ATHLETES are warming up for this year's Three Bridges Races on Sunday.

Now celebrating its 36th year, the Three Bridges Races and Spring Fete takes place on Tweed Green.

Taking in Priorsford, Cuddy and Fotheringham foot bridges, the series of afternoon races prove popular with athletes from all over the Borders.

The distance race will, as usual, be run over the fast one-and-a-half mile circuit.

But before the distance races the Three Bridges sprints will get the action under way from 1.30pm.

The Beltane Fete is also scheduled to start at 1.30pm, providing food, fun, fairground rides and sideshow enjoyment.

There will be a variety of stalls including commercial, local organisation, such as Peebles Scouts, as well as the Peebles Silver band providing the musical treats for the afternoon.

But most of the action will take place on the running tracks.

There will be three relay races and five cross country races over the course of the afternoon.

The three relay races, all sponsored by Paul and Louise Spence, include new additions to this year’s event.

The first race is for pupils in Primary 4 and Primary 5 from schools with less than 120 pupils.

This is followed by the race for Primary 4 pupils from schools with more than 120 pupils, before the Primary 5 relay race for schools with more the 150 pupils.

Following the relays is the one-and-a-half mile team race for girls from primary schools in Tweeddale, sponsored by the Kingsmuir Construction Ltd. The individual winner will also receive an Apline Bikes voucher, donated by new sponsor TweedLove.

The Tweed Line Taxis-sponsored one-and-a-half mile handicap for 10-to-16 year olds is up next with a large number already entered.

The Youths race is followed by the one-and-a-half mile race for boys from primary schools in Tweeddale, sponsored by Kingsmuir Construction Ltd,

competing for the Challenge Trophy and medals.

The individual winner will also receive also receive an Apline Bikes voucher from TweedLove.

Sunday's main event is the three-mile open handicap for the Peebles 3 Bridges Trophy, which is sponsored by Davie Duthie Auto Repairs.

Last year’s winner Sophie Collins will be back to defend her title.

The curtain comes down on the action with the ever popular team race.

Although intended to be a fun run it has proved to be a second run for the school teams.

The race is open to all clubs, pubs, organisations and groups from Tweeddale.

A spokesman for the Three Bridges Races said: "We encourage everyone to get a team of four and make it an event to remember.

"The race for teams of four can be made up of any age and sex and is run over one circuit of the track, with the handicapper allocating the starts. "Entries to this event can be made on the day, so come on, get four people together and have fun."

The prizes for the final relay race are donated by the Beltane Committee and the individual winner receives a gift voucher from Rogerson Footwear.