The Boys Brigade first held its annual cross-country championship in 1938

One of the biggest days on The Boys’ Brigade calendar has just taken place.

Over 120 young runners from 12 Battalions of The Boys’ Brigade Scotland gathered in Tulliallan for the youth group’s annual Cross-Country Championship event.

Twelve junior teams (11-13 year olds), 12 intermediate teams (14-15 year olds) and 10 senior teams (16-18 year olds) competed in three different races. There was also a junior 3km, intermediate 4km and senior 5km.

The event, which is now in its 77th year, was led by members of the Dunfermline & District Battalion, The Boys’ Brigade.

Bill Stevenson, director of The Boys’ Brigade in Scotland, said: “Despite the cold and wet start the day brightened up to offer perfect running conditions for the races and it was great to see so many people get involved.

“The championships are an example of the many local and national Boys’ Brigade events which promote an active and healthy lifestyle. The standard of athleticism seems to improve year on year.”

The first ever The Boys’ Brigade cross-country event was held in 1938 between senior sides from Edinburgh, Leith and Kirkcaldy.

In 1961 it was decided to make it a national championship and in that year a junior race was added.

The event grew from strength to strength and the 1972 meeting saw the introduction of the intermediate race.

Such was the popularity of these competitions that battalions from across Scotland now take part and is one of the few occasions in which large groups of members are brought together annually.