Scurry to the Sea 2023

A unique 12 mile running event and a chance to take in some of Edinburgh’s finest views.

Starting with a short hill run to the top of Allemuir in the Pentland’s its then downhill all the way! Heading from hilltop to the sea you take on a good mix of cross country, urban orienteering and road-running while navigating your way to the sandy beach finish on Musselburgh beach.

I you wish to book the bus transport in 2023 you must tick the checkbox and select a £3 bus ticket on sign up - if you haven't chosen and paid for the bus there will be no seat available on the bus. If you don't check the box for a bus then we will assume you are making your own way to the start.

For those choosing the bus ticket the bus will be waiting by Musselburgh Fisherrow harbour beach, (near the finish line) New Street, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 6DH between 7.30am and 7.45am and will leave at 7.50am to be at the start in time for registration at Hillend. Please note due to the early departure of the bus there will be no toilets available before getting on the bus only toilets at the start at Hillend.

We aim to confirm race timings in the week leading up to the event. It is likely that work will have started on significant site renovations at the ski centre so we will be looking to work around any building works or car park / road changes in place at the time.

The Course

At just under 12 miles and taking in mixed terrain this running event will start at the Hillend ski centre car park with a short lung buster up behind the centre building before following a route to the top of Allemuir Hill at 1627ft (check point 1). At the top you will have a view all the way down towards the sea. Entrants will continue the hill running section down past Swanston Golf course. From there you need to navigate your own way via the mandatory checkpoints towards the finish line by the sea on Musselburgh harbour beach.

There will be 2 more mandatory check points to help guide you and to show you have passed through.

Our suggested route takes you down paths through Oxgangs and into the scenic Braidburn valley Park. From there you will pass by the Braid hotel and through the wooded Hermitage of Braid. Check point 2 is at the entrance to the Hermitage. From the Hermitage you can run along Blackford Glen road and make your way over and down doubles hedges road and into Inch Park. Exit round the Inch Park nursery road and find the path just over Old Dalkeith road around Craigmillar Castle Park and on to our 3rd check point at the start of the Kings Haugh entering Peffermill industrial estate.

Continue down Kings Haugh and over Duddingston Road west to the cycle path running behind Duddingston golf course. Follow the cycle path for another 2 miles crossing the A6106 then under the A1 and across the Range carpark, before running over the Railway Bridge and Gilberstoun road onto Brunstane Rd South. From there you will find the Brunstane Burn path for the final mile and a half down to the sea. From the Edinburgh road find the marked entrance to the beach and the compulsory scurry across the sand to the finish by the sea.

Course Record holders      

2021 Male Winner, Andrew Macrae M50, Carnethy Hill Racing club - 1.11.31

2018 Female Winner, Rachel Normand, Carnethy Hill Running Club, 1.24.17

Timings

Registration will be at Hillend by the start from 8.10am onwards -  timings will be sent out in the week before the event.

9.00am start – Midlothian Ski centre carpark Hillend.

Pre-entry online only (no entry on the day). Over 16's only.

To ensure safety the wearing of earphones is strictly prohibited. Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed to accompany runners on the course. This event is not suitable for push chairs, baby prams or run buggies.