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Moray Way Relay Runner’s Guide
Moray Way Relay Overview
Start & Finish: Forres • 11:00
Distance & Elevation: approx. 100 miles • 13,300 ft
Format: 12 legs and up to 4 team runners
Cut-off: 24 hours
Entries: 25 teams
Tracking: Live race tracking
2026 Race Schedule
Key timings for race week, registration and start times
Wednesday
7:30pm
Online race briefing
Shared via email / website
Friday
10:00am–4:00pm
Race number collection
Skedaddle Speyside, Fochabers
Saturday
5:00am
Race start – individual 100 mile runners
Grant Park Playing Fields, Forres
10:00–10:45am
Race Number, Tracker & Bag Drop
Forres Community Centre
11:00am
Relay team start
Grant Park Playing Fields, Forres
After finish
Prize giving
Awards will be handed out shortly after runners cross the finish line, or mailed out shortly afterwards
Sunday
11:00am
Final cut-off time
Forres
Start Locations & Registration
Please allow plenty of time on race morning to arrive, register and prepare.
Start Area Facilities
The start of the Moray Way 100 Relay is at the Forres Cricket Pavilion, Grant Park, Forres IV36 3BN. You can register at Forres Community Centre from 10.00-10.45am.
At the start location you will find:
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Registration, Race Tracker and bib collection (start list published online during race week)
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Toilets and drinking water
1st Aid & Defib
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Marshals and volunteers
A short briefing will take place before the start, covering any final updates since the online briefing.
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 of each of your legs.
Race Rules
Our marshals are volunteers giving up their time to make the race happen. Please treat them with respect at all times — without them, there would be no race. Following their instructions will help the day run smoothly for everyone.
- Race bibs must be worn on the front and clearly visible at all times
- Support crews are only permitted at designated checkpoints and aid stations
- No pacing is allowed (see pacing section later in the handbook)
- No running with dogs
- Only bone-conducting earphones are permitted due to single track and road sections
- If you withdraw, you or a team member must inform a marshal or the Race Director before leaving the course
- Relay trackers must be handed over to the next runner before they start their leg
- All trackers must be returned after the race — failure to do so will result in a £30 charge
For relay teams:
- Support crews must stick to designated checkpoints
- All team members are welcome to join for the finish at Grant Park
- One additional runner may join for the final 5km from the end of the Dava Way
Course Overview
Beginning inland at the award-winning Grant Park in Forres, you set off along the High Street before crossing the A96 and heading towards the famous eco-village of Findhorn. With Kinloss Barracks on your right (keep an eye out for planes) and the bay's nature reserve to your left, the sense of adventure quickly builds. From here, the coastal trail truly begins, opening up to some incredible views along the Moray Firth.
Running along the dunes, you pass into Roseisle Forest and continue on to Burghead, where a smooth tarred path leads you past Burghead Distillery and on towards Hopeman. The stretch from Hopeman to Covesea delivers some of the finest clifftop running on the course, with expansive, unforgettable views. At Covesea, if the tide is out, you'll drop onto the beach with the lighthouse guiding you along a stunning stretch that feels more like a tropical island than the north of Scotland, all the way to Lossiemouth.
From there, you move through Lossie Forest before returning to the shoreline for a couple of miles towards Kingston. Due to the bridge closure at Garmouth, this section now diverts along a quiet road briefly as you head towards Fochabers, where you join the Speyside Way and begin your journey inland.
As you continue south, you pass Boat O' Brig and climb Ben Aigan, rewarded with a flowing descent into Craigellachie — the gateway to whisky country. Following the Speyside Way towards Aberlour and on to Grantown-on-Spey, you'll pass a series of iconic distilleries, taking in the sights (and maybe even the smells) of this world-famous region.
At Grantown, the route joins the Dava Way, where the terrain begins to favour you with a largely downhill run. Surrounded by the beauty of the Cairngorms and with views stretching back towards the Moray Firth, this section offers a special kind of motivation. From the Sanquhar checkpoint, you may call on your teammates for the final stretch, before re-entering Forres on picturesque trails that guide you back to Grant Park.
Cross the finish line where it all began — you're team have just completed one of the world's most beautiful 100 milers.
Mandatory Kit
All relay runners must carry the following minimum kit at all times during the race.
Mandatory Kit (Relay)
| An emergency foil blanket (minimum size 200cm x 100cm) | |
| Waterproof jacket | |
| Fully charged mobile phone | |
| Uploaded GPX file of the route onto your watch or mobile phone | |
| Enough food/drink to fuel your race | |
| Emergency food | |
| Headtorch (for the night sections) |
Race Director Discretion
- The Race Director may require additional kit if adverse weather or conditions are forecast.
- Please ensure you store the RD's mobile number (07732463918).
- 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 handover wherever possible.
Medical, Safety & Withdrawals
Standard rules apply. You must follow the marked Moray Way Trail and any temporary race signage, pass through all handover points, 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 will 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 route.
Support Crews & Spectators
Support crews and spectators are very welcome along the route 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. As indicated earlier, pacing for the 100 mile solo is allowed from the Grantown checkpoint all the way to the finish line.
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.
Finish Line Experience
Congratulations — you've reached the finish of one of the most beautiful routes in Scotland (not that we're biased!).
At the finish line in Forres, you'll receive your Moray Way Ultras medal, a Spey Valley beer and a souvenir momento! Post-race refreshments will be available for all runners.
Prizes & Awards
Prizes are awarded for the top overall male, female, and (where applicable) non-binary finishers. 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 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
Official MWU merchandise is available to buy online before the event and at the finish area on race day.
Limited stock will be available on the day, so pre-ordering is recommended.
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 Way without having to run the full distance.
FAQs
Who can be in my team?
Anyone! We have categories to suit all, whether you are in the open all female category, all male masters, or mixed military. Provided you can run a minimum of 10.5miles over a 24 hour period (that is the sum of the 3 shortest sections), you can take part (as long as your team members are happy to run a little more!). r team. We have categories to suit everyone, including open, all-female, all-male masters, and mixed military teams. As long as each runner can cover at least 10.5 miles over a 24-hour period (the total distance of the three shortest sections), you are welcome to take part—provided your teammates are happy to share out any extra miles as needed.
How far does each person need to run?
You choose! Provided every team member runs 3 legs (or more if there are less than 4 people in your team), you can agree to run any leg you want. They key word here is agree..! A fast 5ker, for example, can team up with an ultra dafty, and choose the shorter legs while their team mate chooses the longer legs.
What are the legs?
There are 12 legs, that can be found in detail in its own section below. GPX files are available for download from our website, which are mandatory to upload this year.
How do I get to the checkpoints?
The good news is there are a maximum of 4 per team, so as long as one of you has a car, you can travel with your team car, or car share with another team, around the course. Work as a team to assign who does what, and while one is running, the rest of you are either resting, driving, or fuelling! Locations of where the handover points are can be found on the All Trails maps and GPX files available on our website.
How do you choose who runs what?
As long as each runner has completed at least 3 legs, and you cross the line within the cut off time of 24 hours, the rest is up to you. This means runner 1 can do the 1st 3 legs in a row if that is what the team has agreed to. Ensure you plan the logistics and your team mates all understand the plan of who is running what, and an estimated time schedule.
**WE ARE ALLOWING THE ENTIRE TEAM TO RUN THE FINAL LEG AS A VICTORY LAP, FROM SANQHUAR TO FORRES** However, this is entirely optional.
Is there a tracker?
YES! This will also act as your "baton" . The 1st runner will take it at registration and hand it over at the handover point to runner 2. This will allow all team mates and supporters to follow the runners accurately and allow them to plan where to be and when with peace of mind!
Tracking link: Will be emailed on race week
Do I have to be an experienced trail runner or ultra runner?
Nope - that's the beauty of it! As long as you can average 14min/mile for the course cumulatively, one member could be running 20min/mile and another 6min/mile. The majority of the route is non-technical and - even after light rain - can be run with road shoes. We aim to be as inclusive as possible and encourage you to tackle this beautiful route, just in a team environment!
How much running is done in the dark?
We have strategically made the race around the longest day to keep running in the dark to a minimum. But there will be some headtorch running required, so please plan for this.
Where do we sleep?
That's the fun part! You might not sleep at all... you'll just be too excited! But you can sleep in your team car, book a hotel room for you to take turns in, or tent it up nearby (a perk of the race being in Scotland!). Those of you running at night may require a sleep mask to try and nap during daylight!
Do you do a bag drop?
Not for relay runners - we expect that your team will have a car and when you finish your leg to hand over to the next person, your team will be there to have your stuff. Work out scenarios and plans as a team so you you have peace of mind on race day.
Do you need volunteers?
Yes! We need all the help we can get. We have 12 checkpoints, lots of fuel stations, awards to hand out, and 100 miles of course to mark..! We couldn't do it without you, so if you have any supporters who want to combine cheering with helping, please let us know by filling out the volunteer form on the website. Any local groups who would like to get involved, we would be happy to donate to your cause in exchange for some help.
Final Notes
The aim is to reach the start line feeling informed, confident and excited. The Moray Way offers sweeping sea views, sandy beaches, mystical forests, rivers, stunning moorland and characterful villages – take time to look up, breathe it in, and savour the journey as well as the finish line. Conditions on the route 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. These channels should be checked in the week before the race and again the day before running. We look forward to welcoming your team to the relay!