Sammi Kinghorn sings praises of Jedburgh event

The popular event, which is named after the late disability sports coach, was part of the Jedburgh Running Festival weekend.

Sammi Kinghorn (Image: Graham Cook)

Sean Frame, from Lockerbie, was the overall winner, in a new PB of 20.32 – just seven seconds off the course record – ahead of top male racers Nathan Maguire, Ben Rowlands and Luke Deighan, with Kinghorn finishing third overall, splitting Maguire and Rowlands.

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Ken Talbot, from Edinburgh, won the hand-cycle event, in a time of 17.39.

Within minutes of crossing the line to claim her fourth title, Kinghorn said: “This race is always something for me to look forward to, coming back to Scotland racing in front of my supporters.

 “I drove [GB Paralympian] Hannah Cockroft round the course yesterday and she commented on how beautiful the area is, and, while I don’t live here anymore sadly, it is such a beautiful place to live, and to race.

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 “It’s probably the fastest 10k race in Britain and doesn’t get the publicity it deserves, so it’s my aim for the next few years to get more and more people of all ages and levels to come to the Borders and take part.

 “There are so many places in Scotland where we have not yet broken down barriers to allow people with disabilities to take part in sport, but nobody needs to be an elite sports person. Sport is incredibly important for the mind and body, and just getting out and meeting people.

 “That’s why I started. When I had my accident I felt very alone and didn’t know anyone in my situation. I started wheelchair racing because I wanted to get fit and meet people who understood what I was going through. Those are the real life benefits of events like this and I want to help others to have the opportunities I’ve had.”