RACE organisers in Peebles are hoping to pull in the runners with some fizzy wine.

As part of this year's sponsorship deal for the Cademuir Rollercoaster, Italian restaurant Franco's is putting some Prosecco on ice for the various winners.

The scenic race returns for a third year on Saturday, August 13 and provides an opportunity for runners of all abilities to experience a the inviting grassy slopes of Cademuir hill on the south side of Peebles .

Acclaimed Italian restaurant Franco’s have added extra fizz this year courtesy of proprietor Francesco de Martino and business partner Valerio lo Coco, whose new wine merchants and import business Bacco in Edinburgh.

In addition to prizes of vouchers for Franco’s restaurant, the lucky male and female winners of the main race will each receive a bottle of Bacco’s top notch Prosecco.

Race organiser Gregor Nicholson from the Moorfoot club told us: “Cademuir Hill provides a very runnable route, much of it on the paths of The John Buchan Way, with some fantastic views of Peebles and the surrounding countryside.

“We’ve received some great feedback these last two years.

“Like most hill races, you don’t have to be a super-fit club athlete to enter."

Organisers hope to better the 63 entrants who competed last year in the 3km and 6km races.

Mr Nicholson added: "There is a real community feel to this type of hill race and whilst the winning time in the 6k last year was a pretty rapid 26 minutes, the average time was over 40 minutes with the last runner home in just under the hour.

“It’s not unusual for folk to fork out £40 to £50 these days for mass-participation off-road event challenges. At the Rollercoaster you won’t get an event t-shirt, a goodie bag or a finisher’s commemorative medal, just the chance to experience real raw running for a £2 entry fee.

"If that isn’t value for money, I don’t know what is!”

The 3km race is open to all, minimum age 11 this calendar year, and the 6km race has a minimum age of 15 this calendar year.

Further information on the race, course routes and entry details are on the Moorfoot Runners website www.moorfootrunners.co.uk