An automated cable runner (ACR) for a cabling tray. The ACR includes a pathway, a carriage operable to travel along the pathway, a plurality of supports connectable to the pathway and connectable to the tray and configured to support the pathway over the tray, and a cable holder attached to the carriage. The carriage is operable to autonomously travel along the pathway from a desired start point to a desired end point to deploy cabling into the tray from the start point to the end point.