If you like your races to come with a wee dose of history then sign up for December's West Lothian Shale Trail and take a journey through West Lothian's rich cultural, historical and scientific heritage as it regenerates into vibrant new growth. The Shale Trail is a 25K way-marked route from West Calder to Winchburgh and the Lothian Running Club organised event will take place on 8 December.

Organisers say: "We are again offering the opportunity to run some, all or more of the Shale Trail route. The 25K run is open to individuals or teams of three splitting the run at checkpoints at Livingston Civic Centre and Uphall Cawburn Road.

"Individuals can run the 25K to Winchburgh or just 8K to Livingston. You can also choose to run the double Winchburgh to WestCalder and back to Winchburgh which is a route of 50K or thereabouts!"

The Shale Trail links sites across West Lothian that features communities relating to the area’s rich oil shale heritage. The trail ranges from easy to moderate, based on the paths for all criteria, but as a whole it would be considered strenuous because of its length.

The surface of the path route is also variable ranging from small sections of woodland track which will become muddy to sections of tarmacked path.

The 25K and 8k runs are point to point and organisers are not able to provide transport. There is however a bag drop transport from West Calder to Winchburgh.

If you'd like to know more, visit the Lothian Running Club website.

Image: Lothian Running Club