THIS year's Beltane Sports held at Whitestone Park in Peebles last Sunday proved to be a fitting end to a great Beltane week.

And the results are just in...

Despite the grey skies and occasional shower of rain spectators were treated to a great afternoon of running.

The first final of the day was the 800m open handicap which was won by Paddy Jumelle running off a mark of 65m in a time of 1min 54.56sec.

The Edinburgh athlete looked the most determined of the field right from the start and stamped his authority over his fellow competitors with a strong run down the home straight.

Pride of place over the many local youngsters who took part was nine-year-old Jake Houten, from Cadrona, who won the 90m junior sprint in a time of 11.48sec. The youngsters in this final certainly entertained the crowed with very little day light between the first three athletes. Josh Dougal finished second and Phillipa Robertson was third.

In the Youths 90m final Daniel Elliot Hawick won the �50 prize money at stake by piping local runner Robbie Renwick to the tape in another close encounter.

The 1600m Youths race was won by a very classy looking 15 year old from Gala. Thomas Otton, running off a mark of 90m, controlled this race with three laps of the track still to go. It looked to this observer that Thomas had done a great deal of winter preparation for the summer's games and looks good for more wins this season.

The open 1600m handicap was won by Dean Whiteford (155) of Innerleithen. Dean proved a popular winner finishing strong in the final straight to win the Kingsmedows Shield and first prize of �100. Dean was followed home by Gavin Tait and Alastair Laurie.

The Junior and Youths One Lap races proved popular and entertaining with some great races in the heats of each event. In the junior race, 11-year-old Sam Bertram proved the quickest winning his final in a time of 38.72sec. The Youths winner was the promising fourteen year old from Jedburgh Cameron Fisher.

In the Open One Lap Handicap it ended a disaster for popular local footballer Steven McLean who was running exceptionally well and looking great until the final bend when runner's legs clashed and Steven, along with two others, fell heavily on the hard greasy ground. One local punter was heard shouting "penalty" as Steven slid the width of the track.

Although very disappointed at the time I am sure Steven will realise this will happen now and then when you run on a tight track and all finalists are trying to find a cap to run into. The sports convener would like to thank Steven for donating his prize money to the Beltane Committee. The winner in this event was Charlie Carstairs from Lasswade in a winning time of 31seconds.

In the 3200m, two miles in old money, back marker Chris Black from Kelso was a well deserved winner in a time of 9mins 51.67sec.

The local Sports Club Race was one by Michael Skelly of Tweeddale Rovers. The prize money of �100 will help boost Tweeddale's funds. It was noted that Jimmy Moffat, who presented the trophy to the winner, kept a hold of the cheque. Thanks and well done to all who took part.

In the final event of the day, Geoff Keen, of Selkirk, was first to break the tape in a time off 11.40sec to win the 110m Beltane Handicap. It was yet again a closely contested final proving the handicapper has got the marks just right.

The sports committee would like to thank all their sponsors and all who helped on the day making the event a great success.