BORDERS athlete Stacey Downie clinched victory in the 153rd New Year Sprint.

The PE teacher from West Linton has been hampered by injury and coronavirus this season.

But she managed to finish inches in front of Scott Tindle of Tweed Leader Jed Track TLJT with scratchman Krishawn Aiken, of Kilbarchan AC, in third.

Craig Tindle of TLJT finished fourth and there was only one-and-a-half metres separating the first four runners in this closely-fought race.

Stacey said: “I’m absolutely delighted to finally win the New Year Sprint after trying over all these years.

“I first competed as a 16-year-old in 2003 and my best results have been fourth and third so I’m delighted to finally get there.

“It’s a bucket list item ticked off that I never thought I would have the chance to do.

“Had I not had COVID and a calf injury during this season I may not have had the chance to be at the new Meadowbank track racing as I had hoped to be competing for Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.

“These successes definitely go some way to putting that disappointment behind me.

“I’m still in shock and will take some time to sink in what I’ve actually achieved.”

Stacey, the current Scottish Indoor 400m champion, has had a month to remember as she returned from Tampere a month ago as the double World W35 champion over 200m and 400m.

Full results of the weekend’s event:

New Year Sprint

Stacey Downie Edinburgh AC (17.0m) 11.15s; 2nd Scott Tindle TLJT (9.0m) 11.18s; 3rd Krishawn Aiken Kilbarchan AC (Scr) 11.24s; 4th Craig Bruce Selkirk (10.0m) 11.33s

90m Youths Handicap

Charlie Hunter Dunfermline T & F (21.0m) 9.25s; 2nd Omar Bajo Edinburgh (2.5m); 3rd Rachel Barnett Dunfermline T & F (21.0); 4th Craig Tindle TLJT (11.5m)

800m Youths Handicap

Rachel Barnett Dunfermline T & F (175m) 1:58.10; 2nd Eloise Scott Lasswade AC (125m); 3rd Rory Fleming Kelso (190m)

800m Open Handicap

Grant Kennedy Auchterarder (130m) 1.48; 2nd Oscar Logan Law and District AC (15m); 3rd Craig Bell Forfar (140m)

90m Veterans Handicap

Keith Kong Lasswade AC (14.5m) 9.40; 2nd John Fleming Kelso (10,5m); 3rd Thomas Bradley Edinburgh (25.5m)

90m Ladies Handicap

Rebecca Grieve Pitreavie AC (1.5m) 10.48; 2nd Stacey Downie Edinburgh AC (1.0m); 3rd Sofia Vidak Glasgow S S (1.5m)

200 metres Youths Limited Handicap

Charlie Hunter Dunfermline T & F (42m) 22.85; 2nd Jess Knox Jedburgh (42m); 3rd Euan Robertson Central AC (55m)

200 metres Youths Limited Handicap

Omar Bajo Edinburgh (5.0m) 22.15; 2nd Craig Tindle TLJT (25.0m); 3rd Eloise Scott Lasswade AC (38.0m)

Mile (1609 metres) Open Handicap

Alastair Scott Lasswade AC (29m) 4:31.50; 2nd Robbie Welsh Hawick (79m); 3rd Thomas MacAskill Hawick (9m)

200 metres Open Handicap

Harris Morrison Greenock Glenpark AC (27m) 20.43; 2nd Sofia Vidak Glasgow S S (32m); 3rd Murray Blair Lasswade AC (11m)

100 metres Short Limit Handicap

Charlie Carstairs Lasswade AC (8.5m); 2nd Gordon Armstrong TLJT (6.5m); 3rd Samantha Turnbull TLJT (20.0m)