BORDERS school champion Douglas Young is among the favourites to break the East Kilbride stranglehold at the 151st New Year Sprint.

The Kelso teenager also stormed to victory at both the Scottish Schools indoor and outdoor championships.

And, under the guidance of coach Addie Gray, is quickly establishing himself as one of the country's best sprinting prospects.

But last year's runner-up Young, who runs from 7.75 metres, will have to beat backmarker Greg Kelly, who has won the Musselburgh final in both 2017 and last year.

Kelly from East Kilbride, who is also a former Scottish Schools champion, runs from 2.5 metres.

His training partner Callum McWilliam, who won the race in 2018, starts from 7.5 metres.

Long jumper Alessandro Schenini from Giffnock, who finished third in last year's final behind Kelly and Young, is another who will go close from his 9.25 handicap.

Londoner Krishwan Aitken, who runs out of Glasgow University, is the dark horse among the backmarkers from his mark of 4.5 metres, having clocked 10.7 seconds.

Marcus Archer from Aberdeen, who like Young is knocking on the door of a sub-11 second 100 metres, will also be a danger from 8.75 metres.

Jed's Greg Turnbull, who was a regular finalist around a decade ago, will be hoping to turn back the clock from 9.25 metres.

And both Ryan Elliot (9.5 metres) from Hawick and Kelso's Josh Abbot (10 metres) will be hoping to progress from the heats.

The 2010 winner Daniel Paxton runs from 12.5 metres, just half a metre ahead of Selkirk's Craig Bruce.

Veterans Kevin Amos (19.5) from Jedburgh and Colin Bruce (18.5) from Selkirk will be difficult to catch.

And leading the ladies'charge is Scottish 400 metres champion Stacey Downie.

The West Linton teacher, who is a beaten finalist, runs from 19 metres.

Peebles twins Samantha (22.5) and Natasha (24.5) Turnbull will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of 2016 winner Jazmine Tomlinson.

Fellow Peebles High pupil Bryony Patterson (23) will also be looking to progress from the heats on Monday, December 30 at Meadowmill.

The cross-ties and final is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 1 at Musselburgh Racecourse.