The University of Stirling’s Dumyat Hill Race is known to attract top hill runners and keen amateurs alike, but next month’s event is set to feature an entire basketball team.
A five mile, 390m climb from the University campus to the top of the Dumyat and back, the popular event is under starter’s orders on Wednesday 7 May. And amongst this year’s entrants for its 41st running is the women’s student basketball club.
“I've wanted to participate in the Dumyat Hill Race for a long time and basically we thought it’d be a good idea to do it to raise clubs funds and also for charity,” said Emma Johnston, a fourth year Physical Education student and club fundraiser.
The team – who reached the Conference Cup Semi-Final this season – will be running the race for Asthma UK and Yorkhill Children's Charity, two charities close to the heart of one of the club’s team members. And not content with just swapping the court for the hill, the team have decided to complete the course in fancy dress.
Johnston, from Falkirk, added: “The plan is to dress up as the Monstars Team from the movie Space Jam as I felt our fancy dress should relate to basketball. Instead of running in the huge costumes, we’ll wear shorts and t-shirt then go in full body paint. There are five characters so we’ll need at least five girls from the team, but we’ve yet to decide who is going as which character.
“I have never been up to the top of the Dumyat yet, even just walking, but the aim isn’t to win the race; we’ll take our time and try to finish together.”
For those in competitive mood, Murray Strain, of well-known running club of Hunter’s Bog Trotters, is the current event record holder. His time of 32 minutes and 23 seconds set in 2012 shaved 29 seconds off the previous best by former Sports Coaching student Iain Donnan.
Former World Mountain Running Champion Angela Mudge, a sports masseuse at the University, is the women’s record holder with a time of 36 minutes and 36 seconds.
This year’s race also features new timing technology to ensure accuracy at the finish line. Full race details are available from the event website.