Borders XC

News

September 2025

We’re excited to share the news that the upcoming 2025/26 Borders Cross Country Winter Series is taking shape! This season, we’re delighted to welcome a brand-new venue at Vogrie Park hosted by guest club Hunters Bog Trotters, which promises to be a fantastic addition to the calendar.

While we’re sad to say that Duns and Spittal will not feature in this year’s series, we’d like to thank everyone involved at both venues for the many great races we’ve enjoyed there over the years.

We look forward to another brilliant season of cross country running, and we can’t wait to see you all on the start line! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🍂

Dates for the 2025/26 Season.

📍 2 Nov 2025 (Sun)
🏃 Borders XC – Lauder Race 1

📍 16 Nov 2025 (Sun)
🏃 Borders XC – Dunbar Race 2

📍 14^th Dec 2025 (Sun)
🏃 Borders XC – Peebles Race 3

📍 11 Jan 2026 (Sun)

🏃 Borders XC – Paxton Race 4

📍 25 Jan 2026 (Sun)

🏃 Borders XC Race 5 – Vogrie Country Park new venue. For the 25/26 season Hunter Bog Trotters are invited as a guest club to host race 5 at Vogrie Park (more information to follow).

📍 8 Feb 2026 (Sun)

🏃 Borders XC Race 6 – Gala Policies, Galashiels

📍 1 Mar 2026 (Sun)

🏆 Borders XC Race 7 – Presentation Round Teviotdale Harriers, Stirches.

Ethos of the Borders Cross-Country Series

The series was started over 30 years ago in order to give all runners, regardless of ability and / or age, the opportunity to take part in organised – hence safe - cross-country running.

The series include both Junior and senior races. Junior races are approximately 2 miles and the senior races are approximately 4 miles.

The premise behind the series is that all runners are able to experience the joy, excitement and benefits of running cross-country in a friendly, supportive and sociable environment whilst enjoying the magnificent scenery to be found in the Borders, East Lothian and North Northumberland. The series is organised by the following eight clubs. Chirnside, Dunbar, Gala Harriers, Lauder limpers, Moorfoot, Norham RC, Teviotdale Harriers and Tweed Striders.

The competitive element has always been – and still remains - secondary to this. In order to preserve this ethos of support, friendship and non-competitive rivalry. The series runs from early November to early March entry is online via entry central and would normally go live in October.

Rules

To be eligible for prizes, the runner must have “paid up” and completed FOUR rounds from the first seven. If more than four rounds are completed, then the best four will count. Final placings are found by adding your four best finishing positions within your category. In the case of ties, the award goes to the best placed in the last or latest round. The final round is classed as a presentation only round and will not score but can one of the four to qualify for a medal.

Prizes are only awarded in the categories stated on the entry form, and the number of awards depends on the number of entrants. As a general rule, a 1st overall requires a minimum of 3 entrants, a 2nd overall 5 entrants and a 3rd overall 6 entrants.

For young athletes there will be at least a first prize in each category irrespective of the number of entrants.

For Seniors, if there are too few entrants in any category for prizes to be awarded, the category will collapse into the “harder” category, e.g. FVV will compete as FV.

Minimum age for Young Athletes is 8 years. Age category is based on the runners age on the date of the first race in the series.

The “team” competitions, (Male and Female for Seniors), will be decided on the basis of overall finishing positions of the first three club runners per round for the BEST FIVE rounds added together. There will be a trophy for the first team, (and should that not be one of the organising clubs, an additional team trophy for the first “organising club” team). A Young Athletes team prize will be awarded in the same way.

Every senior runner gets “two” finishing positions: overall and category. There are additional prizes (irrespective of category) for first overall male and female and first overall male and female from the organising clubs. Winners are restricted to a maximum of TWO awards, one of which is their category prize.

All rounds start at 11.00 am (Young Athletes) and 12 noon (Seniors, Vets) on Sundays. Registration from 10.30am (Rounds 1 & 2), 11.00am (Rounds 3 –6).

Also. Please note:

Numbers MUST be worn on the front and be visible. If original number is lost then a replacement must be visible and legible. All runners are also required to wear their timing chip wristband.

Marshals instructions MUST be obeyed at all times.

Timekeepers are busy. DO NOT attempt to interrupt them while they are working. Results will be published on line as soon as possible.