Running

Peter has been a long-time runner, taking part in the Great North Run and various other local races in the 1980s, before having a running break when the children were small. Sam came to running in her forties when she decided to celebrate the big four zero by running a marathon. This has not been repeated, however we shortly after that we joined a running club. This introduced us to a whole new community and kept us well and truly in the outdoors even in some of the worst weather (half marathons at Bridlington and Ackworth spring to mind). We also became keen parkrunners and have clocked up the best part of 500 between us.

Here we write about races, running routes and parkruns and hope to inspure people to take up this amazing sport.

Bere Island

By Peter Lyth | June 4, 2023

Bere Island Trip with a parkrun Another Day in Paradise Saturday was yet another beautiful day and we jumped in the car before 8:00am as we had a ferry to catch. The road from Coomkeen on the Sheep’s Head Peninsular is a challenge in itself, as it is a winding…

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Running downhill at Tour De Humbleton

Christmas: A Time for Running

By Sam | December 31, 2022

As any keen parkrunner knows, Christmas is a time for running, with a chance to clock-up four parkruns over Christmas and new year. There are also a good variety of club runners over the festive season, which is why over Christmas 2022 I managed 4 organised trail runs in 10…

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The Poacher Run 2022

The Poacher Run – Race review

By Sam | September 5, 2022

The Poacher Run at Kelso saw us donning our running kit again just two weeks after the Abbotsford Trail Run. This is part of the Border Reiver Trail Series raising money for Borders Search and Rescue. It was nice to catch up with Kim, who is a volunteer with BSAR…

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Sam with Billy at the end of the race

Abbotsford Trail Race – Race review

By Sam | August 29, 2022

We have had a bit of a break from races as the Earlston Black Hill race in July nearly finished us off and the recent hot weather hasn’t been conducive to running. However, a perusal of the weather forecast a couple of weeks back gave me a certain amount of…

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Trigg point on Great Hetha

Great Hetha Hill Run from College Valley

By Sam | August 15, 2022

The College Valley is a beautiful valley in the Northumberland section of the Cheviot Hills. We were expecting a very quiet day in the hills: Hethpool at the bottom of the valley is quite difficult to get to and the rest of the valley has limited vehicle access, with permits…

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Coldstream rhododendrons

Hirsel Circular Route, Coldstream

By Sam | May 29, 2022

We have lived in Coldstream in the Scottish Borders now for 7 months and this is the first time I have written up a walk from the town. There are two reasons for this: Both Scottish Borders Council and The Hirsel Estate have some very well waymarked and published walks,…

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The end of the Cheviot 3 Peaks run

Cheviot Three Peaks Trail – Race Review

By Sam | April 19, 2022

It seemed like a good idea back in January to enter my first hill race with a 1000 feet climb. The Cheviot Three Peaks Trail Race sounded perfect and, having been reassured by the race organiser that the marshalls would be there no matter how long it took, I contacted…

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View of Kelso from viewpoint

Kelso Circular Route

By Sam | March 4, 2022

Views, Viaducts and a Famous Junction. A lovely late winter morning saw us setting off for a trail run with a friend on this Kelso circular route. Once again we had seen the route in the “Borders 40 best walks” book, however we did it in the reverse direction. Due…

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Boat on Loch Katrine Route

Stunning Loch Katrine Route

By Sam | October 22, 2021

It was one of those gorgeous autumn days when we just had to make the most of the weather, so we left the office and set off for a return trip to Loch Katrine. Last time we had been there had been a drizzly, grey day in June and although…

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Peter at the top of the hill

Kippen Trail Race – Race Review

By Sam | September 28, 2021

Trail races are like buses – months without one and then two over consecutive weeks. Just a week after Arrochar 10k we were standing in beautiful sunshine on the playing field at Kippen for the Kippen Trail Race. Mingling at the start made us realise what a fabulous community the…

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