Scotland U20 Men win JHI team golds as youngsters enjoy races at Peebles

Monday 11th September 2023

Scotland U20 men took team golds at Peebles thanks to the efforts of Jonathan Downey, Thomas Hilton, Harris Pagett and Angus Wright (photo by Angela Mudge)

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By Angela Mudge

With the threat of thunder looming, Scotland U20 men repeated their gold medal success from 2022 by retaining their title at the hill running Junior Home International in Peebles.

Jonathon Downey (Kilmarnock) and Rowan Taylor (Lasswade) both had excellent races to win individual U20 silver and U17 bronze respectively.

In hot and humid conditions, Jonathon chased down Alex Poulston (England) on the final descent to clinch silver.

Jonathon was backed up by Angus Wright (Team East Lothian) in fourth and Harris Pagett (Strathearn Harriers) in fifth with only four seconds between them. Closely following was Thomas Hilton (Moorfoot) in eighth.

The first three finishers in the U20 female race were part of the gold medal winning team at this year’s World Mountain and Trail Running Championships.

The Scotland team ran well to take the silver medal behind England. Isla Paterson (Gala) chased the English down on the final descent and led the team home in fifth, closely followed by Rachel Giffen (Springburn) sixth.

Esme Dougall (Giffnock) secured the team silver in 12^th as Tash Myles (Strathearn) put in a brave performance to finish.

The four Scotland teams line up prior to the races in Peebles (photo by Angela Mudge)

Wales secured both team and individual victories in the U17 female race. Katie Meek (Inverness) fourth and Ruth Walsh (Giffnock) sixth battled it out to the finish against two of the English runners with only a few seconds between them.

Kirsty Rankine (Gala) ninth and last minute replacement Freya Scobie (Giffnock North) in 12^th had strong runs to finish third team behind winners Wales and England.

In the U17 Men’s race Rowan Taylor (Lasswade) repeated his superb performance from the trial to take third.

James Wotherspoon (Harmeny) was 12^th, Struan Gatherer (Perth Strathtay) 13^th and Kieran Hardie (Harmeny) 15^th packed well in a very tight race.

In the District competition the East won in both U17 events, with Ava Richardson (Gala) and Andrew Grant (Strathearn) leading the district athletes home and finishing ahead of some of their Scottish team mates.

A big thank you to Gregor Nicholson, Mike Pearson and team for their hard work organising the event. And thanks to Borders Council and Euan Jardine for supporting the event.