Moray Coastal Trail 50 Runner’s Guide

Race Week / Race Day Timeline

Travel & Transport

The Moray Coastal Trail Ultra starts and finishes in different locations depending on your race distance. Please read the relevant information below carefully and plan your travel in advance.

Regardless of which race you are doing, there is free parking available in Cullen for runners using the official race buses. If the main car parks are busy, additional parking can be found at:

• Cullen – The Square (AB54 4RL)

• Cullen – Harbour (AB56 4AG)

Please park considerately and respect local residents.

50 Mile (Findhorn → Cullen)

The recommended option for 50 Mile runners is to park at the finish in Cullen and take the official race bus to the start in Findhorn.

On race morning, please arrive at Cullen Beach Car Park in good time for departure.

• Bus departure: 05:15

• Departure point: Cullen Beach Car Park

• Journey time: approx. 40 minutes

There is no return bus after the race, so parking at the finish in Cullen is strongly advised.

50K (Lossiemouth → Cullen)

50K runners should also park in Cullen and use the official race bus to travel to the start in Lossiemouth.

On race morning, please arrive at Cullen Beach Car Park in good time for departure.

• Bus departure: 09:15

• Departure point: Cullen Beach Car Park

• Journey time: approx. 30 minutes

The race finishes in Cullen. There is no official transport back to Lossiemouth after the race.

Support Crews & Spectators

Support crews and spectators are welcome at designated locations along the route, including Findhorn, Lossiemouth, Spey Bay, Portgordon, Buckie and Cullen.

Please do not stop or park in unsafe locations or on narrow roads, and always follow marshal instructions and local signage.

Book the Race Bus

If you choose to go on the bus, please ensure that you book in advance. Bus bookings close on 1 May 2026 

Start Locations & Registration

Please allow plenty of time on race morning to arrive, register and prepare.

Start Area Facilities (Both Races)

At each start location you will find:

• Registration, Race Tracker and bib collection (start list published online during race week)

• Bag drop

• Toilets and drinking water

• 1st Aid & Defib

• Marshals and volunteers

A short briefing will take place before each start, covering any final updates since the online briefing.

50 Mile Ultra – Findhorn

50 Mile runners will arrive in Findhorn via the official race bus from Cullen and should follow signage and marshal instructions to the start area.

Start time: 07:00

50K Ultra – Lossiemouth (New Bridge)

50K runners will arrive in Lossiemouth via the official race bus from Cullen and should follow signage and marshal instructions to the start area.

Start time: 11:00

Important Notes

Please arrive early, follow marshal instructions and respect local residents. Ensure your race number, tracker and mandatory kit are ready before the start.

Aid Stations & Drop Bags

Aid stations will be fully stocked with water, hydration, snacks and basic first aid. Drop bags are available at designated locations. Support crews are only permitted at official aid stations.

Drop Bags

• Your race number includes tear-off drop bag slips for each checkpoint. Please tear off the slips and attach one to each bag before handing it in.

Please note:

• Only official drop bags will be transported.

• Bags must be dropped off at the start area before your race begins.

• Uncollected bags will be returned to the finish area at the end of the day. We will not be able to post items back to you if you leave them at the checkpoints.

Support Crews

• Support crews are only permitted at official aid stations.
• No pacing is allowed at any point on the course.
• It is the runner's responsibility to ensure their support crew understands and follows these rules.

Important Notes

• Aid station locations and facilities may be subject to minor changes.
• Final details will be confirmed at the race briefing and on the website during race week.

Course Overview

The Moray Coastal Trail Ultra follows one of Scotland's most spectacular stretches of coastline, combining forest trails, clifftop paths, sandy beaches and characterful fishing villages.

50 Mile Ultra – Findhorn to Cullen

The 50 Mile route begins in Findhorn and heads east along quiet coastal paths and forest trails. Runners pass through Roseisle Forest and Burghead before tackling dramatic clifftop trails and beaches around Lossiemouth and Spey Bay.
The final miles weave through picturesque coastal villages before finishing beneath the iconic Cullen Viaduct.

50K Ultra – Lossiemouth to Cullen

The 50K route starts in Lossiemouth and showcases the most scenic sections of the Moray Coast. Expect clifftop trails, beach running and stunning views across the Moray Firth, with the same memorable finish in Cullen.

Mandatory Kit

All runners must carry the following minimum kit at all times during the race.

Race Director Discretion

• The Race Director may require additional kit if adverse weather or conditions are forecast.
• Any updates will be communicated via the website, email and race briefing.

Runner Responsibility

Runners are responsible for their own safety and must be self-sufficient between checkpoints wherever possible.

Medical, Safety & Withdrawals

Standard ultra running rules apply. You must follow the marked Moray Coastal Trail and any temporary race signage, pass through all checkpoints, and obey instructions from marshals and medical staff. Cutting the course, accepting unauthorised vehicle support, or failing to check in at a timing point may lead to disqualification. The event operates under a strict no-litter policy: anything you bring onto the trail must leave with you or be placed in bins at checkpoints. Dropping gel wrappers or bottles on the route will result in penalties and possible removal from the race.

Please respect local residents, landowners and other trail users. Give way courteously where paths narrow, keep noise to a minimum in villages and leave gates as you find them. Headphones are allowed only if they do not block your awareness of traffic, marshals, or other runners; bone-conduction or one-ear use are strongly recommended, and headphones must be removed at road crossings, checkpoints and when requested by volunteers.

Medical support is available at the start, finish, and key points along the course, with mobile response teams on call. If you or another runner needs help, stop if it is safe to do so, provide basic assistance, and contact race control using the emergency number printed on your race number. In a serious emergency, call the 999, then inform race control as soon as possible. Your safety and that of fellow runners always comes before finishing time.

Kit checks may take place at registration, at the start line, and at random points on course. Please arrive with your pack fully prepared and allow extra time for checks. Failure to present mandatory kit, or refusal to carry it, may result in time penalties or disqualification. These rules are in place for your safety on a remote and sometimes exposed coastal route.

Support Crews & Spectators

Support crews and spectators are very welcome along the Moray Coastal Trail Ultra and play a big part in the atmosphere of the event.

Support crews are only permitted at designated checkpoints and must follow marshal instructions at all times. Pacing is not allowed on any part of the course.

Spectators should park considerately, avoid narrow roads, and respect local residents and communities. Please do not stop or park in unsafe locations.

Great viewing points along the route include Findhorn, Lossiemouth, Spey Bay, Portgordon, Buckie and Cullen, where there are good access points and facilities.

We ask everyone supporting runners to help us keep the event safe, friendly and respectful for all.

Finish Line Experience

Congratulations — you've reached the finish of one of the most beautiful ultras in Scotland (not that we're biased!).

At the finish line in Cullen, you'll receive your Moray Way Ultras medal, a Speyside Brewery beer and a souvenir momento! Post-race refreshments will be available for all runners, along with a massage tent from our massage therapist Asia (a small fee and can pay by card or cash)

There are also plenty of food and drink options nearby with Coffee at the Kings, including fish and chips, ice cream and a coffee truck, all just a short walk from the finish.

Prizes & Awards

Prizes are awarded for the top overall male, female, and (where applicable) non-binary finishers in both the 50k and 50 Mile races. Age-group awards typically recognise leading runners in standard categories (for example V40, V50, V60 and above), subject to entry numbers. We may also offer special category awards such as first local runner or first mixed team, which will be confirmed in the final race briefing.

All finishers receive a medal and, where advertised, a race memento or garment. Podium presentations will take place once results are confirmed; please listen for announcements or check the information board at the finish. If you need to leave early, prizes can be collected by a friend or posted by arrangement with the organisers.

Media, Photography & Race Coverage

Official photographers and media will be present on the course, at checkpoints, and at the finish. By entering the event, you acknowledge that images and video of the race may include you and may be used for event reporting, marketing, and future promotion, both online and in print. We aim to capture the spirit of the day while respecting personal dignity and safety at all times.

Links to race galleries and any video coverage will be shared on the event website and social media channels after the race. If you have a specific concern about an image, please let us know and we will do our best to help.

Race Merch 

Coaching, Training & Preparation

TRS Training, led by Race Organiser and GB Ultra runner, Kyle Greig can help you out with a training programme in the run up to the event.

Volunteering Opportunities

The event relies on a fantastic volunteer team to keep runners safe, supported, and smiling. Typical roles include registration and number collection, checkpoint and aid-station support, course marshalling, finish-line welcome, and post-race tidy-up. No previous experience is required; we provide briefings, simple instructions, and all necessary equipment.

If you, your friends, or family would like to volunteer, please sign up below. Volunteering is a great way to be part of the race atmosphere, give back to the running community, and enjoy a day on the Moray coast without having to run the full distance.

Final Notes

We want you to arrive at the start line feeling informed, confident and excited. The Moray Coastal Trail offers sweeping sea views, sandy beaches, and characterful villages – take time to look up, breathe it in, and enjoy the journey as well as the finish line. Conditions on the coast can change quickly, so come prepared, listen to your body, and never hesitate to ask a marshal or medic for help.

The most up-to-date information, including final race instructions, route updates, and any last-minute changes, will always be published on the official event website and shared via email and social media. Please check these channels in the week before the race and again the day prior to running. We look forward to welcoming you to the Moray Coastal Trail 50k and 50 Mile!