The 90-metres open handicap is one of the main features on the Langholm Games programme at the Castleholm, and among the 48 runners bidding for glory will be Selkirk’s Colin Bruce (9m) and Dave Knox (15.5m).

Scottish amateur international Craig Fleming is back marker and goes from scratch.

Other Selkirk marks: 90-metres youth handicap: K. Stillie (12m), E. Brownlee (11m), C. Bruce (19.5m);800-metres open handicap: A. Laurie (142.5m); 800-metres youth handicap: I. Douglas (30m), S. Shiell (150m); 200-metres youth handicap: K. Stillie (26m), C, Bruce (43m), E. Brownlee (21m), I. Douglas (9m); 200-metres open handicap: D. Knox (37m), G. Keen (15m); 1,600-metres open handicap: A. Laurie (250m).

Langholm Games goes under starters orders at 1.30pm.

Last weekend, the athletes had to make do with a string of second places on the St Ronan’s track.

Jed sprint victor Colin Bruce failed to make the final of the Innerleithen sequel, which was won by Edinburgh football manager Graeme Armstrong, but fared better in the 200-metres event. In a cracking final, Dalkeith’s Kevin Turner (29m) emerged the victor. Turner was beaten in his heat but qualified for a last outing by emerging second. Firing on all cylinders, he hit full throttle second time around and soared to victory in 22.10 seconds. Bruce (23m) came in second, with Ryan Trimby of Hawick (20m) third.

Young distance star Rowan Marr (210m) produced a good run in the youths 1,600-metres handicap, only to be beaten to the tape by Stuart Somervail of Jedburgh (115m).

Coached by Brian ‘Chico’ Woods, 15-year-old Somervail strode out from the gun and went on to emerge a very positive winner in 4mins 46.59secs. Dan Purves of Earlston (130m) was third.

Finally, in the 110-metres invitation sprint, Neil Armstrong of Durham registered a win for the north-east of England in edging out Geoff Keen of Selkirk and Greg Turnbull of Jedburgh in 12.14secs.

z Border Games handicapper Ernie Blair has announced that he will be retiring from this position at the end of the season. Former runner Blair was one of the main men in putting the Border Athletics Association together.

Blair will still be involved with Border Athletics, though.

Applications are being sought for a new handicapper and should be in for the end of August.