No deer were harmed in the running of this race

Now, I’d heard about the Deerstalker from Graham’s report last year, and, since I’m always up for a run in the dark, I had no hesitation in replying to Gibson’s offer of a late entry. The race takes in a couple of hills around Innerleithen, with a forest section, a stretch of the Tweed river, a scree slope, and has the occasional gratuitous obstacle thrown in (hay bales to clamber over, rope netting to crawl under, some planks to balance on, and two six-foot walls to scale at the finish).

Being a hugely commercial event, it attracts hundreds and hundreds of runners from all over the country (as in, 1600 finishers!). Not all of them look like seasoned hill runners, and a disturbing number turn up in fancy dress. Had he been so inclined, the winner (Murray Strain) might have been able to complete the course three times before the last finishers arrived back!

I confess to having enjoyed the run. Much of the time was spent along narrow tracks that made passing (or being passed!) difficult, and the course marking and marshalling removed any prospect of getting lost. Despite this, the variety of terrain and extended water sections makes me think there is an excellent race here possible, if only it was less organised and popular. I will concede one advantage the current race: the head torches really did made the view back over the hill from the finish an arc of light. Quite stunning.

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