Peeblesshire News | Sport | Linda leads charge at first Earlston Games

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Friday, 1st June, 2007 10:36

Linda leads charge at first Earlston Games

By David Knox

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FORMER international long jumper Linda Nicholson leads the Peeblesshire charge this weekend at Earlston Border Games.

The new athletics meeting is the first under the rules of the recently-formed Border Athletics.

And organisers have been encouraged by a large entry – with over a dozen competitors making the trip from Tweeddale.

But 40-something Linda is the only local sprinter competing in the main event – the open 90 metres.

Running from a handicap 18.5 meters, the netball and athletics coach will test many of the leading fancies including Scottish Champion Craig Fleming (scratch), Hawick’s Lee Notman (3) and Wallace McGown (7) from Stirling.

But one winner has already emerged – the games themselves.

Orgainser Bruce Scott, from Border Athletics, told the Peeblesshire News: “We are delighted with so many runners having entered.

“The idea of Border Athletics is for athletes to have competition in the region every weekend throughout the season.”

A full programme of youths and distance races support the main Mitchells Superior Glazing Sprint.

And Innerleithen’s Dean Whiteford (90) shouldn’t be far away in the 1600 metres although he will have to be at his best to catch dad James (210) and Brian Stanage (210).

Kelso’s Darryl Hastie starts as scratch man in the mile.

Around a dozen youths from the area will line up at Earlston with 12-year-old Isla Donaldson (19.5) and 11-year-old Jamie McGill (17.5) both fancied to progress from the heats of the 90 metres.

Faye Nicholson (10) always runs well in the sprints and should also go close, with Charlie Crigg (18.5), Caillie Douce (12.5) and Blair Davidson (12) not out of the reckoning.

Fellow Moorfoot athlete Darren Weir (36) looks like he could make an impression in the youths’ 200 metres.

And in the distance races Beth Williamson, Scout Adkin and Alex Campbell line up in the mile and 800 metres.

Earlston Border Games come under starter’s orders at 1 p.m. at the town’s rugby club.

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