This new race was conceived to combine some great trail running around the trails and hills south and west of Peebles and to have a funky run through a tunnel illuminated by lights and music. A 10km route was available and a 20km route with 400m ascent included great river trails followed by a climb up and along the John Buchan Way and a great descent around the single track trails off Cademuir Hill. It is a stunning area to run in and Autumn promised to see it at its best.
Everyone had dibbers and could set off any time in a 30 min window. A misty morning saw magnificent cloud inversions on the drive down and a cool start across due covered field. I lined up with those heading out at 10:00 with some fit looking folk and raced off into the gloom.
The route headed down the river trail then old railway line and for the first half of the race I staying in 4th position. The sun burst through the mist now and then illuminating a million cobwebs in the fields. Fabulous! Crossing the river at Lynesmill Bridge, we headed back towards Peebles allowing a glimpse at runners behind through the steamy air. I kept up a good pace easing back when my sore knee made itself known. The road climb from Old Manor Bridge up Sware Hill was a bit of a change in gradient but fun. Two young female runners seemed to gain on me as we burst out of the gloom into glorious sunshine but I lost them as we joined the 10km runners and headed toward Cademuir and down the edge of the plantation. One more climb up the Sware from the other direction saw two guys overtake me and disappear into the distance. Some fun running around South Park Wood with the 10km-ers had us in the famous tunnel which was spectacularly illuminated by lights and lazers. A final loop of Hay Lodge Park provided a sprint finish past the 10km-ers and a race with Pete Hall.
A fabulous route and a well organised race. The route turned out a little short of the 20km promised, maybe made up by the ascent. If you fancy as stunning trail race next Autumn I recommend it. I was delighted with my time coming 5th V40 and 12/140 overall in 1:38:49.
Neil Arnott, a friend to Carnethy and Ramsay’s Round (previously based in Ft Bill, now in Fife) won the 10km by some margin.
Results: http://timing.tweedvalleymtb.com/TweedLove2016/TunnelRun/20k_course.html
Mark Hartree