Published: Wednesday, 4th June, 2008 2:17pm

Charters turns up the heat as Games season opens

INTERNATIONAL runner Steven Charters set the summer standard on Saturday with a sweltering surge to claim the first Borders sprint of the season.

The 21-year-old student from Dolphinton, near Peebles, recently competed for Scotland at a home nations meeting on the Channel Islands.

And, running from a handicap of 2.5 metres, showed on Saturday why the Scotland selectors gave him the nod by blistering up the Earlston track to claim gold in the Mitchells Glass open 90 metres.

A yard or so behind was Charters" training partner from the John Hart school, Craig Fleming (Scr), with hometown boy Alan White (8) in third.

Following his win Steven told us: 'I"m pleased with the way I"m running just now. I ran really well in my heat but slipped during the cross tie - thankfully I had a good run in the final.

'I knew Craig was right behind me but I kept my form well to the line.'

Earlston proved yet again it is the perfect host for the Border Games season"s curtain opener.

A crowd of around 1,000 enjoyed a full day"s athletics with a number of eye-catching performances.

And nobody received a bigger cheer than Lee Goodfellow (40) winning the youths" Earlston Property Development 800 metres in front of his home crowd.

The 16-year-old blasted through a field of over 20 young runners to catch long time leaders Robbie Sheperdson (135) from Edinburgh and Earlston"s Derek Purves (100).

Following his win Lee, who is trained by Bruce Scott, said: 'I have been training for 800 metres through the winter and it has paid off. I"m delighted to have won in front of my family and friends.'

The Rhymer Construction youths" 90 metres also produced an exciting finish with Gemma Scott (19) holding on for victory from Edinburgh"s Keith Kivlin (5) and Craig Gillan (6.5) of Jedburgh.

Jedburgh was also successful in the senior Utterson and White 200 metres with Greig Turnbull (7) coming through the final field to win just ahead of Bonchester"s Dougie Moffat (23) and Jedburgh"s Charlie Cochrane (8).

The 18-year-old Napier University student, who is part of the Charlie Afleck school, was delighted to get his season off to a winning start. Greig said: 'I normally hate running 200s but I enjoyed it this afternoon.

'I"m sort of splitting my training between Charlie in Edinburgh and John Steede down in Jedburgh, and I"m pleased with the way I"m running.'

The senior middle distance races were dominated by Hawick athletes.

Veteran Billy Fraser (85) turned back the years to win a sprint finish for the line in the Anderson and Beattie 800 metres ahead of fellow Hawick runners Alec Corbett (85) and Derek Scott (85).

Following his hard-fought win the 47-year-old coach told us: 'I wasn"t going to run because we are going in the opposite direction and didn"t feel comfortable with it. I"m pleased I changed my mind.'

The experimental clockwise track was introduced this year for the finishing line of the distance races to merge with the sprint line in front of the main spectator terrace.

And a decision will be made by organizers over the coming weeks if it will remain for future years.

The distance athletes didn"t seem to mind too much which way they were running as both 1600 metres races produced great finishes.

Robbie Shepherd (270), who is trained by Graham Armstrong, just managed to sprint home ahead of Earlston"s Lucy Morris (260) in the J&J Developments youths 1600 metres with Hawick"s Mark McEwan (175) back in third.

The 12-year-old city runner said: 'I had to keep with the girl when she kicked at the bell.

'It was really difficult coming off the last bend but I managed to get back in front.'

In the Border Coatings open 1600 metres Hawick"s Derek Scott (170) proved too strong for the fast finishing duo of Keith Murray (200) from Hawick and Glasgow"s James Archibald (60).

The 22-year-old butcher, who is coached by Davie Rae, said: 'I"ve not been training all that well because of injury so it"s good to get a win under my belt.'

Gateshead"s Neil Armstrong (scr) retained his Scott Plumbing and Lothian Joinery veterans" 90 metres title.

The 43-year-old blasted through the final field to break the tape ahead of dead-heating pair John Paxton (2.5) from Hawick and Edinburgh"s Tom Bradley (9).

And in the invitation 60 metres dash Corstorphine"s Ross Prowse dipped in front of Melrose"s Peter Denholm and Hawick Oz Barskanmay to claim victory.