Race Across Scotland

Secondary header image
Camera
1 / 21
Secondary header image
Secondary header image
Camera
18 +
logo

Race Across Scotland
Heart
Not quite ready to book?

Save this event for later and come back to it when you're ready.

£599
About
Conquer this bucket-list race, spanning 215 miles from Scotland's west to east coast. Following the Southern Uplands Way through Dumfries and the Scottish Borders from Portpatrick to Cockburnspath, this is the ultimate challenge. With only limited places available, don't miss your chance to enter!
PathWithPin
215 miles
View details
Calendar
Sat, 10 Aug 2024
View logistics
LocationPin
Portpatrick, United Kingdom
View location
Perks of booking with Let's Do This
Tick

Best price guarantee

Tick

Official booking partner

We're #1 in customer satisfaction

The event experience
Scenery

Based on location

Invite friends, earn credit

After registering for this event, invite your friends to join you and if it's their first booking on Let's Do This you'll get 5%* off your next event with GB Ultras.

Where and when
Location
Portpatrick Village Hall, 2-1 Welsh Pl, Portpatrick, Stranraer DG9 8TZ, UK
Start times
Saturday 10 Aug 2024
215 miles: 6:00 am
Event summary
Here are the distances available for Race Across Scotland
215 miles
Distance
215mi
£599
Route information
Distance: 215 miles
Terrain: Trails
Elevation: +7,218m / -7,120m
With challenging trails, breathtaking views and 215 miles, this multi-terrain ultra from Scotland's west to east coast is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This route will include plenty of hills as it follows the Southern Upland Way, as you race from one side of Scotland to the other, and there will be checkpoints throughout for runners to stop, refuel and recharge.
Beginning in the stunning seaside town of Portpatrick on Scotland's west coast, runners will start the race by passing Stranraer and the village of Castle Kennedy, which lies on the banks of the White and Black Lochs. The route then heads deeper inland, crossing the Water of Luce and going past Balmurrie Fell. Participants will enter the Lowther Hills, tackling multiple ascents and descents.
As the route passes Loch Derry, runners will continue on to the hamlet of Polbae, set in the heart of acres of plantation forest. The route crosses the River Bladnoch and leaves the forest, skirting Loch Ochiltree and pushing northwards towards Garchew. Upon reaching the River Gree, the route will turn south before heading into the Kirrough Forest. Runners will find Checkpoint 3 located in the picturesque village of Glentrool at the 45-mile mark.
The route then continues along the banks of Loch Trool and into the Galloway Forest Park. Participants will be able to glimpse the stunning waters of Loch Dee and Clatteringshaws Loch before heading north. Checkpoint 4 is located at the 67-mile mark in the historic community of St Johns Town of Dalry, situated on the Water of Ken.
You'll tackle the majestic Barlaes Hill and continue north through hills and woodland until you reach Polgown. From there, the route pushes on to Sanquhar through the Scaur Hills and then reaches Wanlockhead, Scotland's highest village. Here, runners will be faced with the 701m climb up Lowther Hill, the highest point of the Southern Upland Way.
The route will continue along the fantastic trails around the Daer Reservoir and past the vibrant town of Moffat, with Checkpoint 7 located in Beattock. Participants will head on to the village of Ettrick and St Mary's Loch, the largest natural loch in the Scottish Borders. After reaching Traquair, home to Scotland's oldest inhabited stately home, the route will continue through the Manor Hills, with runners crossing the River Tweed, and heading into bustling Melrose.
The next section brings you out into the open countryside before reaching Lauder in Berwickshire. From there, the route heads north towards the famous ancient stones of Twin Law. The route will continue on to Longformacus, nestled in the Lammermuir Hills, skirting past woodland and then passing through Abbey St Bathans. From there, it's not far to the finish line in the coastal village of Cockburnspath, the easternmost point of the Southern Uplands Way.
Checkpoint Locations:
  • Checkpoint 1 – 13 Miles. Castle Kennedy Fuel Station, DG9 8RY. NX10830 59755
  • Checkpoint 2 – 22 Miles. New Luce, DG8 0NB. NX19075 64985
  • Emergency Shelter – 27 Miles – Beehive Bothy, Kilgallioch Windfarm
  • Checkpoint 3 – 45 Miles. Glentrool Village Hall, DG8 6SY. NX35865m 78428
  • Emergency Shelter – 54 Miles – White Laggan Mountain Bothy – Loch Dee
  • Checkpoint 4 – 67 Miles - St Johns Town of Dalry Village Hall, Ayr Road, DG7 3SW. NX61895 81190
  • Emergency Shelter – 85 Miles – Chalk Memorial Bothy – Poleskeoch
  • Checkpoint 5 – 93 Miles. Sanquhar Community Centre, Station Road, Sanquhar, DG4 6BT
  • Checkpoint 6 – 101 Miles. Wanlockhead Community Centre, Church Street, ML12 6UT. NS87400 12950
  • Checkpoint 7 – 121 Miles. Beattock Village Hall, Craigielands Village, DG10 9QZ. NT07935 02295.
  • Emergency Shelter – 132 Miles – Over Phawhope Bothy
  • Checkpoint 8 – 138 Miles. Boston Memorial Hall, Scabcleuch, Ettrick, Selkirk, TD7 5JB
  • Checkpoint 9 – 164 Miles. Fairnilee Hut, Beside the River Tweed, B7060, Approx TD1 3PR/TD1 3PP. NT45875 32580
  • Checkpoint 10 – 182 Miles. Lauder Public Hall, The Avenue, Lauder, Approx Postcode TD2 6SR. NT53050 47670.
  • Checkpoint 11 – 196 Miles. The Watch Fishery Lodge, Longformacus, Near Duns, TD11 3PG
  • Finish – 215 Miles – Cockburnspath Village Hall, Callander Place, TD13 5XY. NT77363 71195.
Organiser route images
What's included
  • Finisher's Race Across Scotland 215 Mile Buckle
  • Live Online GPS tracking
  • Waymarked trail following one of Scotland's Greatest Trails, the Southern Upland Way
  • 11 checkpoints supporting the runners across Scotland
  • Single stage continuous race over 100 hours to complete the trail
  • Scenery, history, Galloway Forest, rivers and mountain valleys
  • Stunning route steeped in history
Train
How to get there
Portpatrick Village Hall, 2-1 Welsh Pl, Portpatrick, Stranraer DG9 8TZ, UK
Get full directionsExternalLink
By Car
Portpatrick is a 15-minute drive from the town of Stranraer. It can be reached by following the A77 from Glasgow, or the A75 from Gretna, where it connects to the M6.
Participants must not drive when finished and must make suitable arrangements for transport after the event.
By Public Transport
The nearest train station is in Stranraer. Services run between Stranraer and Ayr.
From nearby the train station, you can catch the 367 bus which will take you directly to Portpatrick.
Event day logistics
Friday
17:30 - 21:00pm Bib number collection, drop bags handed in
Saturday
04:30 - 05:45 GB Race Tracker Collection, Dropbags and Bib number collection
06:00 Race starts
11:51 Checkpoint 1 cut-off time
15:54 Checkpoint 2 cut-off time
Sunday
02:15 Checkpoint 3 cut-off time
12:09 Checkpoint 4 cut-off time
23:51 Checkpoint 5 cut-off time
Monday
03:27 Checkpoint 6 cut-off time
12:27 Checkpoint 7 cut-off time
22:21 Checkpoint 8 cut-off time
Tuesday
07:48 Checkpoint 9 cut-off time
15:54 Checkpoint 10 cut-off time
22:39 Checkpoint 11 cut-off time
Wednesday
10:00 Finish cut-off time
Eligibility Criteria
Please note that this race is by application only. This ensures each participant has the suitable experience to take on the race and helps maintain the safety of everyone involved. Once you have completed your booking, the GB Ultras team will reach out to confirm your qualifications for the event.
For those wishing to take on this race, it is required that you have a strong background in endurance or ultra running prior to taking on the event.
The qualifying criteria are listed below:
  • Must have completed at least one ultramarathon distance event prior to the race
  • At least 20 years old at the time of the race
  • Must be in good health
All entrants are required to have the following medical form filled out by their doctor stating that they are in good health and that there is no known medical reason why they should not compete. See Here.ExternalLink
Age Requirements
All entrants must be the age of 20 or older.
Rest Venues
To ensure that every runner is looked after and accounted for, sleep is only permitted at Village Halls, Designated Venues & Checkpoints, or at Support Vehicles.
Bag Drop
Runners can use drop bags at Checkpoints 4, 7 and 9. Please check the following requirements for the size of each bag:
  • Checkpoint 4: St John's of Dalry - Maximum 40cm x 35cm x 40cm (L x W x H) – Small/Medium Pack Up to 30 Litre
  • Checkpoint 7: Beattock Village Hall – Maximum 40cm x 35cm x 40cm (L x W x H) – Small/Medium Pack Up to 30 Litre
  • Checkpoint 9: Fairnilee Hut – Max 35cm x 25cm x 20cm (L x W x H) – Small/Medium Pack Up to 20 – 25 Litre
  • Finish line: Medium Holdall
Support
Runners are self-sufficient between checkpoints but are allowed a Support Crew from Glentrool (Checkpoint 3) onwards.
Mandatory Kit
  • Hardcopy Southern Upland Way Map
  • Waterproof coat with sealed seams minimum 10,000mm,
  • Base plate Compass
  • Long Sleeved Base layer (kept in a drybag separate from Starting kit)
  • Whistle
  • Water bottle or bladder minimum 1 litre capacity
  • Fully charged mobile phone
  • Survival/thermal Bag or Bivvy bag
  • Headtorch
  • Water purification tablets or Filter
  • Backup lightsource
  • 'Emergency' Food Rations (500 Calories)
  • GPS Tracker (Provided by GB Race Tracker Prior to the Race)
Recommended Kit
  • GPS Handheld device
  • Gloves
  • Insect repellant
  • Tick remover
  • Electrolytes/S-caps
  • First aid kit
Safety
  • If you see a runner in difficulty please inform a marshal, each runner will be provided with a HQ mobile number on their bib.
  • No roads are closed so be careful at times when crossing roads.
  • There are certain sections that lead onto country road, and/or road crossings – due to the length of the route – it won’t be possible to marshal a 200 mile route. It is the role of the entrant to be self-sufficient.
  • If in danger medical staff will be dispatched immediately but may not be able to get to you within 4 hours due to trails
  • Please only use your phone if an emergency has arose to conserve battery
  • Participants who help other fallen participants may be able to claim back time
  • Participants must not drive directly after the event, make sensible arrangements
FAQs
What is the eligibility requirements for the Race Across Scotland?
All participants must be over the age of 20 and must have a medical certificate filled out by their doctor. Runners must have a strong background in ultra running or endurance events to qualify for this event.
ChevronLeft
When does the Race Across Scotland start?
The Race Across Scotland starts at 06:00, so please make sure to arrive between 04:00 and 05:30 to register for the event and collect your GPS tracker.
ChevronLeft
What is the cut-off time for the Race Across Scotland
You will have 100 hours to complete this race, it will end at 10:00 on the Wednesday.
ChevronLeft
Reviews
This event currently has no reviews, why not be the first? You could help someone find their perfect event.
£599
Office

8th Floor, Orion House, 5 Upper St Martins Lane,

London, WC2H 9EA

Reg number 10083277

Follow Us
image
🇬🇧