Run the Borders
Sat 24 - Sun 25 Aug 2024 Melrose, Scottish Borders, UK

Run the Borders

Visiting the heartland of the Scottish Borders, runners and walkers will take to the Borders Abbey Way to complete the waymarked route as individuals, teams or a relay of four.

3 races

  • Sat 24 Aug
  • #1 of 3
Melrose Rugby Football Club, Melrose

50K Ultra

06:00

Age 18 & over

£42-£46

  • 50 km trail running
  • Sat 24 Aug
  • #2 of 3
Melrose Rugby Football Club, Melrose

Full 109K

06:00

Age 18 & over

£92-£120

  • 109 km trail running
  • Sat 24 Aug
  • #3 of 3
Melrose Rugby Football Club, Melrose

Walking Challenge

06:00

Age 18 & over

£200-£400

  • 109 km walking + 1900 m ascent

Overview

The route passes the Scottish Borders' four ruined abbeys and follows the banks of the rivers.

Abbey

Starting by the home of Melrose Rugby, The Greenyards, the circular route links the historic Borders rugby towns of Melrose, Kelso, Jedburgh, Hawick and Selkirk (sorry Gala and Peebles, we know!).

This might not be the Highlands, so maybe you think you're in for an easy ride, but there's still almost 1900 metres of ascent!

However, with generous cut offs, several checkpoints along the way, robust route signage, friendly marshals and volunteers and the option to run in a relay or walk the route, Run the Borders is accessible to as wide a range of fitness and experience levels.

Highlights

  • Ultra walk/runs on the Borders Abbey Way
  • Explore the Scottish Borders
  • Dryburgh, Jedburgh, Kelso and Melrose Abbeys
  • River Tweed, River Teviot and Jed Water
  • Traverse higher ground with great views
  • Many well-stocked checkpoints
  • Fully waymarked, easy navigation
  • Run, walk or join a relay team

  • All fitness levels
  • Event village
  • Newcomers
  • Teams

Mandatory kit

All participants, regardless of race, must carry:

  • Mobile to call the Race Director in case of emergencies
  • Head torch
  • Foil blanket
  • Water bottle

Further detail will follow.

  • Paid parking
  • Rural

Event HQ

Melrose Rugby Football Club
High Street
Melrose
Scottish Borders
TD6 9SA
UK

Registration

Registration for the race will take place next to the Greenyards in Melrose both the night prior to the event and in the morning before the start.

Parking

There is parking available within the town of Melrose.

By rail

The train from Edinburgh terminates at Tweedbank, which is a 30 minute walk to the start.

  • Plastic bottle free
  • Plastic-free event
  • Public transport links
  • Sustainability policy

Sustainability summary

  • This event is continuing to eliminate the use of single-use plastic by switching from plastic water bottles to barrels, buckets and bowsers at checkpoints and providing cans of water in the goody bags.
  • Food vendors will use VegWare (or equivalent).
  • Waste will be uplifted and sorted by a waste management company to make sure none enters landfill.
  • The use of public transport is encouraged to get to the event with the startline only a short 20 minute walk from the end of the train line from Edinburgh. 

Run the Borders is Breaking Strain Event's newest event, so these reviews are from their sister event, plus you can find many more great reviews for this organiser on their various social platforms:

Registration was easy and a pre-information pack was emailed out well in advanced with everything you could need to know. The organisers are really friendly, even on the day they were greeting everyone like old friends which creates a lovely vibe. Jonathan O

Will certainly look to sign up to more events from Breaking Strain and also take part next year again! Derek M

A well organised event with a friendly no pressure atmosphere whether you area fast club runner or someone who runs as a hobby all efforts are appreciated a good way to step up to ultra distance. Kieran D

The team at Breaking Strain has to be commended on hosting an event in a really unique location. Topped off by the best designed race bling I have ever received. I would definitely recommend signing up... Stephen M

Races at event

  • Sat 24 Aug
  • #1 of 3
Melrose Rugby Football Club, Melrose

50K Ultra

06:00

Age 18 & over

£42-£46

  • 50 km trail running
  • Sat 24 Aug
  • #2 of 3
Melrose Rugby Football Club, Melrose

Full 109K

06:00

Age 18 & over

£92-£120

  • 109 km trail running
  • Sat 24 Aug
  • #3 of 3
Melrose Rugby Football Club, Melrose

Walking Challenge

06:00

Age 18 & over

£200-£400

  • 109 km walking + 1900 m ascent
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