Jed Renilson Wheelchair & Hand Cycle 10k

The annual Jed Renilson Wheelchair & Hand Cycle 10k race took place on Sunday 29^th October, attracting a small but quality field to the roads of the Scottish Borders.  The event has been renamed in honour of its late founder, Jed Renilson, and is now organised by the Scottish Borders Disability Sport Group (SBDSG) and supported by Scottish Athletics and Scottish Disability Sport.  The race was started by Finlay Calder and timing recorded by representatives from Scottish Athletics.

The weather conditions on the day were kind to the athletes with blue skies and only a slight headwind on the journey back into the finish line after the turn – however athletes were unable to better the any of the current course records.

Fresh from winning the Great North Run, Simon Lawson was first over the line in the wheelchair race – clocking a time of 21.15 and recording a remarkable 9^th victory at the Borders race.  Lawson was followed under the finishers arch by Ben Rowlings and Sean Frame with only 8 seconds between 2^nd and 3^rd places.  Rowlings (23.27), who has recently moved north of the border from his home Coventry club to study at Stirling University pipped the first Scottish athlete, Frame, in a tight race with both athletes recording personal best times.  The personal best times kept coming as Red Star youngster Kyle Brotherton bettered last years’ time by over a minute and cap a solid season to record a finishing time of 25.58.  The first female under the arch was Paralympic Triathlete (PT1 Woman) Lizzie Tench, completing the course in 32.32.  The final athlete over the line was Gateshead’s Gareth Brown, coming back from injury to record a respectable time of 51.08 after a long layoff from regular training.

The Hand Cycle Race also attracted athletes from over the United Kingdom with two athletes a piece from North and South of the Border.  It was multiple event winner Alastair Corps-Bell who claimed the victory (17.36) to record an impressive 7^th win at Jedburgh and continue his impressive form at the event.  The next two athletes to finish were training buddies, Mike Thomas (19.06) and Ken Talbot (19.16).  The two Edinburgh based athletes continued their recent tussles but it was Thomas who went home with the bragging rights on this occasion.  Fourth place finish went to David wise in a time of 21.23.

The event also acted as the final event of the three 10k race series which included races in Kilmarnock and Glasgow.  The overall results of the series were also announced during the prize giving, with Sean Frame (1^st), Kyle Brotherton (2^nd) and Luke Deighan (3^rd) making up the male medallists with Sammi Kinghorn took gold in the female section.

Borders born athlete Sammi Kinghorn was unable to defend her title from last year having been ruled out with tendonitis of the wrist.  The recently crowned world champion, however, was on hand to present the medals to the winners.

Graham Cook, event organiser, stated, “I’m delighted by the high quality of the racing and the continuing support from volunteers and locals who turn out year after year to support the race.  The support provided by partners is key to the success of the event, with sponsors Randolph Hill Nursing Homes Group, Jedforest RFC and Border Merangue all playing an important role in its continued success”.

Full results can be found below –

Wheelchair Results

Hand Cycle Results