BORDERS middle-distance athlete Chris O'Hare put a troubled season behind him to retain his British 1500 metres crown on Sunday.

The 27-year-old from West Linton began 2018 in terrific style with record-breaking indoor wins in America.

But a foot injury just before the Commonwealth Games scuppered his medal chances on the Gold Coast.

A warm-up 800 metres at Grangemouth last weekend made sure O'Hare was back to his best.

And, against a world-class field in the 1500 metres final at Birmingham, he won the sprint for the line.

A delighted Chris said: "It has been such a tough year with the foot injury, and I owe this win to everyone who has supported me through the difficult times.

"It was tough out there today.

"You are standing in the call room and are thinking, ‘alright, there’s a lot of guys in here to worry about’.

“I was great to be involved in such a high-class race - we all put our pride on the line."

Chris managed to open a metre gap coming round the second last bend and held off the challenge from both Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Jake Wightman and European Under 23 finalist Neil Gourlay in the home straight - clocking 3.46.72.

Edinburgh's Josh Kerr couldn't quite make it a Scottish 1-2-3-4 like the previous year, crossing the line a couple of metres back in fifth.

Berwickshire's Guy Learmonth was just edged out of the top-two places in the final of the 800 metres.

The 26-year-old had to adjust his home straight burst and narrowly failed to reach winner Elliot Giles or runner-up Daniel Rowden, although he did pip former champion Andrew Osagie for third.

Guy said: "It was an amazing race but I just couldn't get the medal I wanted."

The British Championships doubled up as the qualifiers for the forthcoming European Championships, with the team to be named later this week.