A TOTAL of 266 runners took part in Sunday’s ‘Feel The Burns’ hill run at Selkirk, with senior men’s winner Sasha Chepelin, of Carnethy Hill Running Club, completing the 12.7-mile course in a new record time of one hour, 24 minutes and 18 seconds.

Peeblesshire News: Senior women’s winners, from left – Morag McClelland (second), Catriona MacDonald (winner), Sophie Collins (third). [Photo – JOHN SMAIL]Senior women’s winners, from left – Morag McClelland (second), Catriona MacDonald (winner), Sophie Collins (third). [Photo – JOHN SMAIL]

“It’s my first appearance here,” said the 25-year-old Edinburgh data analyst, “and I thought it was a superb course. I knew what the record time was, so I was running against the clock the whole way.

“The course was really well signposted, and the overall organisation today has been brilliant. I’ll definitely be back!”

Peeblesshire News: Feel the Burns Hill Race Awards ceremonyFeel the Burns Hill Race Awards ceremony (Image: Newsquest John Hislop)

It was also the first Selkirk appearance of senior women’s race winner Catriona MacDonald, of Bellahouston Road Runners, a geotechnical engineer from Morpeth, who finished in one hour, 49 minutes and 12 seconds.

Race organiser Sheila Cochrane was delighted with the way things had gone on the event’s 10th anniversary.

Peeblesshire News: Feel the Burns Hill Race Awards ceremonyFeel the Burns Hill Race Awards ceremony (Image: Newsquest John Hislop)

“We’ve been very lucky with the weather,” said Sheila, “and it wouldn’t be possible to hold the run without the generous support of local land owners and the assistance of all those volunteers who help out on the day.

“Funds raised today will go to the Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team, who provide emergency cover at this event and at our Philiphaugh Hill Run in August. The total raised over the past 10 years stands at around £21,000, so we’re delighted to be able to repay all the help they give us.”

Peeblesshire News: Feel the Burns Hill Race Awards ceremonyFeel the Burns Hill Race Awards ceremony (Image: Newsquest John Hislop)

RESULTS

Senior men – 1, Sasha Chepelin (Carnethy HRC) 1.24.18; 2, Eoin Lennon (Carnethy HRC) 1.32.17; 3, Thomas Callan (Westerlands CCC) 1.32.50.

Senior women – 1, Catriona MacDonald (Bellahouston RR) 1.49.12; 2, Morag McClelland (Hunter Bog Trotters) 1.52.50; 3, Sophie Collins (Corstorphine AAC) 1.54.19.

V40 (men) - Andrew Fallas (Carnethy HRC) 1.36.53; women - Nicola Duncan (Carnethy HRC) 2.10.53. V50 (men) - Andrew Macrae (Carnethy HRC) 1.41.09; women - Michelle Hetherington (Carnethy HRC) 2.11.57.

V60 (men) - Ian Maxwell (Gala Harriers) 2.03.14; women - Hilary Ritchie (Fife Athletic Club) 2.21.48.

V70 (men) - Brian Howie (Carnethy HRC) 2.43.53.

First local runner (TD7) - Andy Painting (Gala Harriers) 2.09.45.

Team prize (both men and women) - Carnethy HRC.