SEVERAL Borders athletes returned from muddy Stirling on Saturday with gold medals.

Many of the country's top distance athletes lined up at the Home Counties, Celtic Nations and the Inter District championships.

Midlem's Zoe Pflug continued her impressive winter by claiming individual silver in the Celtic Under 23 Cup.

The Edinburgh University student finished just five seconds behind Irish winner Clare Fagan.

And her placing also helped Scotland Under 23s to team gold.

There was also a team gold for the Scotland East senior women's team in the Inter District Championships.

In the combined race, which also included the home and Celtic internationals, Gala Harrier Kirstin Maxwell finished in 50th and Sara Green was 54th.

Fellow Harrier Gregor Collins helped Scotland East to team gold in the Men's Under 17s race.

And Isla Paterson's 14th place finish also helped the East team come out on top in the Under 15s championships.

There was also a team gold for Scotland East in the Under 15s Boys' race with Conan Harper from Teviotdale Harriers finishing 15th and Euan Christie of Gala Harriers crossing the finishing line in 19th.

The Under 13s Girls' East team claimed silver with Moorfoot athletes Abbie Little and Elena Lee finishing 33rd and 34th, respectively.

There was also a second-placed finish for the East of Scotland in the Under 13s Boys with Zico Field from Gala Harriers in 12th, Teviotdale Harrier Irvine Welsh finishing 15th and Kieran Fulton from the Moorfoots claiming 24th.