CARNETHY'S Eoin Lennon showed a clean pair of heels in the mud above Lauder on Sunday to win the opening leg of this winter's Borders Cross Country Series.

The Irish international, who is a former Scottish ultra marathon champion, broke the tape in 25.19 minutes to head the 269 strong field.

Scott Fraser from Hunter Bog Trotters finished strongly to claim second in exactly 27 minutes - just nine seconds ahead of Gala Harrier Callum Tharme in third.

Tom Ferrington from Corstorphine and Oleg Chepelin of Hunter Bog Trotters were fourth and fifth, respectively.

Hawick's Rory Anderson claimed seventh in 28.08 with Dean Whiteford leading home the host club, Lauderdale Limpers, in tenth with a time of 28.33 - just one second in front of his team-mate Andrew Lawrie.

Hunter Bog Trotters enjoyed a one-two in the Ladies race with Jill Stephen breaking the tape in 30.05.

A further 13 seconds further back was her training partner, Georgia Tindley.

Sara Green claimed third place for Gala Harriers, just ahead of her team-mate Kirstin Maxwell.

Winner of the Over 40s race was Tom Ferrington, with the Over 50s win going to Robert Watson.

Gordon Cameron headed the Over 60s athletes with Robin Sloan first of the seven Over 70s runners who took part.

Megan Wright was first Over 40s lady, Rhona Anderson won the Over 50s race, and Pauline McAdam crossed the line first of the Over 60s.

Zoe Pflug from Gala Harriers was first Junior.

The Youths Race proved a close one with 16-year-old Fraser Kelly of Team East Lothian winning the sprint to the line over Teviotdale Harrier Fraser Clyne,

Just 12 seconds further back came Gala harrier William Taylor with Craig Angus of Moorfoot finishing fourth.

Esme Callander made it an East Lothian double as she won the girls race from Musselburgh's Flora Henry.

Edinburgh's Rosie Mitchell just held off the challenge from Gala's Freya Doherty to finish in bronze position.

A total of 120 juniors completed the two-miles course.

The next leg of this winter's series takes place at Dunbar on Sunday, November 26.