Hawick’s David Hush takes the honours at Lauder

Never-the-less spirits weren’t dampened in the slightest and the large turnout of spectators were rewarded by some highly entertaining contests it the public park.

None more so than the feature sprint races which saw Hawick veteran David Hush, from the David Grieve running stable, go one better than at Langholm the day before to take the 90 metres Open title.

After some blistering heats Hush lined up in the final against TLJT pair Jenna Gillan and Mark Mathison, Daniel Elliot and Ryan Elliot, from Hawick, and Kevin Turner from Dalkeith. With only Gillan in front of him Hush flew out of the blocks and into the lead, a position he managed to just hold onto with judges needed at the end to make a decision on a photo finish. Hush was eventually given the nod with Ryan Elliot in second and Turner third.

“After taking second at Langholm yesterday I really felt I could go one better today,” said Hush after the race.

“I thought I would be a wee bit tired after running two days on the trot but I actually felt quite good and was nice and relaxed for the final.

“I just managed to do enough and I’m really chuffed to have won. I started the season with a few niggles but halfway through I came onto some running.

“Hopefully there will be more to come.”

In the 90m Youths final there was a one, two, three for the Tweedbank-based TLJT club with Philippa Robertson, from Hawick, showing great form winning her heat and cross tie and then taking the final in 10:05. Siblings Molly and Daniel Paterson took second and third respectively.

Having picked up three titles at the Castleholm track Jed AC coach Chico Woods was looking for more success from his young runners and was rewarded with another win when 10-year-old Max Johnstone took the Youths’ 200m title.

“I must be kicking them in the right places,” joked Woods.

“It took a while to get there but they have really came on as the season has progressed and are finding some good form now.”

Success at the Alva Games in the middle of July drove Innerleithen mechanic Dean Whiteford to look for more titles and on Saturday he went up a gear to take both the 800 and 1600 metre honours.

Chirnside’s Isla Taylor won the 800 metre Youth’s race while Broughton veteran Gordon Eland took the 200m Open title.