HOUR TO THE TOWER 2026: CAROLINE’S TAKE

By Caroline Catto

One Hill, One Hour, One blast of a race

I am not sure what possessed someone (well done Alan!) to look at Corstorphine Hill and think, "You know what would a fun first race for the club? Running up and down that repeatedly for an hour”?

WERC's inaugural Hour to the Tower took place on 6 September and marked the first race ever organised by our club. The concept was brilliantly simple: start at the bottom of Corstorphine Hill, run to the tower, return to the bottom, and repeat. Each lap measured approximately 1 kilometre and competitors had exactly one hour to complete as many laps as possible. The catch? None. You could stop at any time but but if there was still time on the clock, you could keeping heading back up the hill and start another lap until the clock struck the hour.

The route itself provided very different experiences. The climb up to the tower was a relentless test of determination, fitness, and mental resilience. It was brutal. The top at the tower was a welcome relief where there was a hydration station and lots of WERC members and friends of the club to cheer the runners on and hand out bands to record a lap having been completed.

Flying back down the hill was exhilarating and offered a brief opportunity to recover before the next inevitable encounter with the climb from hell.

Despite the tough nature of the course, there was loads of encouragement from spectators, camaraderie and good humour as runners pushed themselves to squeeze out one more lap before the clock finally struck the hour. The winners were simply those who managed the greatest number of completed laps.

What made the event truly stand out, however, was the organisation. From a racers perspective, to me it was seamless. This was all down to the extensive planning and preparation that took place by the Hour to the Tower committee beforehand and on the day itself. Marshals, timing, logistics and communication were exceptional, allowing competitors to focus solely on the challenge of conquering the hill.

Following the race in true community style members then laid on a terrific buffet for all competitors providing the perfect end to a tough but hugely enjoyable event.

Overall, the inaugural Hour to the Tower was a tremendous success. It was challenging, memorable, brilliantly organised and, perhaps surprisingly given the amount of uphill involved, great fun. Huge credit goes to everyone involved in planning and delivering the event, as well as all those who took part and supported it.

If the success of this year's race is anything to go by, Hour to the Tower deserves to become a permanent fixture on the club calendar for years to come.

Special shout outs to Claire Jellema who bagged the first female prize and female course record and Georgina Li who bagged the second female prize.