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Borders running

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ChrisHB Jul 2016 11:24am, 2 Jul 2016 13,467 posts	Quote Pin 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 1,884 posts	Quote Pin 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 34,020 posts	Quote Pin 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 13,469 posts	Quote Pin 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 34,021 posts	Quote Pin 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 13,472 posts	Quote Pin 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 34,022 posts	Quote Pin 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 13,473 posts	Quote Pin ChrisHB I'll get in touch.