The Two Breweries 2007

Another Two Breweries, another fine day and another superb event slickly managed by founder Westie, Bill Sheridan and his many supporters. This race is a classic, an 18 mile adventure across the rolling grandeur of the Borders landscape, and it became an instant favourite of mine two years ago. It’s attraction is evidenced by the 90-strong field despite the rival SHR draw at Morven.

Colin Donnelly set off at a sprint and stayed there to finish 10 minutes ahead of the field. For the rest of us, the race starts on the first climb up Grieston Hill, scrabbling through heather and bracken to find the rolling track towards Birkscairn Hill. Steve Cairns of HBT kept me entertained with his banter as the front runners stretched into the distance. I still haven’t sussed the best line from Birkscairn to Hundleshope Heights and cursed my hesitant descent through the terrible heather into Glensax. Funnily enough, nobody seemed to follow me as I trudged up Hundleshope watching Chris climbing higher and higher on a long sweeping grassy track way over to the right and then other heads popping out the gully to the left.. Things got better for me from there on, with good running on moorland and tracks, across to Stob Law, dropping into Glenrath, then over Whitelaw Hill to Stobo and the steady haul to Trahenna.

I was very pleased to hold it together for a strong second half, catching 7 runners including cap’n Chris (not-so-fresh from his Corsican epic) and nearly got another two on the line. HBT cleaned up just about all the prizes with 6 out of the top 8 places, taking first, second and ladies team prizes, earning stacks and stacks of beer courtesy of the sponsors. Good packing saw Ellen, Andy, Steffen and Dave Rogers finishing within 5 places within 5 minutes. Andy was only on his 7th race ever while Ellen took the beer for 2nd Lady – well done Ellen!! Lucy Colquhoun of Carnethy was 1st Lady. Steve Bell and Graham Kelly made up the Westies contingent and Pauline and her husband were assisting the race organisation. Next year is the 25th edition of the race and special features are promised to mark the occasion.