The first Knock Hill Race took place in 1970 as a fund raiser towards creating a playing field for Cornhill. It was a great success and became an annual event.
This year’s Knock Hill Race will be the 45th Race.
The distance covered from Cornhill to the top of the Knock Hill and back to Cornhill is 8 ½ miles. It is a gruelling task having a road and hill race in one but it has lasted for the duration and is sure to keep going for many years to come.
The front runners are usually back within an hour. 1 hour and 45 minutes is the deadline for completion of the race to receive a certificate of completion.
The race started at 11am at the Cornhill playing fields around maybe 40 runners took part.
There were two representing MRRs, myself and Steve Reeve.
The race was on road for the first 3 mile, undulating with a slight head wind, we arrived at a water station, thank goodness, as it was around 27 degrees. You then went through one gate then another and this was it. The “Knock Hill” Well, it was rough and rugged to say the least under foot, nothing I had ever tried before, the incline was steady, scenery amazing.
I wasn’t far up here, when I saw Steve running downhill through the heather.
I didn’t have a problem going up. At the top you must get your hand stamped to prove you actually were at the top of the hill.
Coming down was scary, it was some experience trying to keep on your feet. A much needed drink again, then just a 3 mile run back and a lap of the playing fields to finish.
Steve was 4th male home and I was 2nd female in 85 mins 15 sec.
This has been the most challenging race i have ever done and people know that hills and I dont go!!!
I really enjoyed this race and would recommend it to anyone as it was a lot of fun.
Results will be posted when they become available.
Report by: Helen Low