The Two Breweries Fell Race is an annual event held in the Scottish Borders. It links the breweries at the village of Traquhair, near Innerleithen in the Tweed valley, with Broughton.
the Scottish Borders. Pic: Two Breweries Race
The event traditionally happens around the last weekend in September, just as Autumn is starting to show its face.
The race is approximately 18 miles (30k ) long, with around 1500m of climb. On a good day you get fabulous views over the rolling Borders countryside.
An undulating route
The Two Breweries is a traditional Fell/Hill race with no course markings. All competitors are required to self navigate between the 8 manned checkpoints. If you have good basic map reading skills, the course is relatively easy to follow. After the start in front of Traquhair House (150m), you then gradually climb up to Birkscain Hill (661m) and on over the Huddleshope Heights to Stob Law (676m ) before dropping steeply down to Glenrath Farm and the minor road crossing in Manor Water (240m) at approximately 8 miles. Water is available at this checkpoint.
From Manor Water you climb steadily through a long woodland section to Whitelaw Hill.
leading up Trahenna Hill pic Runners are Smilers
Stobo Home Farm checkpoint is the next water stop at approximately 12 miles, after the B712 road crossing. You then have a few miles on tracks and trail before the last steep climb up to Trahenna Hill (549m) at approx 15.5 miles. From here you can almost sense the finish which you reach after an exhilarating descent through heather and soft grass and the steep descent of Ratchill Hill before hitting tarmac for the last kilometre into the quaint village of Broughton.
Don’t underestimate The Two Breweries Fell Race
For anyone thinking this event is for them, please don’t underestimate it. You can expect to be out on the trails for between 3 and 6 hours, so having basic “marathon fitness” and some endurance hiking background is essential. Some experience of shorter fell and trail races also useful, or a good knowledge and experience of the local area.
Mandatory kit and nutrition supplies are required. On a good day you may not need it and be in vest and shorts. On a bad day, even in late September, you could be wearing the full body cover from the start!
The terrain is not too technical and according to the event website description: “predominantly follows hill tracks, but includes sections of open moorland and heather, with some short sections along country roads.”
in the Two Breweries Fell Race/ Pic Runners are Smilers
Course Records
Course records are held by the late John Taylor with 2:33:57 and Angela Mudge with 2:53:56
As with most fell races, there is an excellent post race spread at Brougton Village Hall with soup and roll, cakes and tea, and convivial conversation of each runners race tales. What’s not to like?
The race was first held in 1984 and is one of several events organised by Glasgow’s Westerlands Club.
The race website for more details off the race can be viewed HERE
