BORDERS athlete Guy Learmonth claimed his third British indoor title on Sunday - after miraculously avoiding a fall.

The 27-year-old had only qualified for Sunday's 800 metres final at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow as a fastest loser after finishing on the shoulder of Piers Copeland.

But in a thrilling final it was the Berwickshire runner who showed tremendous speed - and balance - to grab the lead from Josh Kerr in the final 60 metres.

Learmonth, whose indoor track record has been littered with falls, was poised to challenge at the bell when York's Alex Botterill stumbled as he attempted to pass long-time leader Kerr.

Somehow Guy, who is the two-times previous indoor champion, managed to leap over Botterill and renew his bid for glory.

Rivals Andrew Osagie and Copeland also lost a couple of metres in the melee.

In a thrilling finish Learmonth passed Kerr on the final corner and held on for glory from Osagie.

Guy, who is trained by Henry Gray, told us: "I was frightened I was going to fall.

"Thankfully I stayed on my feet and I think it shows how my training is going that I was able to come back - I would have struggled in the past."

Despite the disruption on the final lap four of the six finalists, including Learmonth with his winning time of 1.46.89, recorded new indoor best times.

Guy, who will start preparing for Olympic qualification over the coming weeks, added: "I was in two minds about doing the indoors this season and I'm pleased my team talked me into it.

"I love racing in front of a home crowd."

Lauder's Adam Craig narrowly failed to earn his first indoor championship medal.

The 24-year-old was in contention until the final three laps of the 3,000 metres and eventually finished fifth, in a time of 8.12.82, behind Jonathon Davies.

West Linton's Stacey Downie recorded a new indoor personal best of 57.36 in the 400 metres on Saturday.

But it wasn't enough for the 31-year-old schoolteacher to qualify for Sunday's final.

A knee injury prevented Henry Clarkson from Selkirk taking his place in the triple jump.