| Where: | Carnwath, Lanarkshire at Heads Inn Farm |
| When: | Saturday in late July |
| Time: | Noon |
Dating from 1508, the Red Hose Race at Carnwath is a race with a pair of red socks as the prize and is believed to be the oldest surviving foot race in the world. Originally held around the Feast of St John the Baptist in June, the race has now been absorbed into the Carnwath Agricultural Show in July as part of a much larger event, following rumours that it would cease due to lack of entries. The 3 mile race is a well loved local event and organisers were keen to keep the tradition alive. The show has many other attractions including dancing, handicrafts, other sports like tug-o-war, music, sheep shearing and of course animal classes.
Helpful Hints
In 2024 it was on Saturday 27th July- 2025 date is yet to be confirmed.
The timing and location of this event only changed during 2011 – don’t be misled by earlier articles that it is held in June at Sir John Mann Park . In 2012 it was won for the first time ever by a female entrant! While outsiders may take part in the race, only locals are eligible to win the socks.
Click here for the event website : http://www.carnwathagriculturalsociety.com/
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/carnwath.show/
Show Secretary is Anne Robertson (Tel. 07887 573437)
I’m a Spanish run races collector around the world, and I have plans to make a book about my travels and the originals races.
And I want to know as I do to participate in yours CARNWATH’S HISTORIC RED HOSE RACE.
Please, let me know to do it.
I waiting for your answer at:
tonimof@hotmail.com
thanks!
Hi Toni!
You need to contact MRS JESSIE MEIKLE the show secretary. Her telephone numbers are 01555 870507/07703483666 and you can find the show’s website at http://www.carnwathagriculturalsociety.com/ Good luck!
Kind Regards,
Averil
I am researching my Uncles running career he ran under the name of J Bolton Wemyss
Midlothian Advertiser Issue 30 August 1929 has a report of him winning the Red Hose
Race according to the report the race was five laps of the arena and was one mile.
Can I get any information about the race in the 1920s.I live in Australia so I cant visit at present.
Regards Stoward Bolton
Hi Stoward,
I’ve seen the race in recent years but don’t know how much it’s changed since your Uncle ran it in the 1920s. Your best bet will be to contact the Carnwath Agricultural Society show secretary- follow this link to http://www.carnwathagriculturalsociety.com/contact-us.php for email and telephone details or send a Facebook message to https://www.facebook.com/carnwath.show/ and I expect they’ll be able to assist, and maybe put you in touch with a local historian (we’re many miles away over the border, so can’t be much help!). Hope you manage to find some interesting info!
Best wishes,
Averil