Battle of the Borders
Church Stretton, United Kingdom • 5 Sep 2026
Trail Running in the Shropshire Hills
The Battle of the Borders is a trail running event held in the Shropshire Hills and The Long Mynd. The race start and finish are located at Carding Mill Valley in Church Stretton, situated near the National Trust tea rooms. The venue is accessible by public transport, with a train station located within one mile of the starting area.
Participants can choose from several distances:
- 10 km
- Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
- Marathon (26.2 miles)
The marathon is designed as a single lap course, meaning runners do not complete loops or out and back sections. The route passes through a National Trust haven and is fully marked by the organizers. Despite the markings, runners are required to carry a map of the area. There is a cut-off time of 7 hours for the full marathon, and participants must reach the halfway point by 12:30 PM to continue for a second lap.
All runners are required to carry a rucksack containing a basic first aid kit and a minimum of 500ml of water. The course includes stocked aid stations and is supported by marshals. Entry fees include a medal for finishers. The event is open to different age groups depending on the distance, with the marathon reserved for those aged 18 and over. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.