Great trail running races (Scotland and England north)
A friend, James, and his fiancée Sarah are keen to enter a few trail races in Scotland or the north of England. They might use these races to build up to something more epic, such as the West Highland Way race. Then again, they might find that they enjoy entering lots of different shorter trail races.
They asked me if I knew of any great trail races. I looked around – and asked around – and here’s my list. There will be many more, I’m sure, so please do keep me posted and I’ll add to this list.
Glencoe Marathon.
Please note that some races are listed for 2014 dates while others have 2015 dates to be confirmed (TBC). The races are listed in monthly order regardless of year.
Shorter distance trail races
(Up to half marathon distance)
North York Moors
Includes 10k and half marathon distance races.
High Terrain Events organises a series of trail races throughout the year.
FoxTrail Winter Running Series
East Lothian
Jan 18, 2015
20k off-road race as part of a new series of four running events throughout the winter.
Fife
Every February
A 15km trail race that starts and finishes within the grounds of the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan, Kincardine. It follows a relatively flat circular loop of Devilla Forest, taking in a mix of fire-roads, paths and single track.
FoxTrail Winter Running Series
East Lothian
Feb 20, 2015
10k night run as part of a new series of four running events throughout the winter.
Highlands, Scotland
February 21, 2015
A new multi-stage running event linking Fort William and Glen Nevis over eight timed stages making up 15km of the total 22km route. Runners will be able to race the stages and enjoy the short transitions. The winner will be the person with the shortest cumulative time for the stages over a day of racing.
Clackmananshire
Every March
The Gartmorn 6 is a race that the Wee County Harriers hold every March. It’s mostly a trail race around the Gartmorn Dam, next to Alloa and Sauchie.
FoxTrail Winter Running Series
East Lothian
March 22, 2015
13k off-road race as part of a new series of four running events throughout the winter.
East Kilbride
June each year
A choice of 1km, 3km and 5km off-road races that take place on a summer’s evening.
Stirlingshire
June each year
A multi-terrain race with tarmac, forest path, farm track and open grassland.
Perth & Kinross
July each year
A multi-terrain race run over a scenic route with 220m total ascent, starting from Morrison’s Academy sports ground, Dallerie. The course heads over Laggan Hill past the Baird Monument and back along the banks of the River Earn via Lady Mary’s Walk.
Dawsholm Park, Glasgow
August each year
A 7km off road race that is part of the Tour of Clydeside series of events.
Mugdock Country Park, north of Glasgow.
August each year
A 7km off road race that is part of the Tour of Clydeside series of events.
September each year
The run starts and finishes in Aberfoyle and takes runners through beautiful Ard Forest.
Central Scotland
October 2015 date TBC
Runners follow an undulating/hilly out-and-back route in the Kelvin Valley area on trails and paths through Barhill Forest, Croyhill and Dumbreck Marsh, following the route of the Roman Antonine Wall.
Knapdale, Argyll
November 2, 2104
A predominantly off-road race of around 5.5 miles on the beautiful Knapdale Peninsula.
FoxTrail Winter Running Series
East Lothian
November 29, 2014
13k off-road race as part of a new series of four running events throughout the winter.
Northumberland
December 7, 2014
A 10.5-mile fell race with 1250ft of ascent.
Longer distance trail races
(More than a half marathon)
Hardmoors marathon trails series
North York Moors
Six or seven races of marathon distance throughout the year in different locations.
Hardmoors 110 Rise to the Challenge
North York Moors
Races of 30, 55, 60 110 and 160 mile held throughout the year. See the link to find out more.
Fife
Usually January
A four-stage relay for teams of six from the Duck Pond on Falkland Estate.
The race of 31km and 1250m of ascent is run over the Lomond Hills.
Forfar Multi Terrain Half Marathon
Angus
February 1, 2015
The Multi Terrain Race is a tough half marathon round the town of Forfar. The race route contains a varied mixture of running surfaces including country park paths, tarmac, pavement, farm tracks, fields and bogs – and a water section, which can be knee deep.
March 14, 2015 (Entries open January 1, 2015)
Deeside
A 33-mile run from Aberdeen to Banchory to Aberdeen on the Deeside Way.
West Highland Way
April 25, 2015
53 miles and 7,400ft elevation on the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Tyndrum.
Glacier Energy 15 Mile Trail Race
Deeside
April 26, 2015
Starting on the Banks of the River Dee the route meanders through a Scots Pine forest then up to the foothills of Lochnagar and down again for an “interesting sting in the tail”.
May 9, 2015
There are plenty of choices at this event that heads along the scenic Kintyre Way, from Tarbert to Campbeltown. The terrain is varied, from hill paths and forestry tracks to beaches and seaside rocks.
Tayinloan to Campbeltown is 35.5 miles; Tarbert to Campbeltown is 67 miles; Relay is Tarbert to Campbeltown split into six sections of various lengths or Tayinloan to Campbeltown, split into three sections
June 20, 2015
The Scottish ultra race biggie, from Milngavie to Fort William and 95 miles.
July each year
A 14-mile undulating run of mixed terrain including beach.
Date TBC (usually August)
This 43-mile race is ideal for runners who are keen to up their race distance from a marathon to ultra distance. The race includes the Devil’s Staircase on the West Highland Way.
2015 date tbc (usually August)
Speyside Way race of 36.5 miles and a great and race ceilidh afterwards.
Marathon Des Ben Nevis
Highlands, Scotland
Sept 19, 2015
No Fuss Event’s ultimate mountain running event for endurance athletes and people with a sense of adventure. The 68km Marathon des Ben Nevis see runners circumnavigating Ben Nevis starting from Fort William. It is an opportunity to travel through some of the most rugged and isolated areas that the Scottish Highlands has to offer. The course is undulating and varied with river and stream crossings, sustained climbs and long descents.
Ayrshire
2015 date TBC (usually September)
44 miles on Scotland’s first river source to sea walking trail in beautiful Ayrshire.
Cairngorms National Park
2015 date TBC (usually September)
24 miles of running amid Aviemore countryside.
Highlands, Scotland
October every year
There’s a 26.2 mile Glencoe Marathon as well as the Mamores Half Marathon and the Glen Nevis 10k. The full off-road marathon ascends a total of 1,608 metres through the heart of Glencoe and into the foothills of Ben Nevis.
Lake District
2015 date TBC (usually October)
50 miles with 4000m of ascent covering the lofty peaks of Scaffel Pike, Helvelyn and Skiddaw (each of which are more than 3000ft) among others.
Jedburgh, Scottish Borders
2015 date TBC (usually October)
A 38-mile event that is “very traily”, around about 90% off-road, with beautiful riverside sections, the three Eildon Peaks and a whole load of mud. It starts and finishes in Jedburgh and follows in the footsteps of Saints and Warriors.
November 1, 2014
Race entry now closed but look out for 2015 race entries opening (usually in May).
The race is approximately 33 miles long and starts just outside Strathyre. The route is run on a variety of surfaces, but all good underfoot, so it would make a nice race for those looking to step up from marathon distance.
Glasgow
November 2, 2014
A 26km race that heads through six of Glasgow’s parks. Terrain is mixed although mostly park trials and tarmac.
Something different
New location each year, Scotland
2015 date TBC (usually April)
A two-day challenge that includes navigation over hills and moors in a new location every year. (The location is kept secret until nearer the time).