Published: Friday, 15th August, 2008 11:50
Peebles runners make history as season ends
By David O'Leary
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Peebles husband-and-wife pair Gregor and Linda Nicholson made history at Morebattle last weekend, as the curtain came down on this season’s Border Athletics circuit.
The pair made it a day to remember by becoming the first husband-and-wife to ever win two events at the Border Series.
Gregor broke the tape first in the One Lap with a time of 30.47. Linda then followed this up by winning the very next event the 110m Open Sprint in 11.97.
However, the history making didn’t stop there for Linda, as she became the first woman to ever win this event at Morebattle and also the only woman winner in any event in the Border Athletics circuit this season.
She said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better end to the season. It’s been a tough year for women on the circuit. Prior to this I had only made it through to the heats at Hawick and the final at Langholm.
“However I’ve ran twenty races in the last five weeks and felt that if I ran my best at Morebattle I’d have a chance. The fact that Gregor had just won his event before mine focused me that little bit extra too!”
Linda is also the coach of several Moorfoot juniors who also had a successful day. James Innes was beaten on the line to finish second in the 90m backmarkers. Ryan Laidlaw finished second in the 90m frontmarkers ahead of teammate Caillie Douce back in fourth, in what was her first ever final on the Border circuit.
Linda said: “It’s a great end to the season also for the juniors. They finished in style. I’ve also got to thank my physio, Ivor Rathie for keeping me going through the season.”
She will now concentrate on her favoured event of longjumping, returning to training for it in October, with her sights firmly set on the Veterans’ European and World Championships.
Saturday however was not only a momentous day for the Nicholson’s but also Ernie Blair, who has decided to hang up his stopwatch after 16 years as handicapper for the Border Athletics Series.
He said: “I’ve decided to call time on it and let somebody else take over. I’ve enjoyed it immensely however I’ll still be involved with the series through my role as Treasurer of Border Athletics.
“It was great to see Linda and Gregor making history in my last as handicapper. It’s left me with some great memories.”
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