Anderson had been part of the Scottish Athletics team sent over to work at the marathon in her capacity as media and communications manager – and had pulled on her racing shoes to compete in the Poland Spring Marathon Kick-off, the annual event that launches the NY Marathon week.

The event is a five-mile race that concludes at the world-famous marathon finish at the Tavern on the Green in the Big Apple's Central Park and one that is chosen by many marathoners as their final sharpener for the 26.2 miles the next weekend.

And Anderson was among the 6,500 runners who gathered among the fallen leaves and sprinted home in spectacular fashion as fourth woman in a time of 30 minutes and 33 seconds, averaging an impressive 6.06 minutes per mile and coming in second in her age group.

Fellow Harrier Dave Nightingale travelled over for the marathon itself and enjoyed a course that spans five bridges, takes in five boroughs and is watched by two million spectators.

Dave came home in three hours, 52 minutes and 16 seconds – not bad for a 53-year-old – 649th in his age group and 7,791st out of 38,500 runners.

Closer to home last weekend, athletes had also been running up and down slopes against the elements, and on the windswept Tinto Hills, experienced Shelagh King came home in 1.04.06 with first timers Anne Purves and Susan Howel loving their adventure in 1.17.05.

A duo of promising young Harriers – Alice Haining and Demi Yorke – were selected to participate in the Bank of Scotland Development Camp for the East of Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday, benefiting from coaching from a range of national coaches and competition from former athletes.

Back home, the Harriers held their annual presentation night at the town's Salmon Inn with lots of shiny prizes at stake, presented by new club president Tony Lunn.

It was a chance for the club's juniors to be recognised as well and featuring amongst the medals were: Rowan Marr (most improved junior athlete and representative honours for the East of Scotland at this year's London Marathon); Demi Yorke – special achievement award (first Gala Harrier to win a national track and field title in the club's 106-year history); Alice Haining (representative honours, East of Scotland in London's Mini Marathon); Hannah and Emily Jones (representative honours, North of England in London's Mini Marathon).

There were also many winners amongst the seniors, including: cross-country champions 2007 – women, 1, Kate Jenkins, 2, Rachel Fagan, 3, Fiona Dalgleish; Men – 1, Graeme Murdoch, 2, Fergus Johnston, 3, Magnus Inglis. Neil Potts trophy – 1, Graeme Jones, 2, Dawn Grant, 3, Douglas Paton. Ladhope Cross-country trophy – 1, Rachel Fagan, 2, Katy Anderson, 3, Martin Clarke. Club 10K trophy – 1, Neil Renton, 2, Fiona Shepherd, 3, Billy McCulloch. Henderson Race – 1, Fiona Shepherd, 2, Graeme Murdoch, 3, Derrick Brydon. Overall club handicap race champion – Fiona Shepherd.