Saturday 16th November, 2019

A Stunning 21k Trail Race in Glentress Forest

Held in conjunction with the Glentress 10k Night Trail Race on Saturday evening & the Tweed Valley Ultra the following day (Full details below). 

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.

Date: Saturday 16th November, 2019            Distance:  21km Half Marathon         Start Time:  1015  
 

Venue: Glentress Peel Visitor Centre, nr Peebles, EH45 8NB

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Entry Fee:  £25                          Event Terms and Conditions can be found HERE.

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.

All routes will be fully marked so no navigation experience is necessary.

Included: Professionally run event, qualified & experienced personnel at various checkpoints, qualified medical support, electronic chip timing, online registration, fully marked routes, route maps, commemorative finishers medal, refreshments at finish, hydration & feed station on the course. Free day event parking worth £5.00, a 15% Run4it Discount E-Voucher. Please Note: This year there is an option to purchase an event tech t-shirt for an additional £6.

Facilities: on site cafe, changing, toilets, showers, on site accommodation (Glentress Forest Lodges offer offer Wigwams, camping and camper van parking) If you need any further information on accommodation please email.

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How to get to Glentress: Glentress Peel is located in the heart of the Tweed Valley Forest Park between the small Borders towns of Peebles and Innerleithen & just one hour away from Edinburgh. Glentress is just 1 ½ miles (2.4 km) east of Peebles on the A72.                       

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.

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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.

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...

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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...

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.

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Ascent:  574m/1883'      Descent:  594m/1948'

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A GPX File of the route can be downloaded HERE.

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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.

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21k Time Limit: 5hrs.

Click on the map to view a larger version.

We've experienced some fantastic winter conditions at Glentress at the previous events. The weather can change quickly or vary, with conditions in the valley very different from high up in the forest.To ensure you're prepared for the conditions that can be encountered at this time of year, all participants must dress appropriately for the conditions with suitable clothing & footwear.

Equipment List HERE. Please note this is mandatory for 21k participants.

Hydration/Feed Station: This will be located at:

Mast/Dunslair Heights:   11km   (water/juice, jellies, bananas, mixed fruit & nuts are provided)
 

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. To help minimize waste you will need to bring your own water bottle, bladder, etc.

Competitor 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

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"Loved it. It was brilliant. Can't wait to do it again. Great organised Event. Thank you!" Louise McCracken

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READ WHAT OTHER PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THESE AWESOME EVENTS  HERE

Previous Results:

Course Records:

2017 Results

 2016 Results

Will Simmons     1:22:18
Nicola Duncan   1:38:41

We have a full weekend of events lined up at Glentress. Starting with the Glentress Winter 21k trail race on Saturday morning, followed by the 10k Night Race...then if this isn't enough there is the Tweed Valley Ultra on the Sunday. You can enter either one event, two or all three...the choice is yours...A £3 discount is available if you enter both the 21k & 10k & £5.00 if you enter all three events...

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: for more details.
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We are pleased to announce that we have once again partnered with leading Scottish running retailer Run 4 It for our upcoming Glentress Trail Races. This includes both the November & February races. In addition to providing some fantastic prize vouchers for the events, Run 4 It will also be offering all race entrants a 15% discount voucher on selected products.

GLENTRESS FOREST LODGES

Looking for on site accommodation? Glentress Forest Lodges offers Wigwams, camping and camper van parking. Full details HERE.