Gala Harrier Iain Stewart was first among a field of 27 to complete the main race from Stobs Camp, clocking 35:53, but hot on his heels, representing the Hawick club, were runner-up Mark Young with 36:21, third-placed Duncan Lockie with 36:24, Rory Anderson in fourth with 36:43 and David Beattie in fifth with 37:53.
Two other Borders club runners made the top ten, Gala Harriers over-60 Ian Maxwell finishing eighth in 40:23 and Teviotdale Harriers over-50 Kenny Short tenth in 42:18.
A further six made the top 20 – Lauderdale Limpers Luis Molero and Rachel McAleese finishing 15th and 17th respectively in 49:05 and 50:05, Gala Harriers over-50 Eileen Maxwell 16th in 49:19 and Teviotdale’s Paul Lockie, Alan Coltman and Kirsty Highes 18th, 19th and 20th in 51:35, 52:55 and 53:28.
A three-mile version of the race for youngsters attracted a turnout of three, all of them Teviotdale Harriers.
Irvine Welsh won in a record time of 21:46, knocking 48 seconds off the previous fastest time, with Charles McKay second in 24:48 and Jessica Smith third in 29:59.
1. Penchrise Pen hill race
Billy Caswell finished 23rd out of 27 in this year’s Penchrise Pen hill race near Hawick in 1:01:32 Photo: Alex Corbett
2. Penchrise Pen hill race
Teviotdale Harrier Alan Coltman finished 19th in this year’s Penchrise Pen hill race in 52:55 Photo: Alex Corbett
3. Penchrise Pen hill race
Edinburgh’s Alex MacEwen clocked 55:22 in Sunday's Penchrise Pen hill race near Hawick Photo: Alex Corbett
4. Penchrise Pen hill race
Northumberland Fell Runners’ John Tollitt was 12th in 46:51 in Sunday's Penchrise Pen hill race near Hawick Photo: Alex Corbett