THE HISTORY OF THE RED HOSE RACE
The race has been held every year since 1508 except in times of war and during the two Foot & Mouth disease outbreaks in 1926 & 1952. The outbreak in 2001 was over by the time the race was due to be held. James IV of Scotland granted the lands of Carnwath in 1508 to John Lord Somerville with unusual terms; “Praying thence yearly one pair of hose containing half an ell of English cloth at the feast of St. John the Baptist, called Midsummer, to the man running most quickly from the east end of Carnwath to the cross called Calla Cross”.
Such is the origin of what is believed to be the oldest footrace in Britain. There was probably a military reason for imposing this duty on the owners of the Carnwath Estate. A fast runner could bring news of any approaching invasion from the South to Edinburgh and the red hose would be the insignia by which he would be recognised.
The Carnwath Estate came into the Lockhart family in 1684 when Sir George Lockhart acquired it from the Earl of Carnwath.
*** The Red Hose race is now a licenced race with Scottish Athletics ***
PLEASE REMEMBER YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN THE BELOW PARISHES TO TAKE PART IN THIS RACE
Red Hose Socks can only be won by a resident within the Parishes of Auchengray, Braehead, Carnwath, Carstairs, Covington, Dolphinton, Dunsyre, Elsrickle, Forth, Libberton, Pettinain, Quothquan, Thankerton and Walston
RED HOSE RACE WINNERS - 2026
RED HOSE:
1st: Lucy Taylor
2nd: Andrew Gooch
3rd: Gregor Forrest
Other Runners:
Jennifer Baillie
William Baillie
Lewin Boyd
Stoo Hill
Chris Huntley
Ryan Jones
Jane Kerr
Frida Lindblad
Mike McLaughlin
Mark O'Donnell
Leslie Sloan
GENTS:
1st: Adam Kelly
2nd: Johnny Lawson
3rd: Alistair Cox
Other Runners:
Austin Craig
Tim Foster
Nigel Holmes
Robbie Martin
John O'Leary
Bill Sullivan
Stewart Walker
LADIES:
1st: Chloe Hamilton
2nd: Siobhan McInnes
3rd: Yana Thandrayen
Other Runners:
Ashley Craig
Cordelia Dowling
Shery Johnston
Lou McConnell-Trevillion
Kayleigh Mitchell
Michelle Matchell
Carey Sullivan
Moira Wilson
UNDER 16's - GIRLS:
1st: Abbie Boyle
2nd: Allyssa Bennet
3rd: Olivia Taylor
Other Runners:
Lana Boyd
Lexie Boyd
Libby Boyd
Iona Logan
Amy Marshall
Caroline Orr
Jennifer Orr
Isla Scott
UNDER 16's - BOYS:
1st: Jamie Mackie
2nd: Ross McLean
3rd: Finlay Coubrough
Other Runners:
James Bennet
Murray Hamilton
Angus Howie
Archie Howie
Alan Marshall
James Rieve
Callum Sloan
Lucy Taylor winner of the Red Hose 2026
