Downie leads Borders charge towards 151st New Year Sprint

The West Linton teacher was among the fastest winners of Monday’s 110 metres heats at Meadowmill.

The 32-year-old, who later triumphed in the Ladies 90 metres race, won her heat in 11.41 seconds.

Also turning back the clock was Jedburgh’s Greg Turnbull, who eased across the line in 11.55 seconds, to earn his place in the cross-ties Other Borders athletes who qualified as fastest losers were Craig Bruce of Selkirk, Brodie Cowan of Jedburgh, and Kelso’s Doug Young.

The cross-ties and final will be run tomorrow at Musselburgh racecourse.

Dundee’s Andrea Goodman and Brodie Cowan of Jed finished second and third, respectively, behind Downie in the final of the Ladies Sprint.

Peebles sisters Natasha and Samantha Turnbull were fifth and sixth, respectively, with last year’s winner Rianna Sterricks from Peebles, crossing the line in seventh.

Kelso’s John Fleming and Jed’s Thomas Finkle had to settle for second and third, respectively, behind Central’s Cameron Smith in the final of the Veterans 90 metres final.

But Cameron Lindsay from Kelso did bring the 200 metres title back to the Borders after holding off the challenge from Andrea Goodman of Dundee and Greenock’s Scott Hannaway.

Craig Sowerby from Seaton was the impressive winner of the 800 metres, ahead of Ewan Dyer of Pitreavie.

In the youths’ races, Ava Lees from Tweedbank-based TLJT club triumphed in the 10-13-years 200 metres final.

Lasswade’s Eloise Scott was runner-up ahead of TLJT’s Josh Landers and Leithenburn trio Aaron Glendinning, Grace Turnbull and Sam Renton.

Lees was also runner-up in the final of the youths’ 90 metres behind Harmeny’s Callum Gladwin.

Zoe Blair from Jed finished third.

TLJT’s Evie Renwick, who finished fourth in the sprint final, had to settle for runner up in the 13-16-years 200 metres final; behind Gladwin.

Lasswade claimed first and second in the youths’ 800 metres with Alastair Scott holding off Eloise Scott.

Kelso’s Matty Fleming finished third.