Borderers go distance at 2026 Edinburgh Marathon Festival
This year’s Edinburgh Marathon Festival at the weekend attracted a double-figure turnout of senior Gala Harriers competitors.
Saturday’s 10km race saw Liam Kemp finish as second man aged 50 to 54, and 50th overall, in a chip time of 39:46.
Colin Brown was 18th man aged 45 to 49 in 46:19 and Craig Hunter was 95th aged 40 to 44 in 58:14, respectively placing 241st and 1,231rd all told.
The festival’s second day brought both a half-marathon and the 26-plus-mile full monty, with four of the Galashiels contingent there tackling the former and the same number going the distance in the latter.
Martha Douglas was the 13th female finisher under 35 in the half-marathon in a chip time of 1:25:37, placing 130th overall.
Following her home were over-35 Mark Flannigan in 1:29:14, Katie Francis as 19th female aged 50 to 54 in 1:51:26 and over-50 Donald Francis in 2.02.49, respectively placing 224th, 1,816th and 3,570th all together.
Over-40 Francis McElroy was the first Gala Harrier to complete the main event, clocking a chip time of 3:15:18 for 357th place overall and 49th in his age bracket.
Following him over the finishing line were over-40 Sarah Finlayson, 1,585th in 3:46:52; over-35 Bruce Ronaldson, 1,887th in 3:51:59; and fellow over-35 Bob Noble, 2,631st in 4:02:44.
Two members of Moorfoot Runners also took part – over-40s Amy Alcorn and Thomas Jones, respectively placing 2,567th in 4:01:17 and 2,615th in 4:02:24.
First place went to Cheshire under-35 Conor Sarsfield in 2:18:03 and Londoner Melissah Gibson was first female finisher, and 18th overall, in 2:43:52.