Footnote to Hawick Masters XC

The following post appeared on the host club's Facebook page remembering the National at Hawick 30 (!) years ago that I mentioned in my report:
Memories of The Hawick National
As I boarded the bus yesterday to head to my hometown for my first Veterans c/c championship my mind drifted back to a similar journey almost 30 years ago.
Then as yesterday the weather was to play a major role in proceedings.
It had snowed for the 24 hours prior to the event and an already challenging route around Wilton Dean and Overhaugh was about to take on legendary status.
6-8 inches of snow combined with mud and slush and as yesterday hills and rough fields met the 600+ starters in the senior race.
In those bygone days the National was 7.5 miles but I'm still convinced this one was 8 miles - there must be better ways to spend your last weekend as a twenty something.
The race was won by Tommy Murray whose 8 stone frame floated over the ground, 2.10 marathon runner Paul Evans was 2nd but most people remember the 4th placer Steve Ovett- the 1980 Olympic 800m champion.
No tented villages back then Ovett like everyone else stuck there kit in the team bin bag and shoved under the nearest bush.
Everyone who ran that day ha a story to tell - I was more than happy to survive half way down the field(307th).
Teviotdale had 36 runners in the senior field that day.
Six of those 36 toed the line yesterday Alistair Walker,Brian Emmerson, Alan Samuel, Alan Coltman, Francis Cannon and myself. In addition Alistair Biggar represented Edinburgh Uni in the junior men's event.
Many other survivors of 89 were at Stirches yesterday marshalling or spectating they to have stories to tell.
One last thing Messrs. Walker and Emmerson were part of Teviotdale's Silver medal winning team that day.
Both were medalists again yesterday.
Even after thirty years the old adage still hold true "form is temporary but class is permanent"

Thanks to all who made yesterday such a success it was a great course well marshalled and no snow!
Mind you I'm not sure running cross country is the best use of your last month as a fifty something😂.