TWEEDLOVE'S first foray into trail racing proved a two-footed triumph last Friday.

The inaugural Glentress 11 attracted over 120 athletes to the forests above Peebles.

With temperatures closing in on 30 degrees, the shade of the trees was as welcome for all of the runners as the regular water stops.

The tough, technical course involved 375 metres of climbing.

And it led to some thrilling racing.

Nick Harris-Fry crossed the finishing line with a highly impressive time of 48.55 minutes.

Flying home just over a minute later was Moorfoot Andrew Cox, just a few metres ahead of third-placed Paul Freary.

The local Moorfoots club was well represented in the front runners with Darin Dougal and Michael McGovern finishing in fifth and sixth, respectively, just behind fourth-placed Keith Buchan.

Ruth Mckean claimed the women's race for the Moorfoots - coming home in eighth overall - in an impressive time of 54.08 minutes.

Victoria Crawford came home two minutes later to claim silver in the women's race with Amy Alcorn holding off the challenge from Moorfoot Alexandra Nisbet for third.

The improving Iain Roberts ran well to claim 28th with a time of 1.04.43.

Colin Williams from Moorfoot told us: "The canopy from the trees was all the more inviting on Friday night as it provided some much needed shade for the runners braving sub tropical temperatures Peebles had to offer, humidity being the most vivid memory most will be left with from the race.

"The GT 11 was a well organised, friendly event, well attended with 128 racers and friendly marshals and much needed water stops on the climb up to the top."