A low-key, local hill race in the Scottish Borders.
Broughton Heights Hill Race had it all – a make-shift registration point in a farm shed, races for all ages including a junior race, friendly marshals on the hilltops cheering ‘last climb!’ and importantly, a senior race in which men and women raced together, for the same distance and towards the same finish line (how all races should be). No medals, no fancy chip timing, just a good old fashioned, challenging hill race, ups, downs and even a little bit of mud despite the sunshine and surprisingly warm Scottish day.
Steph was visiting for the weekend, so between Edinburgh Fringe shows and city fun, we headed south to find the hills and she joined some of my Carnethy team mates at the race. This year it also incorporated the National and East District hill running champs and the U17 and U20 races hosted the Junior Home International trial races, so there was a lot at stake for some runners. The race website stated that the courses were excellent for those relatively new to hill running, so all abilities were encouraged to enter.
Outline of the race route
Carnethy team and honorary member Steph
Steph’s thoughts and a recovery shoe review –
“The toughest 10k I think I’ve ever done, but luckily Amy had bought me a little treat a pair of Oofos recovery shoes. I’ll have to say we were both pretty skeptical, but willing to give them a go. After all the downhill in the heat I was more than ready to slip into something else, so I shunned my normal Toms and went for the Oofos. I wore them all afternoon after the race and they were comfortable on mixed terrain with tired legs, they gave so much more support underfoot than my normal post race footwear. I even wore them to the airport the next day, just as comfy as trainers but with no constraining feeling, they were perfect for the flight. It’s not scientific, but I was substantially better recovered the next day than some of the other competitors, maybe I didn’t try hard enough, or maybe it was the shoes!”
For a larger footed lady like me (UK 8), they made my feet look surprisingly small, I also love the pop of green fluro at the back of the shoe, I think if I’d left them behind Amy’s Mum was ready to snap them up – Sorry Rosi!
