Borders XC
News
News Oct 2026
Dunbar Borders XC Information
Torness Power Station – Thorntonloch
Sunday 1st November 2026
Venue
Dunbar are delighted to start this year's Borders XC. This year we will start and finish on the beach.
Now in its 6th year at this venue. The venue is none other than Torness Power station just east of Dunbar – at the eastern edge of East Lothian. Did you know, it is capable of supply electricity to over 2.5 million homes in Scotland! The racecourse takes in Thortonloch and Skateraw coastal areas. The nearest post code is EH421QS. It is easy to find, directly off the A1(S) from Dunbar – follow EDF Energy signs. Some GPS units will take you to Thortonloch Caravan Park which is the turn off south of the Torness access road – do not take this one.
Nb: The A1 can be a busy road – please take extra care when accessing and leaving site at end of the race.
Parking
All parking is at the venue. Follow the main access road into site, turning right at the mini roundabout following road down towards the sea front. Please follow signs. Parking will be in the large tarmac carpark to the right and the gravel overflow car park down by the seawall.
Courses
The course for this year has changed from last year. Both Junior and Senior start and finish on the beach with the horrid sand dune climb to finish.
The courses are NOT suitable for spikes. There are some hard gravel trails and tarmac on the course. A lighter trail shoe would be perfectly suited rather than an out and out fell shoe. The trails dry out very quickly on this part of the coast.
The Junior Course is approx. 2.2 miles taking in tarmac, soft sand, gravel and grassy trails.
The Senior Course is 1 lap taking in the junior course plus additional sections. It’s a flat and very fast course. The course is approx. 4 miles taking in tarmac, gravel, rocky sections, sand and grassy trails. There is excellent spectator accessibility to the course so be sure to have your support team cheering you out on the course! Both courses start and finish at the same location down on the beach. All competitors should both drive and cross access road responsibly.
Toilets
There will be portable toilets available at the race start/finish area. There are also public toilets just 1.5 miles south of Torness on the A1 accessible via car only.
Other facilities
There will be tea/coffee/cake provided by Brew52.
Entry Now Closed Borders XC 2026/27.
Race numbers will be posted in time for first race @Dunbar 1st Nov 2026.
New for 2026.
The first race of the series will be hosted by Dunbar RC at Torness, with the final presentation taking place at Lauder. We are also delighted to welcome Musselburgh and District AC as a guest host club, with the venue to be confirmed.
Race Dates Borders XC League 2026–27 🏃♀️
1 Nov 2026 🥇 Borders XC Race 1 🌊 Dunbar RC • Torness, Dunbar
29 Nov 2026 🥈 Borders XC Race 2 🌳 Moorfoot RC • Hay Lodge Park, Peebles
13 Dec 2026 🥉 Borders XC Race 3 🏃 Teviotdale Harriers • Stirches, Hawick
10 Jan 2027 ❄️ Borders XC Race 4 🏛️ Norham RC • Paxton House
24 Jan 2027 💪 Borders XC Race 5 📍 Guest Club Musselburgh & District AC • Venue TBC
7 Feb 2027 🌟 Borders XC Race 6 🌿 Gala Harriers • Gala Policies
28 Feb 2027 🏆 Borders XC Race 7 & Presentation Round 🎉 Lauder Limpers • Lauder
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 six. 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 memento.
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 11.15am (Juniors) and 12 noon (Seniors, Vets).
Just turn up with your your bib number ready to run !
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.
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 online as soon as possible.