Two Breweries Hill Race - Colin's report

The Two Breweries race starts at Traquair House and finishes in Broughton 19 mile later with 4 distinct climb equalling over 5,000ft on the way.  I have done the race 7 times now and everytime I always end up in survival mode of merely trying to get over the last hill Trahenna with the sole objective of minimising the amount of cramp I suffer. It must be something to do with me but I simply can’t crack an turn good form from road races and short hill races into a fast time at the Two Breweries and I seem incapable of achieving my long-term aspiration of going sub 3 ½ hours, my fastest time being 3.35 in 2010. This year I managed to match last years time to the second with a time of 3hrs 39mins 47secs!

I actually finished the highest placing I ever had in 20th position, with 94 starting the race and 76 finishing, with an unusually high number of retirals (18) race reflecting the brutal nature of the course and the weather and conditions being the most challenging I have experienced with gale force winds on top, and getting wetter as the race went on. At times it proved hard to run in a straight line so not a day for a PB. Lucky the race is supported by the two Breweries so I was able to console myself with ale!

Alan Elder (46th, 4:31:58), Chris Blackwood (49th, 4:35:05), David Cheskin (72nd, 5:12:22) were all in action too. Ex-Moorfoot James Britton who has moved from Cardrona to Edinburgh recorded as very creditable 11th place (3:26:31)

Full results here:
http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0103&Year=2016