Race Date: Saturday August 10th 2019

Report by Richard Carter.

Despite its name, the Cademuir Rollercoaster is not a planning permission defying eyesore marring the surrounding Tweeddale countryside but a 6K hill race organised by Peebles based club Moorfoot Runners. The total climb is around 274m with some, as advertised, rollercoastery undulations. It took place this year on Saturday August 10th. The stormy weather forecast for that weekend had already claimed the half marathon I had eyed up for my holiday running fix but the rollercoaster was still on. In my haste, I, and a few others, had overlooked that a whistle might be needed which sent the niche whistle industry in the nearby town of Peebles into a bull market. A purchase of said whistle was duly made for £2.99 which dwarfed the race entry fee set at a bargainous £2. The meteorological atmosphere may have been tense but amongst the runners it was welcoming and friendly.  The storm didn’t materialise over us and the sun came out making it positively summery by the time 47 of us lined up for the 6K event, there had been a 3K event half an hour before.

The race began and there was a gradual uphill climb through grassy terrain similar to the Peaks. There was a couple of steep ascents which required a dignified stagger upwards. The sun was out and the views, through an albeit sweaty haze, of the surrounding Borders countryside were magnificent. The second half was a little kinder with a pleasant long rolling descent, a smaller climb, followed by the welcome view of the finish line. I always like a race where you can see the finishing line from a distance. The warm conditions and steep ascents determined that discretion would be the better part of valour and I made it back in 35 minutes 10 seconds, the bottle of water as I finished gratefully received. All in all, would recommend heartily if you ever find yourself in these parts around August time – unbelievable value for an authentic hill/fell race in the Scottish Borders.

First male was James Dunn of Hunters Bog Trotters in 25:14.

First female was Grace Molloy, unattached, in 30:58 seconds.

Striders’ results:

Richard Carter 35:10

Full results can be found here: http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0316&RaceYear=2019