When is this event?
From the foothills of the Cairngorms to Moray’s award-winning coastline you can enjoy long summer days discovering Moray’s natural, historical and cultural landscape.
Join us this Midsummer and explore the foothills of the Cairngorms and Moray!
There is lots more information on our website – go take a look at our awesome walks and events which include.
Credit James Stevens
Beginning inland at the award winning Grant Park in Forres, you run along the High Street before turning and crossing the A96, towards the famous eco-village of Findhorn. Kinloss Barracks will be on your right (look out for planes!) and the local bay’s nature reserve will be on your left. From here the coastal trail properly begins and the views are incredible!
From the trail at the top of the dunes, you enter Roseisle Forest all the way to Burghead, where a lovely new tarred path will greet you after Burghead Distillery to Hopeman.
The section from Hopeman to Covesea has some superb clifftop trails with even more spectacular views. At Covesea, provided the tide is out, you run along the beach with the lighthouse on your right and you feel like you are on a tropical island all the way to Lossiemouth, which is aid station 1!
You will go over the brand new Lossiemouth Bridge and tackle the “5km from hell” to Kingston, where you follow Garmouth & Kingston Golf Course, crossing the beautiful railway bridge before turning right, heading south towards Fochabers, which is aid station 2.
Continuing south, you pass Boat O’ Brig, and start to climb Ben Aigen and follow a lovely descent into Craigellachie. You are now in whisky country!
Following the Speyside Way to Aberlour and towards Grantown-on-Spey, you pass several distilleries – soak in the sights and smells in this area! Aid station 3 is in the heart of it!
At Grantown, which is aid station 4, you join the Dava Way and have “just” a marathon to go! It is downhill from here, taking in the beautiful Cairngorms around you and the Moray Firth views in front of you.
On re-entering Forres, you will wind through more picturesque trails before finishing back at Grant Park. You have just completed the world’s most beautiful 100 milers… congratulations (not that we’re bias)!
The 1st Speyside Way race first took place on 3rd April 1994 (Easter Sunday as a matter of fact!) as a 50km as opposed to a 35miler (sorry on behalf of the race for adding that extra part for you!). Throughout its 22 year history, legends in not only distance running, but running as a whole, have competed in this event. This event is stacked in history – from the late Don Ritchie himself (former 100km world record holder, who later took on the job as race director) and world 100km champion Simon Pride, to Commonwealth Games runner Fraser Clyne and even 1500m specialist Brian Scally.
The 50km route is a great transition from road running to trail running, and great for a fast time. It is runnable, net downhill (let’s not mention the climb at Ben Aigen to keep you honest!) and has a beautiful finish on a coastal path and a wee sting in the tail before the finish line.
In 2021, we added a 100km option, where runners do an extra epic mountainous section (again, you are going downhill) from Aviemore to Tamdhu Distillery, where they join the 50km route all the way through whisky country to finish at the coast in Buckie.
The Dramathon is actually four races : The Full Dram (nearly 42km), The Half Dram (nearly 21km), The Wee Dram (just over 10km) and the relay (We Dram).
All are trail races, mostly on well-maintained paths along the beautiful Speyside Way. The route takes in several distilleries along the route, offering sights and smells to ignite your senses. Depending on the distance you run you will pick up the corresponding miniatures of single malt at the end of the race.
The finish line for all the races is at Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown. The full marathon starts at Glenfarclas, the half-marathon starts at Tamdhu, the 10K in Aberlour and the various legs of the relay divide up the marathon route into roughly 4 x 10km.
The course is overall pretty flat, as it mostly follows the old railway line of the Speyside Way, but there are a few hills (one ascent in each of the four sections of the full marathon course). The final stretch from Craigellachie to Dufftown is a gradual uphill slope. Some short sections on minor roads (about 5k of the full marathon course in total).
The Spey Valley will be in full spectacular Autumnal bloom on race weekend – come and experience one of the most beautiful and interesting corners of Scotland.
The Dramathon is beautifully structured and well-paced with a great finish. Just like a Speyside malt in fact …
More details are available on the event website – http:www.thedramathon.com
To see the route simply click on this Link below
http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1392766687
Please note that we reserve the right to change the route at any time. Please watch the event’s facebook page for latest updates :
https://www.facebook.com/The-Dramathon-105544339878704/
You can also follow us on Instagram
or join The Dramathon Training Club on Strava : https://strava.com/clubs/302395
The Dava Way is the perfect race to transition from marathons to ultras, or if you are a seasoned ultrarunner looking for a quick 50km.
This trail links the historic towns of Grantown-on-Spey and Forres, with a “fun” finish to show you the RD’s favourite running spots as a child to make the 50km distance! The route predominantly follows the old Highland Railway line, which means an off road yet runnable trail.
The flat line goes up to the Dava Summit (1050ft) – which will keep things interesting! – before descending down to sea level. With a mix of woodland, moorland and farm track, the Dava way is one of Scotland’s hidden treasures!
Highlights include:
The Divie viaduct, the trail’s icon, saved from demolition by Lord Laing
Huntly’s Cove, a gorge where the 2nd Marquis of Huntly holed up in 1645
Dava summit at 321 m/1052 ft, with a replica of the original sign
The Breathing Place at DunphaiI, a place to stop, picnic and enjoy nature, near the viaduct
The Halfway Hut, restored as a shelter and picnic point (with solar panels)
Two wood sculptures: a dragoon near the summit and a collie dog which used to convey messages
Cancelled due to snow conditions…. 12.3.24
A full weekend demo-ing boards, backcountry seminars and BBQ at the Ravenscraig B&B Aviemore on the Saturday evening. It’s going to be a cracking weekend. Keep an eye on our socials for updates.
Every year since 1984, mushers from the UK have gathered in the forests around Aviemore for the biggest event in the British sled dog racing calendar, The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain Aviemore Sled Dog Rally January 27th-28th will be the 40th anniversary rally and also the last ever SHCGB Aviemore Rally.
Organised by the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain in conjunction with Forestry and Land Scotland and sponsored by CSJ specialist canine feeds, Leucillin, and Photizo Light Therapy .The race is run on forest trails around the beautiful Loch Morlich, in the shadows of the Cairngorm mountains.
From an original of only 12 teams, the race is now one of the most prestigious sled dog races in the UK . The race features teams of between two and eight dogs pulling their musher on a sled around a four to seven mile trail. If there’s no snow at ground level for the event, the races still go on with mushers using a three-wheeled or four wheeled rigs. There are eight adult classes and two children’s classes and mushers range from just 8 years old to over 60. Along with the Siberian Huskies, race dogs include Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, Greenland Dogs and Canadian Eskimo Dogs – the pedigree breeds of dogs first bred to pull sleds in Arctic conditions hundreds of years ago
The trail is a designated cross-country ski course and is clearly defined. The Start lies just over the wooden bridge from the car park and runs parallel to the ski road for a short distance before entering the forest. The first part of the trail is quite demanding, but then runs along the loch side to the Finish without great problem.
Image credit Judy Wakker
Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Have you ever been night walking on Glenlivet Estate? Come and join the dark-side! Join us at The Carrachs Dark Sky Discovery site in the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park for a small group (up to 8) night walk and stargazing session. We’ll look at stars, planets, and constellations and share resources for improving your celestial knowledge. After dusk the Braes of Glenlivet are an exciting place to walk and explore, and with eyes wide and senses alert you can experience the Estate like never before. Use you senses to listen for nocturnal animals and birds and marvel at the night sky.
The Glenlivet and Tomintoul area is one of the best places in the Cairngorms National Park to discover the wonders of the night sky. It is Scotland’s second International Dark Sky Park and the most northerly in the world.
Please note that there are no toilets or facilities on site but parking is plentiful. As we will be outside in February, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Lots of layers, along with gloves and hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable. Please also wear appropriate footwear for wet and wintry conditions.
In the event of inclement weather attendees will be emailed with updates on the day.
Suggested donation £10 on the night helps to support the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park.
Supported by the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.
How to get to the Carrachs car park:
Turn east off the B9008 at Auchnarrow (signposted for Scalan) and follow this road right to the end ensuring to follow sign for Chapeltown of Glenlivet. If you are using a navigation system, the postcode AB37 9JS will take you most of the way to Chapeltown of Glenlivet. Drive past Braeval Distillery and at the road end follow the 90-degree right hand turn which leads to the car park. This track is quite potholed and uneven in places so please proceed slowly and carefully.
Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Join us at Glenlivet’s Blairfindy Moor Dark Sky Discovery site in the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park for a small group (up to 6) stargazing session. We’ll look at stars, planets, and constellations and share resources for improving your celestial knowledge.
The Glenlivet and Tomintoul area is one of the best places in the Cairngorms National Park to discover the wonders of the night sky. It is Scotland’s second International Dark Sky Park and the most northerly in the world. Blairfindy Moor is a great spot for stargazers and aurora hunters and is located just above The Glenlivet Distillery.
Please note that there are no toilets or facilities on site and parking is limited. As we will be outside in February, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Lots of layers, along with gloves and hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable. Please also wear appropriate footwear for wet and wintry conditions.
Suggested donation £10 on the night helps to support the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park.
Supported by the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.
Image credit: Sam Robinson
Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Join us at the Discovery Centre in Tomintoul for an all ages stargazing session. We’ll have a briefing in the Discovery Centre and we’ll pass out red head torches before walking down to a nearby stargazing site in a group to admire the visible planets, the stars of the winter hexagon and notable constellations. The Glenlivet and Tomintoul area is one of the best places in the Cairngorms National Park to discover the wonders of the night sky. It is Scotland’s second International Dark Sky Park and the most northerly in the world.
Toilets are available in the Discovery Centre and limited amenities also are available in Tomintoul. As we will be outside in February, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Lots of layers, along with gloves and hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable. Please also wear appropriate footwear for wet and wintry conditions. If conditions are unsuitable on the day of the event the organiser will email attendees.
Suggested donation £5 on the night helps to support the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park.
Image credit: Sam Robinson
Where is this event being held?
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