THE BORDERS ROAD RUNNING LEAGUE
The Borders Road Running League was formed in 1983 by a number of new running clubs in North Wales and the western part of Cheshire. The aim was to provide inter-club competition between teams of member clubs on a competitive yet friendly basis. This philosophy continues today each winter with races organised in rotation by member clubs for their members.
The first Borders League race was held on Sunday 4th November 1984 at Tattenhall, using the quarter marathon course. There were about 100 finishers – a number that was to gradually increase over the years, as more clubs joined the League. Prior to the 18 month hiatus enforced by the Covid outbreak in March 2020, participation levels were rising sharply, with the average number of finishers exceeding 350 in the 2019-20 season.
The League was able to restart in the autumn of 2021, and staged a full program of 7 races in the 2021-22 season, with a somewhat reduced level of participation. Subsequently however, participation levels rose up to and beyond pre-Covid levels, with new clubs being admitted to the League, and the average number of finishers in 2024-25 exceeding 390.
The appeal of the Borders League is clear. The races present an opportunity for runners at all levels to compete on a regular basis, testing themselves against runners from other clubs at a similar level, improving performance in an affordable but challenging arena, and last but not least, creating and maintaining friendships between like-minded individuals. It remains primarily an inter-club competition, although there are awards for individuals within their age groups.
For season 2025-26, the League comprises 18 clubs from across North Wales, Wirral and west Cheshire, who compete with each other over a season of 6 races.
The races that are staged each season take place between late September and April. Each race is organised by a member club, all member clubs organising races when their turn comes round, every two or three seasons. Dates are agreed in advance at the AGM.
Each race is between about 7km and 10km in length, and is staged on a Sunday morning, usually with a start time of 11.00. At the end of each race the scores are collected by individual clubs and returned to the Results Secretary to be collated. The overall results, League tables and individual competition standings are then published on the Borders League website.
The 6 race League season format was first adopted in 2023-24 – previously, 7 races were staged each season. In place of the 7th race, a midweek League relay is staged to end the season, with this event followed by an Award Presentation Evening.
The League is managed by the member clubs. A committee consisting of a Chairman, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Secretary and Results Secretary is elected by the clubs annually at the AGM. Each club pays an annual subscription to the league, the amount being set at the AGM.
Clubs interested in joining for season 2026-27 should, in the first instance, contact the Secretary at bordersleague2014@gmail.com . Any formal application from a club will be discussed at the League’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), usually held on the first Monday in July.
updated 01/09/2025