Published: Friday, 5th June, 2009 12:41pm

Son of a preacher on song at Earlston

VICAR"S son Jonathon McKenna won the first sprint of the season at Earlston Border Games on Saturday.

The 20-year-old student from Aberdeen, who is the son of former Innerleithen minister Eddie McKenna, broke the tape for the first time as a senior.

He admitted years of hard work with his old man, who is a coach with the GB paralympic team, finally paid off.

He told the Peeblesshire News: 'I worked on my technique for years with my dad and it did me the world of good. 'I did pretty well as a youth but this is my first win as a senior athlete. My dad was a good runner himself but he never won a sprint - he"ll be pleased for me.'

McKenna, running from a handicap of 7.5 metres, was the fastest runner-up in the Rhymer Construction 90 metres Handicap.

The Charlie Afleck-trained sprinter carried his form on in the final, overhauling 18-year-old Marc Cockburn (11.5) from Selkirk and Darren Scott (8) of Jedburgh in the final 20 metres to win by a stride.

The youths" Border Ready Mix 90 metres winner was every bit as impressive. Seb Harrison (6) from Jedburgh cruised through his heat and cross-tie before showing the final field a clean pair of heels to win by two metres.

The 15-year-old Chico Woods-trained runner admitted he was as surprised as anyone with his form.

He said: 'I"ve been training for 400 metres and wasn"t confident at all going into the sprint.'

Jordan Charters (12.5) from Dolphinton held on for second from the fast finishing Scottish Under 15 champion Kieran Kivlin (1) of Edinburgh.

Selkirk"s David Knox (37) shaded Linda Nicholson (49) from Peebles in the final of the Utterson & White 200 metres to stop Jedburgh"s Greg Turnbull (7), who finished in third, completing a hat-trick of wins in the race.

The youths" W J Henderson 200 metres final was every bit as close with Hawick"s Dylan Ali (19) beating fellow Teri Jack Wilson (40) and Ryan Laidlaw (42) from Peebles.

The senior middle-distance races were both won by the ever-impressive Addie Gray school from Kelso.

Former Scottish indoor champion Colin Welsh, running from -10, blasted through the 13-strong field to break the Scottish Tourist Publications 800 metres tape in a time of 2 minutes 1.13 seconds.

A delighted Welsh admitted it was tough on Earlston"s unconventional clockwise track.

The 26-year-old said: 'I want to thank Addie for all his hard work getting me back in shape after all the injuries and problems I"ve had.

'I"m pleased with the time - especially running the wrong way.'

Long-time leader Keith Turner (70) from Hawick finished second, with the fast-finishing Ross Finlayson from Lasswade collecting third.

Only an hour later Welsh"s training partner Wayne McIntosh stormed through the Earlston Property Development 1600 metres field to outsprint Paul Mulhern (215) from Longniddry in the home straight.

The 34-year-old, who has just returned to the track after lengthy back injuries, said: 'It"s great just to be back after all the injuries. I thought I was going to catch the boy in front easily enough but he kicked again at the corner and it was hard work.' S

cratch man Daryl Hastie from Kelso picked up third with a late surge. Mark Berry (105) from Galashiels enjoyed his first attempt at distance running with victory in the youths" 800 metres.

The 14-year-old, who is coached by Bruce Scott, just pegged back Jedburgh"s Kyle Potts a few metres before the line.

Berry said: 'It"s my first try at 800 metres and I didn"t think I was going to catch the boy in front but I just managed it.'

Kobe Stevens (150) from Peebles kept on strongly to finish third in the half mile. But the 11-year-old, who is coached by Gregor Nicholson, was soon striking gold in the J&J Developments youths" 1600 metres.

The Kingsland Primary pupil moved 30 metres clear of the 18-strong field at the bell and not even the strong finish from Selkirk"s Rowan Marr (200) could pull him back.

Steven said: 'It was only when I was about halfway through the race I started to think I could win.' Fellow Moorfoot runners Ruairidh Britton (300) and Sophie Collins (320) finished third and fourth.

Hawick"s David Grieve (3) turned back the years to win the Douglas Scott Plumbing and Faser Lothian Joinery Veterans 90 metres.

The 51-year old crossed the line from Jedburgh's Tommy Finkle (scr).