lightbody also got into the winning frame by triumphing in the M. M. Joinery 90 metres Youths Handicap in no uncertain terms. Running off a mark of (23½ metres), 10 year old Lightbody, despite being one of the smallest runners competing in the event, showed that size did not matter in buzzing to a heat win in 9.90 seconds. In what turned out to be an all Jedburgh final, young Lightbody did it all again with another superb run to win from Wayne Scott (17 metres) and Charlie Cochrane (5 metres) in 9.76 seconds. Tommy Ireland of Langholm (60 metres) followed up his handicap wins at Hawick and Peebles Games and his memorable dead heat at Walkerburn by coming out on top in the Jedforest Hotel 1500 metres Handicap. In one of the closest finishes on the programme, Cameron Douglas of Canonbie (11 metres) edged out Jedburgh's Alex Steede (12½ metres) by a hairs breadth in the final of the John Rutherford and Son 90 metres Veterans Handicap in a time of 9.76 seconds. Tommy Ireland of Langholm (60 metres) followed up his handicap wins at Hawick and Peebles Games and his memorable dead heat at Walkerburn, by coming out on top in the Jedforest Hotel 1500 metres Handicap. Ireland, an athlete who has certainly come back to pro-running with a vengeance showed he meant business from the gun, and on taking the lead from Michael Younger of Yetholm (105 metres) on the last lap, there was no holding him back and he duly raced to win well in 4 minutes 11.08 seconds. Wayne McIntosh of Kelso (90 metres) produced a sprint finish to gain second place with Younger coming in third. Former British 800 metres champion Craig Paterson of Kelso (13 metres) bounced back to winning form in taking pride of place in the J. Laidlaw and Sons (Buiders) 200 metres Handicap. Trained by Adie Gray, Paterson produced a sterling display to break the tape ahead of Barry Duffy of Cardenden (11 metres) and Ian Maxwell of Jedburgh (19 metres) in 22.67 seconds. In one of the closest finishes on the programme Cameron Douglas of Canonbie (11 metres) edged out Jedburgh's Alex Steede (12½ metres) by a hairs breadth in the final of the John Rutherford and Son 90 metres Veterans Handicap in a time of 9.76 seconds. Steede emerged the closest of seconds with Alan Lindsay of Innerleithen (7½ metres) third. Hawick's Keith Suddon had a day to remember in notching up an excellent double by triumphing in the Railway Tavern 100 metres Handicap (Confined to Border Counties) as well as the L. S. Starrett Co Ltd Invitation 110 metres Handicap. A strong powerful runner, Suddon hit the winning trail in the 100 metres Handicap which took place in the morning of the two part Jedburgh meeting. Following an impressive heat win from his 2 metre mark, the Hawick hosiery worker then repeated the act in the final with another explosive run to take the honours from Bruce Scott of Earlston (1 metre) and training partner Malcolm Elliot (1 metre) in 11.00 seconds. Come the afternoon, Suddon showed he had not lost his touch by powering to an impressive win in the Invitation event in 11.66 seconds. The second and third placings went to David McAllister of Cramlington and Alan Crawford of Annan. Thirten year old Kris Stewart of Chirnside also recorded a brace of wins. A highly talented young athlete, Stewart who just seems to go on winning and winning chalked up victory number one in the J. B. Young Youths 800 metres Handicap. The up and coming Chirnside teenager was not finished there, for in the Lodge St John 1500 metres Handicap, he left the rest of the field in his wake with an explosive burst during the last lap which gave him victory in 4 minutes 42 seconds. Kelso pair Chris Currie (65 metres) and Steven Smail (scratch) emerged second and third. Ian Horsburgh from Ayton pulled off a double in emerging victorious in the Jedburgh Unionist Club 400 metres Youths Handicap, as well as the D. E. Fencing Youths 200 metres Handicap, while Jamie McCraw of Jedburgh did the necessary in the Youths 90 metres Handicap (Confined to Scottish Borders). Ronald Young and Steven George, both from Jedburgh, gave fine accounts of themselves winning the two races for special athletes. In the Exchange Bar 60 metres Handicap for men over 50 years of age (Confined to Jedburgh) scratch man Jim Rose hit top form to retain the title he won last year.
A vote of thanks was given after the Jedburgh Games on behalf of the President and Committee who would like to thank all the sponsors, donors and members of the public who attended and supported the Fancy Dress Parade and the Games. Also a thanks to Jedforest RFC for the use of Riverside Park and other facilities.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxJohn Slorance

Colin Bruce Just Does It Again

High flying Colin Bruce of Selkirk wore the same T-shirt at Jedburgh that he had donned prior to winning the Selkirk Games Sprint Handicap three weeks back. It's printed message of 'JUST DO IT' was there for all to see. A psychological boost, a good luck charm, call it what you will, but whatever it was, it worked. At Riverside Park, Bruce proved that lightning does strike twice in hitting the high spots to win the Jedforest 110 metres Handicap Sprint, sponsored by Simclar International Ltd, Mainetti Ltd and Tools Special Ltd and its £1000 first prize and silver medal.

Bruce displayed some tip top sprinting throughout the day, which was highlighted by a superb performance in a thrilling final. Competing off a mark of 7 metres, the Selkirk athlete and former rugby player opened his quest for glory by surging home to a heat win in 11.52 seconds. A member of the Hawick based Frankie McFarlane stable, Bruce improved on this by clocking up a winning time of 11.44 seconds in his cross-tie. Despite his time winning runs, Bruce still appeared to have a lot to do in the final though, in lining up against odds on better favourite Steven Russell of Jedburgh (13 metres) who had scorched to a cross-tie win in 11.12 seconds, Hawick Games winner Ian Falconer of Earlston (7 metres), Michael Yule of Jedburgh (11 metres) and George Charlton of Gateshead (9 metres). From starter Allan Laidlaw's gun, all five finalists rose well from their blocks and the outcome was dramatic as the runners hit the tape practically together. The camera was duly called to decide the outcome, and after a few nerve racking minutes, the verdict was given to Bruce in a winning time of 11.20 seconds with the other placings going to Falconer and Russell. An overjoyed Bruce said "I felt I was coming onto my running at Walkerburn Games, and was quietly confident of doing well today, but even at that it's hard to take in that I've won another handicap. It seemed to take ages waiting to get the result from the photo finish, but it was well worth while." Jedburgh celebrated its festive activities in style by producing a string of tip top victories. None more so than in the Jedforest Hotel 1500 metres Handicap when Colin Strother delighted the home crowd. In a big field boosted by the appeaarance of several amateur runners Stuart Combe of Jedburgh (140 metres) set the pace until the bell when he was overtaken by Chirnside's Brian Kelly (125 metres). By this time, Strother moved up through the pack from his 80 metre handicap into third position and was looking good. Coached by John Steede and a recent winner of the 800 metres handicap at Walkerburn Games, the stylish Strother put in his bid by striding forward to hit the front before the final bend to take the honours in 4 minutes 00.51 seconds. John Borthwick of Langholm (110 metres) produced a sprinting finish to emerge second, with third place going to Jedburgh's own Rob Hall (40 metres), former top performer on the pro-circuit who is now with amateur club Teviotdale Harriers.
In the John Rutherford and Sons 90 metres Veterans Handicap Brian 'Chico' Woods also put victory Jedburgh's way. One of the great characters of the pro-running game, Woods gave a hint of what was to come by racing to a win in his heat in 10.70 seconds from his 14 metre mark. Urged on by the Riverside Park crowd, Woods did the business again in the final with a splendid run to break the tape in 9.58 seconds from John Malloy of Walkerburn (24½ metres) and Dave Plant of Newcastle (9 metres). Woods' joy day did not stop there for young amateur Michael Combe who has been under the seasoned athletes wing since coming into athletics, did one better than his coach by notching a double. Competing in the Jedburgh Unionist Club's Youths 400 metres Handicap 14 year old Combe of the Scottish Border Athletics Club showed his mettle by breezing to victory in 50.96 seconds from a mark of 10 metres. Next on his agenda was the M. M. Memorial Youths 90 metres Handicap. Combe (7 metres) romped home to a heat win in 10.19 seconds. A young runner with a very bright future ahead of him, Combe then did it all again in a thrilling final in getting a photo finish decision over Steven McLean of Peebles (18 metres) in 10.10 seconds. Jedburgh also produced the winner of the D. E. Fencing 200 metres Youths Handicap in Mark Wilson, another from the Woods school. Running off a handicap of 14 metres, Wilson looked the part in winning his heat in 21.15 seconds before repeating the act in the final in 21.10 seconds. This was Wilson's second win of the meeting as he had already tasted success in the morning in winning the Youths 90 metres Handicap (Confined to the Borders). Although running off scratch, Geoff Keen of Galashiels managed to come out on top in the Rugby Players 90 metres Invitation Sprint Handicap. Pacing John Paxton of Hawick (1½ metres) Alastair Graham of Annan (3 metres) and Preston Lodge pair Cameron Smith (1½ metres) and Ian Smith (3 metres). Keen winner of the Jedforest Games Sprint last year, produced a sizzling finish to snatch victory on the tape from Graham and Smith in 10.20 seconds. New Year sprint victor, Neil Sneddon of Edinburgh gave a capital show to win the prestigious L. S. Starrett Co. Ltd 110 metres Invitation Event. In a class field, Sneddon who has shown some really fine running throughout the season won in 11.54 seconds with the other placings going to Keen and David Rae of Hawick. Steven Hendry of Edinburgh (30 metres) gave a splendid account of himself to take the Jedburgh Woollen Mill 800 metres Handicap. Following a heat win in 1 minute 55.82 seconds, Napier University student, Hendry who is coached by Dave Campbell, then came out with guns blazing in the final. After taking the lead from Wayne McIntosh of Kelso (62½ metres) on the last lap, the race looked like Hendry's all the way and he raced in 1 minute 56.25 seconds. Langholm's Tommy Ireland (52½ metres) and Robert Scott of Morebattle (62½ metres) gained second and third place respectively. After recording the fastest times in the heats in the J. Laidlaw and Sons 200 metres Handicap in 21.90 seconds David Barbour of Walkerburn (20 metres) powered to a convincing victory in the final in an improved time of 21.50 seconds from David Rae of Hawick (15 metres).
Former British 800 metres champion Brian Falconer of Hawick (5½ metres) and winner of many distance events over the years, won his first ever sprint by triumphing in the Railway Tavern 100 metres Handicap (Confined to Border Counties). An excellent all rounder, Falconer looked the part in his heat before coming out on top in the final in 10.94 seconds. Jedburgh's Steven Turnbull (7 metres) gained second and David Barbour of Walkerburn (5½ metres) third. Newcomer Stuart Murray of Lasswade A C (10 metres) caught the eye in winning the Lodge St John Youths 1500 metres Handicap from Kris Stewart of Chirnside (110 metres) and Neil Gillfillan of Jedburgh (90 metres) in 4 minutes 27.42 seconds. while victories in the J. B. Young Youths 800 metres Handicap and the Grants Bakery 90 metres Handicap went to Kris Stewart of Chirnside and Adam Lees respectively. In the Exchange Bar 60 metres Handicap for men over 50 years (Confined to Jedburgh) an event which causes a lot of interest each year, Bob McFarlane (14 metres) emerged victoriious in 7.62 seconds. Gavin Maul and Tommy Rae emerged the winners of the Races for Special Athletes, with James Clamp winning the Race Around the Town.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxJohn Slorance

After 5 Years Steven Duncan Comes Back

Little or nothing was known about the running talents of Midlothian sprinter Steven Duncan until he made a tremendous impact in winning the Jedforest 110 metres Handicap five years ago. Since then nothing has really changed apart from the fact that he was a performer of the highest calibre. However, Duncan quickly vanished from the competitive scene almost as fast as he had arrived. On Saturday, though, the Dalkeith flyer returned to Riverside Park with a bang that matched the cannon which opened and closed the Games to win the Simclar International Ltd Mainetti Ltd Jedforest Sprint for the second time.

The 1994 Jedburgh Border Games Committee STANDING : J. Williams, R. Stewart, R. Douglas, I. Aitchison, W. Robson, G. Yule, A. Johnson, R. Wight, J. Currie, J. Clamp, I. Strother SEATED : R. Mcguin, A. Straker, T. MacAulay, J. B. Steede, A. Ferguson, I. Yule, S Ferguson

One of the few to have pulled off the Jedsprint double, 27 year old Duncan showed he had something special, having time to glance from side to side before breezing home to a clear-cut heat victory from his 5 metre mark in 11.40 seconds. In his cross-tie, however, Duncan failed to recapture the same rythm and style that he had produced in his opening run, but none the less, still managed to win in 11.40 seconds. This win booked him a final place along with English trio Alan Watt of Whitley Bay (9 metres) George Charlton of Gateshead (7½ metres) and Phil Jones of Newcastle (5 metres) plus the big border hope, Rodney Pow of Selkirk (6 metres). With Pow recording the fastest time of the day and clocking 11.29 seconds in his cross-tie, it looked like being between Duncan and the Selkirk rugby man . . . . . . . . and thats just the way it turned out to be. But it was Duncan who held the trump card. Having shown he was in form by gaining second at Walkerburn in his comeback race, Duncan got off to a splendid start, amnd by the forty metre mark had the look of a winner, and powered to victory and the £1000 first prize in 11.39 seconds. Pow came in second and Jones third. Speaking after his win, Duncan told us. "After winning at Jedburgh five years ago, I quit running and was out of action for two years. After deciding to come back, I found myself troubled with injuries for another two years. This year I've been a little more fortunate, and have been training hard under my coach, Drew Hyslop who was too nervous to come to the meeting. Being beaten at Walkerburn TO COMPLETE ** handicap. Pow turned it on again in the final to emerge a convincing winner in 10.63 seconds from James Docherty of Innerleithen running off 7½ metres and Alan Watt from Whitley Bay off 8 metres. Jedburgh's own Paul Douglas emerged one of the most popular winners on a bumper Riverside Park card when taking the honours in the J. Laidlaw and Sons 200 metres Handicap. Coached by Brian 'Chico' Woods, the Jed rugby threequarter who was competing from a mark of 22 metres, looked the part in his heat when hitting the finishing line in 21.52 seconds. Douglas, however had still more to offer in what turned out to be an exciting final. With most of the field in or around the same mark, the last run was indeed a thriller, but it was Douglas who had the edge when it mattered. Taking the lead on the run-in and roared on by the crowd, he held on to his front position to break the tape in 21.93 seconds. The other placings went to Scott Fulton from Morpeth off 22 metres and Steven Turnbull of Jedburgh who ran off 21 metres. Looking back on his winning run, Douglas said, "It was hard going, especially when I was out in front, but I could hear my mates roaring me on from the banking though and I just had to grit my teeth and TO COMPLETE
** Hawick's Alec Corbett running off the 85 metres mark gave a fine account of himself to take the Jedburgh Woollen Mill 800 metres Handicap. Corbett opened his winning campaign by gaining a heat victory in 1 minute 57.35 seconds, and come the final, the product of the John Donald stable made good progress from the gun with his sights firmly set on Adie Gray of Kelso running from the 125 metre mark, who had won his heat in 1 min 56.77 Getting things just right, Corbett moved in on the Kelso runner and took the lead just before the final bend to finish strongly and win in 1 minute 55.05. Brian McManus from Glenrothes clinched second spot leaving Gray in third place. In the Jedforest Hotel 1500 metres Handicap Ian Elliot of Teviotdale Harriers running off 85 metres continued his season of success by pulling off a highly credible victory. The in form Hawick amateur ran a perfect race, and on heading the field on the last lap fought off a challenge from Norway's Jan Christianson running off a 57½ metre mark, who had won the Thornton Games One Mile Handicap the previous week to take the honours in 3 minutes 54.69 seconds. The Norwegian athlete settled for second place, and James Clamp of Jedburgh came home third from 97½ metres. Running bare footed, another Norwegian Sigve Stenerson showed up well in the Royal Hotel 3000 metres Handicap. Stenerson, however had to be content with second place, for try as he might, he could not catch Hawick's Brian Emerson of Teviotdale Harriers, who after hitting the front, had the measure of the field and went on to win in 8 minutes 22.63 seconds. Third place went to Emerson's team mate Alistair Walker. Hawick also chalked up victories in the M & M Memorial Youths 90 metre Handicap and the D and E Fencing Youths 200 metres Handicap. Colin Grieve running from 18½ metres, whose dad David has produced many a win on the pro-circuit was first to do the business in the sprint. After gaining a heat win in 9.85 seconds, young Grieve, who showed good action as well as some impressive running got eveerything right again in the final and came out on top in 9.82 seconds from Kelso pair D. Welsh off 22 metres and Andrew Hinnigan who ran off 14 metres.
TO COMPLETE ** Craig Wilson running off 14 metres then got into the act in gaining first place in the 200 metres Handicap. In reaching the final through a heat win in 23.19 seconds, Wilson got off to a bad start in his last run, but made up for this with a lion-hearted finish in which he held off strong challenges from girl runner Cairi Ross of Jedburgh running from 37½ metres and D. Brown from Kelso off 45 metres to win in 22.08 seconds. Selkirk and Walkerburn Games winner John Hedley from Bedlington recorded his third win of the season in taking top spot in the L. S. Starrett Ltd 110 metres Invitation Handicap in 11.60 seconds. Second and third placings went to Alan Crawford of Annan and James Beattie Jnr from Kelty. The Exchange Bar 60 metres Handicap for men over 50 years, an event that always causes a lot of interest provided plenty of drama into the bargain. Matters got off to an unexpected start when Hugh 'Shug' Gallagher running off 5 metres appeared in a Scottish Athletic team tracksuit. On taking this off, he revealed a Scottish team vest, all of which belonged to internationalist Keith Douglas. Wearing Douglas' spikes as well, 52 year old Gallagher got right into the action by twice jumping the gun. On the third go, however the race got under way, and it was none other than Gallagher who called the shots in just edging out last years winner Bob McFarlane who ran of 7 metres in a blanket finish. Jimmy Rose off 12½ metres emerged third. Following his triumph, a victorious Gallagher said with a smile, "I've been training for this for 26 weeks and I would like to thank my wife Linda for feeding me up, John Steede for coaching me and Keith Douglas for leaving me some metres in his spikes." Earlston's Ian Falconer emerged winner of the 90 metres Rugby Players Sprint in edging out Jed duo Steven Turnbull and Kevin Amos. It may have taken a while and a lot of hard work and patience, but former distance runner Colin Black of Kelso, who has had a very young and enthusiastic school under his wing this season, saw his first winner go through the tape in the Youths 800.

Welsh woo Jed Games fans

There was no sign of a fire breathing dragon or a male voice choir, but Saturday never the less belonged to Wales. The Welsh flag was flown high at Jedburgh Border Games by a magical show of running at its best. Cardiff flyer Kevin Williams not only turned on the style to win the Invitation Sprint Handicap, but also claimed pride of place in the main event on the bumper Riverside Park card. The Jedforest 110 metres Sprint Handicap.

It was indeed an exhilarating show by Williams who showed class in every stride he took. The Welsh success story did not stop there however. Williams' Cardiff Athletic Club companion Douglas Turner also made a big impression, finishing second in the 110 metres Handicap. Competing off a mark of half a metre, 23 year old Williams firstly showed he had something very special to offer in coming out on top in the L. S. Starrett Ltd 110 metres Invitation sprint. He lined up against 110metres champion John Hedley of Bedlington who was running off 4¼ metres, Dave Clarke of Edinburgh running off 3¼ metres, Tommy Finkle from Jedburgh off 6 metres, David Grieve of Hawick handicapped off 9¼ metres, Ian Falconer from Earlston running from 7½ metres, Rupert Williams of Helensburgh off 5¼ metres and Alan Crawford from Annan handicapped from the 8½ metres mark. Williams gave a golden show by racing to a tip-top win from Hedley and Finkle in 11.58 seconds. The Welsh amateur internationalist then found himself in action in the Jedforest Sprint Handicap, running off his same half metre mark. Williams was beaten in his opening run in a blanket finish, by Jedburgh's own Michael Yule running off 11 metres. The Welshman bounced back, however as a fastest loser in his cross-tie, recording a fine time of 11.44 seconds. This result put him into an exciting final along with stable mate and betting favourite, Douglas Turner running from 2 metres. Jedforest winger, Yule running from 11 metres, Eric Smart of Whitley Bay off 7½ metres and Bernard McGurk from Lochgelly competing from the 9½ metre mark. The towering Turner appeared to many to be the man set to lift the £1000 first prize, but it wasn't to work out that way. It was his companion Williams who produced the goods with a superb run to break the tape in 11.44 seconds. The other placings went the way of Turner and Smart. After completing a lap of honour Williams quoted, "I'm not used to running on grass, and surprised myself a bit on how well I managed to do so. The opposition was very good, especially in the final. Apart from winning, I have really just enjoyed my running this afternoon, and plan to come back to the Borders to run in the British 90 metres championship at Langholm Games." Former Teri athlete Jim Anderson, now living in Wales, works closely with the Welsh duo. Naturaly he was also jubilant "I tried to win the Jed Sprint myself several times, but never managed to pull it off. So watching Kevin win it has given me a big thrill." He ran really well in a sizzling time of 11.31 seconds which was to be the fastest of the day. Williams, who along with Turner is coached by one time pro-sprinter and former Hawick man Jim Anderson, who now lives in Wales, as does big Dougie Turner told us, "In the final I couldn't make up my mind which one I fancied and didn't even have a bet!"
Jedforest rugby winger Kevin Amos delighted the home crowd by triumphing in the J. Laidlaw and Sons 200 metres Handicap. A recent winner of the one lap handicap at Peebles Games, Amos was convincing in winning his heat from the 22 metre mark and registered a fine final win. Jedburgh's Tommy Watters running off 24 metres headed the field coming into the final bend, but Amos then surged in from the back with Tommy Finkle of Jedburgh off 13 metres and Hawick's David Rae from the 14 metre mark in turn coming in with storming bids. In a thrilling finish all four hit the line almost together with Amos getting the verdict in a winning time of 21.65 seconds. Rae emerged second and Finkle third. Amos was well pleased with his winning performance. "The final was my sixth race of the day and I felt that I was tiring, but running in front of my home crowd, I was determined to do well." Alex 'the dip' Steede had to stretch to win the Tavern 100 metres Handicap Confined to Border Counties after qualifying as a fastest loser from the heats. However the three times beaten finalist in sprints this season snatched a dramatic victory on the tape through his famed dip finish in 10.73 seconds. Hawick pair Malcie Elliot and David Greive took second and third place. Following his splendid win in the 3200 metres Handicap at Peebles Games, Rochdale athlete David Cunningham vowed he would return to the Borders. He did on Saturday and produced a tremendous show of distance running which must go down as one of the best witnessed on the Riverside Park for many a year. In winning the 3000 metres Handicap Cunningham was just in a class of his own. Competing off the scratch mark the English athlete looked good from the gun in producing a fluent well balanced style, and cheered on by the crowd, Cunningham continued to fire on all cylinders to emerge a convincing victor in 8 minutes and 31.90 seconds from bare footed Terry Mitchell of Fife Athletic Club running off 30 metres and Teviotdale Harrier David Cavers off 50 metres respectively. Wayne Ballantyne of Kelso lifted the Jedburgh Woollen Mill 800 metres Handicap in style. A member of the Adie Gray school, Ballantyne has shown up well throughout the season and defeated training buddies Steven Smail who ran off 57½ metres and David Veitch off 77½ metres in 1 minute 53.53 seconds in his heat. In the final Hawick's Alec Corbett running off 52½ metres was out in front a lap from home but showing good judgement. Ballantyne romped on to win from Corbett and Veitch in 1 minute 57.21 seconds. Amateur Keith Lyall of Edinburgh Southern Harriers, running off 50 metres pulled off the win he has been close to since the season began with first place in the Royal Hotel 1500 metres Handicap. After Ian Fairbairn of Selkirk off 180 metres had made the early running, Lyall edged himself in front on the final lap, with comeback man David Barr of Jedburgh in pursuit. Barr gave his all from here on in battling for the leadership, but Lyall was giving nothing away and held on to win from his Jed rival and Alistair Walker of Teviotdale Harriers who ran off 82½ metres in 3 minutes 57.60 seconds.
The Invitation 90 metres Rugby Players Sprint went to a photo finish. Steven Turnbull of Jedforest emerging a popular victor in 10.17 seconds. Teenager Chris Connors of Hawick chalked up a splendid double by triumphing in the J. H. Waldie 90 metres Youths Handicap Confined to Scottish Borders and the D. H. Fencing Youths 200 metres Handicap. Coached by Billy Edgar, up and coming prospect Connors first tasted victory in the morning of the two part Jedburgh card, beating Craig Wilson of Hawick and Lindsay Munro of Jedburgh in 10.05 seconds. Having his first season on the Games circuit, 14 year old Connors hit top form in the afternoon, taking the D and E Fencing Youths 200 metres Handicap in 22.05 seconds from Peebles champ Bruce Hay of Kelso running off 28 metres and Alan Armstrong of Jedburgh in 22.08 seconds. Christopher Stitt from Hawick and running off 140 metres gave an excellent account of himself to win the Roxburgh Windows and Doors Ltd 800 metre Handicap in 1 minute 59.07 seconds fromm S. Kerr of Teviotdale Harriers off 80 metres and Steven Monaghan of Kelso off 180 metres. After having tried to get into the winning frame in the Exchange Bar 60 metres Handicap for men over 50 years for some time without success, Ian Aitchison running from 17 metres nailed his colours to the mast by racing to victory ahead of Bill Whitaker off 20 metres and John Blackie off 17 metres on what was his 59th birthday. Ian had been training specially for the event by regularly walking out with his dog Jed. Versatile David Jack of Innerleithen recorded victories in the Jedburgh Unionist Club Youths 400 metres and M & M 90 metres Youths Handicaps. Cameron Ross emerged the victor in the Grants Bakery 90 metres Handicap Confined to Jedburgh in 10.08 seconds, and in the Derek J. Irvine Plumber 90 metres Veterans Handicap Alan Lindsay pulled out the stops to take the win from Andy Laird of Edinburgh's Southern Harriers and Doug Campbell from Lochgelly in 9.65 seconds. Stuart Hogg of Teviotdale Harriers off a 135 metres mark ran well to take the Lodge St John Youths 1500 metres Handicap, and Michael Coombe of Jedburgh followed up his Scottish Junior success at Dunfermline earlier in the day with third, running from scratch. In the revised Callants Race, an event that hasn't taken place for several years, victory went the way of convenor Bob Hewie.

Electric Bolt Seals Victory

A swirling breeze at Riverside Park for the Jedburgh Border Games played havoc with times and caused problems for competing athletes. However, for Jedburgh electrical engineer Rod McKay it was a wind of change. Having been beaten in three sprint finals on the Borders open athletics scene, this season McKay never gave up and got his reward, winning the Jedforest 110 metres Handicap and its £1500 first prize. Off a mark of 7½ metres had an easy 11.46 seconds heat victory. In his cross-tie the 19 year old athlete consolidated this with another live wire show which saw him scorch to victory in a time of 11.15 seconds. The fastest of the event.

Coached by Stuart Dempster, who has also guided Stow's Ken Campbell to sprint success. McKay lined up against big local hope Tommy Watters from Jedburgh off the 12 metre mark, Mark Moncrieff of Galashiels running from 18 metres, David Anderson from Selkirk off 12½ metres and Graeme Armstrong from Edinburgh off 13 metres but McKay beat the lot, breaking the tape in 11.24 seconds. Second and third places went to Moncrieff and Anderson respectively. Speaking after his triumph, the capital amateur who runs for the City of Edinburgh Athletics Club commented, "It's a brilliant feeling to have won a big sprint like this. I've been working hard at training, and hoped to do well." Kelso's Keith Lyall gave a fine account of himself by taking the honours in the 1500 metres Handicap for the second successive year. John Borthwick of Langholm running off 80 metres set the early pace before being overtaken by Teviotdale Harrier Andy Fair off 60 metres. The lead duly changed again on the last lap when David Cavers of Teviotdale Harriers running off the 25 metre mark strode on to take the front from his club mate. Coming into the home straight, Lyall edged ahead and emerged a convincing winner in 4 minutes and 3.51 seconds. Cavers took second place and James Clamp from Jedburgh who ran off 42½ metres came in third. Lyall was delighted with his winning run. "It's good to win at anytime, but to have won the mile at Jedburgh two years running is just great." In the 800 metres Handicap David Jack of Innereleithen hit top form to take the honours in sterling style. A versatile all round runner, Jack ran his heart out from start to finish. Leading as they came into the final lap he faces a challenge from Australian Murray Beveridge who was running off 35 metres, but the youngster confidently held on to his lead to emerge victorious from his starting handicap of 57½ metres in 1 minute 53.5 seconds. Beveridge was second followed by back marker Paul Walker from Liverpool running off scratch.
In the 3000 metres Handicap, Hawick farmer David Cavers of Teviotdale Harriers covered the full distance to get into the winning frame from scratch. After whittling his way through the pack Cavers took the front position before the bell sounded to win from Nick Maltman of Teviotdale Harriers and Scott Watson of Borders Athletics Club running off 60 metres in a time of 9 minutes 00.52 seconds. Hawick rugby winger Keith Suddon notched up a splendid double on the Riverside Park track by winning the 100 metres Handicap Confined to Borders Region and the Rugby Players 90 metres Sprint Handicap. Competing firstly in the confined sprint in the morning, Suddon was beaten in his heat by fellow Hawick runner Drew Bryson off 10 metres. However, he qualified for a final run as one of the fastest losers and came back with a vengeance to win in 11.05 seconds. Ian Turnbull of Hawick running off ½ metre and Bryson finished second and third. In the afternoon Suddon hit the victory trail again in a keenly contested rugby players event, winning from Jimmy Turnbull of Melrose and Geoff Keene from Currie. Former rugby player Drew Bryson of Hawick took the 200 metres Handicap in what turned out to be an exciting final. Bryson ewdged out Gerald Strother of Kelso running off 23 metres and David Lauder from Hawick off 20 metres in 21.11 seconds. David Grieve also put victory Hawick's way by coming out on top in the Veterans 90 metres Handicap. Following a heat triumph in 9.62 seconds, Grieve running off 8½ metres repeated the winning act in the final when crossing the finishing line ahead of James Beattie from Kelty off 18 metres and Brian Woods of Jedburgh running off 15½ metres, in a winning time of 9.60 seconds. Classy Welshman Kevin Williams of Cardiff gave a five star display by storming home from his back mark spot to win the 110metres Invitation Sprint Handicap in 11.43 seconds from a top class field. James Beattie from Glenrothes clinched second place and David Walpole of Annan third. Ten year old Graham Kelly of Chirnside showed great promise in pulling off not one, but two victories. Son of Brian Kelly, the 1975 Jedburgh Half Mile Handicap winner, young Graham first claimed glory in the Youths 400 metres Handicap before stealing the show in the Youths 1500 metres Handicap. Making his first appearance on the Games circuit, Craig Bradshaw from Cramlington buzzed to victory in the Youths 90 metres Handicap. The 60 metres Handicap for Men over 50 Years was won by Ian Aitchison. Second place went to 76 year old Wullie Byers, who was beaten by inches. A remarkable character, Evergreen Wullie started running way back in 1946, and was a well known distance runner on the Games circuit. At the meeting he was presented with a special tie by the Games Committee for his fifty years commitment to running. Victory in the Race Round the Town went to Jimmy Rose Jnr. Jedburgh's Ronald Young received a big cheer from the crowd when winning the 150 metres Handicap for special athletes. Peter Redshaw of Galashiels was second and Stuart Mabon of Peebles third.

Record Run for Fast Young Kris

Now and again there are special happenings within the Border Games scene, when an exceptional performance comes to the fore. Such an occasion was heralded at Jedburgh Border Games meeting this year, as Riverside Park was the setting for an individual showing of the highest calibre. Seventeen year old Kris Stewart from Chirnside saw to this in giving a five star display by winning the Jedforest 110 metres Handicap Sprint with flair which was second to none.

Making Stewart's victory all the more memorable was the fact that the Berwickshire youngster was making his first ever appearance in the open athletics world as a senior, after having served his apprenticeship since coming into the running game as a raw boy 10 years ago. Stewart has developed into one of the best young runners to have emerged from the Borders for many a day. As well as making his mark throughout the Games circuit the Berwickshire High School pupil has established himself in the amateur ranks in gaining Scottish and British junior honours. Ther have been few doubters of Stewart's great talent and ability. On saturday, however these ingredients really blossomed. Bidding for glory in the Roxburghe Windows and Doors, Simclar International Ltd and Mainetti Ltd sponsored Jedforest Handicap Sprint which has a winning purse of £2000 Stewart who ran off 5 metres showed his cards in his heat by soaring home to an impressive and comfortrable victory in 11.19 seconds. Coached throughout his running days by Henry Gray, he then improved on this by blitzing to a cross-tie win in 11.08 seconds which earned him a final spot along with Jedburgh hope, Steven Turnbull off 10 metres, British 110 metres champion Graham Welsh of Border Harriers running off 4 metres, Gary Wilson of Hawick off 14½ metres, Innerleithen's James Docherty off 11 metres and Alan Crawford from Annan running off 10 metres. With the early afternoon sunshine having vanished and replaced by drizzling rain, the Chirnside flyer shrugged off the conditions and duly blazed to a splendid win which not only put him into the record books as being the youngest ever runner to win the Jethart Sprint, but the first scoolboy to do so as well. The watch recorded a winning time of 11.12 seconds with the other major placings going the way of Welsh and Turnbull. Speaking after his winning run, a remarkably cool Stewart told us, "I haven't been able to run at the Games this season either through injury or the fact that I have been running at amateur meetings. As this is my first run as a senior, I wasn't sure how I would get on, and didn't really expect to do so well. My coach Henry Gray had a lot of belief in me though, and I got a lot of encouragement from this. Henry has been behind me since I started running. I have learned a lot from him and I am as thrilled for him as I am for myself after winning today."
Another bright up and coming Border prospect, Michael Coombe of Jedburgh also hit the winning trail in pulling out the stops to take the 800 metres Handicap. Coombe, a Scottish Borders team mate of Kris Stewart ran a perfect race to take the honours in style. Coombe's coach, Brian 'Chico' Woods, better known for his appearances in shorter distance events, and a surprise entry to the 800 metres Handicap set the early pace from his 120 metres mark and led for a lap before dropping out. Innerleithen's James Whiteford running of 120 metres then hit the front before being overtaken by David Jack of Innerleithen off 65 metres. Through some purposeful running from his 37½ metres handicap Coombe was in hot pursuit and edged ahead on the top bend. There was no stopping him now, and cheered on by the home crowd, the local youngster raced clear to break the tape ahead of Jack and James Clamp of Jedburgh off 57½ metres in 1 minute 52.08 seconds. After watching his runners triumph from the side of the track, coach Chico Woods revealed why he himself had appeared in the event. "It was a one off experiment. I knew just how fast I wanted that first lap to be ran in, as Michael needed someone to chase, so I was the hare and he was the greyhound. It worked out for us and I'm delighted he won." Former New Year Sprint winner Tommy Finkle also put victory Jedburgh's way in giving a tip-top display to win the J. Laidlaw and Sons Ltd 200 metres Handicap from a mark of 6 metres. A member of the John Steede school, Finkle who has shown up well throughout the season looked the part in winning his heat. In the final, he appeared to have a lot to do as he was at the back in the home run in. Do it, he certainly did, however with a scintilating late finishing burst which saw him overtake Adam Bell of Hawick running off 18 metres and Brian Townley from Stalybridge off 16 metres on the lap to snatch victory in 22.42 seconds. Hawick teenager Stuart Hogg of Borders Athletic Club running from 70 metres followed up his recent 800 metres success at Selkirk Games by coming out on top in the Royal Hotel 1500 metres Handicap. Jim Thomson from Markinch off 100 metres headed the field in the opening stages. John Borthwick of Langholm off an 85 metre mark along with Hogg then made their way past the Fife front runner. A young athlete with a good flowing well balanced style, Hogg duly took the initiative by striding ahead. Borthwick and back marker Keith Lyall of Kelso off 10 metres started to give chase but Hogg had his sights well and truly set on victory and powered on to win in 4 minutes 07.22 seconds. Lyall emerging second and Borthwick third. In the L. S. Starrett 3000 metres Handicap, Hawick farmer David Cavers of Teviotdale Harriers stole the show with a great run from the scratch mark. Despite having alot of running to do Cavers produced the goods to the full in showing fine pace throughout to catch the rest of the field and win from John Borthwick of Langholm and Steven Lauder of Teviotdale Harriers both running off 150 metres in a time of 8 minutes 53.57 seconds. Current British 110 metres title holder Graham Welsh of Carlisle based amateur club Border Harriers emerged victorious from a class line up to win the L. S. Starrett 100 metres Invitation Sprint in 10.63 seconds.
North East of England pair John Hedley from Bedlington and Neil Armstrong of Morpeth came in second and third in what turned out to be a keenly contested Rugby Players 90 metres Invitation Sprint in which the result was decided by a photo finish. Michael Yule of Jedforest edged out Chris Dalgleish of Gala and David Lauder of Hawick Trades in 10.22 seconds. Fifty year old Brian Towley from Stalybridge a double gold European indoor veterans champion took pride of place in the Derek J. Irvine Plumber 90 metres Handicap while in the Tavern 100 metress Handicap Confined to Border Counties Adam Lowles of Scottish Borders Athletic Club, running off scratch gained victory from Steven Smail of Kelso off 9 metres and Drew Bryson from Hawick off 11½ metres in 10.69 seconds. The Colin Black school of Kelso which has produced several winners in youths events since the season began, struck again by chalking up an excellent double. Colin's son Steven running off 65 metres showed the field a clean pair of heels to win the Jedburgh Unionist Club 400 metres Youths Handicap from R. Motion of Innerleithen off 70 metres and C. Watson of Hawick off 35 metres in 52.60 seconds. Gary Hogarth running off 60 metres also did the business for the Black camp by coming home first in the Border Mini-mix 800 metres Youths Handicap from Gary Kelly from Chirnside off 130 metres and A. Gibson of Hawick running off 55 metres by clocking 2 minutes 33.81 seconds. Jan Little from Innerleithen running off 8½ metres showed up well in winning the J. H. Waldie 90 metres Handicap Confined to Scottish Borders, with flame haired Graeme Fenton of Kelso off 19½ metres came in second and Jamie Dickie of Hawick off 15½ metres third. Ten year old Graeme Fenton running off 19½ metres, who apart from having shown a lot of promise during the season is a grea t competitor and he laso gained second place in the M & M 90 metres Youths Handicap by coming in behind Craig Bradshaw from Cramlington off 8 metres in 10.10 seconds. Hawick's Craig Wilson running off 6 metres was third. Long striding Graham Nichol from Newcastleton ran a grand race from his back mark spot of 40 metres to win the Lodge St John 1500 metres Youths Handicap in 4 minutes 19.47 seconds, the other placings going to Daryl Hastie from Kelso off 120 metres and A. Howard of Cramlington running off 90 metres. Michael Douglas from Cramlington off 36 metres gave a fine account of himself to win the D. E. Fencing 200 metres Youths Handicap in 23.67 seconds. Victory in the Exchange Bar 60 metres for Men Over 50 Years went to Jimmy Rose running off 6 metres who took the honours from Billy Byres off 20 metres and Hugh Gallagher off 6 metres.

Finkle Treats Home Crowd to a Jed Victory

The silence that had fallen over Riverside Park prior to the final of the 110 metres Jedforest Handicap at Jedburgh Border Games was broken by the sound of starter Allan Laidlaw's gun. Roars then filled the air as the crowd cheered on the five finalists competing for the £2000 winning purse and all the glory that goes with taking pride of place in this historical Jedforest Sprint. Within seconds of the finish, the spectators roars turned to a feverish murmur as a photo finish was called for and the judges convened to use the technology of a camera and screen to determine their verdict.

It was dramatic stuff, and indeed just what all good finals are made of. Following an agonising wait, an announcement was made and this brought about the biggest cheer of the day. Jedburgh's own Tommy Finkle was declared the winner, delighting the vast majority of the crowd. It was a golden moment for 30 year old Finkle and one which was richly deserved. Since making his first appearance on the Games scene as a raw 10 year old schoolboy, Finkle has put a lot into his running game. During this time he has had his share of ups and downs, so it proved extremely pleasing for many watchers to see him achieve one of his greatest goals on the pastures of his home turf. A former winner of the New Year Sprint Handicap, Finkle who has been guided throughout his running days by Jedburgh coach John Steede, showed he had something special to offer in his heat, buzzing to a win in 11.50 seconds from his 6 metre mark. Civil engineer Finkle then turned on the style again in his cross-tie with another electrifying run which saw him break the tape in 11.45 seconds. This win booked him a final spot along with stable companion and former Hawick Common Riding Games winner Steven Turnbull off 8½ metres, John Fleming from Kelso off 10 metres and Innerleithen pair James Docherty running off 9 metres and Mark Hanratty off the 11½ metre mark. An exciting looking last run appeared to be on the cards, and it was certain to be all of that, for the big five put their all into the last run and hit the finishing line almost together. The photo finish went the way of Finkle, however in a time of 11.53 seconds with the ever improving Fleming second and Turnbull third. After being showered in congratulations from well wishers and his family, including daughters Heather and Laura, Tommy told us, "It has always been my dream to win the Jed Sprint, and now that it has happened, I don't know what to say or think. It is a very emotional moment for me though, and I feel very proud to have won on my home sprint track. I owe a lot to my coach Jock Steede. He has given me a lot of good advice. I have listened to him and taken it in, and it has paid off." A leading coach on the open athletic scene, Steede was delighted with Finkle's performance. "I'm thrilled for Tommy. I have coached him since he was a boy and he is one of the best runners I have ever had. He has been running with great determination lately. He really wanted to pull this one off today, and he really deserves it."
The 200 metres Handicap also brought about more than its fair share of drama. Following some keen competition in the heats, anything looked like happening in the final, and it did with little more besides. With the runners bunched together in the home straight it looked like anyone's race. John Hartley of Newcastle running off 8 metres then came storming in from the back and bustled his way between Kelso pair John Nairn of 16 metres and Des Wilson off 12 metres in a very no nonsense manner. On hitting the front, there was no holding the North East of England man, and he duly raced on to hit the tape in 22.53 seconds, with Neil Armstrong from Morpeth off 8 metres coming in second and Wilson third. Officials waited for a protest, but none was launched and the result stood. Speaking after his win, which was his first on the Games circuit, 20 year old Hartley revealed, "There was a gap and I went for it. When this happens there is sometimes a bit of bumping and elbows lock. It's all part of the running game though, and I was very keen to get a win. I was disappointed earlier on to be beaten in my sprint heat." Victory in the 800 metres Handicap went the way of Ben Hands from Motherwell running off 90 metres. Kelso's Jim Fleming off 110 metres led going into the last lap with James Whiteford from Innerleithen off 75 metres and Hands close on his heels. A recent winner of the Selkirk Games 800 metres Handicap, Hands then moved in to the lead. Whiteford battled hard from here on in a bid to reach the front, but Hands held on to take the honours in 1 minute 57.85 seconds, Whiteford coming in second and scratch man Michael Coombe of Jedburgh finishing superbly to gain third place. Fifer John Thomson from Markinch off 97½ metres emerged a clear cut winner of the 1500 metres Handicap. In a field which included Julie Orr, all the way from Colorado USA, Thomson never really looked like being caught. Langholm's John Borthwick running off 85 metres put in a challenge, but Thomson strode on to do the necessary in 4 minutes 12.35 seconds. The other placings went to Borthwick and Teviotdale Harrier Andy Fair off 65 metres. Hawick's David Grieve called the shots in the 100 metres Handicap Confined to Borders. Competing from a mark of 4½ metres the 42 year old caught the eye in his heat when romping home in 11.16 seconds. Appearing in his eighth final of the season, Grieve did it all again in the final to hit the winning line ahead of David Hush of Hawick off 7 metres and Jedburgh twosome, Scott Elliot off 9 metres and Les Ross off 15 metres in a time of 11.30 seconds. Scottish amateur internationalist and former British 110 metres open athletics champion Graeme Welsh of Border Athletics, the scratch man gave a stylish show to win the 100 metres Invitation Sprint Handicap in 10.86 seconds. Neil Armstrong of Morpeth off 4½ metres and Alan Crawford from Annan off 6½ metres finished second and third respectively.
In the Youths 90 metre Handicap, Wayne Hogg of Hawick running off 16 metres gave an excellent account of himself to strike victory. Having shown his mettle with an impressive heat win, 13 year old Hogg from the Alan Scott school excelled in the final, blitzing home in 10.50seconds from Michael Watters of Jedburgh who ran off 6 metres and Colin Smith of Innerleithen off 11 metres. Sixteen year old Craig Wilson running off 9 metres also put victory Hawick's way by triumphing in the Youths 200 metres Handicap. Grandson of well known Hawick coach Billy Edgar, Wilson earned himself a last run in the event through a heat win in 24.73 seconds. The Hawick teenager was far from finished though and thanks to a scintillating finish down the home straight he soared to another win in 23.54 seconds. Second was Dean McCracken of Hawick running off 16 metres and third Neil McVicar of Chirnside off 11 metres. Cher Quiletti from Kelso off 150 metres and Kirsty Sttrachan from Chirnside also off 150 metres, both gave impressive performances in the 800 metres Youths Handicap. Leading the pack on the last lap, the promising Quiletti appeared to be in with a real chance, but Gary Hogarth of Kelso running off 40 metres changed matters by producing a suging rally on the home run in to win in 2 minutes 07.55 seconds. Colin Welsh also got into the winning frame for Kelso in running a fine race from start to finish to come out on top of the Youths 400 metres Handicap from Michael Douglas of Bedlington off 60 metres and Brian Watters of Jedburgh off 18 metres in 55.16 seconds. Fifteen year old Darell Hastie running off 70 metres made it a hat trick of Kelso wins in overtaking Rory Hutton from Hawick off 280 metres and S. Norval of Peebles off 200 metres to win in 4 minutes 18.06 seconds. After having won his heat in the Youths 90 metres Handicap Confined to Scottish Borders in 11.10 seconds, Colin Smith of Innerleithen running off 8 metres went on to win the final in 10.80 seconds. Graeme Fenton of Kelso off 14 metres and Claudio Monaco from Melrose off 10 metres dead heated for second place. Edinburgh man Tom Bradley off 5 metres emerged the victor of the Veterans 90metres Handicap in edging out Jake Law of Jedburgh who ran off 4½ metres and David Grieve from Hawick off scratch in 10 .67 seconds. Fifty nine year old Hugh Douglas, father of Jedburgh sprint ace Keith Douglas who now lives in Australia, showed where his high-flying son gets his racing talents by triumphing in the 60 metres Handicap for Men Over 50 Years of Age from his 12½ metre mark. Hugh 'Shug' Gallagher clinched second place off 7½ metres, and Ian Strother off 6 metres came home third. The winner of the early morning Round the Town Race was Donald Prowse.

Local Boy Yule Prevails in Jed Sprint

The day belonged to Jedburgh's very own Michael Yule who stole the show in winning the Jedforest 110 metres Handicap Sprint and its splendid £2000 first prize. Yule gave his best ever performance on the track to the great delight of the home crowd, who were with their local hero every step of the way throughout his winning day.

Coached by John Steede, Yule soared home to victory in 11.76 seconds from the 9½ metres mark in the heats. The local painter and decorator then brushed away the opposition again in his cross-tie sweeping to victory in an improved time of 11.65 seconds. Lining up for the big showdown along with history making Jedburgh runner Karen Steede off 19½ metres who became the first female athlete to appear in a Jedburgh Games Sprint final, plus fellow Jed runner Scott Elliot off 13 metres, Jimmy Turnbull from Galashiels off 11 metres and Hawick's Adam Bell running off 11 metres. Yule duly excelled himself powering down the track to hit the tape in a time of 11.60 seconds. Turnbull emerging second and Elliot third. A former Jedforest winger, Yule who gave up the oval ball game to concentrate on his runnung was both delighted and bemused about his golden moment, and immediately after his triumph he said, "I can't really take it in that I have won the Jed Sprint. It's the race I have always wanted to win since I began to run, and it will take a while before it sinks in that I have managed to pull it off. I have been really nervous all day, and my coach's biggest problem has been trying to calm me down. I wasn't too pleased with the run in my heat, but felt I did a lot better in the cross-tie. As for the final, I can't remember a thing about it." Brian 'Chico' Woods hoisted the Jedburgh flag high as well by taking pride of place in the 90 metres Veterans Handicap. From his 12 metre mark the 56 year old sailed home in 10.55 seconds from Jake Law of Ancrum off 5 metres and John Steede of Jedburgh off 17 metres. A well known figure on the Games scene. Woods revealed that his winning show would be his last appearance on a games track. "I've decided to call it a day," he said, "I've been runnung on the games circuit for the past 33 years and it had to come to an end sometime. I've never been a great runner, but I've won a few handicaps, had a lot of enjoyment and have got a lot out of the game. I'm pleased to be going out as a winner though. Especially when the win was on my home town track. I'm not going to be lost to running altogether though for I intend to do some coaching as well, getting involved in marathon racing."
Scott Elliot also did Jedburgh proud by winning the 100 metres Handicap Confined to Border Counties. Running from a handicap of 10½ metres he powered home in 10.99 seconds from Hawick pair John Paxton and David Grieve, both off 7 metres. Hawick golden boy David Rae is currently having a season to remember and added another string to his bow by blitzing his way to victory in the British 100 metres Championship. Fresh from lifting the British 110 metres crown at Peebles Beltane Sports showed he was hungry for a second title success and triumphed in 11. 10 seconds from Ross Linnett of Stanley and Anndrew Lowles of Scottish Borders Athletic Club. In the 1500 metres Handicap, Napier University student Steven Lauder of Hawick off 92½ metres produced his best form of the season by far to emerge a somewhat surprise victor of the event. The 20 year old headed the field with two laps of the race remaining. Mark McGliney from Skipton off 45 metres then moved in front. Lauder, however came rallying back to overtake his Yorkshire rival on the last lap to record a worthy ein in 4 minutes 5.43 seconds. Ian McKenzie of Kelso runnung off 45 metres came second with McGliney coming in third. Commenting on his winning show Lauder said, "I didn't expect to win. Before the race started I was just hoping to get a place. Once I got going I felt quite good though and I just took things from there." Victory in the 200 metres Handicap deservedly went to Steven Domingo of Hawick. Domingo rose to the occasion though to win in 22.43 seconds. David Rae off 3 metres notched second spot with the third place position going to Dennis Davidson. Hawick's Michael Bryson off 20 metres ran a well judged race to take the 800 metres Handicap from Graeme Nicol of Newcastleton off 10 metres and Alan Gibson from Hawick off 52½ metres in 1 minute 59.01 seconds.
In the Youths 1500 metres Handicap Kelso youngster Colin Welsh ran superbly from scratch to win from Andrew Maltman of Hawick running off 120 metres and Darrell Hastie of Kelso off 15 metres in 4 minutes 23.69 seconds. Jedburgh teenager Neil Smail running off 120 metres gained first place in the Youths 800 metres Handicap in 2 minutes 25.05 seconds. Paul McDougall of Peebles off 115 metres and Steven Black from Kelso off 45 metres were second and third. Steven Hedley of Hawick running off 12 metres won the Youths 90 metres Handicap while Chris Chaffrey from Cramlington off 6 metres gained first place in the Youths 90 metres Handicap. Ewan Williams of Hawick running off 10½ metres and Graeme Miller of Galashiels off 18 metres dead heated in the final of the Youths 90 metres Handicap Confined to Border Counties. Eleven year old Jack Windram of Chirnside off 85 metres triumphed in the Youths 400 metres Handicap while Keith Chapman off 9 metres in did the business in the 90 metres Handicap Confined to Jedburgh. Hugh Gallagher finished first in the 60 metres Handicap for Men Over 5o Years of Age in 8.05 seconds from his 8½ metres start.

Jedburgh's Elliot Takes the Millenium Honours

Jedburgh's Scott Elliot delighted the home crowd by winning the main event of the day, the Jedforest 110 metres Sprint Handicap, and its £2000 first prize. Competing from a mark of 14½ metres the 24 year old won his heat in 11.81 seconds and followed this with a cross-tie win 11.47 seconds. The Brian 'Chico' Woods coached runner then pipped odds-on favourite Jake Law of Ancrum running off 14½ metres to a photo finish in 11.50 seconds.

This season's glittering success story of Hawick runners on the open athletics scene continued at Jedburgh Border Games on Saturday. This time it was the youngsters who stole the show - All four of Hawick's victories coming from Youths events. Making his first appearance on the circuit, Graham Hogg made it a debut to remember winning two events in the day. In the Youths 90 metres Handicap Confined to the Borders Region, Hogg powered to a very impressive win in 10.70 seconds from his 11 metre handicap. The Billy Edgar school runner didit all again in the final with another surging run to break the tape in a similar time. The other placings went to Alan McMath of Innerleithen off 14½ metresand Andrew Hutton from Hawick running off 11½ metres. The son of rugby refere and former Greens ace John Hogg did not finish there, however. In the Youths 200 metres Handicap he came out on top in his heat in 24.23 seconds. Running from a handicap of 24 metres Graham completed his glory day with another storming run in the final taking the honours in 23.80 seconds. Andrew Hutton off 28 metres from the rival Alan Scott/George Turnbull camp was second, just edging out Steven Norman of Innerleithen off 40 metres and Craig Sandie from Galashiels off 93 metres in 53.91 seconds. Hogg also lfted the Andrew and Mary Robson Trophy for the most promising young athlete. "I didn't expect to do so well," he said afterwards, "I just tried my hardest in all of my races, and I'm really pleased that I won them." Fifteen year old Andrew Hutton also gave a top notch display to win the Youths 400 metres Handicap. He said, "I've been running for three years now, and apart from heats I've never won anything until winning this race." Shaun Desport also put victory Hawick's way by taking the Youths 800 metres Handicap. Penrith's Derek Tindall broke the tape first, but competed from a mark of 160 metres, instead of his allotted 60 and was subsequently disqualified. Desport beat Christopher Black of Kelso off 190 metres down the home straight from his 100 metres mark with Andrew Maltman of Hawick off 55 metres clinching the third place. The 12 year old Desport lateer revealed, "I thoght I was going to get beat as I knew I could never catch the boy who was in the lead so I tried to come second."
Thirteen year old Lisa Douglas off 20½ metres came close to gaining a Hawick win in the Youths 90 metres Handicap. Followinh an impressive heat win in 10.60 seconds Douglas won her cross-tie in an improved time of 10.50 seconds. In a dramatic photo finish final, however the Billy Edgar trained athlete was beaten by Alan McMath off 16 metres in 10.31 seconds. Douglas was second and Andrew Hutton running off 13 metres was third. Also involved in photo finish drama was Lee Notman. Searching for title glory in the British 100 metres Championship in-from Notman hit the tape with Haddington's James Cunningham in as close a finish as you copuld get. Following an agonising wait, the verdict went to Cunningham, with Notman and British 110 metres champion Scott Robertson of West Calder coming second and third. Sprinter Chay Campbell was a real surprise package in the 800 metres Handicap. Running off a mark of 30 metres, Campbell finished second, coming in behind much fancied Colin Welsh from Kelso off 15 metres who recorded a winning time of 1 minute 58.30 seconds.

Moffat Excels in the Wet at Jedburgh Games

Gene Kelly may not have been there, but nevertheless there was plenty of singing and dancing in the rain at Jedburgh Border Games at Riverside Park. Leading the chorus was Jedburgh's own Doug Moffat who hit full song in gigving the home crowd something to dance about by winning the mani event of the day, the Jedforest 110 metres Handicap and its £2000 first prize.

With the rain swept pastures of Riverside as his stage, 28 year old Moffat took his first steps toward getting into the winning frame by blitzing into victory in his heat in 11.66 seconds from a mark of 12 metres. Sweet music was now beginning to ring in his ears, and come his cross-tie, Moffat did it all when surging home in an improved time of 11.65 seconds. Coached by Brian 'Chico' Woods, Moffat who was victor of the 100 metres Handicap Confined to Borders Region on the same track a year back, duly found himself in an all Border final, getting down on his marks along with Jedburgh trio Karen Steede off 18 metres, Charlie Cochrane off 4½ metres and Jamie McCraw off 8½ metres plus Drew Bryson from Hawick running off 17½ metres. Moffat was now well and truly tuned in, and in his final run gave his big support just what they were looking for with a scorching run to hit the tape in 11.58 seconds from McCraw and Cochrane. After being showered in congratulations by a sea of well wishers, Moffat told us, "I've been training hard for this for a long time and its great to have pulled it off. After winning my heat and cross-tie I felt confident in taking the final and on the seventy metre mark I thought I had the race. Winning the Jed Sprint is a dream come true for me." This season's Blackford Games 90 metres Handicap winner Charlie Cochrane also tasted sprint victory for Jedburgh, pulling out the stops to win the 100 metres Handicap in the morning section of the two part card. Strong running Cochrane appeared to be the man to go all the way after breezing through in 10.96 seconds off 3½ metres and in the final he did just that, with another top notch run to win in 10.86 seconds.
Although his name was missing from the official printed programme Wayne McIntosh of Kelso hit top form to take the 1500 metres Handicap. Looking good from the gun, McIntosh provided some impressive early running and after taking the lead from Selkirk's Jack Knox off 185 metres on the back straight had victory in his sights, and raced on to cross the finish line in 4 minutes 09.90 seconds. Kelso also produced the winner of the 800 metres Handicap in 18 year old Colin Welsh running off 7½ metres. Having caught the eye in winning 400 metres events this season, the young Tweedside athlete showed that he is equally at home over a longer distance. Darren Gauson from Edinburgh off 17½ metres another in-form runner this term, appeared to be in with a real chance of following earlier handicap success. Welsh, however then produced an astonishing burst of speed and duly accelerated past the man from the capital, soaring home in 1 minute 57.53 seconds. North East of England veteran Bob Smault from Gosforth running off 50 metres upset the apple cart by winning the 200 metres Handicap. Following a heat win, the unknown Smault led all the way in the final to win. Jedburgh's Iain Herd off 12 metres emerged a popular winner of the 90 metres. The 41 year old came out on top in his heat in 10.42 seconds, and Herd who nly began competing in the Games front two years back, delivered the goods once more in the final when recording his first ever win in 10.35 seconds. Fifty five year old Jimmy Hogg who last won a race when taking the honours in the final of the Youths Sprint at Powderhall Stadium in the winter of 1970 bridged that long gap by triumphing in the more than keenly contested 60 metres Handicap for Men over 50 Years. In an event that always conjures up a lot of interest, Hogg running off 7 metres ran well to edge out Jimmy Rose off 5½ metres and Ian Strother off 6 metres in 8.10 seconds. Other features on a first rate Jedburgh card were some excellent youths competitions. The 200 metres Handicap in particular proved to be a real thriller. Following some highly competitive heats, the final turned out to be something very special indeed. In a rel blanket finish, the result could have gone to anyone, so close were matters. After consulting the photo, the judges went for up and coming Hawick prospect Sean Desport off 18 metres who just edged out Graeme Fenton from Kelso off 14 metres and Greg Goodfellow of Hawick off 17 metres in a winning time of 24.59 seconds. Sean's seven year old brother Glyn also hoisted the Desport family flage high after winning the Youths 90 metres Handicap. After a heat victory in 10.15 seconds from his 21 metres start young Desport won his cross-tie in 10. 25 seconds before going on to win the final in 10. 21 seconds.
George McCorkell from Dunsyre running off 80 metres chalked up a win for the Innerleithen based Charlie Russell stable in producing some first rate running in the Youths 400 metres Handicap. Following a heat win in 49.59 seconds, twelve year old McCorkell romped to victory in the final in 48.95 seconds. Paul Turnbull of Peebles off 70 metres made it a double for the Russell camp in showing the field a clear pair of heels in the Youths 800 metres Handicap. Coached by Brian Kelly, Andrew Bridgewater of Chirnside off 14 metres gave an impressive display in winning the Youths 90 metre Handicap in 10.10 seconds. Sixteen year old Mark Elsdon from Hawick running off 85 metres won the same event that his dad Martin won at the same age thirty one years ago by taking the Youths 1500 metres Handicap in 4 minutes 20.92 seconds. In the Youths 90 metres Handicap Confined to Jedburgh W. Hogg running off 11 metres in 11.23 seconds.

Cochrane Reigns on Home Track

For the past four years Jedburgh has added to its festive activities by producing the winner of the coveted Jedburgh Border Games 110 metres Handicap. This year was no exception as once again it turned out to be a case of 'Jethart's Here!' on the sprint front. Local man Charlie Cochrane gave a performance which matched the conditions of a gloriously hot July afternoon.

Jedburgh flyer Charlie Cochrane shows what he is made of by taking the Jedforest Sprint Handicap honours from John Fleming of Kelso on a gloriously hot July afternoon at Riverside Park. Third place went to Douglas Prowse of Ancrum.

A former winner of the Hawick Games 110 metres Handicap, 26 year old Cochrane turned out the style in his heat, soaring home to an impressive clear cut victory in 11.92 seconds from a mark of 2½ metres. A member of the John Steede stable, strong running Cochrane then broke the tape in an impressive time of 11.86 seconds in his cross-tie. The Jedburgh flyer then found himself in a final showdown along with Kelso pair, John Fleming off 4 metres and Chris Gillie off 6 metres plus John Paxton of Hawick off 10½ metres Douglas Prowse of Ancrum off 5½ metres and Eric Smart from Whitley Bay running off 7½ metres. With a £2000 first prize awaiting the winner the stakes were high and the heat was on in more ways than one. Cochrane produced a scintillating run from beginning to end to gain the honours in 11.67 seconds which was the fastest of the event by far. Fleming emerged second and Prowse third. Immediately after his win a jubilant Cochrane who has been involved in the athletic scene since he was a youngster told us, "Since I started running, one of my main aims has been to try and win the Jed Sprint, and it means a great deal to me that I have been able to pull it off. It was hard going though as John Fleming pushed me all the way. I felt he was my main danger right from the start, but I was fortunate to be drawn in the next lane to him and this acted as a good guide. Twenty metres from the finish I thought I had the race won though, and it was a great feeling when I hit the tape." North East of England athlete Craig Telford also tasted sprint glory on the Rivereside Park turf, pulling off a splendid double by emerging victorious in the British 100 metres Championship as well as the 100 metres Invitation Handicap. Telford said, "I came hoping to win the championship and was very happy when I did. To win the invitation sprint was a big bonus."
In-form Geoff Keene of Selkirk chalked up his third victory of the season when coming out on top in the 200 metres Handicap. A winner over the same distance at Hawick and Cupar Games. Keene blitzed to a win in his heat in 23.00 seconds from a handicap of 6 metres. Come the final he appeared to have a lot he needed to do to overhaul the race leaders on the home straight. Coached in Edinburgh by Charlie Affleck, Keene, however moved up a gear and in the latter stages drew level with front man David Hush of Hawick off 17 metres. The Border pair ran shoulder to shoulder, and in an exciting finish, Keene managed to pull out something extra to snatch victory on the line in 22.83 seconds. Hush gained second place and James Cunningham of Haddington running off 12 metres took third. Winner of the Jedsprint ten years back Keene was well pleased with his winning show. "The 200 metres seems to be my race at the moment, and I'm certainly enjoying my winning spell. In the final I felt I had a lot of space, for apart from James Cunningham all the rest of the runners were well in front of me. This worked out to my advantage as it was farbetter than being crowded in." Ancrum's Douglas Prowse running off 3 metres recorded his first win on the Games circuit in the 100 metres Handicap Confined to Borders Region. Despite being pulled a metre for a false start in his heat, Border amateur footballer Prowse nevetheless got into the winning frame by coming home in 11.18 seconds. The ever improving Prowse in turn excelled himself in the final when emerging a very impressive winner in 11.01 seconds. David Grieve from Hawick off 15 metres gained second place and John Steede of Edinburgh off 14 metres third. Victory in the 800 metres Handicap went the way of promising young Edinburgh runner Darren Ganson. After having taken the lead from James Whiteford from Innerleithen off 195 metres on the last lap, Ganson strode on to do the necessary in 1 minute 54.90 seconds. Darell Hastie from Kelso off 40 metres finished strongly to take second spot while Andrew Gibson of Hawick off 147½ metres emerged third. Although running well, Jack Knox of Selkirk off 175 metres had to be content with second place in the 'Royal Mile' 1500 metres Open Handicap after being oveertaken by John Thomson of Markinch off 85 metres who won in 4 minutes 7.47 seconds. Brian Stannage of Innerleithen off 185 metres was third. In an event that always conjures up a lot of interest, Ian Strother pulled out the stops to win the 60 metres Handicap for Men Over 50 Years of Age. Running from a mark of 8½ metres Strother gained victory from Jimmy Hogg off 5 metres and Dave Lees off 8½ metres in 8.00 seconds. Following his win, a smiling Strother revealed the secret of his success. "I've been trying to win this race for the last six years, but despite training hard, I have got nowhere. This year I've been going out cycling with friends Dougie Cairns and Alan Rose and it's paid off for me. This proves if you want to win an athletics event, get on your bike."
Jedburgh schoolgirl Sarah Rutherford running off 120 metres delighted the home crowd by winning the Youths 90 metres Handicap Confined to Scottish Borders as well as the Youths 90 metres Handicap Confined to Jedburgh in times of 10.35 and 10.30 respectively. Craig Liddel from Kelso off 10 metres ran a fine race to win the Youths 400 metres Handicap in 54.85 seconds. A sprinting finish down the home run in earned Callum Deans of Kelso off 75 metres a highly merited win in the Youths 800 metres Handicap in 2 minutes 08.70 seconds. Coached by his father Colin, long striding Chris Black handicapping off 100 metres notched up a win for Kelso in showing the field a clean pair of heels in the Youths 1500 metres in 4 minutes 28.35 seconds. New face Steven Craig from Galashiels produced some explosive running to gain pride of place in the Youths 90 metres Handicap. Gala Wanderers rugby player Craig first showed his mettle by storming home in his heat in a splendid time of 10.30 seconds from a mark of 6 metres. Under unusual controversial circumstances, Craig was then pulled 4 metres by handicapper Ernie Blair for allegedly having misled the handicapper. TRhis charge was hotly denied by Craig's coach Charlie Russell of Innerleithen. This set back meant nothing though, for come the cross-ties, the extremely promising Galashiels youngster who has only been training with coach Charlie Russell for two weeks triumphed in 10.38 seconds. Craig then did it all again by powering to first place in the final, when recording a winning time of 10.23 seconds. Gary Mulroy from Kelso off 14 metres got himself in the winning frame in the Youths 200 metres Handicap, while Edinburgh's Scott Brodie running off 14½ metres won the Veterans 90 metres Handicap by edging out John Robbins of Berwick off 28 metres in a photo finish. M. Hume running off 11 metres gained victory in the Young Footballers 90 metres Invitation Sprint while in the Tradesmans Handicap Obstacle Race Norman Kerr Sudlow and Derek McLaghlan excelled. David Barr took the honours in the early morning Race Around the Town.

Jedburgh Border Games celebrated their 150th Anniversary with a sesquicentennial dinner in Jedburgh Town Hall on Thursday 3rd July 2003. It was an occasion which turned out to be a real winner with the respective speakers all hitting the tape in full flight. John Dawson proposed an excellent toast to 'The Games' with a first class reply coming from Games President Mr Allan Ferguson. The extremely amusing Ivor Hughes toasted the guests with Jedburgh schoolteacher Jim Fleming replying in fine style. John Steede was also on top form in toasting 'Sport.' During the proceedings, councillor Hugh Wight presented President Allan Ferguson with a 'special Games Flag,' of the same design as the lost flag which had been presented 50 years before at the centennial celebrations of this Institution by Jedburgh Callants Club.

A Fitting Tribute to 150 Years of Athletics

A flag emblazoned with an athlete fluttered in the breeze over the stand at Jedburgh Border Games on Saturday. The banner was in recognition of the Royal Burgh town celebrating its 150 th anniversary of staging an athletics meeting. Down below on the Riverside Park track itself another fitting tribute was made, as from youths events to senior races, the sun kissed crowd certainly had plenty to enthuse over to say the least.

	Jedburgh Border Games Committee 2003 BACK : W.Hogg, S.Coombe, J.Temple, H.Weir, S.Ferguson, J.Williams, D.Telford, W.Robson, I Aitchison FRONT : J.Clamp,I.Strother,J.B.Steede, A. Ferguson, R. Wight, T.Macaulay, G. Yule

Newcastle's Craig Telford, however stole the show by turning on the style to win the main event on a bumper programme, the 110 metres Jedsprint Handicap. A teacher of religion and philosophy at a school in Bedlington, 24 year old Telford was top of the class through out the event. Competing off a mark of 2½ metres Telford made his mark by blitzing to victory in his heat in 11.44 seconds. Winner of the New Year Sprint Handicap at Musselburgh in 2001 and a former voctor of the Hawick Games 110 metres Handicap, Telford then improved in his cross-tie when surging home in 11.35 seconds to earn a final spot with Jedburgh trio, Karen Steede off 19 metres, John Steede off 20 metres and Tommy Watters off 13 metres, plus Jake Law from Ancrum off 13 metres and Alan Crawford of Annan off 11½ metres. Due to being fastest up, Telford found himself odds-on favourite and come his final run, he did not let his backers down. The English runner, however had to produce a barnstorming finishto gain the honours and £2,500 first prize. In the latter stages it appeared as though Karen Steede or John Steede might be putting victory Jedburgh's way. Telford, however produced a late electrifying burst from the back which saw him win in 11.59 seconds. Crawford finished strongly to gain second place and Karen Steede emerged third. Following his triumph, the classy Telford, who is only the second man to have won both a New Year and a Jedburgh Games sprint told us, "I nearly didn't run as I have hamstring problems. Due to it being such a big event I decided to give it a try though. I felt good after winning my heat and cross-tie and thought I had a good chance in the final. I left things a bit late though, but I have been working on my finish at training and that pulled me through. The Telford name featured highly in the 200 metres Handicap as well, when Craig's sister Elaine came within strides of winning. After emerging a clear cut winner in her heat from a mark of 37 metres in a very fast time of 22.13 seconds the Wallsend runner appeared ready to do the same in the final. Out in front with only metres to go she looked certain for victory but then tragedt struck. With the tape just ahead of her the unfortunate Telford suddenly came to a stuttering stop, pulling up with a leg injury. Hawick's Gary Wilson off 17 metres then surged in to hit the tape, before Telford limped over the finishing line to gain second place with David Grieve from Hawick off 12 metres coming in third. The watch recorded a winning time of 22.17 seconds. Reflecting on the final, winner Wilson said, "I was very fortunate to win. I was never going to catch the girl. She had the race well and truly won until pulling up, and she must be really disappointed."
Following his success in winning the British 110 metres Championship at Peebles Beltane Sports, top amateur runner and former European champion, Dougie Walker of Edinburgh returned to the Games circuit to compete in the British 100 metres Championship in Jedburgh and lifted the title in no uncertain terms. Showing power as well as some perfectly balanced running, Walker blitzed to victory in 11.01 seconds from Craig Telford of Newcastle and David Rae of Hawick. Following his win, Walker said, "It's great to have won another championship. I shall now be going to try and make it three titles in succession by going for the British 90 metres Championship at Langholm Games." West Linton's Russell Anderson off 100 metres gave fine account of himself, emerging a somewhat surprise winner of the 800 metres Handicap. In the final of this event in particular, Anderson really got the bit between his teeth, with a fine run. Leading from the start, Anderson found challenges coming in from the back on the home straight, but he held on well to to win in 1 minute 55.62 seconds. Coached by Innerleithen's Charlie Russell, Anderson was well pleased with his winning show, "I won my first ever race on the circuit at Kenmore Games two weeks ago," he said, "and never thought I would win another one so quickly. I originally wanted to run the mile, but my coach thought I had a chance in the 800 metres so I guess he knows more than me." Ben Hands of Motherwell running off 160 metres produced his best form of the season to take the 1500 metres Handicap in a highly convincing manner. Colin Black of Kelso off 225 metres headed the pack with two laps to go. Hands, however took over the leadership, and looking strong and positive strode on to win in 4 minutes 13.84 seconds. The other placings went to Kenny Anderson of Fife Athletic Club off 65 metres and Martin Elsdon of Hawick off 145 metres. After his triumphant run, Hands told us, "I thought about running at Alva today which is not far away from where I stay. I decided to come to Jedburgh though as it's a really good meeting, and now I'm glad I made the trip." In a special 130 yards Invitation Handicap to commemorate the distance they ran 150 years back, Hawick's David Rae nailed his colours to the mast gaining a photo finish win over Ian Smith of Longniddry and Dougie Walker of Edinburgh, in what turned out to be a keenly fought and exciting race. Rae recorded a winning time of 9.78 seconds. David Hush also put victory Hawick's way by doing the business in the Veterans 90 metres Handicap. A first season veteran campaigner, Hush who now trains with the Brian 'Chico' Woods school in Jedburgh, showed up well in his heat when soaring to an impressive win in 10.52 seconds from a mark of 6½ metres. Come the final, Hush did it all again, gaining the honours from Tom Bradley of Edinburgh off 8 metres and Peter Rowell from Alnwick off 13 metres in a time of 10.47 seconds. Ancrum's Jake Law off 10½ metres pulled out the stops to emerge victorious in the 100 metres Handicap Confined to Border Counties. A member of the John Steede stable, Law stormed to a heat win in 11.03 seconds and then repeated the act in the final by breaking the tape again. Alan White of Earlston running off 6 metres and Joanne Douglas of Hawick off 18½ metres came second and third respectively.
Although running from scratch, teenager Mark Burke nevertheless took pride of place in the Youths Invitation Footballers 90 metres Handicap Confined to Jedburgh and District, by powering to a top notch win from Ian Rutherford off 6 metres and Kevin Lee off 10 metres in 10.37 seconds. Peebles youngster Marcus Thomson hit the high spots, pulling off a double win. Running firstly during the morning session of the double bill athletic meeting. Thomson came out on top in the Youths 800 metres Handicap from a mark of 125 metres. In the afternoon, 13 year old Thomson also won the Youths 1500 metres Handicap in 4 minutes 14.04 seconds, this time competing from 220 metres. Dale Clancy off 7 metres was well to the fore for Peebles as well, winning the Youths 90 metres Handicap. A previous youths sprint victor at Selkirk and Peebles already this term. Clancy gained honours in the final in 10.13 seconds. Following an impressive heat win in a time of 10.20 in the Youths 90 metres Handicap Confined to Scottish Borders, Gordon Dawtry from Galashiels off 10 metres zoomed to victory in the final in 10.25 seconds. In the Youths 400 metres Handicap, Gregor Young of Jedburgh off 85 metres showed the field a lean pair of heels to win well in 52.68 seconds. Hawick ruled the roost in the Youths 200 metres Handicap, gaining the first three places in the final. Aiden Patterson off 28 metres emerged the winner with the other placings going to Greg Bouglas off 24 metres and Shaun Desport off 8 metres. The winning time was 23.50 seconds. Kevin Lee running off 7½ metres came out on top in the Youths 90 metres Handicap Confined to Jedburgh when he won the final in 11.03 seconds from G. Turnbull off 7½ metres and Sarah Rutherford off 12 metres. The prestigious 60 metres Handicap for Men Over 50 Years of Age was won by Alex Spratt off 10½ metres in 7.88 seconds.

Female Finally Cracks Hometown Sprint

A dream turned into reality, history was made and a Border town's annual festive activities climbed to an all time high. This was the story of Jedburgh Border Games on Saturday. Writing the pages was the Burgh town's very own Karen Cochrane, who put herself into the record books by emerging the first ever lady runner to win the Jedforest 110 metres Sprint Handicap in the Games' 151 year history.

It was more than fitting that Cochrane should be the first female to gain the coveted honour though. For she has paid her dues to the Games circuit over the years, firstly appearing in the youths events before graduating into the senior ranks. From a great Jedburgh running family, 26 year old Cochrane has witnessed the ups and downs of the sport and if there was glory to be had it was good to se her likes get it. Coached throughout her running days by her uncle, John Steede, a two times victor of the Riverside Park sprint, Cochrane opened her golden day with a heat win in 11.94 seconds from her 17 metre mark. Bidding for the £2000 first prize, She then showed she was something special by soaring to cross-tie triumph on the rain soaked track in a much improved time of 11.75 seconds. Cochrane was now flying and lined up against training companion, Iain Rutherford of Jedburgh running off 10 metres, Douglas Moffat of Bonchester off 11 metres, Elaine Telford from Newcastle off 21 metres, Peter Brown of Cramlington off 9½ metres and Ross Linnett from Stanley off 2 metres in the final. In what was a real thrilling last run, Cochrane once again produced the goods to the full. With the finalists hitting the winning post almost together it was left to the photo finish system to help guide the judges to their decision and following a long agonising wait the verdict went Cochrane's way to the utter delight of the home crowd. Brown took second place and Telford third, with the watch recording the winning time as 11.80 seconds. An extremely popular victor, Cochrane was thrilled with her winning show and remarked, "At last I have managed to do it. Before today, I had been in three other Jedburgh finals, and not been able to win. To say I am delighted to have won would be an understatement. In fact I can't find words to express my feelings as they are so high. Wnning £2000 is brilliant but its not all about money to me. To win my own sprint is something I have always dreamed of, and to be the first woman to have won the race is also very special to me. I was a bit nervous in my heat and didn't run very well. I improved in the cross-tie though and that boosted my confidence. It was verey close in the final, and I think I just got there on the dip." Iain Rutherford, running off 9 metres also put victory Jedburgh's way by winning the 100 metres Handicap Confined to Border Counties. The 17 year old who has improved tremendously since moving into the senior ranks, looked the part when soaring home in his heat in 11.08 seconds. With 200 and 90 metres wins at Hawick and Selkirk Games already behind him this season, the in-form Rutherford then did it all again in the final, when blitzing to an impressive win from David Rae of Hawick running off 4½ metres and Scott Elliot of Jedburgh off 11½ metres in 10.89 seconds.
On a track which was in splendid condition Dougie Walker of Edinburgh retained the British 100 metres crown that he won a year back through some top notch running. Giving a stylish display, former European 200 metres champion Walker turned on the heat in the latter stages to break the tape ahead of Lee Notman of Hawick and Charlie Cochrane of Jedburgh in 11.13 seconds. Speaking after his winning show Notman commented, "It's great to have won the championship again. Having won the 110 metres title at Peebles it would be nice to make it a hat-trick by getting the 90 metres Championship at Langholm Games. I hope Craig Telford will be running in it, as he beat me last season, and I want revenge." Following one lap handicap and 400 metres wins at Peebles and Kelso Games, Chirnside's Andrew Bridgewater off 50 metres got into the winning frame once more by pulling out the stops to take the 800 metres Handicap. Colin Black from Kelso running off 142 metres headed the field at the bell, Bridgewater, however was in hot pursuit, and soon strode ahead. The Chirnside teenager now had victory within his sights, and ran strongly on to emerge a clear cut winner in 1 minute 52.33 seconds. The other placings going the way of Tommy Ashby from Innerleithen off 50 metres and Martin Telford of Wallsend off 100 metres. Bridgewater said afterwards, "It was hard going especially towards the finish. I'm surprising myself by winning at different distances. I just have to put it down to the hard training I get from my coaches, Brian Kelly, Henry Gray and John Robbins. They really put me through it, but it's worth it when I win." Ross Prowse off 14 metres produced his best running of the season to come out on top in the 200 metres Handicap. Formerly of Ancrum but now from Edinburgh, Prowse impressed in his heat, before hitting full throttle in the final. With the entire field in with a shout coming down the home straight, the race was wide open. It was Prowse who found that bit extra though, to snatch victory on the line from E. McCombie of Edinburgh off 14 metres and Mathew Fleming of Kelso ofrf 21 metres in a time of 22.64 seconds. Ancrum's Douglas Prowse off 2 metres, twin brother of Ross made it a family double by stroming to victory in the Footballers 90 metres Sprint Handicap in 10.48 seconds. The other spots went to K. Marshall of Jed Legion, K. Lee of Ancrum and Mark Burke of Berwick Rangers. Edinburgh brothers Darren and Kris Gauson were also well to the fore by gaining the first two places in the 1500 metres Handicap. Running from scratch, Darren blasted through the tape in 4 minutes 10.18 seconds. Kris off 40 metres came in behind him, and third place went the way of Hawick's Scott Watson off 60 metres. Returning to action, following a back injury, David Grieve of Hawick off 1 metre took pride of place in the Veterans 90 metres Handicap. After cruising to a heat win in 11.19 seconds, Grieve clocked up a winning time of 10.86 seconds in the final. Graeme Armstrong of Edinburgh off 4 metres was second and Peter Rowell from Alnwick off 11½ metres third. In the 100 metres Invitation Handicap, Alan Crawford of Annan gained a win from David Rae of Hawick and Dougie Walker of Edinburgh in 10.94 seconds.
Selkirk youngster Cameron Fair running of 260 metres gave an excellent account of himself to win the Youths 1500 metres Handicap. Trained by his grandfather Jack Knox, a well known and respected figure on the athletics scene as both a runner and a coach. Fair showed he meant business from the gun by striding purposefully out. Heading the field on the last lap, Fair looked strong and showed no signs of tiring. And he duly maintained his running by shrugging off challenges from behind on the home straight to win well in 4 minutes 22.41 seconds. After being presented with his £70 prize money, 11 year old Fair revealed he was a shrewd character as well as a budding athlete. "All the money I have won running at the various Games is kept in a safe. Some of it is still in envelopes. I have the combination so no one else can get in and I'm going to save it up." Another person hitting the high spots is Jedburgh's Chris Turnbull, who pulled off a double, winning the Youths 90 metres Handicap Confined to Border Counties as well as the Youths 90 metres Handicap Confined to Jedburgh. In the Youths 400 metres Handicap Aidan Patterson of Hawick produced some top notch running from his 22 metres mark to win in 50.05 seconds. Hawick pair, Andrew McLean off 35 metres and Fraser Hartop off 70 metres emerged second and third. Twelve year old Ruaraidy McNaughton of Peebles off 110 metres ran a fine race to gain honours in the Youths 800 metres Handicap. Winner of the 1600 metres Youths Handicap at Peebles Beltane Sports, McNaughton turned on the style to win from Hawick youngsters Shanice Smith off 190 metres and Rory Andeerson off 20 metres in 2 minutes 07 seconds. New face Jack Cowie of Gateshead running off 13 metres stole the show in the Youths 90 metres Handicap. Competing for the first time on the Games circuit, Cowie romped to heat and cross-tie wins in 10 .32 and 10.28 seconds. Come the final, Cowie starred again by coming in ahead of Greg Bouglas of Hawick off 3½ metres and J. Atkins from Newcastle off 15 metres. Glyn Desport of Hawick off 13 metres emerged victorious in the Youths 200 metres Handicap. In the final, Desport had to really pull out the stops to take the honours in an exciting finish in which he just managed to edge out Aiadan Patterson of Hawick off 11 metres and Greg Bouglas of Hawick off 5 metres in 25.02 seconds. Alex Spratt running off 9 metres won the prestigious 60 metres Handicap for Men Over 50 Years of Age for the second year in succession after gaining victory from Jim Telford off 13½ metres and I an Strother off 6½ metres in 8.87 seconds. Gary Rutherford was the winner of the early morning Race Around the Town.

Elliot Joins an Elite Gang of Double Winners

The Jedforest 110 metres Handicap is the main event on the Scottish Games Association summeer circuit. Steeped in history and tradition as well as always offering big prize money, the Riverside Park Jedforest Sprint is the one every athlete would like to win. To win it is a magnificent achievement, but to win it twicw is something veery special and memorable. And that's just what Scott Elliot did at a sun kissed Riverside track this year.

Five years after having triumphed in the same race, 30 year old Elliot repeated the act to take the £2000 first prize and coveted medal in great style. Only the sixth man to win the sprint twice in the event's 134 year old history, Elliot running off 13½ metres showed he had something special to offer in his heat, by blazing to victory in 11.58 seconds which was the fastest time of the opening runs. Coached by Brian 'Chico' Woods, the Jedburgh flyer then starred again in his cross-tie, with another top notch run, which saw him break the tape in 11.55 seconds. In the final he faced fellow Jedburgh runner Iain Rutherford with a mark of 10 metres, Keith Hedley from Hawick off 7 metres, Steven Charters of Dolphinton off 6 metres and Edinburgh pair, Euan McCombie off 8 metres and David Gilmour running off 6½ metres. On being introduced to the crowd and trotting up the track just prior to the big showdown, Elliot had an air of confidence about him. Indeed, he had the look of a winner right there and then, and thats the way it turned out to be. From an excellent start to an explosive finish, Elliot stormed home in 11.53 seconds from Gilmour and Rutherford. Speaking after his triumph Elliot told us, "When I won the sprint five years ago it was a dream come true for me. I have now managed to do it again, so I guess Riverside Park is a field of dreams for me. Its difficult to explain how brilliant I feel about having won again. I owe everything to my coach Chico Woods. He has worked me really hard at training, and I am as thrilled for him as I am for myself." Woods commented, "Its been a long hard slog preparing for the sprint, and we actually started during the winter for it. It's not guaranteed but if you can put the work in, you can usually reach your goal, and that's what Scott has done, and he deserves his success." Jedburgh's day did not stop there, for the Royal Burgh town was to produce other winners as well. None more so than Kevin Lee, who gave a fine account of himself to win the 800 metres Handicap. James Whiteford of Innerleithen off 125 metres led the field at the bell. Lee running off 70 metres was closing the gap through some purposeful running and hit the front before the final bend. Back marker Colin Welsh from Kelso off scratch was in hot pursuit, but Lee had his sights set on victory and strode on to cross the line in 1 minute 52.3 seconds. Welsh took second and Whiteford third. Representing Ancrum Football Club, Lee off 10½ metres then went on later to win the Footballers 90 metres Handicap from Jed Legion's Terry Marshall off 4 metres and Lauren Harris of Border Ladies off 12½ metres in 10.06 seconds. Speaking of his 800 metres success, 18 year old Lee told us, "I ran in the same race last year and dropped out. I have taken a lot of stick from my mates evere since and they even had a big banner out today at the trackside reminding me of this. They were taking the mick but it was a good laugh. Bat in a way it made me try all the harder. When I was out in front, on the home straight, I thoght I wasa in with a chance. I knew Colin Welsh would be coming at me though, but I managed to hold on.
Also notching up a double win for Jed was Greg Turnbull. Afteer having won the Youths 90 metres Handicap Confined to Jedburgh in the morning, part of the programme from scratch, the fifteen year old excelled in the afternoon by winning the Youths 200 metres Handicap. A member of the John Steede school, Turnbull, a strong powerfull performer caught the eye with a heat time of 24.19 seconds from hi 6 metre handicap. In what urned out to be an exciting final, Turnbull hit the winning trail again, edging out Hawick duo Glyn Desport off 5 metres and Darren Robson off 34 metres in 23.33 seconds. Reflecting on his final win, Turnbull said, "I felt Glyn was my big danger as he is an immense runner. I knew he was on my shoulder towards the finish even though I couldn't see him. So I just had to go for it and almost dived over the line. In the Youths 90 metres Handicap Confined to Border Counties, Emily Douglas off 14½ metres made it another win for the Steede camp. Producing some promising running, Douglas surged to a fine heat win in 10.77 seconds and then moved up a gear to win the final from Gregor Young of Jedburgh running off 10½ metres and Louis Wichary from Kelso off 9½ metres in an improved time of 10.39 seconds. 'Mr Unstoppable' Adie Gray of Kelso off 250 metres recorded his fifth win of the season in the 1500 metres Handicap. The field just could not overhaul front runner Gray, who led from start to finish to win in 4 minutes and 10 seconds. The other placings went to Kenny Anderson from Glenrothes off 65 metres and Jed Smith of Hawick off 200 metres. Ancrum's Douglas Prowse running off 7 metres hit his best form of the season by emerging the top performer in the 100 metres Handicap Confined to Border Counties. Former Hawick Royal Albert footballer, Prowse from the John Steede stable soared home in the final from Jake Law of Ancrum off 13 metres and Douglas Moffat of Bin'ster off 10½ metres in a recorded time of 10.92 seconds. Ross Prowse off 28 metres hoisted the Prowse family flag as well, taking pride of place in the 400 metres Handicap. Twin brother of Douglas, Ross who was formerly from Ancrum and is now living at Corstorphine, Edinburgh, fired on all cylinders to win in 49.33 seconds. Victory in the British 100 metres Championship went to Craig Telford of Newcastle in 11.23 seconds. Ross Linnet of Stanley came in second and Gareth Gettinby from Edinburgh took third. The North East of England also turned out the winner of the 100 metres Invitation Sprint in Cramlington's Peter Brown. Gettinby was placed second with a Games new face, Darren Whittaker from Australia getting the number three spot.

Everything Clicks into Place for Charters

For the first time in nine years, the Jedforest 110 metres Handicap trophy leaves the Borders. After the disappointment of being edged into second place at Peebles a fortnight ago, Dolphinton student Steven Charters screamed with delight when, after an excrutiating wait for a photo finish result, he was named 2006 winner at the main event of the day. Local runners, John Paxton from Hawick and Selkirk's Geoff Keene gave early performances which matched the conditions on a sizzling July afternoon. But as the clouds gathered towards the end of the day and the sun was pushed out, so were the Borders duo.

A former winner of the title in 1992, 35 year old Keene turned on the style in his heat, soaring home to an impressive victory from a mark of 5½ metres. Drawn in the same cross-tie as Charters, who started off 4 metres, the Selkirk sprinter gave it his all, but was beaten to the line by the younger athlete who touched the tape in a time of 11.72 seconds. Keene was handed a second chance, however, when he qualified for the final as a fastest loser alongside Longniddry flyer Ian Smith. The duo then found themselves set fo a final showdown with Charters, Edinburgh pair Peter Brown off 9 metres and Graham Armstrong off 13 metres plus Peebles Beltane Sprint victor Paxton off 11½ metres. With a £2000 first prize awaiting the winner the stakes were high and the heat was on in more ways than one. Keene produced a scintillating run from beginning to end and looked as if he had stole the honours, but following an agonising wait during which the judges had to check the photo from several angles, Charters was pronounced the winner in a time of 11.81 seconds. Keene emerged second with training partner Armstrong taking third. Immediately after his win, a jubilant Charters who runs for City of Edinburgh Athletic Club told us, "I'm really pleased with that. I was so disappointed at Peebles when I lost by just an inch and I really wanted to get this one. I really didn't know if I'd won or not and the wait to find out was awful but it probably made it all the better when they shouted my name out." Keene did get a taste of sprint glory on the Riverside Park turf, however, pulling off a splendid victory in the 70 metres Open Sprint Handicap. He said, "It would have been good to win the big one, but I am happy with what I did." In-form Aiden Patterson of Hawick chalked up a tremendous victory in the 400 metres Handicap. After picking up places at both Selkirk and Kelso over the same distance, Patterson blitzed to a win in 54.92 seconds from a handicap of 13 metres, ahead of Tullbody brothers Warren and John Bates. The 16 year old Hawick High School pupil was delighted with his winning show, and said, "I didn't expect to win it at all. It was really hard but it was worth it. I have been struggling since I came into the seniors, but I'm very happy today."
In the Royal Mile 1500 metres Open Handicap, Kenny Anderson of Pitreavie running off 55 metres took the honours with a stylish run from the back of the group. Hawick businessman Kenny Short off 170 metres displayed an impressive show of stamina and determination to cling on to second place ahead of Kelso's Colin Black off 115 metres. At the same distance, the youths event also produced some great entertainment for the large crowd with 11 year old Hawick runner Josh Noble off 235 metres receiving one of the loudest cheers of the day. The tiny teri managed to get himself into a prominent position in the early stages before steadily increasing his lead to an uncatchable distance. Running solo, Noble was oblivious to the battle going on behind him for second place between Kelso's Jonathan Wolf off 10 metres and scratch man Ross Taylor from Hawick who were second and third respectively. Trained by Hawick's Norman Taylor, the local youngster was delighted to have scooped first place. Wolf made amends in the 800 metres, however, when he produced a fantastic effort off the 5 metres mark to reach the tape in first place in a time of 2 minutes 15.41 seconds ahead of Beth Williamson from Peebles in second and fellow Hawick runner Taylor in third. Hawick youngsters continued to dominate the youths events with Glyn Desport adding the 90 metres Invitation under 17's Championship in a time of 10.39 seconds to his earlier victory in the 200 metres Open.

Sprint Duo are Locked Together in History

For the first time in almost 80 years, the Final of the Jedforest Sprint Handicap at Jedburgh Border Games ended in a dead heat. The last recorded incident was back in 1928, but this year, Jedburgh's own Greg Turnbull and Daniel Paxton from Hawick could not be separated on the winning line. And what a talking point it was. Indeed it could well be spoken of for the next eighty years, as it was a classic final. Depending on the angle of their view point, some parts of the crowd came up with a winner. Some thought Turnbull had triumphed, others Paxton. And indeed you could discuss it until you were blue in the face, but the facts remain. In the late afternoon sunshine, the judges after consulting the photo finish video screen for more than quarter of an hour, could not come up with a winner.

It was a dead heat. End of story, but what an exciting story. Teenage pair Turnbull and Paxton both excelled. From the John Steede school, flame haired Turnbull running off 5 metres soared to a heat win in 11.36 seconds and cross-tie triumph in 11.45. Coached by Billy Edgar, Paxton off 10½ metres clocked up 11.53 in his opening run, and 11.49 in his semi-final. These wins earned them a final spot along with Linda Nicholson of Peebles running off 25½ metres, Douglas Moffat from Bonchester off 10½ metres, Iskan Barskanmay of Hawick off 8½ metres and back marker Craig Fleming of Harrow off scratch. An exciting final was expected, and exciting final the Riverside Park crowd certainly got. Ninety metres out Nicholson was in front, but then challenges came surging in from the back, and the ending turned out to be a handicapper's dream, where Turnbull and Paxton seemed to hit the tape together. And that's how the judges saw it, following a long agonising delay. The winning time was 11.26 seconds with Barskanmay taking third place. Reflecting on the final, Turnbull told us, "It was a real tight finish. I just didn't get up quick enough at the end. I thought I might just have won, but I guess a dead heat was a fair result as neither of us lost." Paxton commented, "I didn't know if I had won it or not. It really was very, very close. I did my running though and that was very important to me." British 110 metres Champion and recent Kelso Games 100 metres Handicap winner Craig Fleming of Harrow, cruised to a highly convincing win in the Border Athletics 100 metres Championship from Patrick Swan of Chirnside and Douglas Spiers of Glasgow in 10.96 seconds. Running from scratch, Darrel Hastie of Kelso gave a first class account of himself, by taking the honours in the 1500 metres Handicap. Bidding for his fifth win of the season, Hastie pulled out the stops with a great run from start to finish, and hit the tape in front of Hawick duo, Jordan Taylor off 70 metres and Kenny Short off 120 metres in a time of 4 minutes 18.28 seconds. A member of the Adie Gray stable, Hastie told us, "I put in a lot of hard training during the winter, and its paying off for me now. The Jedburgh Games mile is something I have always wanted to win. I won the Youths mile at Jedburgh, and I really wanted to make it a double by winning the senior one as well. So I am very chuffed to have pulled it off."
Seventeen year old Andrew Hogarth running off 20 metres also put victory the way of Kelso and the Gray school, when taking honours in the 200 metres Handicap. Heading the field down the home straight in the final, following a fine heat win, Hogarth finished strongly in 22.27 seconds. The other placements went the way of Paul Donaghy from Durham and Iain Rutherford of Jedburgh, both running off 16 metres. Hawick teenager Neil McColm off 25 metres produced some top running to win the 400 metres Handicap. Taking advantage of a gap that appeared when coming off the final bend, Hawick Wanderers rugby ace McColm duly hit full throttle, and scorched down the home straight to win well in 51.93 seconds. Ross Finlayson of Lasswade off 20 metres emerged second, and Steven Fox from Seaton off 18 metres third. Chirnside's Kenneth Ward running off 27½ metres produced his best form of the season in the 800 metres Handicap. Kerry Rodmell from Tynedale, off 117½ metres led the pack as the bell sounded for the last lap, followed by Alex Corbett of Hawick off 82½ metres. But, trained by Brian Kelly, Ward was in hot pursuit of the leaders and duly hit the front. Now there was no holding the Berwickshire man back and Ward strode home in 2 minutes 00.88 seconds. Ross Finlayson of Lasswade off 20 metres and Rodmell took the other placings. Ward told us, "That was my first win of the season and I'm very pleased about it. I'm glad the race was a one of and not run in heats, as I think I would have struggled with two runs." Another to claim victory for Chirnside was Patrick Swan who blitzed to an impressive win in the 100 metres Invitation Sprint, from Steven Charters of West Linton and Michael Barvic of Edinburgh, recording a time of 11.00 seconds. Fiteen year old Craig Robertson of Galashiels off 3½ metres gave a powerhouse display to take the Youths 90metres Handicap. Looking the part throughout the event, Robertson blitzed to a heat win in 10.21 seconds. The Gala Wanderers rugby player who is coached by Innerleithen's Charlie Russell then recorded a winning time of 10.84 seconds in the cross-tie. But, the best was yet to come from the strong running Robertson, however, as in the final he came out on top in 10.08 seconds. Demi Yorke off 14½ metres clinched second place, with Martha Douglas of Bonchester off 18½ metres coming in third. Jedburgh's Gemma Scott running off 47 metres thrilled the home support by doing the business in the Youths 200 metres Handicap. Searching for her first handicap win on the Games circuit, thirteen year old Scott from the John Steede school caught the eye with a heat win in 24.13 seconds. In a keenly contested final, Scott did it all again, with another great run, to hit the finishing line ahead of Kate Mabon of Jedburgh off 40 metres and Sean Hook of Kelso off 20 metres in 24.28 seconds. The Youths 1500 metres Handicap also produced some excellent competition and fine running. A lap from home, Olivia O'Hare of West Linton off 280 metres was in the lead, only to be overtaken by Matthew Grundy of Wooler running off 235 metres and Josh Noble from Hawick off 210 metres. Grundy and Noble kicked on, but in an exciting finish, Rory Anderson of Hawick off 35 metres stormed in to win in 4 minutes 27.82 seconds. Grundy was second and Noble third. Annan's Alan Crawford notched up a superb double. After having won the 70 metres Handicap in the morning, Crawford, a former winner of the 110 metres Jedsprint, triumphed in the Veterans 90 metres Handicap in the afternoon. Alan's son Josh, also hoisted the Crawford flag, by winning the Youths 400 metres Handicap from scratch. In the Youths 800 metres Handicap, Hawick's Reece Taylor running off scratch gave a top class show when coming home from G. Young off 120 metres and Matthew Grundy off 140 metres from Wooler. After having held up the beginning of the 60 metres Handicap for men Over 50 Years of Age. The crowd having to wait as he left his post as gatesman, 57 year old Tam Harker running off 9½ metres showed last could be first when racing home in 7.68 seconds. Tam's son Stuart made it a family double, by winning the Footballers 90 metres Invitation Sprint Handicap. Representing Jed Legion, Stuart, running off 4½ metres gained a photo finish victory from Chris Gillan off 5 metres and Kevin Lee off 3 metres.

Bruce Chalks up Second Win at Jedsprint

Jedburgh Border Games held their 155th anniversary this year. During this period, few athletes have had the thrill and the pleasure to have won the Jedforest Sprint Handicap on two occasions. At this particular meeting, however, Selkirk's Colin Bruce added himself to the short list. For 15 years after having tasted 110 metres victory on the pastures of Riverside Park, Bruce did it all again.

A member of the Hawick based David Rae school, 43 year old Bruce showed hints that he could be on his way to pulling off a doublr triumph, when soaring to a heat win in 12.03 seconds from his 10½ metres mark. Bruce then clocked up a winning time of 12.00 seconds in his cross-tie, which earned him a final spot along with home hope Greg Turnbull of Jedburgh off 1½ metres, John Paxton from Hawick running off 11 metres, Patrick Swan of Chirnside off ½ metre, Josh Crawford of Annan off 5 metres and Paul Donaghy from Durham off 6½ metres. With a winning purse of £2,250 up for grabs, along with the prestige of winning the Jedsprint, there was a lot at stake for all the finalists in the last showdown. But it was Bruce who came up with the goods through a top notch run to hit the tape ahead of Swan and Donaghy in 11.81 seconds. Speaking after his triumph, Bruce told us, "When I won the Jedsprint in 1993 I never thought I would ever win it again, especially after having packed in running at the Games no long after I won at Jedburgh. I finished due to picking up injuries as well as wanting to spend more time at home as I had a young family. My daughter and son have since grown up, and last season I decided to pull the spikes back on. It wasn't a good time for me though as I ran like a pudding. This season has been a lot better. I was fitter and relaxing more, and managed to get into some sprint finals which helped my confidence. I was on holiday last week and thats what chilled me out for today. I felt good after winning my heat and thought I might be able to do something after this." Prior to Bruce's afternoon success, Selkirk had recorded two victories during the morning events of the bumper Jedburgh athletic card. From the David Knox stable, 16 year old Iain Douglas hit top form to take the Youths 400 metres Handicap. Competing from scratch Douglas gave an excellent show to win in 55.45 seconds. Ewan Imray of Hawick off 17 metres emerged second and Steven Cessford of Earlston off 24 metres was third. Eleven year old Rowan Marr running off 150 metres who also comes from the Knox squad starred as well, coming out on top of the Youths 800 metres Handicap from W. Shepherdson of Edinburgh off 185 metres and J. Armstrong of Durham off 160 metres in 2 minutes 0.44 seconds. The Knox camp's joy was then complete when, in the afternoon, Ewan Brownlee running off 22 metres did the business in the Youths 200 metres Handicap. After having impressed in winning his heat, Brownlee excelled again in the final, with a great run from start to finish to hit the line in 23.53 seconds. Calum Young of Jedburgh off 44 metres coming in second and Hawick's James Parker off 17 metres third. Talking of his first win on the Games circuit, 16 year old Brownlee said, "I like the 200 metres more than any other race. It suits me just fine. I have being trying hard to win a handicap and I am really thrilled to have won."
Running off a very generous mark of 180 metres, George Hunter of Pitreavie emerged an easy winner of the 800 metres Handicap. British 800 metres champion for his age group in amateur circles, 61 year old Hunter won his heat in convincing style, with a time of 1 minute 55.95 seconds. Due to this Hunter looked uncatchable in the final. And that's the way it turned out to be. The Pitreavie distance runner led from the gun to the tape with the rest of the field never managing to get near him. The watch recorded a winning time of 1 minute 51.00 seconds. The other spots went to Chris O'Hare from Edinburgh, running off 20 metres and Dean Phillips of Lasswade off 30 metres. New face, Fraser Scott from Edinburgh off 70 metres stole the show in the 1500 metres Handicap. Hawick's Alex Corbett running off 295 metres led the pack at the beginning of the last lap. Making his Games debut, 16 year old Scott, a stylish well balanced runner, was moving in rapidly from the back, and duly hit the front position. Scott now had victory in his sights and strode on to take the honours in 4 minutes 05.54 seconds. Ryan O'Hare of West Linton came second and Corbett third. Scott's win, however, almost ended in disqualification. The capital runner had failed to check in, and could have technically been disqualified. The Jedburgh Games appeal panel, however, decided to let the result stand. The victor of the 800 metres Handicap laast year, shone again on the Riverside Park turf by winning the 400 metres Handicap. Trained by Brian Kelly, strong running Kenny Ward off 14 metres stormed home ahead of Chris Robertson of Pitreavie off 2 metres and Michael Barvic of Edinburgh, the scratch man in 51.50 seconds. Bonchester's Douglas Moffat running off 18 metres was the man the enthusiastic crowd were rooting for in the 200 metres Handicap. Moffat had been cheered to victory in his heat and come the final his support got behind him again, especially in coming down the home straight. Brian 'Chico' Woods was edged out in an exciting finish by Andy Cullen of Corstorphine off 21 metres who sprinted to victory in 22.72 seconds. Moffat took second place and Selkirk's David Knox off 33 metres came third. Former Jedsprint winner and victor of this years Earlston Games 90 metres Handicap, Steven Charters of West Linton, gave a five star display to lift the Border Athletics 100 metres Sprint Championship. Producing a touch of class, Chalmers blitzed to a victory ahead of Patrick Swan of Chirnside and Barvic of Edinburgh in 11.15 seconds. Former Berwick Rangers and Stirling Albion footballer Graeme Armstrong from Edinburgh, who is now manager of junior side Newtongrange Star fired for goal and found the net by emerging victorious in the Veterans 90 metres Handicap. Following a fine heat win, Armstrong off 6½ metres buzzed through the tape in the final in 10.57 seconds. The other placings going to David Grieve of Hawick off 4 metres and Tom Bradley of Edinburgh off 12 metres.
In the 100 metres Invitation Sprint, Jonathan Farrel of Clydebank won from Gavin Young of Heriot, and Sam Atkin of Duns in 11.34 seconds. Victory in the Youths 90 metres Handicap went the way of Peter Vint of Earlston. From the ever growing and ever improving Scott Renwick running school, Vint off 17½ metres sailed to a heat win in 10.48 seconds. This being followed by a cross-tie victory in 10.33 seconds which led to an exciting looking final. And exciting it certainly was, as it took a photo finish to bring about a winner. Vint got the nod from the judges, with Emily Douglas from Bonchester off 12 metres and Paul Ferguson of Jedburgh off 5½ metres taking the other spots. Commenting after the win, Vint said, "There were some really good runners in the final, and I wasn't sure if I could beat them. It turned out to be really close, and I wasn't sure who had won. I was quite overwhelmed when my name was announced as the winner, as I have never won anything before." Dan Purves made it a double triumph for coach Renwick as well as notching up his third win of the season, by taking the Youths 1500 metres Handicap. Thirteen year old Purves who always turns out in running shoes rather than spikes had to go all the way to notch up a win in what turned out to be a real thriller of a race. Coming down the home straight Jason McIntosh of Kelso running off 325 metres and W. Shepherdson of Edinburgh off 345 metres were having a real duel in leading the field. Purves then came striding in from the back to overtake the leaders through a great finish and gain a dramatic win in 4 minutes 27.69 seconds. Shepherdson was second and McIntosh third. After having shone well the previous week, twice coming close to gaining victories at Kelso Games, Laura Anderson of Berwick, off 75 metres, put matters rights by winning the Youths 400 metres Handicap for 10 to 13 years from Greg Young of Jedburgh off 55 metres and C. Gray of Edinburgh off 60 metres in 53.72 seconds. Home town youngster, Paul Ferguson of Jedburgh gave a grand account of himself by gaining the honours in the 90 metres Youths Handicap Confined to Borders Region. Recording a time of 10.39 seconds, Paul won the final when coming in ahead of Emily Douglas of Bonchester running off 12 metres and Greg Gillon of Eyemouth off 10½ metres. Darren Scott off 6½ metres gained first place in the 90 metres Youths Handicap Confined to Jedburgh in 10.40 seconds. Lewis Young off 3 metres was second and Paul Ferguson off 4½ metres third. After having come close on several occasions to notching up a win, Edinburgh's Gareth Gettinby off 1½ metres did just that by triumphing in the 70 metres Handicap. Looking the part for winning his heat in 8.00 seconds, Gettinby followed this up gaining a photo finish in the final in 8.04 seconds. P. Denholm of Melrose off 3 metres and Eric Smart of Gateshead off 5 metres being second and third respectively. Back marker Tom Heard running off 1½ metres, brother of well known Jethart sprinter Ian Heard took the 60 metres Handicap for Men Over 50 Years. A delighted Tom told us with a smile, "I am a water bailiff, and if I can run like that, poachers had better beware. My show must also have people thinking that Jock Steede has been training the wrong Heard brother for years." The Footballers Sprint was won in style by Jed Legion's Stuart Harker in 10.91 seconds.