OVER 300 runners from around the country descended on Gorebridge on Sunday to take part in the 36th annual Lasswade AC Open Cross Country Meeting.

And among them were 26 junior Moorfoots.

With little rain the preceding week, and a rare appearance by the sun, the course was well set up for runners and spectators .

In the opening Under 11 Girls race, taking in a one-mile lap of the course, 54 girls crowded the start line.

But they were soon well spread after the predictable over-enthusiastic novices’ cavalry charge from the gun.

Keeping on well after too fast a start Stella Davidson was the first Moorfoot home in 12th in a time of 6.51.

She was chased home by Ava Mooney who finished strongly for 16th and was awarded the same time.

Lola Lockyer completed the ‘A’ team with her 24th place finish in 7.08.

That gave the girls 52 points which secured them third place on the team podium behind Pitreavie and Lasswade.

The Under 11 boys raced over the same course, and Thomas Hilton had a tremendous run for 3rd place in 6.05.

Strong support from Fionn Hollingsbee in 5th in 6.12 and Innes Cormack, 12th in 6.27, saw the boys come out on top in the team race with 20 points, three points ahead of the powerhouse cross-country club that is Giffnock North.

The Under 13 girls race covered two laps of the course.

And it was a tough introduction for many to racing over two miles.

Emily Carrick-Anderson ran well for 10th in 13.33 in what was a hot race, with Christina McGorum 14th in 13.52.

Esme Minto kept on well to be next home in 15th and that put the girls second in the team race behind a strong Pitreavie outfit.

The Under 13 Boys also took second team, again to Pitreavie, with some classic team packing.

Patrick Cannon was 9th in 12.45, Ben Allan had a storming last 400 metres for 10th in 12.49, and Angus Carlyle ran well for 12th in 12.57.

There was good support too from Jake Lockyer who finished strongly for 13th in 13.32.

The final team podium place for the Moorfoots went to the Under 15 Girls who finished third behind Corstorphine and Airdrie.

Charlotte Morrison was 13th in 13.54, Eilidh Mooney was 16th in 14.17 and Megan Hobbs just one place behind in 14.30.

The Under 17 Women raced over a gruelling three miles in a combined race with the Under 20 Women.

Mairi Wallace was a victim of the lurgy which left only the two Moorfoot girls, otherwise a team win was very likely.

Charlotte Clare finished well for 5th in 20.18 with Beth Hobbs just six seconds behind in 6th.