A race from Traquair House in Innerleithen to Broughton in the scenic Scottish Borders. Race category AL: 30 km / 18 miles, 1500m / 4900ft ascent.
Saturday 27 September 2025
about
The Two Breweries Hill Race was the brainchild of Frank Smith, brewer at Broughton Ales and keen fell runner, with the support of both Sir David Younger of Broughton Ales and Peter Maxwell Stuart, the twentieth Laird of Traquair, who had been brewing at Traquair House's brewery since the 1965. This much-loved race has been held every year since 1983 with the exception of 2001 (due to the foot and mouth outbreak), and 2020 (due to Covid). As well as bringing experienced hill runners to explore the local hills, it celebrates the beers and ales produced in the local breweries, and all those who make it to the finish line are rewarded with a bottle of ale, IPA or lager.
The race is always held on the 4th Saturday in September, starting on the lawn in front of the historic courtyard gates at Traquair House at 12 noon and finishing at Broughton Ales brewery.
The record (2:33:57) was set by John Taylor in 1992. John was an international athlete who died in 2002, aged 33, from a heart condition known as cardiomyopathy. The John Taylor Foundation was created to raise awareness of this condition, and to assist young athletes. The womens record (2:53:56) was set by Angela Mudge in 2000.
Previous race winners
Year
Name
Time
Club
2024
Andrew Douglas
02:50:15
Westerlands
2024
Catriona Graves
03:21:54
Highland Hill Runners
2023
Sasha Chepelin
02:57:25
Carnethy
2023
Sarah Hodgson
03:19:03
Carnethy
2022
Alistair Masson
02:48:27
Carnethy
2022
Catriona Graves
03:09:26
Highland HR
2021
Ricky Lightfoot
02:52:56
Ellenborough AC
2021
Jill Stephen
03:19:21
Hunters Bog Trotters
2019
Tom Owens
02:48:56
Shettleston Harriers
2019
Holly Page
03:03:26
Calder Valley
2018
Andrew Fallas
02:53:27
Carnethy
2018
Catriona Buchanan
03:20:08
Ochil HR
2017
Kenny Richmond
02:59:22
Shettleston Harriers
2017
Shona Robertson
03:35:49
Shettleston Harriers
2016
Alasdair Mcleod
02:56:53
Shettleston Harriers
2016
Charlotte Morgan
03:22:46
Carnethy
2015
Graham Gristwood
02:44:04
Ochil HR
2015
Kerstin Leslie
03:32:10
Annan & District
2014
Andrew Fallas
02:46:48
Carnethy
2014
Jasmin Paris
03:01:19
Carnethy
2013
Colin Donnelly
02:48:48
Cambuslang Harriers
2013
Angela Mudge
03:08:39
Carnethy
2012
Stewart Whitlie
02:51:54
Carnethy
2012
Jasmin Paris
03:11:05
Carnethy
2011
Stewart Whitlie
02:56:00
Carnethy
2011
Jasmin Paris
03:14:07
Carnethy
2010
Murray Strain
02:41:21
Hunters Bog Trotters
2010
Andrea Priestley
03:22:00
Ochil HR
2009
Scott Fraser
02:47:30
Unattached
2009
Megan Mowbray
03:37:39
Hunters Bog Trotters
2008
Alasdair Anthony
02:47:58
Ochil HR
2008
Lucy Colquhoun
03:12:35
Moorfoot Runners
2007
Colin Donnelly
02:47:09
Cambuslang Harriers
2007
Lucy Colquhoun
03:29:15
Moorfoot Runners
2006
Stewart Whitlie
02:52:32
Carnethy
2006
Elke Prasad
03:47:02
Squadra Porcini
2005
Stewart Whitlie
02:50:10
Carnethy
2005
Lucy Colquhoun
03:24:51
Moorfoot Runners
2004
N Sharp
02:42:49
Ambleside AC
2004
T Brindley
02:59:12
Carnethy
2003
C Donnelly
02:51:04
Cambuslang Harriers
2003
K Jenkins
03:21:21
Carnethy
2002
Andy Kitchen
02:58:43
Lothian
2002
Kate Jenkins
03:41:15
Carnethy
2000
Paul Sheard
02:37:07
Pudsey & Bramley
2000
Angela Mudge
02:53:56
Carnethy
1999
Greg Barbour
02:51:53
Cosmic Hillbashers
1999
Megan Clark
03:41:04
Hunters Bog Trotters
1998
D Naylor
02:58:12
Hunters Bog Trotters
1998
A Mudge
03:19:05
Carnethy
1997
Graeme Bartlett
02:41:48
Forres Harriers
1997
Angela Mudge
03:06:47
Carnethy
1996
Dermot McGonigle
02:43:29
Shettleston Harriers
1996
N Davies
03:23:46
Borrowdale
1995
A Davis
02:56:57
Carnethy
1995
Elsie Scott
03:38:54
Westerlands
1994
Mark Rigby
02:40:48
Westerlands
1994
H Diamantides
03:12:50
Westerlands
1993
A Trigg
02:41:51
Glossopdale
1993
H Diamantides
03:13:41
Westerlands
1992
J Taylor
02:33:57
Holmfirth Harriers
1992
T Calder
03:06:22
Hunters Bog Trotters
1991
Andy Kitchen
02:38:46
Livingston & District
1991
Yvette Hague
03:05:18
Livingston & District
1990
J Maitland
02:49:23
Pudsey & Bramley
1990
P Gibb
03:17:39
Telford AC
1989
Mike Prady
02:41:00
Glossopdale
1989
Tricia Calfer
03:10:00
ESPC AC
1987
Jack Maitland
02:36:38
Pudsey & Bramley
1986
Jack Maitland
02:42:32
Pudsey & Bramley
1986
Sarah Haines
03:16:32
York University
1985
J Maitland
02:48:18
BOS
1985
Ann Curtis
03:44:51
Livingston & District
1984
J Maitland
02:44:36
Aberdeen AAC
1984
A Curtis
03:33:16
Livingston & District
1983
Jack Maitland
02:50:00
Aberdeen AAC
You can find photos of previous races on Michael Philp's page, and on Flickr.
route
The race is around 30km / 18 miles, and includes some 1500m / 4900ft of ascent. The terrain predominantly follows hill tracks, but includes sections of open heather with some short sections along country roads. A custom Harveys map of the route (1:40k scale, double-sided on waterproof paper, with all checkpoints marked) is available for £5 at race registration, or contact the organisers.
This race is an arduous event which should not be undertaken by runners who are unfit or are inexperienced in the hills. Full emergency kit comprising wind and waterproof full body cover, a map of the entire race route, orienteering-type compass, whistle and food equivalent to a chocolate bar must be carried by all runners. Runners must be at least 18 years old.
There are eight marshalled checkpoints. Water is available at Glenrath Farm and Stobo Home Farm. These checkpoints are also retiral points. Hill rescue cover is provided by Moffat Mountain Rescue.
Checkpoint
OS grid reference
Closing time
Birkscairn Hill
73/275332
1315
Hundleshope
73/250339
1350
Stob Law
73/230333
1425
Glenrath Farm
73/207342
1440
Whitelaw Hill
72/193354
1505
Stobo Home Farm
72/179370
1530
Trahenna Hill
72/136374
1630
Ratchill Farm
72/119364
1650
This fly-over of the route will give you an idea of what to expect.
entries
The race is on-line pre-entry, via Entry Central. If you are unable to enter on-line, please contact the race director.
Entries are usually opened around Easter.
A bus leaves Broughton for Traquhair at 10am, with race registration at Traquhair. There is a strict kit-check before the race.
Prize giving is held at Broughton Village Hall, where runners and supporters can enjoy hot soup, cake and perhaps even a well-earned beer!
results
Year
Pos
Name
Club
Cat.
Time
2024
1
Andrew Douglas
Westerlands
M
02:50:15
2024
2
Aidan Smith
Carnethy HRC
M
02:56:25
2024
3
Fearghas Thomson
Granite City Harriers
M
03:10:15
2024
4
Sam Hooper
Carnethy HRC
M
03:13:44
2024
5
Robin Wilkins
Ochil Hill Runners
M40
03:14:38
2024
6
Julian Barrable
Corstorphine AAC
M
03:15:00
2024
7
Francisco Javier Cabrera Valdes
Highland Hill Runners
M40
03:18:16
2024
8
David Lawson
Unattached
M
03:20:58
2024
9
Rory McMillan
Unattached
M
03:21:34
2024
10
Catriona Graves
Highland Hill Runners
F
03:21:54
2024
11
Kirsty Oldham
Unattached
F
03:25:01
2024
12
Oli Jepsen
Moorfoot Runners
M
03:25:52
2024
13
Tim Darlow
Gala Harriers
M40
03:27:28
2024
14
Florent Weillaert
Hunters Bog Trotters
M
03:29:00
2024
15
Laura Dozier
Carnethy HRC
F
03:30:18
2024
16
Martin Wilson
Durham Fell Runners
M40
03:31:42
2024
17
Craig Mattocks
Carnethy HRC
M50
03:33:08
2024
18
Oleg Chepelin
Hunters Bog Trotters
M
03:33:17
2024
19
Ally Phillimore
Hunters Bog Trotters
M40
03:34:06
2024
20
David Hepburn
Unattached
M
03:34:23
Page 1 of 221
local
We are delighted to be supported by Traquair House and Broughton Ales, both of whose fine products regularly appear as prizes. The race would not be possible without the kind permission of the local landowners.
We are also delighted to be associated with Tweedgreen, a voluntary organisation of local people working towards a self-sustaining Tweeddale by promoting local food, encouraging local energy generation, and reducing energy use and waste.
Locals taking part will appreciate the beauty and interests of the Scottish Borders. Those coming from further afield may be interested in what the Borders has to offer. Why not treat the family to a weekend away! Local accommodation and information about the area can be found at the following tourism sites:
Scottish Hill Runners — www.scottishhillrunners.uk is an independent organisation supporting hill running in Scotland. SHR organises the Scottish Championship race series, and provides race insurance for the TBHR. The images on this web site are courtesy of SHR.
Scottish Hill Racing — www.scottishhillracing.co.uk contains a comprehensive calendar and results for hill races all across Scotland.
Moffat Mountain Rescue — moffatmrt.scottishmountainrescue.org provide hill cover for the TBHR. If the weather closes in, you will be glad to know they are out there.
The Fell Runners Association — www.fellrunner.org.uk, a UK-wide fell running organisation.
Westerlands Cross Country Club — www.westerlandsccc.co.uk, arguably one of the best small-to-medium sized hill running clubs in the West End of Glasgow. The TBHR is one of seven or so hill running events organised each year by the Westies.
contact
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the race.
Please check your email address is correct. You may like to include an alternative contact method in the body of your email, such as a phone number.