The John Blair-Fish Memorial Devil’s Beeftub Hill Race
Discontinued – sorry!
2miles, 750 feet
Check-in at Corehead Farm (MR073125)
NB. 15 min walk to start.
New Beeftub trophies | |||
Course records:
Men: Morgan Donnelly 19:45 (2011) Women: Jill Mykura 24:06 (2005) |
This race is organised by Carnethy Hill Running Club, contact: Willie Gibson
In 2016 the race formed part of the new Scottish Borders Hill Race series |
John Blair-Fish, the instigator of this race, died on Wednesday 4th September 2013.
He was out on a CTC ride and collapsed and died near West Linton.
This race is dedicated to his memory and called
“The John Blair-Fish Memorial Devil’s Beeftub Hill Race”
At 62 his life was relatively short but consider the width and depth of that life!
Race History
John Blair-Fish wrote:
Driving to many races over the period of 15 years I never failed to be impressed by the view of the Devil’s Beef Tub and the possibility of a race round it. The photo opportunity seemed endless as well as the sponsorship possibilities e.g. the Bovril Beef Tub race. Roger Blamire had also been considering the possibility and had a route in mind starting near Core Head Farm and ascending to the Eric Stone War memorial, round the Beeftub over Annanhead Hill and Great Hill before descending to the start. In 1992 we talked to the farmers at Eric Stone Farm and Gore Head farm and went ahead.
The race was set at the end of August at the farmers’ request and we held it in the morning so runners could compete in the Roan Fell Race at Newcastleton in the afternoon. There was a price for best performance over the two races. The race never drew many runners. Several races in the Borders have become extinct or threatened with extinction. “Real runners do not eat quiche or race in the Borders.” On one occasion only 6 runners competed the official race as one noted member of Carnethy put two incorrect start times in two calendars. In 1997 I passed the race over to Ian Nimmo who included a fun relay. The race was not held in 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak and it was taken over by Willie Gibson in 2002.
All Carnethy organised races (unless stated otherwise) will adhere to the Scottish Hill Runners safety rules. Full details on the Hill Racing Safety page