Glentress Forest is described as the 'Gateway to the Tweed Valley Forest Park'.
Situated between the small Borders towns of Peebles and Innerleithen & just one hour away from Edinburgh, the location is second to none. Perhaps more renowned for its mountain biking, Glentress also offers a superb array of forest trails, making it a fantastic location for trail running. The area features mile upon mile of waymarked trails including forest walks, woodland singletrack and heather clad moorland.
The event is part of a fantastic weekend of trail races with the Glentress 10k Night Trail Race on Saturday evening & the Tweed Valley Ultra the following day.
Date: Saturday 20th November, 2021 Distance: 21km Half Marathon Start Time: 1015
Venue: Glentress Peel Visitor Centre, nr Peebles, EH45 8NB Entry Fee: £25
If the event is cancelled due to Covid regulations, participants will be offered either:
-A full refund minus the 6% online entry fee
-Automatic transfer to 2022
-Transfer your entry to another selected High Terrain event of similar value. This can be in either 2021 or 2022.
(Please note that due to the uncertainties with supply & the potential cost incurred if the event is cancelled, t-shirts will not be included as part of your entry for this year).
Registration: This will be on the Saturday morning between 0730-0930 . Registration is to be based from Glentress Peel café at the Glentress visitor centre. The cafe will be open early for the event.
Race Numbers will be issued at registration. Nothing will be posted out prior to the event.
What's Included in Your Entry:
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All event organisation
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Experienced safety team cover during the race, including qualified & experienced personnel at various locations
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Qualified medical support
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A stunning event venue
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Fully marked routes
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Online Registration
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Electronic chip timing
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Unique finishers medal
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Customised race number
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Refreshments at finish, hydration & feed stations on the course (TBC)
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Free event parking, toilets
For refunds, deferrals and cancellation policies please consult our T&Cs page
Required Kit: We've experienced some fantastic winter conditions at Glentress at the previous events. The weather can change quickly, with conditions in the valley very different from high up in the forest. To ensure you're prepared for this time of year, all participants must dress appropriately for the conditions with suitable clothing & footwear.
Please note this is mandatory for 21k participants.
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Course: A challenging but rewarding route incorporating a superb variety of terrain, with exhilarating descents & an abundance of fantastic singletrack trails to keep you on your toes...this amazing course ofers something for everyone. A 'slightly' different route to the February 21k...
Route Description: Starting from the Glentress Peel visitor centre the intitial section features parts of the waymarked walking trails. Click HERE for details including the Glen Trail alongside Glentress Burn, linking in with Buzzard’s Nest Trail, which winds through the magnificent Douglas firs. Then it's onto the Time Trail which passes the fortified iron age settlements offering superb views across the valley high above Peebles.
A great undulating singletrack through the tall pines leads onto a more continous climb up to Soonhope Craig. The forest opens up here with fantastic panoramic views as the trail winds it's way up the heather clad hillside.
A section following the Tower walking trail gives a brief descent into the forest before a continuous 'roller coaster' section of singletrack weaves along the slopes of Middle Hill. A series of switchbacks climbs high to the upper reaches of Glentress Forest, offering more great views.
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The high point of the course is reached at the mast at Dunslair Heights (600m). Enjoy a well deserved refreshment stop here & relish the thought that most of the climbing is done now & it's now time to get the adrenaline going on the exhilarating descent of the Black graded mtb trail...
The course rejoins the forest road soon after 'Leithen Door', following the forest roads for a few kilometres before rejoining the Buzzard's Nest Trail. Finish with another exhilarating descent back to the Peel Centre trailhead...
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Terrain:
The course features a fantastic variety of terrain including hard packed gravel trails to twisting forest singletrack...not to mention an exhillarating descent on the Black graded MTB route...this amazing course ofers something for everyone.
Ascent: 574m/1883' Descent: 594m/1948'
Please note: Sections of this route are on the black MTB trail which the Forestry Commission have given permission to use for the duration of the race. However we do not advise you to run this at other times when mountain bikes will be using the trail.
21k Time Limit: 5hrs.
All routes will be fully marked so no navigation experience is necessary.
Just Enjoy the Spectacular Views...
HydrationStation: This will be located at Mast/Dunslair Heights: 11km (water/juice)
See course map for specific location.
Please Note: Previously, due to ice & snow on the trails we have needed to relocate the aid station &/or the water has frozen in the containers. If conditions dictate there will either not be an aid station on the course or it will be at a different location. It is important therefore that you don’t rely on the aid station as your only source of nutrition/hydration. Ensure you carry sufficient personal nutrition & drinks with you for the full route. No cups will be provided. To help minimize waste you will need to bring your own water bottle, bladder, etc.
Participant Feedback
"Such a brilliant event - thank you so much for such a fantastic day" Sam Newington
"It was BRILLIANT!! Had such a fab time, super course and lovely marshals and organisers. Thank you Clare Higgins
"Wow! Thank you! And thanks again for an awesome weekend of racing" Katie Walling
It was a brilliant half marathon - as ever High Terrain Events nailed the organisation, extra friendly marshals, professionalism and fun. My favourite event ????
Mhairi Jarvis
"Wow! "Loved it. It was brilliant. Can't wait to do it again. Great organised Event. Thank you!" Louise McCracken
I would like to say I truly loved the race at glentress today and will most definitely return. The race was extremely well organised and the route awesome! Even the weather was outstanding. The car parking and marshals great too. Jacqui mcdonald
Visit Tweed Valley
Glentress Peel is located in the heart of the Tweed Valley Forest Park between the small Borders towns of Peebles and Innerleithen. The area lies in a spectacular location & has a good range of accommodation options; hotels, guest houses, B&B's campsite.
On site cafe, changing, toilets, showers, on site accommodation (Glentress Forest Lodges offer Wigwams, camping and camper van parking).
Event Location
How to get to Glentress: Located just one hour away from Edinburgh Glentress is just 1 ½ miles (2.4 km) east of Peebles on the A72.
Previous Results:
Course Records:
James Dunn 1:22:15
Nicola Duncan 1:38:41
UTMB Qualifying Event:
ITRA points are no longer required to access UTMB® Mont-Blanc. A new platform is now set up to allow for races to become UTMB® World Series Qualifiers. If you're looking to collect points for the UTMB then the Glentress 21k qualifies for 1 UTMB point.
Event Volunteers: We are looking for volunteers to help out on the event day, if you are just spectating and want to get involved or simply would like to help out, we would love to hear from you! Volunteer roles can be anything from helping out at one of our feed stations, marshalling at a junction, to giving the finishers medal to them as they cross the finish line. It can also give you an idea of what the event is about if you are new to the sport and are not sure what to expect. Many people who have helped out have been surprised how friendly and informal it is, some go on to compete themselves, others continue to enjoy helping! As an extra incentive, we offer anyone who helps on the day a free entry into any one of our events.
If this sounds like something you'd enjoy and would like to come along, drop us an email at: info@highterrainevents.co.uk for more details.
GLENTRESS FOREST LODGES
Looking for on site accommodation? Glentress Forest Lodges offers Wigwams, camping and camper van parking. Full details HERE.
