Dava Way 50K Athlete Guide

2026 Race Schedule

Travel & Transport

The Dava Way 50k starts in Grantown and finishes in Forres. Please review all the relevant information below carefully and plan your travel in advance.

Parking

There is ample free parking available in Forres for those using the official race buses. The race finish is located at Grant Park, with parking there as well as at Leys Road, Forres Community Centre and other nearby public parking areas.

Please park considerately and respect local residents.

Buses

The recommended option for runners is to take the official race bus to the start in Grantown.

On race morning, please arrive ahead in good time for departure.

Bus departure: 05:40
Departure point: Outside main entrance at Forres Community Centre
Journey time: Approx. 45 minutes

Registration and bag drop will take place at Craig Maclean Leisure Centre before the race start at 7.30am.

There is no return bus after the race!

If you choose to use the official race bus, please ensure you book in advance when entering the event. Bus bookings close shortly before race week and may sell out if demand is high.

If you choose to use the official race bus, please ensure you book in advance (preferably when entering the event). Bus bookings close on 1 November 2026.

Start Location & Registration

The start & registration is at the Craig MacLean Leisure Centre in Grantown, which will provide:

• Registration and bib collection (start list published online during race week)
• Race tracker collection
• Bag drop for each checkpoint & finish line
• Toilets and drinking water
• Coffee truck
• First Aid & Defibrillator

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

Registration Opens: 06:15
Race Start: 07:30

The race start starts directly in front of the school car park, which is a 50 metre walk from the leisure centre.

Important Notes

• Please use the ample street car parking and please do not park at the leisure centre car park.
• Please arrive early, follow marshal instructions and respect local residents. 
• Ensure your race number is visible at all times and that your race tracker has been collected before the start.
• All runners must carry the mandatory kit listed in this handbook and be ready for random kit checks before the race begins.

Aid Stations & Drop Bags

Aid stations will be stocked with water, Active Root sports drink, basic snacks and basic first aid. Drop bags are available 

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. You must ensure that you have a drop bag for each checkpoint. One drop bag to cover all checkpoints is not possible.

Please note:

• Only official drop bags will be transported
• Bags must be dropped off at the start area before your race begins.
• Please ensure that you take only what you need for each drop bag as these will not be transported to the finish line. We will not be able to post items back to you if you leave them at the checkpoints. Anything that is left will be donated.

Support Crews

• Support crews are only permitted at Checkpoint 2 & 3 due to lack of crew support parking at checkpoint 1.
• No pacing is allowed at any point on the course.

Important Notes

• Support crews are only permitted at Checkpoints 2 & 3 and must follow marshal instructions at all times.
• Pacing is not allowed on any part of the course.
• 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 route starts outside the Craig MacLean Leisure Centre before completing a predominantly trail-based loop around Anagach Woods as a warm-up. Runners then join the Dava Way and follow the old railway line for approximately 22 miles towards Forres, with a net elevation loss of around 320 metres. 

The route finishes with a short tour of Forres - Race Director Kyle's old stomping ground - before reaching the finish line at Forres Cricket Pitch in the beautiful Grant Park, where runners can enjoy views of Nelson's Tower. In addition to the permanent Dava Way markers, race signage and marshals will be positioned along the route. The downloadable GPX file and detailed route map can be viewed here.

Mandatory Kit

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

Please note that this is the minimum kit requirement. Remember, it is November in Scotland (!) and conditions can change quickly. If the forecast is less favourable, please carry additional waterproof clothing and warm layers. You must also bring enough fuel for the entire race, and we strongly recommend carrying a fully charged mobile phone. Random kit checks will be carried out before the race starts. 

Medical, Safety & Withdrawals

Standard ultra running rules apply. You must follow the marked Dava Way 50k 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 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 location on the Dava.

Support Crews & Spectators

Support crews and spectators are very welcome along the the route and play a big part in the atmosphere of the event.

Support crews are only permitted at Checkpoint 2 & 3 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.

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

Cut-Offs

We have been generous with the time limit to complete the 50k which will be 8 hours, so you have until 3.30pm to finish. 

Finish Line Experience

Congratulations — you've reached the finish of one of the most beautiful ultras in Scotland!

At the finish line in Forres, you'll receive your Moray Way Ultras medal, a Spey Valley Brewery and a souvenir momento! Our massage therapist Asia (a small fee and can pay by card or cash)

There are also plenty of food and drink options nearby, all just a short walk from the finish.

Prizes & Awards

Prizes are awarded for the top overall runners in both the 50k and 100k races. Age-group awards typically recognise leading runners in standard categories (for example V40, V50, V60 and above), subject to entry numbers.

All finishers receive a medal and some race goodies! 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 and think you are a prize winner, please find Kyle or Debbie to double check so we can give you your prize separately.

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 our 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.

Online Race Briefing 

Please join the Moray Way Ultras Facebook Page for last minute updates, and the live virtual briefing, which will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 4th November.

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 Dava Way 50K offers a memorable journey from Grantown-on-Spey to Forres, combining the woodland trails of Anagach Woods with the open landscapes and historic railway route of the Dava Way. Take time to look around, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the journey as much as the finish line.

Although the route is highly runnable and has an overall net elevation loss, it remains a challenging ultra marathon. November conditions can change quickly, particularly across the more exposed sections of the Dava Way. Please arrive prepared, manage your pacing and nutrition wisely, listen to your body and never hesitate to ask a marshal or medic for assistance.

The most up-to-date information, including final race instructions, route updates and last-minute changes, will always be published on the official event website and shared by email and social media. Please check these channels during race week and again on the day before the event.

Most importantly, enjoy your day, respect your fellow runners, volunteers and the local communities along the route, and make the most of your journey along one of Scotland's most scenic long-distance trails.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Dava Way 50K!