Cross country race cancelled due to safety fears
Paxton House hosted the fourth leg of the series on Sunday
THE Borders Cross Country Series has become a victim of its own success, with the cancellation of the penultimate race at Spittal Point due to health and safety concerns.
Peter Learmonth, the head coach of host club Berwick Harriers, made the decision to abandon the January 27 event because of the amount of debris on the beach and the slippery conditions of the cliffs.
The growing popularity of the series has increased the number of entries again this year, but that has had implications for the safety of competitors.
Berwick Harriers secretary David Stewart explained: “As we get more entries, safety becomes a bigger factor. The runners have to pass each other on the cliffs and the last thing we want is someone falling.”
The organising committee is still in discussion about how the cancellation of the fifth race will affect the overall series standings for individuals and teams. The final race is due to be hosted by Gala Harriers on February 10.
A statement on the Borders Cross Country Series website reads: “In the unlikely event that a replacement leg will be arranged, the series will be reduced to five legs.
“This means that overall position will now be calculated on the best three results and the team positions will be based on the best four results.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Thursday 20 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
