The 24-year-old from West Linton, who is now based in Boston, delivered a talk to around 35 youngsters who hope to follow in his footsteps.

The professional athlete, who runs for Adidas, will compete in Edinburgh tomorrow (Saturday) against the best cross country runners in the world.

But he took time out of his training schedule to give an insight into his journey from the Peebles Three Bridges Primary School races to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and his European bronze medal over 1500 metres.

The invited audience at Tweedbank Sports Complex comprised of runners from across the Borders who have represented their clubs in championship cross-country races or Team Borders in the East League.

Chris said: “It was a pleasure to take some time out from my training to speak to the young distance runners from the Borders.

“Potentially, somewhere in that room were future international athletes and I hope I managed to pass on some useful advice about what that takes.

“It really is imperative for me as a person to pass on anything I can to the next generation of Scottish athletes.” Chris revealed that after the Great Edinburgh Cross Country on Saturday, he will focus on indoor training ahead of the European Championships.

He added: ”Training is going well and I’ll get a good indication of my winter form on Saturday at Holyrood Park in the Great Edinburgh Cross-Country.

“I’ll then be heading back to Boston and will race indoors with my eyes firmly fixed on the European Indoor Championships in Prague in March.” O’Hare faces a tough race tomorrow around Holyrood Park.

Included in the 4km field are James Magut, who beat Chris to gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in the summer, and two-times World 1500 metre Champion Asbel Kiprop.

Fellow Kenyan Jophet Korir, who is the world cross-country champion, also lines up for the 4km race along with defending champion Garrett Heath from the USA, and the legend of track and field Bernard Lagat, who recently turned 40.

O’Hare will also renew some domestic battles with the likes of Tom Lancashire and Ross Murray listed amongst the invited starting line-up.

The 4km Great Edinburgh Cross Country race is due to start just after 1pm - and is televised live on BBC 1.

The Scottish Inter-district relays, which feature around a dozen Borderers, will take place during the morning.

The 24-year-old from West Linton, who is now based in Boston, delivered a talk to around 35 youngsters who hope to follow in his footsteps.

The professional athlete, who runs for Adidas, will compete in Edinburgh tomorrow (Saturday) against the best cross country runners in the world.

But he took time out of his training schedule to give an insight into his journey from the Peebles Three Bridges Primary School races to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and his European bronze medal over 1500 metres.

The invited audience at Tweedbank Sports Complex comprised of runners from across the Borders who have represented their clubs in championship cross-country races or Team Borders in the East League.

Chris said: “It was a pleasure to take some time out from my training to speak to the young distance runners from the Borders.

“Potentially, somewhere in that room were future international athletes and I hope I managed to pass on some useful advice about what that takes.

“It really is imperative for me as a person to pass on anything I can to the next generation of Scottish athletes.” Chris revealed that after the Great Edinburgh Cross Country on Saturday, he will focus on indoor training ahead of the European Championships.

He added: ”Training is going well and I’ll get a good indication of my winter form on Saturday at Holyrood Park in the Great Edinburgh Cross-Country.

“I’ll then be heading back to Boston and will race indoors with my eyes firmly fixed on the European Indoor Championships in Prague in March.” O’Hare faces a tough race tomorrow around Holyrood Park.

Included in the 4km field are James Magut, who beat Chris to gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in the summer, and two-times World 1500 metre Champion Asbel Kiprop.

Fellow Kenyan Jophet Korir, who is the world cross-country champion, also lines up for the 4km race along with defending champion Garrett Heath from the USA, and the legend of track and field Bernard Lagat, who recently turned 40.

O’Hare will also renew some domestic battles with the likes of Tom Lancashire and Ross Murray listed amongst the invited starting line-up.

The 4km Great Edinburgh Cross Country race is due to start just after 1pm - and is televised live on BBC 1.

The Scottish Inter-district relays, which feature around a dozen Borderers, will take place during the morning.