THIS year's Scottish Cross Country Championships in Falkirk weren't for the faint-hearted as strong winds, sleet showers and muddy conditions tested athletes to the extreme.

But dozens of long-distance runners from the region still ventured round the tough Callendar Park route.

Midlem's Zoe Pflug even returned with a team gold medal after sixth-place finish in the Women's Under 20s race helped Edinburgh University to the top of the team podium.

The student was joined by team-mates Holly Page, who finished third, and Carolyn Cameron, who was 20th.

Sophie Collins was agonizingly edged out of a team bronze in the Senior Women's Race.

Running for Hunter Bog Trotters, Sophie led home her team with a 13th-place finish but the Bog Trotters were placed in fourth.

Gala Harrier Kirstin Maxwell also led by example for Gala Harriers by storming home in 10th place of the 315 starters..

Along with Sara Green (28th), Katy Barden (39th), Lizzie Mcleish (67th), Julian Johnstone (130th) and Kate Jenkins (136th) Gala finished seventh in the team event.

In the men's race Marcus D'Agrosa was the first Borderer home in 52nd out of the 670 starters.

Lucas Cheskin from Peebles, who was running for Shettleston Harriers, was 54th with Rory Anderson of Teviotdale Harriers crossing the line in 73rd.

Teenager Isla Paterson fought through the mud for a highly creditable eighth out of the 108 starters in Under 15s Girls.

Teviotdale's Iona Jameson was 42nd with her team-mate Ava Hughes in 84th.

Teviotdale's Conan Harper and Gala's Ewan Christie were 13th and 14th, respectively, out of the 146 starters in the Boys Under 15s.

Calum Renwick was also 36th for Teviotdale with Gala Harriers Cameron Rankine and Iain Houston crossing the line in 46th and 51st, respectively.

Gregor Collins was first Borderer home in the Under 17s, crossing the line in 27th.

A total of 157 Under 13s boys lined up, and it was Zico Field from Gala Harriers who fared best of the local runners with a great finish to claim ninth.

Teviotdale's Irvine Welsh finished in 32nd, with Gala's Ross Christie in 38th and Shaun Pyman from the Moorfoot club in 49th.

Erin Gray from Gala Harriers was the first Borders athlete to finish in the Under 13s Girls, crossing the line in 42nd.

Moorfoot duo Ava Mooney and Elena Lee were 47th and 48th, respectively, just ahead of 57th placed Jessica Hendry from Gala.

Isabel Molyneux and Caitlin Clyde came home together for the Moorfoots in 70th and 71st.