Shale Trail Run
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Shale Trail Races 26
The event on 6 December 2026 in West Calder is a set of trail races organised by Lothian Running Club along the West Lothian Shale Trail. The route follows paths and canal towpaths between Winchburgh and West Calder via Broxburn and the Almond Valley.
Distances:
- 50 km
- 25 km
- 9 km
- Relay 9 km, 6 km, 10 km
The course is waymarked with marshals and a tail runner for each race. Dogs and pushchairs are not permitted. Organisers may alter the route or distances if required. A downloadable GPX file is available.
50 km runners will be GPS tracked and there is an 8 hour cut off for that race. Checkpoints and water stations are placed at roughly 8 km intervals on longer races, with a drop bag service to the West Calder checkpoint for the 50 km. Relay leg descriptions note a mainly downhill first leg, a second leg with a steep climb, and a mostly flat third leg. Relay teams use a timing chip as the baton and there are no baggage facilities for relay teams.
Compulsory equipment includes a head covering, waterproof jacket, space blanket or similar, mobile phone, food and drink. Trail shoes are recommended. Races have minimum age limits: 50 km 20 years, 25 km 17 years, 9 km and relay 15 years.
All races are chip timed, finishers receive a memento, and trophies are awarded across finish positions and veteran age categories including nonbinary categories. Event photography and video may be taken and shared. Entries open 21 September 2026 and close 22 November 2026. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
