Tom’s Cairn 5k & 10k Trail Races

The senior race starts at the Church, crossing the road and taking the minor road behind Christie Close southwards until it meets the Forest of Birse Road. Runners turn into the South Drive of Finzean House, taking a sharp left as Finzean House comes into view. Next right turn in a NW direction, following that track to a high point of the track in the woods. The route then takes a rough forestry track for approximately 600m before crossing the B976 at the Corsedardar war memorial. The route climbs steeply through the woods following a rough track before exiting the woods through a gate onto the hillside. A distinct path is followed along the south side of the ridge until the summit of Tom’s Cairn comes into view around 600m away. Runners reach the summit then retrace their steps for around 200m before turning left southwards down the hill, through a small wood, past some fields and back onto the B976. Runners turn right then run for around 200m entering the field on the left through an open gate just past a cottage. The route crosses two fields (an open gate separates them) and runners emerge on the minor unclassified road just south of Finzean School before joining the community path. Runners turn left down the hill and arrive at the finish after passing through the School Wood.

The route for the 5K (for adults and Academy aged children) starts and finishes at the same point as the main Tom’s Cairn Trail Race. The route goes downhill from the Church on the lane then up the South Drive of Finzean House, taking a left turn as Finzean House comes into view (as with the main race). The route continues to the small settlement of Turfgate where it turns left and through the woods, meeting up back at the South Drive. Runners then retrace their steps back to the start/finish. The route is approximately 4.85km with 70m of climb.

There will be a short fun race for Primary children, around the fields below the Church, with a small memento to all runners.