At 3.30pm on Tuesday 7 June 1977 the first official Two Hills Race started. As the Chagford Silver Jubilee Souvenir Programme (a bargain at only 25p) stated, the premise of the race was simple: “up Meldon and down Natterdon”. The race started and finished in the Jubilee Field. The prize was the Traders Association 3 mile Challenge Cup. Over thirty competitors submitted their names to Mr Faulkner to take part.
The inaugural race winner was Ian Hill with Peter Allen coming second. The under 15 winner was Peter d’Albiac . One of the youngest to take part was Robin Rhodes, aged a mere 6 years at the time.
After the initial race in 1977, the organisation of it was taken up by the Carnival Committee and the race was held in August. However, the height of the bracken, gorse and brambles on the hills at this time of year led to the date of the race being moved to the late spring bank holiday. In 1996 the race “moved” to the sports ground at Padley Common where it continues to take place each year. This is exactly the type of “recreation” that was envisaged when Padley Common was conveyed to the Parish Council in 1947. The race is slightly longer from this venue but it does give the spectators a fantastic view of the runners climbing the Two Hills.
Two hills and weather
It is often said about these parts that you can have four seasons in one day irrespective of the time of year. That being the case, the runners and spectators have endured all weather conditions over the years:
- In 1986 the “Western Times” reported on the “Two Hills in Blazing Heat”.
- In 1989 the “Express & Echo” reported that many regular runners finished a minute or so behind their personal bests due to the hot weather.
- In 1993 the runners took to the hills after days of torrential rain that had caused the bog to grow to over 100 yards wide, proving to be “quite a sticky obstacle”.
Age is no barrier!
with Sophia Caylor-Owen and Beth Wakeling.
Running is one of those activities that all ages can take part in and the Two Hills Race attracts the very young to the, well, let’s say, more mature athletes.
The minimum age to take part is 6 years old.
There is no upper limit!
- In 2010 Hugh Woodes-Rogers completed the race at the spritely age of 83.
- In 2015 Brian Lambert was the eldest resident to take part at the tender age of 74.
- In 2018 Daisy Rowe aged 10 romped home as the first overall female in a time of 35mins 26seconds. Daisy knocked over three minutes off her time in 2019 taking second place as overall female.
Competitors come from far and wide
The majority of the runners are local, but over the years the race has hosted some international participants, hailing from exotic places such as Plymstock and Torbay. The race was won in 1993 by a young Kenyan called Dickson Cheruiyot-Bor, who was a farm student at Throwleigh.
Dressing up
For some athletes just taking part in the gruelling hill race is not enough – they add to the challenge by getting dressed up:
- In 1988 firemen Robert Wilshire and Brian Timmins went round in full uniform. Not to be outdone, fireman and Chagford Runners Alderman, Paul Bartlett, ran in 2006 in his full fire brigade kit.
- In 1991 Porky Ralph and Gary Mortimore ran the race dressed as a pantomime horse crossing the finish line in 54 mins 28 seconds
- In 1992 William Todd Jones wore a full rhinoceros suit completing the course in 51 minutes
- In 2007 Kat Malseed ran the race in a full length wedding dress.
- 2012 saw Porky and Gary at it again, but this time in a cow costume.
Records
For many competitors the challenge is simply to complete the race or to beat their previous times. Some, however, are keen to try and break the record for the fastest time.
- The Jubilee field route record is held by Barry Knight of Torquay in 1989: 23 mins 34 seconds.
- The women’s record is (we believe) held by Jo Meek in 2019: 29 mins 54 seconds.
- For some competitors winning is a repeat occurrence!
- Brian Lambert has taken part in over 40 Two Hills Races. He has repeatedly been the fastest Chagford Resident, won the Residents Over 40s category at least 10 times as well as the Residents Over 50s category.
Why not have a go?
been organised by the
Chagford Runners.
If this amazing use of a Chagford Common has inspired you, then why not enter the race next year! Age is no barrier – all you need is determination and a bit of training. Chagford Runners can help on the training front. They are a running group for all ages, abilities and speeds.
For more information take a look at Chagford Runners Facebook page or pop down to the Clubhouse on a Monday evening where they meet at 7.15pm.