EDINBURGH post-graduate student Jonny Crickmore ran himself into the record books above Selkirk on Sunday.

The 26-year-old, who competes for Hunter Bog Trotters, took an incredible six minutes off Mark Sutherland’s course record for the gruelling 13 miles.

But he did admit the conditions were on his side.

Jonny, who clocked 1.27.52, told us: “The conditions certainly helped as it was firm under foot and a beautiful day for running.

“I’m told it’s often snowing for Feel the Burns so I would like to come back and have a go when things are a bit different.

“I enjoyed the course – you grind your way up to the top and then its’ really lovely all the way along the top.”

James Britton from the Carnethy club, who was celebrating his birthday, finished second with James Dunn and Dessie Flannagan claiming third and fourth, respectively.

And amazingly the first four were all inside the previous course record.

Graeme Murdoch from Gala Harriers was the first Borders athlete home in seventh place.

And first Selkirk athlete to cross the finishing line was Iain Stewart.

A record total of 243 runners lined up at the Corbie Lynn starting line.

And they were greeted with glorious sunshine and relatively calm conditions all the way up to the Three Brethren, over Brown Knowe and down toward Foulshiels.

Leading the ladies race all the way was Gala Harrier Kirstin Maxwell.

The international orienteer was delighted to have won at her first attempt.

She said: “I would normally be competing in orienteering at this time of year but there was sprint distance orienteering this year which gave me a chance to run a few cross country races.

“I found the first few miles really hard but after the Three Brethren I began to really enjoy it.

“I knew I was the first lady at the Three Brethren as my mum was up there watching so I knew if nobody passed me I’d be the winner… thankfully nobody passed me.”

Gillian Cairns from Penicuik was second lady, just ahead of Gala's Lizzie Macleish.

Sheila Cochrane from the Feel the Burns organisers told us: "We were delighted with the turn out - we had runners from as far away as Ireland.

"The conditions were good this year and the times of the front runners were amazing.

"We would like to thank everyone who competed and also all of the volunteers who held make the Feel the Burns race what it is."

Around £3,000 was raised for the Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team.

The Feel the Burns organisers would like to thank sponsors - Alpha Boilers, Sainsbury's Selkirk, Waters Butchers and Cameron Bakers.