Posts for December, 2024

The Aviemore Half Marathon and 10k for all – two jaw-droppingly scenic courses set amongst the atmospheric backdrop of the Cairngorms. Both races start and finish at Badaguish, taking you on spectacular routes using off-road trails through the beautiful forest, loch and mountain scenery of Glenmore Forest Park. This event is run by Badaguish on behalf of the Speyside Trust.

This half marathon and 10k event might be set amongst the mountains, but don’t let that put you off. Our routes have been planned with our runners in mind and involve no serious ascent or descent – just enough lift to leave you with some spectacular sweeping descents. Conditions are a mixture of mostly good solid forest tracks and paths, with a very short spell along the ski road for the half marathon – a normal good supportive running shoe is required.

The loch has been chosen for its superb water quality and spectacular surroundings. Coupled with fantastic MTB trails (forest road, easy track as well as sections of singletrack) in the forest, this is one of the very best locations in the UK for off-road racing.

“The Long Hard Durty”, this Standard distance race will be a stiff challenge on a tough course in a spectacular location. .

Long Hard Durty:

1,000m Open Water Swim, 18km Technical Mountain Bike, 9km Trail Run
“The Short Fast Durty”, this Sprint distance race will be a stiff but achievable challenge on a great course in a spectacular location.

Short Fast Durty:

500m Open Water Swim, 12km Mountain Bike, 5km Trail Run

Join us for an Open water swimming experience you will never forget.

In the heart of the Cairngorms and in the shadow of Cairngorm Mountain, join us for an open water swim in this truly spectacular location.

At 300 metres above sea level you can swim in a loch that has one of the highest beaches in the UK!

Glenmore 24 is a 12/24hr trail race held in the Glenmore forest outside Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands.

Situated near Loch Morlich the location is stunning and completely off road on forest trails.

The route is a 4mile loop starting at the Hayfield then heading out on to the forest trails passing Loch Morlich. The main race route is in full operation for 12/24hr hour with an option at 11/23hr to join a small 400m loop for the last hour.

2025 will see the 50th Anniversary of the Lairig Ghru Hill Race. The event has run consecutively every year without break since Eddie Campbell’s inaugural race in 1976. This Long Hill Race is over 43 km between the police stations of Braemar and Aviemore, a classic race over a drover road.

Generously sponsored by Fred.Olsen Renewables, Cairngorm to Coast (aka C2C) is a 100km hike and bike challenge that takes place against the backdrop of the magnificent Cairngorm National Park and along the beautiful scenery of the Dava Way. Taking you from the dizzy heights of the Highlands to the coast of Moray; it’s the area’s most gruelling, but stunning challenge event.

C2C is split into three categories: hike, hike & bike and bike only. Following the same route, starting at Cairngorm Ski Centre carpark, it’s a hike or bike down to Glenmore Forest, towards Nethy Forest and on to Nethy Bridge before joining the Speyside Way to Grantown on Spey (GOS). From GOS, they take the Dava Way to Forres and then a local Sustrans route to Lossiemouth

Hike Only (30km)

You will depart Lossiemouth at 7am for the Cairngorm ski centre car park. Starting at 9am from Cairngorm, you will hike 30km to the Royal British Legion Scotland in Grantown on Spey, where you will receive your finishing medal and can enjoy a hot meal. (Age 10+)

Hike & Bike (30km/70km)

Depart Lossiemouth 7am for a 9am start at Cairngorm Mountain car park. You’ll hike 30km to Grantown where your bike and cycling kit will be waiting, ready for your 70km cycle to Lossiemouth and receive your finisher’s medal. (Age 14+)

Bike Only (100km)

Depart Lossiemouth at 9am for staggered start from 11am at Cairngorm Mountain car park. Cycle 30km to Grantown on Spey for hot food and drinks, then further 70km to Lossiemouth for your finisher’s medal. (Age 14+)

Whether you are just starting out in the sport, or an experienced triathlete chasing a PB, this event will give you the chance to push yourself whilst experiencing some of the best views the Cairngorms has to offer.

Join us at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre on Sunday 22nd June 2025!

Registration will be open from 9:30am at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, giving you plenty of time to set up your transition zone.

Fitnessat58° Founder, Sam Cairns will lead an event brief and warm up on Loch Insh beach at 11:45am, before the race begins at 12pm.

The race will start and finish is at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre. There will be vehicles available for you to leave your belongings during the race.

Car parking will be available at the Kincraig Shinty Pitch, next to the Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, just two minute walk from the car park to registration.

The Speyside Triathlon Distances

1. 500m swim

2. 18km cycle – 70% gravel/forest tracks and 30% road

3. 10km run – 90% gravel/forest tracks and 10% road

Outsider Events are excited to bring to you a bigger and better 5th edition of Blair Castle Trail Weekender on the 30 May – 1 June 2025.

The 2025 event features a wider range of trail races and exciting edition of our evening talks, and range of live music on the Saturday evening…Plus, the first feature of the Atholl Trail Half Marathon!

Staged within the grounds of the iconic Blair Castle on the Atholl Estate, this weekend of trail running has races from Kids, 7km right up to the 60km ‘Full Tilt Ultra’.

All respective races start at the event village based in the grounds of Blair Castle which nestles at the base of the Cairngorm national park.

From here on out, depending on your choice of race, runners either loop round past Hercules Gardens and back to the start, fork off up the winding Glen Tilt or head toward the 1009m high summit of Ben Dearg. Which trail will you take?

The Grantown-on-Spey Triathlon is held in the picturesque capital of Strathspey set in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. The annual event attracts competitors with all levels of experience, but is mainly targeted at novices of all ages competing as individuals or in teams.

Swim
300 metres (15 lengths of a 20 metre pool)
Cycle
16 kilometres (10 miles) circuit round the Grantown Braes through some spectacular Highland scenery
Run
4.8 kilometres (3 miles) through the Anagach Woods

Join us for a cycling event and a fun and inclusive weekend in a great natural environment.

The Cateran Dirt Dash bikepacking event takes you in two days through the stunning surroundings of the Cairngorms National Park to enjoy the dramatic scenery in the Cateran Ecomuseum.

It’s the perfect way to experience the rugged beauty of Scotland’s only museum without walls. This event has a shorter route than the Dashes in Yorkshire and Dunoon; it’s the perfect introduction to bikepacking in Scotland.