New Year Sprint winner dedicates victory to late coach

Craig Bruce won the 2025 New Year Sprint in Grangemouth

The winner of Scotland's historic New Year Sprint has dedicated his victory to his former coach who died just weeks before his triumph.

Borderer Craig Bruce hit the tape first in the famous handicap race at Grangemouth last weekend.

Despite countless successes, it was an honour which had eluded athletes coached by Addie Gray throughout his 79 years.

"It was such a shame that Addie wasn't there to see me win it," said 29-year-old Craig. "I know it's something that he'd have been hugely proud of."

Selkirk runner Craig Bruce breaks the tape at Grangemouth Stadium to become the fourth Borderer to win of the New year Sprint in a row

The New Year Sprint is a handicap race over 110 metres originally called the Powderhall Sprint which has been held annually since 1870 at a variety of venues.

All runners are allocated a handicap determined by factors including age, ability, gender and past results.

Craig had been trying for some time to win the prestigious event which was postponed due to a frozen track until 16 February.

He said his old coach Addie - who ran the AG Running School in Kelso - had been supporting him right up until his death on 4 January this year.

"We all wanted to do it for him and it's great to have finally become his first New Year Sprint winner," said Craig.

"He was always there supporting me and the other runners, at training and competitions, and was a great help."

The Addie Gray Running School athletes celebrate their successes of 2024 with their coach (centre) before he passed away in January

Craig said Addie had an expert eye for the sport throughout his life.

"He knew when a runner was running well," he said.

"I injured myself badly two years ago and through last summer and back into the winter training just past he told me I was improving and coming back into form again, and that's proven to be true.

"It shows that he still had an eye for when a runner was finding form."

Craig - who went to Selkirk High School and played rugby for Selkirk, as well as Kelso and Earlston - continues to run for his home town despite now living and working in Kelso.

Now coached by his father Colin and John Fleming at the AG Running School, the engineer is the fourth Borderer to win the New Year Sprint in a row - following Ryan McMichan from Hawick, Berwick's Scott Tindle and Stacey Downie from West Linton.

He admits he can still hardly believe he beat off athletes from across the world to become the 156th champion.

"It felt very good when it was confirmed I'd won, after a long, nervy wait before they made the decision," he said.

"For me, because I've been on the circuit so long – I first ran with seniors in 2012, after a few youths events, and Sunday was my sixth sprint final.

"So, it was great to finally get there in the end, after all the sacrifices you make to train and keep yourself fit, especially after the delay of six weeks from when it was meant to run."

'Something special'

The title comes with a £6,000 prize but Craig said that was not the most important thing for him.

"Obviously, that means a lot but to be honest the cash prize is secondary to being able to say that you've won such a historic event," he said.

"The New Year Sprint is known all over the world.

"I don't think it's fully sunk in.

"I'm waiting to see videos of the race and I think then I'll start to believe that I've actually achieved what has been a huge goal in my life, and hopefully given something special to Addie's memory."