Scurry to The Sea

Scurry to the Sea 2026

Scurry to the Sea is a unique, just-under-12-mile urban orienteering running event linking the Pentland Hills to Musselburgh harbour beach. The route mixes cross-country, urban orienteering and road-running with a sandy beach finish.

The event starts at the Hillend ski centre car park with a short climb to the top of Allermuir Hill at 1627 ft (checkpoint 1), then descends past Swanston Golf Course. Entrants navigate their own way between mandatory checkpoints; two further mandatory checkpoints guide the route through the city toward the coast.

The organiser’s suggested line runs through Oxgangs and Braidburn Valley Park, past the Braid Hotel and into the Hermitage of Braid (checkpoint 2). The route continues via Blackford Glen Road, down Doubles Hedges Road into Inch Park, around Craigmillar Castle Park and to checkpoint 3 at the start of Kings Haugh entering Peffermill industrial estate. Runners then follow paths and a cycle route behind Duddingston Golf Course, cross the A6106, pass under the A1, cross the Range carpark and a railway bridge, reach Brunstane Rd South and follow the Brunstane Burn path for the final mile and a half. A marked entrance leads onto Musselburgh beach and a compulsory run across the sand to the finish by the sea.

Pre-entry is online only and the event is open to those aged 16 and over. A paid bus transfer option is available from near Musselburgh Fisherrow harbour beach and must be booked at sign up. For safety, earphones are prohibited, dogs are not allowed on the course, and the event is not suitable for pushchairs or run buggies. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.