Hour to the Tower

Hour to the Tower

Hour to the Tower is a Scottish Athletics licensed time-based race held on Corstorphine Hill, adjacent to Clermiston Road in Edinburgh. The event challenges runners to complete as many laps as possible of an approximately 1 km loop within one hour. Each lap includes about 60 m of ascent and is run on a mix of trail and grass.

The loop starts at the grassy base near Clermiston Road, heads south along the grass, climbs east on the trail path north of the Corstorphine Hill Walled Garden, reaches a checkpoint at Corstorphine Hill Tower, then descends via the north side of the radio mast through a fast downhill trail section back to the start. Only fully completed laps count. Runners may begin a lap at any time before the hour ends but are not permitted to start a lap after 60 minutes; laps begun before the hour ends will count if finished.

The race is open to anyone aged over 18. Entry is limited to 200 places and fees differ for Scottish Athletics members and non-members. Winners are those with the most completed laps; ties are resolved by arrival time back at the base. After prize-giving the Tower will be opened to participants and spectators to access the interior and climb to the top. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.