X Border 10k, 1st February 2026

A bilious Nina Jensen reports on a different kind of ‘cross-country’:

“My friend raved about this race so much last year I signed up and it didn’t disappoint. The race finishes at the Retail Outlet in Gretna which serves as a great race village with plenty of bargains for the shopaholics. This was also the parking for the event before a bus to the start which is also included in the entry.

The race itself starts on the outskirts of Carlisle and follows the old road next to the M6. Mainly flat with a few undulating bits makes for a fairly fast course.

2500 runners set off to run 2 countries in one day at 9am to the sound of a piper. Support on the route was limited to where people could get access, but there were loads of amusing signs to keep us going along the way.

The last 200 metres of the course is through the middle of the shopping centre so plenty of support there. However this was the low point for me as I’d felt queasy for the last 2k and struggled to run without being sick. However still managed to sneak under 47 mins so overall worked out ok.

If anyone likes the sound of the race theyre currently offering a £20 early bird, which includes a t shirt and medal as well as fruit, sweets and water at the finish https://www.x-border10k.co.uk/“