ANGRY athletes have hit out after being sidelined from this winter’s Borders Cross Country Series.

Over the past two decades or so the popular six or seven race series, which includes events in Galashiels, Peebles and Lauder, has grown from attracting a handful of runners to around 200 seniors turning out every fortnight.

And in recent years the enter-on-the-day-system has led to lengthy delays in the start.

This year organisers introduced an online entry system with a cap of 250 runners - but they didn’t tell everyone.

Host clubs and their members were alerted of the changes and swamped the Entry Central system before word spread.

Innerleithen’s Dean Whiteford was amongst the many local athletes who have missed out. He blasted: “I find it outrageous that affiliated runners should be given preference over those who are not.

“I agree that the entry system was not perfect but this is surely not the answer.

“It would have been better to be honest and let everybody know about the online entries.” Mac Allan added: “The website says watch this space on how to enter on line. Well I have been watching for some time. No further information has become available and now I find that the event sign up is full. Thoroughly disappointed.” The Junior section, which is capped at 150, is still accepting entries.

But a reserve list of up to 50 runners has now been drawn up for the seniors.

The 2013/14 Borders Cross Country Series starts in Lauder on November 3.

Nobody from the organising committee responded to our messages ahead of going to press.