GALA Harrier Sara Green was the first female home in the Scottish Half Marathon which took place in East Lothian between Tranent and Musselburgh on Sunday.

THE 40-year-old primary school teacher from Galashiels completed the course in a record time of 1:18.22, more than two minutes ahead of second place Nicola Macdonald, of Metro Aberdeen RC. Katie Phillips, of Central Athletics Club finished in third.

Sara said: “I’m absolutely delighted. It was a nice surprise to win the race but to find out that I’d broken the course record was an even nicer surprise. It still hasn’t sunk in yet.

“The conditions looked great but the last six miles were very windy. I took the lead after about 10k and knew I was going well and that I’d have to implode not to win. But it wasn’t about winning the race, it was more about doing the best I could for myself. I was aiming for a sub-80-minute run and I achieved that.

“Going into the race I was still drained from winning the Scottish National Trails Championships two weeks earlier but my coach Neil Renton, who is spectacular pointed out that I’d done all the training. And there have been so many pleasing comments on social media including one from a woman saying how lovely it is to see someone of her own age winning the race.

“It’s good to show that running doesn’t have to stop at 40 or 50 or beyond.

“The last two weeks have been surreal and the highlight of my running career so far.

“And I just found out that I’ve been selected for the Event 40 Scotland team for the British and Irish Cross Country race in Dublin in November which is exciting.”