Breaking the Laws 30K: An Unforgettable Day in East Lothian
The inaugural Breaking the Laws 30K brought runners to North Berwick on Sunday 13 September for a challenging new trail event taking in two of East Lothian's best known landmarks: North Berwick Law and Traprain Law.
It was hot. It was hilly. It was tough.
And judging by the tired but happy faces at the finish, it was also a day to remember.
This was never going to be an easy 30K. That was rather the point.
A new challenge for the East Lothian calendar
The idea grew out of conversations between local runners Gerry Taggart and Sandy Wallace, along with Graham McNicol, winner of the 3 Laws Relay in 1986. A suggestion from trail runner Gareth Quantrill - why not race the two Laws? - turned the conversation into an event.
And so Breaking the Laws was born.
It was always meant to have a strong local connection. Scottish Veterans Residences came on board as charity partner, Sergeant Major Adrian Howe of 24 Commando Royal Engineers started the race, and the charity's Chief Executive lined up alongside everyone else.
Local piper Adam Davanna set the tone at the start, playing the Scottish Commandos March, written in 1941 by their piper Jimmy Lawson. A fitting way to begin a very Scottish running challenge.
Hot, hilly and seriously challenging
There was no escaping the conditions on Sunday. Heat, hills and 30 demanding kilometres made for a genuine test of endurance, and every runner who reached the finish had earned it.
One of the water stations did run dry for a short spell during the day. We're sorry to the runners who arrived in that window. Our local team restocked it quickly and kept filling cups and bottles right through the afternoon, and we're grateful to everyone who helped keep runners supported in such warm conditions.
To everyone who took part: congratulations. Completing this course was an achievement in itself.
The first names on the trophies
Angus Wardlaw of Edinburgh AC was first across the line, taking the inaugural men's title in 2:37:34 on a course and a day that gave nothing away for free.
Alice Baird was first woman home in 2:52:05, fourth overall in the field.
Both times go into the record books as the marks to beat, and in these conditions they may stand for a very long time.
Whether you were chasing a record, taking on your first 30K or simply looking for a new challenge, every runner had their own reason for tackling the Laws. And every finisher had plenty to be proud of.
Check out the full Breaking the Laws 30K results.
Running for Scottish Veterans Residences
Breaking the Laws was built around a charitable purpose from the beginning.
Runners had the chance to donate when entering and contributed £421 between them. Blast Running pledged £5 for every runner who took part, adding a further £975.
That's £1,396 for Scottish Veterans Residences.
Thank you to everyone who gave, and helped make the day about more than simply covering 30K.
A huge local effort
An event like this doesn't happen without an enormous amount of work behind the scenes.
Our thanks go to the Army Training Corps, led by Sqn Ldr Iain Edmans of 132 North Berwick Squadron, North Berwick Pipe Band, East Lothian Council, North Berwick High School, North Berwick Sports Centre, North Berwick Common Good Trust, the Russell Trust, and the local landowners who made access possible.
Thank you too to Keith Griggs for the fly past and prizes, Karen Monaghan for the trophy artwork, Ellie Hoon for the logo design, Angela's Kitchen for the catering, Balgone Bikers for support, reconnaissance and marshalling, Michael Philp for photography, James Williams of Appin for videography (view the video on our Facebook or Instagram pages), Borders Mountain Rescue Team, Sylvia and the horses, Mo Taggart, and everyone involved in the East Lothian Safety Action Group.
And, of course, the entire Blast Running crew who gave up their day to make it happen.
There are a lot of people behind every runner who crosses a finish line.
Will you become an All Timer?
Because this was the first Breaking the Laws, everyone who ran in 2026 has something rather special: they are the very first finishers.
Come back in 2027 and you could become an All Timer, adding your name to the history of a brand new East Lothian challenge.
The date for 2027 will be announced soon.
For now, congratulations to everyone who took on the Laws.
It was hot. It was hilly. It was tough.
But you did it.
See you on a start line soon.