MORE than 360 athletes took to the Gala Policies on Sunday for the second round of the Borders Cross Country Series.

And yet again it was Alexander Chepelin from Edinburgh University who ran away with the senior race - crossing the line almost a minute head of second-placed Julian Barrable of Corstorphine.

Peebles teenager Kobe Stevens won the race for third from Teviotdale's Rory Anderson.

Bob Reid was first home for host club Gala Harriers in ninth.

Gillian Kirkhope from Chirnside Chasers produced a tremendous run to finish 21st overall and claim the women's race.

Claire Gordon from the Hunters Bog Trotters club was second with team-mate Jill Stephen in third.

Despite the freezing conditions, a total of 254 senior athletes completed the four-miles course.

Fraser Kelly from East Lothian, who also won the opening round at Lauder, triumphed in the Junior Race.

The 15-year-old won the sprint finish to cross the line just ahead of Gala's Yousuf Khursheed.

Fraser Klyne was a further 12 seconds back in third place.

Gregor Collins from Gala Harriers was to cross the line in the 12-13 years section with Finlay Ross from Harmeny taking the 10-11 years group.

Emma Johnson from Edinburgh AC, who also won at Lauder, took the girls race by 20 seconds from younger sister, Katie.

Hannah Little made it an Edinburgh one-two-three by finishing strongly for the bronze medal.

First local girl home was Chirnside's Hannah Hamilton-Meikle in fifth.

A total of 110 junior runners completed the two-miles course.

The next round of the Borders Cross Country Series will be held at Berwick on Sunday, December 4.