ATHLETICS bosses in Scotland are heralding a boom in the Borders.

Over the past three years the governing body for the sport has witnessed a 90 per cent rise in numbers from the region.

And leading the way is the Peebles-based Moorfoots club who have seen their numbers almost treble in three years.

Moorfoot Runners: Jamie McDonald, East Regional Development Manager with scottishathletics, said: "It is an exciting time for athletics in the Scottish Borders.

"Over the previous three years athletics club membership has grown significantly - with the overall membership, by affiliated clubs, rising by over 90 per cent."

The Moorfoots numbers have soared from just 26 in 2010 to a present number of 61 and rising.

In the central Borders, Gala Harriers membership has rocketed from 114 in 2010 to 204 as we approach 2013.

And just last week the Tweedbank-based club managed to secure a further �2000 of funding to put more of their senior members through coaching qualifications.

Club secretary Fiona Shepherd said: "There has been a huge increase in our junior section over the past couple of years and we've also got around 20 new senior members - it's great.

"You worry that many will drift away in the winter but they have all continued to train."

Borders Sport and Leisure has identified athletics as one of its key sports.

And the introduction of Team Borders by Peebles coach Gregor Nicholson a couple of seasons ago has also helped swell interest with the new generation of athletes.

Jamie McDonald added: "Athletics has recently been announced as a target sport by Borders Sport and Leisure Trust and in addition to this Team Borders have had some fantastic results - winning division two of the Forth Valley League at their first attempt and strong contenders in the East District Cross Country League in the junior ranks."

Borders membership of Scottish Athletics in 2010 stood at just 198.

And now the combined number for seniors and juniors has shot up to 384.

Scottishathletics Communications Manager Peter Jardine believes the Borders boom is being mirrored in other parts of the country. He told us: "What is happening in the Borders in terms of the growth of the sport mirrors other parts of Scotland as well as the country as a whole.

"Through the course of 2012 we've seen larger entry fields at events from cross country, age group championships, indoor events and so on. The National Cross Country back in February had the largest entry for 15 years and the biggest women's field ever. Almost 2000 people put their names in for that one."