Borders XC 

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 11.00am (Junior race) 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 must wear their timing chip wrist band.

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.

News September 2022

News September 2022

Confirmation of dates 22/23 Series

06/11/22 Borders XC Lauder 
27/11/22 Borders XC Dunbar
11/12/2022 Borders XC Spittal Beach
08/01/23 Borders XC Paxton House 4
29/01/23 Borders XC Galashiels
12/02/2022 Borders XC Duns Caste
19/02/2022 Borders XC Hawick venue TBC
05/03/2023 Borders XC Peebles

March 2022

Gala Harriers would like to welcome you to the last round of the Borders XC 2021/22 Sunday 6th March 2022. The junior route will be slightly different from previous years and is now one large loop. Senior route as previous years.

The start is in the Gala Policies next to Galashiels Swimming Pool Livingston Place Galashiels TD1 1DQ. The Focus centre Livingston Place will be open for access to toilets only (Please leave muddy shoes outside). In keeping with covid19 guidelines it was agreed there would be no presentation after the final race. Medals can be collected by runners after the race in the Gazebo next to the start area, its three to qualify. If you wish to collect medals on behalf of someone who can’t make it that should be ok. There is also a box of lost property ready for collection.

Junior Race starts 11:00am 2.7k

Senior Race starts 12:00 noon 6.70k

Parking

There will be a limited number of parking spaces at Galashiels Academy, you can also park within the town and walk up to the start area. Please do not park at the swimming pool as local swimmers require this space.

Wrist band

The wrist band is unique to each runner and is designed to be used year after year. Please keep it safe, you can use it next year. Unfortunately, it’s not a guaranteed entry. Next year’s online entry form will ask if you still have your wrist band if you say yes, it will save you £5. You will then be allocated a new bib number and wrist band sticker, what could possibly go wrong.

Pop Up Shop

Loomi Life pop up shop will be at Sundays race https://loomilife.com/

February 2022

After a long discussion with the organising clubs,  taking into consideration the current standings and an attempt to avoid  the possibility of several draws the majority decision was made to keep it at the best of four races to count for all categories. This will include the last round at Gala. Qualification for the memento would remain at 3 to count. 
 
As part of the COVID 19 precautions there will be no presentation at the last round with results being published on the web page. Category prizes will be posted out to all winners. 1^st £20 2^nd £15 3^rd £10. I would ask if clubs could return all team shields at the next race.
 
Chirnside Chasers

Sunday 20th February 2022
Duns Castle
Duns
Junior Race 11:00am
Senior race 12 noon
(This will be a new route and a new location)
 
The next race in the borders XC series will be the Chirnside Round which will be held at Duns Castle. This is a new course and venue for 2022 taking in the wonderful grounds of Duns Castle Estate. We are delighted and grateful to the Hay family for allowing us permission to use their grounds. Sadly, like other events in Berwickshire since Storm Arwen the original route planned has been altered due to fallen trees however, we have found a route that we hope you will enjoy.
 
  Parking
There is ample parking in and around Duns. No vehicles should be driven up towards the castle. There is parking available at Duns Primary School and Duns Rugby club (postcode TD11 3QQ - W3W//vitals.sourcing.hobble) . There is further parking along Newtown Street where you can access the route from Castle Street.
 
  Courses
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 Junior Course is approx. 2.3 miles taking in forest tracks grass, short tarmac section and a water crossing. The Senior Course is 4.6 miles which is two loops of the junior route so double the fun. Both courses start and finish at the same location. All competitors should cross access road responsibly.
 
  Toilets
The nearest public toilets are  just off the Market Square in Duns.
 
  Covid 19 guidelines
1. Follow current local covid 19 guidelines at each race
2. Sanitise hands on arrival
3. Social distance wherever possible
4. Respect others
5. if you or anyone in your household are showing covid19 symptoms, please stay at home
6. It is recommended that you take a lateral flow test before attending this event.
 
Please head to the start along the track (to the left of the school as you look at the map). The lodge gates to the right of the school will be locked and you will not get access to the route. There will be Marshall’s to help direct you.
 
 

January 2022

Borders XC series leg 5 @ Minto Golf Club - Sunday 23rd January 2022. TD9 8SA.

Hawick 23rd January 2022 Minto Golf Club

Junior race 11:00am Senior race 12 noon

Teviotdale Harriers are looking forwards to welcoming you at the Borders XC Series at Minto on Sunday 23rd January. Both routes are a little different this year as the routes no longer loop southwards into the woodlands at Minto Glen, but the routes will be clearly marked and marshalled. Maps are attached showing the routes but please note permissions for access are in place for race day only .Limited toilet facilities are at the Golf clubrooms.
Parking at Minto Golf Club car park will soon fill up , and so most parking will be at the roadside. Please do not park in Minto village but park on the roadside in the areas marked in blue on the attached map. These are the minor road signposted Deanfoot Farm on turning first right after crossing the river north of Denholm, or the straight minor road heading eastwards towards the golf course entrance accessed by taking the second right turn after crossing the river. Please Park responsibly and follow parking marshals ‘advice and allow at least 20 minutes to get from parking to the start area. It is recommended that all traffic travels on the main roads to Denholm then turns north on the B6405 so the majority of traffic is arriving from the same direction to avoid congestion on the minor roads and this will make parking a little easier for everyone.
When warming up please do not warm up on the golf course and be mindful that golfers may be playing .
We are hugely grateful to Minto Golf Course, Lord Minto and all the landowners on the route.

Spikes are not suitable as there are short sections of tarmac and hardcore.

28th December 2021

One month on and the impact from Storm Arwen can still be seen with countless trees that had stood for generations left strewn on roadsides and in fields after being downed in one night. Paxton House sadly did not escape the damage caused by storm Arwen with many of the trails blocked and unsafe. The Paxton estate team do not have the resources to clear away such devastation in time, its going to take months. Sadly we have no choice but to cancel this year’s race at Paxton House which was Scheduled for the 9th January 2022.. I thank Northam running club host of the Paxton race for their efforts in trying to find alternatives but to no avail. 

Paxton House is a very popular venue and has supported the Borders XC series for many years and we wish them all the best as they recover from the devastation  caused by storm Arwen.

With four races left in the series it has been agreed that it will be three to count instead of the usual four, this will include qualification for the traditional memento given out at the last race.

• 23rd January 2022 Hawick
• 6th February 2022 Dunbar
• 20th February 2022 Chirnside
• 6th March 2022 Galashiels

Covid 19

In the face of the new Omicron variant, it is uncertain what restrictions will be in place regarding the prize giving and presentations at the last race. We will update everyone in due course nearer the time. I thank you for your understanding and hope to see you at Hawick (Minto Golf Club) on the 23rd January 22.

27th November 2021

It is with regret but after careful consideration Borders cross country race at Spittal Sunday 28th November 21 cancelled.

Berwick has been very badly hit by Storm Arwen, there is extensive debris on the beach and tides are running high. The next race in the series will be Peebles on the 12th of December 2021. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by last night’s storm in particular members of the local organising club Tweed Striders who will be busy clearing away the storm damage. 

Replacement Wrist Band

In the unlikely event that you have lost your timing chip wristband you can purchase a replacement at a cost of £5. Please give us 48 hours notice prior to your next intended race.

Click here to purchase replacement wrist band. All runners on the start line require timing chip wristband.

News November 2021

An excellent turn out for the first race at Lauder. Thank you to all our runners today and I hope you enjoyed our Cross Country Course at Lauder. Could not happen without our amazing group of volunteers too many to mention but you know who you are.   The sun shone and Bonnie Lauderdale was amazing. Cherry on the top was a fine victory for local lad Marc Wilkinson.  Looking forward to the rest of the Borders XC Series.

Graeme Sutherland

News September 2021

Entry for this year’s Borders cross country has been very popular as always. If you are on the waiting list as of today 04/10/2021 please check your emails as you may have been sent an invitation to take up a place. You will have 24 hours to respond and accept your place. Good luck. 

News August 2021

I can confirm that the borders cross country winter series will go ahead this year 21/22.  Entries will go live soon:

dates:

• 7th November 2021 Lauder
• 28th November 2021 Spittal
• 12th Dec 2021 Peebles
• 9th January 2022 Paxton
• 23rd January  2022 Hawick
• 6th February 2022 Dunbar
• 20th February 2022 Chirnside
• 6th March 2022 Galashiels

There are a few changes on how the series will be managed.

A new wrist band timing chip will be used to allow a safer environment for officials and runners, in particular officials at the finish line

Each runner will keep their own unique wrist band and will wear this together with their bib number at every race. The wrist bands are light weight and robust and can be kept not only for this series but re-used for future races year after year. There will be a purchase cost of £5 per wrist band.  Replacement bands will be available again at a cost of £5 each.

Senior Cost:

£16 for all eight races plus £5 wrist band total £21

Junior cost:

 £10 for all eight races plus £5 wrist band total £15

To avoid congestion at registration all bib numbers and wrist bands will be posted out prior to the first race at Lauder on Sunday 7^th November 2021.

To minimize mixing of junior and senior participants. The junior race will start at the earlier time of 11:00am. The Senior race will start at the usual time of 12 noon. 

Organisers will follow the latest covid 19 guidelines in operation at the time of each race and will expect full cooperation from participants. 

Presentation of prizes is likely to be by post but will update everyone in due course.

Dates for the 2021/22 season.

• 7th November 2021 Lauder
• 28th November 2021 Spittal
• 12th Dec 2021 Peebles
• 9th January 2022 Paxton
• 23rd January  2022 Hawick
• 6th February 2022 Dunbar
• 20th February 2022 Chirnside
• 6th February Galashiels

News April 2021

With all last season’s races cancelled due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The Borders XC committee look forward to returning this year but await guidance from the Scottish Government. 

Last Years News 2020

It is with great sadness that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Borders Cross Country Series 2020/21.

Back in March 2020 when we were at Chirnside for the presentation round, we could not have anticipated that this day would come. But over the last few months we have all had to adjust to a new normal.

We have been continually assessing the situation over the last three months, consulting with government bodies, agencies and stakeholders,  there is still too much uncertainty as to when events will be allowed to take place and also what the restrictions will be.

The health, safety and welfare of our runners, volunteers, marshals are at the heart of everything we do and will always remain our priority. We feel it is our responsibility to protect everyone involved, including our emergency services and local community who have always been so supportive.

Finally, we are considering holding a single borders cross country race in early spring but that’s only if the situation allows. We will confirm details later in the year.