BETTER WITHOUT ADS? Become a voluntary supporter

Welcome To Fetcheveryone

Our awesome training log doesn't hide its best features behind a paywall. Search thousands of events, get advice, play games, measure routes, and more! Join our friendly community of runners, cyclists, and swimmers.

Click here to get started

Already a Fetchie? Sign in here

Borders running

1 watcher

ChrisHB Jul 2016 11:24am, 2 Jul 2016 13467 posts	0 ChrisHB I want to run from Carlisle to Edinburgh in bits over a couple of years. I don't really mind how I go - even via Glasgow or Newcastle is fine. The obvious way is sort-of along the A7. It looks to me from the map as if there are quiet "yellow" roads, or tracks/paths as alternatives to the A7 for most of the way. From Google streetview, I get the impression the A7 itself has so little traffic that a runner wouldn't mind standing by the side of the road whenever a car comes. Has anyone got any experience or advice? I'm thinking that to aim for 10 miles per outing will be about right, with 12-15 feasible. I would prefer to avoid the most challenging of hills and mud. There is a decent bus service along the A7, which will stop on request anywhere outside towns.
K5 Gus Jul 2016 11:53am, 2 Jul 2016 1884 posts	0 K5 Gus I don't know the A7 down near Carlisle, but I'd say the Galashiels to Edinburgh section is a pretty busy main road, with lots of lorries and vans, as well as cars, so I'd think you'd be doing a lot of stepping off onto the verges to let traffic past. Not sure whether the verges are wide enough and cut back enough to run on, I'd imagine it varies quite a bit along the road.
Velociraptor Jul 2016 12:01pm, 2 Jul 2016 34020 posts	0 Velociraptor At the Carlisle end it should be relatively straightforward, with a bit of planning, to avoid the A7 itself without finding yourself on a road that suddenly turns into a muddy vertical trail. I wouldn't run on the A7 itself.
ChrisHB Jul 2016 12:59pm, 2 Jul 2016 13469 posts	0 ChrisHB Thanks, both. I have more or less found ways, with the longest deviation being to avoid Teviothead and going past Hermitage instead. That requires the B6399 to be fairly quiet.
Velociraptor Jul 2016 1:44pm, 2 Jul 2016 34021 posts	0 Velociraptor I'd like to meet up for one of your runs on this side of the route, if time permits.
ChrisHB Jul 2016 1:53pm, 2 Jul 2016 13472 posts	0 ChrisHB You may have to wait a year or two, but there again, it could be September. Or at the moment I'm thinking of the first 10 miles out of Carlisle in 10 days' time, on the evening of the 13th possibly.
Velociraptor Jul 2016 1:57pm, 2 Jul 2016 34022 posts	0 Velociraptor The 13th's the Wednesday, isn't it? I know I'm at work all day that day
ChrisHB Jul 2016 2:32pm, 2 Jul 2016 13473 posts	0 ChrisHB I'll get in touch.

Got something to say?

To contribute to the discussion, you need to either sign in or register as a user.

About This Thread

Maintained by ChrisHB

I want to run from Carlisle to Edinburgh in bits over a couple of years. I don't really mind how I ...

Related Threads

routes
scotland

The Fetcheveryone Castle Challenge

A journey of 600 miles, taking in 13 castles - a free adventure from Fetcheveryone! Join in with the fun

Fetch Everyone Running Club

Join our UKA-affiliated club for event discounts, London Marathon ballot places, the chance to get funded for coaching qualifications, and a warm feeling inside. Click here for more

10k Analysis: Part 7

In this week's 10k analysis blog - how often do we reach race distance? Read this week's blog here

Does it hurt when I do this?

Injuries are very annoying - but it can be handy to track your progress, and useful to look back on! Track your injuries