PREPARATIONS are being made for the return of the annual Cambus Quarter Race to be held this month.

The race is organised each year by the Wee County Harriers and is now in its second year since a forced hiatus during the Covid pandemic.

The 2023 race will be held on Sunday, August 20, and has attracted 150 runners to sign up, bringing the event to its maximum capacity.

Wee County residents can line the streets of Cambus and watch the runners set off around the 6.5-mile course along the River Forth and towards the Cambus Pools Nature Reserve.

The route then heads through Blackgrange, along the old A907 and back along the Cambus cycle path, creating a figure of eight for runners to travel through.

Kerri Hutchison, part of the race team for Wee County Harriers, said she was looking forward to holding the race without the confines of the pandemic.

She said: “It’s a wee quarter of a marathon race around the Cambus pools area.

“We hold it every year in August – last year was our first year back since Covid forced us to cancel the events.

“Most people were still a bit apprehensive so this is our first year back giving it a proper push. We did the Gartmorn 6 race earlier in March and the interest in that was through the roof.

“One of the big selling points is the 'beat the train' segment of the race – a train runs through the Diageo portion of the route.

“We try to promote runners to beat the train before it stops runners going over the tracks – so that is always a big selling point for us.”

Everyone who takes part will receive a complementary race souvenir and prizes will be given out for first, second and third top finishing male and female runners.

At the conclusion of the race, refreshments will be served at the Cambus Bowling Club afterwards.

Junior runners will take part in one loop of the route and will set off after the start of the adults’ race.

Kerri added: “This race is licensed under UK Athletic Rules and Scottish Athletics.

“We’re grateful for the support of Diageo, Cambus Bowling Club, Clackmannanshire Council, Central Produce, the Royal Oak and local farmer Drew Mclaren.”