Shale Trail
The West Lothian Shale Trail is a 25k way marked route from West Calder to Winchburgh. This route has been developed by the Shale Trail project: www.shaletrail.co.uk
We are again offering the opportunity to run some, all or more of the Shale Trail route on 8th December 2024.
The 25km run is open to individuals or teams of 3 splitting the run at checkpoints at Livingston Civic Centre and Uphall Cawburn Road.
Individuals can run the 25km to Winchburgh or just 8km to Livingston.
You can also run the double Winchburgh – WestCalder – Wincburgh a route of 50km or thereby.
Entries via Q-Buster: Now Closed for 2024 – we sold out! Enter Shale Trail 24
Start Lists and Results will be published here: https://liveresults.kitst.co.uk/
Timing by Keep it Simple Timing results will be posted on line asap.
GPS Tracking for 50km will be available here: GeoTracks
To comply with Government and Scottish Athletics guidelines the event is pre entry only. Although restrictions due to Covid are significantly reduced the event still needs to comply with the current guidelines. Please respect the personal space of volunteers, other runners and the general public. The run route is along public footpaths also open to the public it is vital that runners respect the personal space of members of the public.
Mementoes and Prizes: This year we will have Shale Trail Medals and Trophies.
Trophies will be awarded as follows in 25km and 50km:
– 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall female, male, and nonbinary
– 1st Vet50-59 runner in each gender category
– 1st Vet60-69 runner in each gender category
– 1st Vet70-> runner in each gender category
Relay
– 1st, 2nd and 3rd
8km
– 1st overall female, male and nonbinary( if you all finish together then we will have a raffle!)
Shale Trail Head Warmers which show the run route are available to order.
Trail Etiquette: Look out for other walkers, runners, horse riders and cyclists. Allow plenty of room to pass. When passing runners or non-runners please try to allow a reasonable space. If you approach another runner move out to pass in good time or on a narrow path call out ‘track’ so a slower runner or walker can step aside. ( Like Triathlon – no drafting!)
Compulsory Equipment: On December 8th it may be cold or cold and wet and it is a short day. ( Sun Rise Sun Set ) To help maintain safety runners must carry as a minimum head covering, waterproof jacket, space blanket or similar, mobile phone, food and drink. The route is mainly firm underfoot but wet in places on the old rail line between Almondvale and Uphall. Trail shoes are recommended. In the case of inclement weather this requirement may change.
Covid-19 Restrictions:
You must stay at home if you:
– Have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 within 14 days of the event.
– Have been overseas to a country on the quarantine list or exposed to someone with COVID-19 within 14 days of the event.
– Have COVID-19 symptoms (self-isolate for 10 days) or are feeling unwell.
– Have been told to self-isolate as part of the contact tracing measures in place.
Travel: The 25km and 8km runs are point to point. Unfortunately we are not able to provide transport. Please see the Government Travel Advice on Car Sharing. For Public Transport options please see Traveline Scotland. We will provide a bag drop transport from West Calder to Winchburgh.
Safety: Please do take care. It is mid winter and the route is wet in places. If you are injured and cannot continue you can call Race Control 07980010924 or First Aid TBC
St Andrews First Aid on 0773 828 2010.
If you drop out of the race then please contact Race Control 07980 010924 and let us know so we don’t have to search for you. Please return your timing chip and GPS Tracker to the Finish and remember to pick up your drop bag. There will be a Sweeper on the course who can offer assistance if required. We do not have cut offs at the checkpoints but be sensible; if you won’t make the Finish by 15:00 then it is time to call it a day and call Race Control.
Start: Runners are allocated an individual Wave Start Time. Waves will start every 2 minutes to avoid a large group run in West Calder and on the narrow paths. We will take a small drop bag to the Finish. Put your own bag into the Van. For 8km runners there is a separate bag which will go to Livingston. Collect your race number and Timing Chip from registration. Please put any medical information the event should know about on the rear of the number. Go to the Pre Start a few minutes before your Start. Start at your start time as shown on the Start Clock. The first start at West Calder is 9:00. 25km runners then Relay teams then 8km runners.
The 50km will start from the Winchburgh Community Centre at 7:00am. Registration will be from 6:05. Please control your enthusiasm and keep quiet as the the Start is among the houses. It will be dark so you will need a head torch!! 50km runners will be GPS tracked. Please carry the tracker at the top of your pack and/or an outside pocket so it has a good ‘view’ of the sky. You can follow progress on the Shale Trail Tracking (to be updated) site. (You can see a replay of the 2022 event here https://www.geotracks.co.uk/live/shale22 )
The first ( and last section ) of the 50km follows the Canal. Once you get to Broxburn after passing under the main road leave the canal, crossing a footbridge and head SW towards Uphall. Please don’t continue following the canal in the dark – you will end up in Edinburgh!!
Clip the Tag to your Shoe Laces
Route: The route is waymarked by the Shale Trail Project and supplemented by small => and => arrows with marshals at key points en-route. There are 4 road crossing on major roads. Roads may not be busy on a Sunday morning but do take care. Marshals will assist you but they cannot control the traffic. See the map below for the Checkpoints and Marshal points. In Broxburn we may use small Blue on Yellow arrows which are resistant to interference!!
Signs: The route has been way marked by the Shale Trail project with signs as below. Note some signs are ‘sideways’ on.
We have supplemented these signs with Blue on White arrows NE to SW => ( 50km part 1) and Yellow arrows => SW to NE. In Broxburn there are small Blue on Yellow arrows that should be more tamper resistant.
Through Livingston the route deviates from the Sale Trail and follows paths along side the River Almond ( ignore the Shale Trail signs for this section) and after the Civic Centre the route mainly follows National Cycle Route 75 and Shale Trail as far as the Almondell Viaduct.
Checkpoints: There are two checkpoints: the Civic Centre Livingston and Cawburn Road, Uphall Station. These are chip timing points . They will record a split time and is also a safety check so we know you have arrived at the checkpoint. There will be water at the checkpoints. This is a NO Litter event so please put bottles into rubbish sacks and bins provided. Please don’t take bottles 500m down the trail and then drop them!
Finish: You will be timed as you finish. We will not display results but post them on line as soon as possible. Live Results Please take off your timing chip and tracker and return them. Don’t forget your drop bag at the Community Centre. We do have prizes this year and will distribute them as soon as is practical.
Relay: There is one Timing Chip which is the Relay Baton. At the end of each leg scan the chip to record a time and pass it on to your team mate. Fit the Relay chip to your wrist with the velcro strap.
Facilities: West Calder Community Centre. In Winchburgh you will find the Wee Winchburgh Cate by the Finish. Exchange your token for a for hot drinks. The cafe also serves scones, soup and stovies. The Tally Ho pub serves lunch from 12:00. 8km Runners can get a hot drink at West Lothian Indoor Bowling Club.
Map: A Google map is below and there is a route that highlights interesting historic information on www.shaletrail.co.uk and for runners a downloadable GPX route is available here: Shale Trail 24
For teams please give names for each member
Please enter here:
Enquiries and Information: Email Shale Trail
SAL Licensed Event 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024