PEEBLES runner Scout Adkin scooped the gold medal at a national cross country event on Saturday.

Adkin was representing Peeblesshire-based club Moorfoot Runners at the Lindsays National Cross Country Championship event at Callendar Park in Falkirk.

She won the senior women’s race, completing the six-mile course in a time of 37 minutes and 15 seconds, eight seconds ahead of Edinburgh Uni’s GB international, Alice Goodall, and one minute and 15 seconds ahead of Fife Athletic Club’s Steph Pennycook in third.

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Gala Harrier Sara Green finished in fourth place in a time of 38:34.

Adkin broke away after the first lap but began to wonder if her strategy was sound with around 6km left to go.

But she held on secure the victory.

After the race Adkin – who now stays in Cumbria – said: “I did worry a bit that I’d made a move too early.

“Alice (Goodall) was still there throughout the second lap and I think closed a bit at times on the third but I was far enough ahead when we turned into the straight.

“After winning silver last year, it was a good feeling running in towards the finish for the victory.

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“I’ve won medals in hill races (including a European Mountain Running bronze) and, while they are different events and achievements, it’s brilliant to be a Scottish National XC champion,

“I’ve been in the sport almost 20 years and came here time after time as a youngster without being anywhere near the medals. I hope there’s a message there for young athletes.”

A number of other runners from the Borders took part in the event.

Gala’s Darrell Hastie was fastest veteran over 40 in the senior men’s race in 34:58, placing 42nd overall. Marcus D’Agrosa finished 79th in 36:22 and Graeme Murdoch was fifth over-45-year-old in 38:54.

Clubmate Ian Maxwell was fifth veteran over 60 with his time of 45:29.

Gala’s over-45 Pamela Baillie was 81st in 46:01.

The club’s Erin Gray finished 10th in the under-15 girls’ race over 4.3km in 17:32, with Kirsty Rankine 14th in 17:56 and Ava Richardson 15th in 18:08.

Gala’s Gregor Adamson finished 11th in the under-13 boys 3.2km race in 12:32.

That was the same placing achieved by Gala’s Isla Paterson in the under-17 girls’ 6.2km race with 26:21.